First-Year Success Courses
VCU strongly encourages all incoming first-year students to enroll in a at least one First-Year Student Success course. These courses count toward graduation requirements and meet only once a week for 50 minutes.
Here’s why students love enrolling in a success course:
- Countless topics: check out the lists below - each student is bound to find a topic that interests you! No matter the specific focus, each class provides the same essential information about being successful at VCU, both inside and outside the classroom.
- Dedicated instructors: success courses are taught by professionals from across the university who are interested in connecting with and supporting first-year students based on their interests, aspirations, and goals
- Class size and experience: this one-credit class only meets once a week for 50 minutes; most classes have about 25 students in them, making them smaller than most classes students take in their first year. This smaller class size makes for better class conversations and connections with other students.
- Success beyond this class: national and institutional research suggests that these first-year courses help students be more successful overall: they tend to feel more connected to and engaged at the university, get better grades, successfully progress to their second year and beyond, and graduate faster (and with less debt) than their peers who don’t take a course.
Courses
All of our student success courses are listed in the Banner 9 registration system as UNIV 191, unless otherwise noted. Click on a course title to learn more! New courses for Fall 2025 are marked with an asterisk (*). Note: every class listed below may not be offered each semester.
First-Year Student Success courses include:
The path to success at VCU! The purpose of the course is to empower, connect, and support new students who identify as Latinx/Hispanic (or their allies). Through in-depth discussions, guest speakers, and group projects, students will learn how to build their skills, set achievable goals, and create a culture of collaboration, in order to become the leaders they were destined to be. Students will also be assigned a Guia/Guide or mentor. These mentors will assist students with the transition to collegiate life, create programs to encourage active involvement in the academic and social life of the campus, and assist in promoting campus pride and cohesiveness among students. The course will focus on study skills and exam skills, writing skills, career exploration and planning, getting connected on campus, and building faculty/student engagement.
Are you a Mass Communications major? Wondering about the difference between creative and strategic advertising? Want to know more about media production? Curious how your interest in media can impact your classes and your first year? This course will introduce you to the Mass Communications major and assist you in connecting your interests with your major requirements and opportunities at VCU. Get a jump start on understanding your foundation (advertising, journalism, media production, or public relations), using media as a lens to view your first year, and tailoring your mass communications experience.
Orients new business foundation students to ensure a successful first semester and transition to the university setting. The course will focus on academic resources, exploring various business majors and career options, developing peer mentoring and alumni connections, and creating individualized professional development plans that will carry students through their four years at VCU and lead to successful career outcomes.
Find out how to connect your major to careers while learning more about yourself through guided self-exploration. Explore ways to gain experience while you are at VCU that will be useful to your future plans. Discover how you can start planning your career now and manage it long-term. We lay the foundation for a productive four-year graduation rate that leads to gainful and self-fulfilling employment!
Designing Your VCU is about getting more out of, rather than cramming more into your college experience. You’ll learn about design-thinking and use this framework to craft academic, career, and life experiences that align with who you are, what you value, and what you want to do in life. Expect to tap into your sense of play as you explore these topics: we’ll use Lego bricks, art supplies and lots of group activities in class. Whether you aren’t exactly sure what you want to do in college or you already feel overwhelmed by ALL the things you want to do-- this is the class for you!
This class is designed to build community among men of color. Students explore internships and leadership opportunities on campus and focus on professional development. Each student is connected to a campus navigator to aid you in your adjustment to campus and a professional navigator, a person in your desired field of study. The class explores issues that men face in college and beyond through discussions and guest speakers.
An exploratory course for individuals focusing on educational goals and the process of career planning. Through the use of in-class activities, assessments, and projects, students will be guided through the process of choosing a major and learn how to make informed decisions. The course will also utilize guest speakers and interviews with working professionals and other students. Through exploration of various educational and career options, students will identify degree paths suitable to their strengths, values and interests and emerge from the course with a plan for their continuing education.
VCU is known for its very high level of research activity. If you’re curious, creative, collaborative, and determined, as VCU Rams are, you may be interested in knowing more about research. Every industry benefits from research, and no matter what major you’re in, you can benefit from understanding research, too! In this class, you’ll learn more about research by developing one of your ideas for a future project. Offered as a workshop-style class with lectures and guests to improve basic information literacy skills and develop writing skills.
Designed to orient new students to the traditions, purposes and expectations of a university education. Students will assess their expectations and evaluate their academic strengths and goals. Students will learn of VCU resources designed to help them solve problems and to achieve a rewarding and successful academic program.
The purpose of the course is to empower undergraduate minority women to break through the barriers that impede their professional growth. Through in-depth discussions, guest speakers, and group projects, students will engage in topics related to: building their leadership brand, the value of sisterhood, servant leadership (community service project), finding their voice, managing conflict as a leader, and much more! The course is designed to help first-year students transition to collegiate life, engage in programs to encourage active involvement in the academic and social life of the campus, increase their sense of belonging, and assist in promoting campus pride and cohesiveness among students.
This module provides students new to the VCUarts' Foundation program a more thorough guidance on the resources, opportunities and potential of VCUarts. Experience facility tours, visiting lecturers and unique introductions to major options while exploring arts career potential. Students also have an opportunity to actively navigate AFO-specific challenges with supportive peer and instructor feedback.
This course focuses on global learning and is open to students of all majors. This course introduces key skills in developing cultural agility including empathy and perspective-taking. Students will learn about the variety of global learning experiences available and how to prepare for a study away experience. Students will be better equipped to navigate cultures both in the US and abroad.
This course is for students who want to connect and identify with their surrounding LGBT and ally community. Topics covered include an exploration and reflection of self and society through current events, local resources, and academic readings/films. This class welcomes members of the community and allies to engage in a timely, essential, and semester-long conversation.
The purpose of this class is to help students with disabilities make a successful transition to VCU. This course will provide opportunities for students to develop and hone their unique skills as new members of the VCU community through working with their peers and receiving guided direction and feedback. We will focus on the development and growth of various skills related to academics, work and personal needs and skills, social engagement, proper accommodation usage, and self-advocacy. The course will help students learn about resources and techniques that aid in reducing the barriers that are often common in traditional learning programs.
This course is designed for pre-radiation sciences students and course topics will include how to be a competitive candidate for the clinical radiation sciences application process, investigating multiple pathways to the profession, and exploring additional healthcare and helping related fields. Students will learn how to navigate the high school to college transition through utilizing university resources and setting academic and professional goals.
This course is designed for pre-dental hygiene students and course topics will include how to be a competitive candidate for the dental hygiene application process, investigating multiple pathways to the profession, and exploring additional healthcare and helping related fields. Students will learn how to navigate the high school to college transition through utilizing university resources and setting academic and professional goals.
This course is designed for pre-nursing students and course topics will include how to be a competitive candidate for the nursing application process, investigating multiple pathways to the Nursing profession, and exploring additional healthcare and helping related fields. Students will learn how to navigate the high school to college transition through utilizing university resources and setting academic and professional goals.
This course is geared for students who are working towards a career in medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapy, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, or optometry. The overarching objective of this course is to foster student success through the practice of positive psychology, evidence-based management of stress/ anxiety, and utilizing practical tools to optimize intellectual and educational opportunities. Emphasis will be placed on ethical behavior, conscious communication, and the importance of community involvement.
If religion is important to you, and you're wondering about how it can stay important as you join VCU's diverse community, this class is for you! Our communities are almost always shaped by stories, especially communities that share a common faith or spirituality. This course invites you to reflect on your own story while hearing and respecting the stories of others. In addition, you'll learn about all the resources available to them to help you succeed as a student and human being while at VCU, including academic, career, physical health, and mental health support. Students of all faiths (or no faith) are welcome and encouraged to register!
This course is for students seeking opportunities to find new friends who share similar interests or for students who know that they need to get out more socially and just are not sure where to start or what great opportunities exist on campus. During this course, students explore VCU student clubs and organizations, leadership opportunities, VCU and RVA community events, and begin to open doors to where they can find their niche at VCU.
Come join us to learn how to make your study time count, get assignments done faster and learn all the ways VCU can help you with your academics. Topics include learning about tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, writing consultations, and fantastic (easy to do) study strategies. Say goodbye to wasted time and procrastination. This is a great way to decrease your academic stress and increase your productivity.
This course introduces TRIO students to the University and provides information that will promote and support academic success. The course includes a review of basic skills and competencies necessary for college success, including (but not limited to) time management, study skills, and orientation to university policies and procedures. It is also designed to introduce you to the TRIO Student Support Services program in order to maximize the services offered as they work toward the completion of your baccalaureate degree.
VCU loves students in recovery from addiction. Learn about the science of recovery, build recovery skills, learn about resources in our community and beyond, and find meaningful ways to be of service. Through lectures, guest speakers and individual projects, students will learn of VCU resources designed to help them in their recovery and build a rewarding and successful life and career.
Are you from a rural place? Do you have a rural background? Rural communities are resilient, caring, and close-knit, so rural students often feel a better sense of belonging if they can find their “people.” Each rural community has its own unique population, culture, norms, challenges, and views on postsecondary education. While rural is not a monolith, rural students can face common barriers. Join us as we continue to develop and cultivate a rich rural student community at VCU, and help you navigate the hidden curriculum by making the college experience more transparent!
Transitioning from high school to college writing is a challenging yet exciting journey. This course will facilitate your growth as a confident, skilled academic writer. Taught by a VCU Writing Center administrator, we will use time-tested, student-focused writing resources and short, contemporary readings for discussion and reflection. By exploring your writing process throughout the semester, upon successful completion of this course, you will be more comfortable with a wide array of writing assignments, styles, and techniques.
Are you a first-generation college student? Not sure? If neither of your parents or legal guardians earned a bachelor's degree, then you are a first-generation student. Did you know that more than one-third of VCU’s first-year class are first-gen students? This course is designed to help you get connected to other first-generation students as well as the academic and social resources that will help you achieve your goals. We hope you’ll join us this fall!
How to register:
- To register for our success courses through the Banner 9 registration system, follow this step-by-step video tutorial.
- In Banner 9, search for University College (UNIV) 101, 103 or 191.
- There are several schedule options to meet your needs. Be sure to click each page number at the bottom of the screen for a full list of courses and times.
- Add your success course to your schedule, and you're all done!
Testimonials
Here's what a few of the students who have taken First-Year Student Success courses had to say about their experience:
- "Great class that really made me discover myself and what I believe in. Thanks for a great half-semester!"
- "I really enjoyed taking this class and experiencing a space for LGBTQ+ friendly talk and discussion."
- "Very knowledgeable, and helps nurture an inclusive learning environment where discussion is heavily promoted."
- "[My professor] was a fantastic professor for this course and helped me acquire useful knowledge in regard to resources and opportunities available from VCUarts. He also did a great job giving us more information about the various majors offered next year."
- "This class helped me with the struggles often associated with being a freshman, and I was able to take away key techniques to cope with stress and concentration."