A&M International Launches University Success Course

This fall, 30 students at Texas A&M International University will help to pilot a new course designed to help first-time University students find the keys to academic and career success within themselves.

"Issues in Psychology: University Survival and Success," PSYC 1335-101, will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3-4:15 p.m.

Dr. Stephen Brown, A&M International Dean of Student Affairs, will instruct the course. He said this pilot course is part of the University's "Total Freshman Year Experience Plan."

"This is our pilot effort in a total cross-curriculum, cross-campus effort that is intended to help first-time students to succeed. Students in this course will be working on developing proper study habits, time management, getting along with faculty, bettering library skills, goal setting, career exploration and resume building, health issues, coping with stress, interfacing with the University community and the community at large," Dr. Brown explained.

Brown said that similar courses are becoming permanent courses at universities across the nation.

"These graded, semester-long courses have been shown to be pivotal in issues of student retention, student success, adjustment to the higher education process and in timely degree completion. We believe that this course will be a pivotal part of helping students to make the most of their higher education experience," he said.

Brown said the course will help students to accommodate developing technolgy and the changes in same, and equip them with skills that will carry them into the workplace and beyond.

"This course will be an advantage for students as they will have to deal with changing technologies and abilities. The skill sets we're targeting aren't just going to help in classroom success, but will help set the stage for a lifetime of success.They'll have a lifetime of usage long after our students have received their degrees. These skills will take them into the workplace and beyond as they begin their professional careers," he noted.

The pilot course will be carefully evaluated by members of the University's Freshman Year Experience Task Force and after review, be expanded to become part of the University's regular curriculum, Brown said.

Registration for the Fall semester is Aug. 27 and 28 from 1 - 7 p.m. Classes will begin September 1.

For course registration information, contact the Office of Admissions at 326.2200 or email to enroll@tamiu.edu.

University office hours are from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.