Current First-Year Learning Communities

The Bearkat Learning Community (BLC) is a program designed for incoming freshmen who want to take full advantage of their university experience. In BLC, students take two to three classes together each semester. In the fall, BLC students complete the BLC Challenge, a six session program that encourages students to think deeply about their reasons for attending college, to visualize accomplishments for their four years and to identify resources, attitudes, and opportunities that will help them to have a meaningful college experience. Throughout the school year, they have the to option of participating in additional extracurricular, social, educational, and community service programs.

Who should apply?	Any Major
Required Fall Classes:	UNIV 1101 (Intro to Collegiate Studies) + POLS 2306 (Texas Government) or UNIV 1101 + SOCI 2319 (Ethnic Studies)
Required Spring Classes:
Number of Spots:	48
Residence Hall:	Piney Woods Hall (required)

The CHSS Living Learning Community is a space for first-year students who have similar academic and extra-curricular interests to have a smoother transition to SHSU. Through this experience, students will connect their learning to their academic interests and to a range of social issues that affect their world. This community specifically focus on the development of critical skills and peer-led learning.

Who should apply?	Communication studies, English, history, political science, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and Spanish majors; undecided students
Required Fall Classes:	UNIV 1101 (Intro to Collegiate Studies), COMS 1361
Required Spring Classes:
Number of Spots:	20
Residence Hall:	Piney Woods Hall (required)

The Criminal Justice Living Learning Community is designed for first year students who are committed criminal justice majors. As members of this community, they have the option to participate in educational, social and community service programs that will help them feel at home at SHSU and introduce them to opportunities in the criminal justice field.

Who should apply?	Criminal justice and victim studies majors
Required Fall Classes:	UNIV 1101 (Intro to Collegiate Studies), CRIJ 2361 (Intro to Criminal Justice Systems), and POLS 2306 (Texas Government)
Required Spring Classes:	CRIJ 2362 (Criminology) and CRIJ 3350 (Victimology)
Number of Spots:	48
Residence Hall:	Lone Star Hall (required)

For future educators, the Education Living Learning Community provides a space for students to develop academic and social bonds with their peers. Students in this learning community also have opportunities to meet and hear professors from the College of Education and they develop strong networks that they will use throughout their time as undergraduates.

Who should apply?	Future elementary, intermediate, and high school teachers
Required Fall Classes:	UNIV 1101 (Intro to Collegiate Studies) and TBD
Spring Classes:	BIOL 1436 (Foundations of Science) and CIEE 2333 (Becoming a Teacher)
Number of Spots:	40
Residence Hall:	Piney Woods Hall (required)

The First Generation Living Learning Community is for students who are the first in their families to attend college. This living learning community provides an opportunity for first-generation students to foster meaningful relationships with similar students learning how to navigate the college experience for the first time. Students in the First Generation LLC will have access to academic resources such as private tutorial lab, tutors, academic coaches, and peer mentors. They will also have opportunities to meet professors and develop mentoring relationships within their academic fields. Students in the First Generation LLC must be accepted into TRiO SSS.

Who should apply?	Any student who is the first in his or her family to attend college
Required Fall Classes:	UNIV 1101 (Intro to Collegiate Studies) and POLS 2305 (American Government)
Spring Classes:	POLS 2306 (Texas Government) and SOCI 2319 (Intro to Ethnic Studies)
Number of Spots:	20
Residence Hall:	Piney Woods Hall (required)

The Health Sciences Living Learning Community is for students pursuing studies and careers in Health Sciences and related College of Health Sciences majors. Students in the Health Sciences Learning Community will have the opportunity to engage with a community of other students with similar academic interests and explore their professional aspirations in health sciences.

Who should apply?	Athletic training, bilingual health care studies, family and consumer sciences, fashion merchandising, food science and nutrition, food service management, health care administration, health sciences, interior design, kinesiology, public health and wellness management majors
Required Fall Classes:	UNIV 1101 (Intro to Collegiate Studies), CHEM 1406 (Inorganic and Environmental Chemistry), and KINE 2115 (Lifetime Health and Wellness)
Spring Classes:	FACS 2362 (Nutrition) and SOCI 2319 (Intro to Ethnic Studies)
Number of Spots:	24
Residence Hall:	Piney Woods Hall (required)

The Pre-Med Living Learning Community at Sam Houston State University is a one-of-a-kind program for students who are interested in attending Medical School (allopathic and osteopathic medicine). The cohort allows like-minded students to explore opportunities in the medical field, participate in activities that provide information about medical school, and engage with medical professionals. Students in the Pre-Med cohort have the opportunity to take seminars on MCAT preparation, participate in mock interviews, volunteer at health care related facilities, and take field trips to medical schools. Participants must be college ready (TSI Complete) in all subjects.

Who should apply?	Future medical professionals; biomedical sciences majors
Required Fall Classes:	UNIV 1101 (Intro to Collegiate Studies), BIOL 1411 (General Botany), and CHEM 1411 (General Chemistry I)
Required Spring Classes:	BIOL 1413 (General Zoology) and CHEM 1412 (General Chemistry II)
Number of Spots:	24
Residence Hall:	Piney Woods Hall (required)

The Pre-Nursing Living Learning Community cultivates the academic and professional experience of incoming students considering a career in nursing. This community promotes a culture of academic excellence and participation in scholarly, leadership, and service activities, enabling community members to increase their understanding of the nursing profession. Participants must be college ready (TSI Complete) in all subjects.

Who should apply?	Future nurses with a major in the College of Health Sciences
Required Fall Classes:	UNIV 1101(Intro to Collegiate Studies), BIOL 2403 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I), and KINE 2115 (Lifetime Health and Wellness)
Required Spring Classes:	BIOL 2404 (Human Anatomy and Physiology II) and FACS 2362 (Nutrition)
Number of Spots:	24
Residence Hall:	Piney Woods Hall (required)

The Bearkat Learning Community (BLC) is a program designed for incoming freshmen who want to take full advantage of their university experience. In BLC, students take two to three classes together each semester. In the fall, BLC students complete the BLC Challenge, a six session program that encourages students to think deeply about their reasons for attending college, to visualize accomplishments for their four years and to identify resources, attitudes, and opportunities that will help them to have a meaningful college experience. Throughout the school year, they have the to option of participating in additional extracurricular, social, educational, and community service programs.

Who should apply?	Any major
Required Fall Classes:	UNIV 1101 (Intro to Collegiate Studies) + ENGL 1301 (English Composition I) or UNIV 1101 (Intro to Collegiate Studies) + HIST 1301 (US History Prior to 1876
Required Spring Classes:
Number of Spots:	48
Residence Hall:	Piney Woods Hall/td>

The Criminal Justice Learning Community is a non-residential community option designed for first year students who are committed criminal justice majors. As members of this community, they have the option to participate in educational, social and community service programs that will help them feel at home at SHSU and introduce them to opportunities in the criminal justice field.

Who should apply?	Criminal justice and victim studies majors
Required Fall Classes:	UNIV 1101 (Intro to Collegiate Studies), CRIJ 2361 (Intro to Criminal Justice Systems) and POLS 2306 (Texas Government)
Required Spring Classes:	CRIJ 2362 (Criminology) and CRIJ 3350 (Victimology)
Number of Spots:	24
Residence Hall:	None; students can live anywhere on or off campus

The Pre-Law Learning Community at Sam Houston State University is a one-of-a-kind program for students interested in legal careers. The cohort allows like-minded students to explore opportunities in the legal field, participate in activities that provide information about law schools and law-related professions, and engage with legal professionals. Students in the pre-law cohort have the opportunity to take a Mock LSAT, attend seminars on graduate and law schools, participate in a Mock Law Class, and take field trips to law schools. With one of the largest groups of pre-law students in the country, SHSU’s Pre-Law Learning Community is a great way to get a head start on your law career!

Who should apply?	Any major interested in the legal field
Required Fall Classes:	UNIV 1101 (Intro to Collegiate Studies) and PSYC 1301 (Intro to Psychology)
Required Spring Classes:	POLS 2306 (Texas Government) and PHIL 2306 (Contemporary Moral Issues)
Number of Spots:	16
Residence Hall:	Piney Woods Hall available on a first come, first served basis

The STEM Learning Community for students in science, technology, engineering, and math majors is an exciting opportunity for students to develop meaningful connections with peers and faculty in their academic field. It will also help students succeed in coursework that is foundational to their major.

Who should apply?	All science, technology, engineering, and math majors
Required Fall Classes:	UNIV 1101 (Intro to Collegiate Studies) and MATH XXXX by advisor
Spring Classes:	TBD
Number of Spots:	24
Residence Hall:	Piney Woods Hall available on a first come, first served basis