First Year Seminars

First Year Seminars provide students with an introduction to the nature and meaning of higher education and to the functions and resources of the University. Students in the class gain insights and develop tools that allow them to get the most out of their university education at Sacramento State. The seminars also provide students with the opportunity to interact with fellow students and the seminar leader, building a community of academic and personal support. Students who have taken the course do better academically than the general student population.

This introductory course satisfies the Area E General Education requirement. The course is listed under individual department names with the added designation of 21. For example, COMS 21 (Communication Studies) is a First Year Seminar, with specific information relevant to each major covered in more detail. Some of the First Year Seminars are stand-alone courses while others are part of a learning community.

Register for a First Year Seminar

To enroll, use the registration numbers provided below. Choose ONE First Year Seminar course in MySacState.

List of Seminars

Why enroll in First Year Seminar?

College life and courses can be challenging and rigorous, even for highly prepared and motivated students. FYE provides academic support and enhanced activities, for a successful first year. In return, students feel confident and establish a strong academic foundation.

The First Year Seminar is a 3 unit General Education (GE) Area E course where students explore the requirements and responsibilities of becoming a university educated person. Most FYS were paired with another course in the Learning Community, while the rest of FYS were “stand alone” (i.e. not paired with another course Each First Year Seminar course shares the following characteristics:

• Small class sizes (capped at 25; lower cap for certain sections) to meet the needs of incoming first year students
• Use of the campus One Book for a common intellectual experience, common course description and learning goals, common class activities, assignments, and assessments aligned with Baccalaureate Learning Goals and GE Area E requirement
• Many sections offer learning and FYE programmatic research through an annual Convocation, annual curriculum workshop, and periodic faculty interest groups
• Support for embedding co-curricular activities (funding, coordination), including High Impact Practices
• Taught by both faculty and student affairs professionals, indicating the collaborative cross-divisional nature of the program
• Students learn how to access academic & personal support resources in a learning community).
• Gain access to a Peer Mentor, a fellow Sacramento State student who serves as a liaison to campus resources and offers first year advising.