First Year Studies
Introduction
First-Year Studies (FRST) is a program within General Studies that provides first-year students coordinated experiences in academic reading, writing, and mathematics. The program serves as an introduction to college work by offering materials to build a firm base for academic achievement. The program also provides a wide variety of pedagogical means for expanding the abilities of first-year students in a positive and holistic learning environment. The curriculum includes courses associated with the University’s first-year competency requirement as well as other courses especially suited to the academic needs of first-year students. Many students taking FRST courses are assigned to a FRST program preceptor. In addition, all students in the FRST program have the benefit of advice from other First-Year Studies faculty members.
First-Year Competency and Related Courses
All newly admitted first-year or transfer students with 15 or fewer acceptable university credits are required to fulfill the University’s competency requirement. The competency requirement may be met through subject-relevant standardized test scores on the SAT, ACT, or University-designated placement test above set cut-off scores; through subject-relevant AP scores that provide transfer credits in a W1 or Q1 at a C or better; by transferring, as relevant, a Q1, W1, or Critical Thinking course with a grade of C or better; or by passing the appropriate FRST course(s) with a minimum grade of C.
For critical thinking/reading skills, some students will be, following a placement process, placed into FRST 1002 Critical Thinking and Readings as their first-year seminar course. Students placed into FRST 1002 must complete it with a C or better within two attempts. This course counts as a first-year seminar.
For writing skills, some students will be, following a placement process, placed into FRST 1101 College Writing as their first-year writing course. Students placed into FRST 1101 must complete it with a C or better within two attempts. Satisfactory completion of FRST 1101 also meets the first-year W1 requirement. They must complete FRST 1101 before taking other W1 classes and should take it before taking W2 courses.
For math skills, some students will be, following a placement process, placed into either FRST 1102 Mathematical Thinking or FRST 1103 Quantitative Reasoning. Students who are placed into FRST 1102 must complete that course with a C or better in two attempts and then enroll in FRST 1103 in the following semester. Students who are placed into FRST 1103 must complete FRST 1103 with a C or better in two attempts or face suspension from the university. Satisfactory completion of FRST 1103 also meets the first-year Q1 requirement. Students must complete FRST 1103 with a C or better before taking other Q1 courses and should complete it with a C or better before taking Q2 courses.
Enrollment in any of the four 1000-level FRST courses (FRST 1002 Critical Thinking and Reading, FRST 1101 College Writing, FRST 1102 Mathematical Thinking, or FRST 1103 Quantitative Reasoning) which students are placed is mandatory, and students must enroll in their required FRST courses in their first semester of matriculation.
Students who are unable to enroll in their required FRST 1000-level course in their first term may be deferred for one semester by the FRST program. If deferred, they then must enroll in the course in the next term (fall or spring) in which they are a registered Stockton student or otherwise demonstrate that they have met the competency requirement. Students placed into any FRST 1000-level courses must pass the course with a C or better within two attempts.
Students enrolled in FRST 1000-level course(s) may use placement test scores to satisfy the competency requirement only through the end of the add/drop period. Students who do not earn a grade of C or better on their first attempt in the course will no longer be eligible to use placement test scores to satisfy the competency requirement.
Students who fail to meet the competency requirement in FRST 1002, 1101, 1102, or 1103 through a course grade in the first semester will be placed on FRST Academic Notice and will have one semester left to pass the required FRST course(s) before facing University suspension. Students on FRST Academic Notice must retake the course in the next semester in order to satisfy the requirement. and will be limited to a maximum enrollment of 17 credit hours.
If possible, students should take a different professor when they retake a FRST 1000-level course. They may retake the same professor with permission from the FRST Chair.
Students on FRST Academic Notice who do not meet the competency requirement after a second attempt in the course are subject to FRST suspension from the University.
Note that a notation of W counts as an attempt at any 1000-level FRST course. Also, students must complete a simple form in order to withdraw from a FRST 1000-level class. This policy applies to all students who withdraw from 1000-level FRST courses, including those who withdraw from all their courses. The only exception is in the event that a student receives a medical withdrawal. In this case, the withdraw notation (WI) does not count as an attempt.
Any student who has been FRST suspended for not satisfying the first-year competency requirement after failing to pass any of the four courses with a C or better after two attempts may appeal the decision in writing as directed in their suspension letter. Students who do not appeal or whose appeals are not successful may not apply for readmission to the University until they have demonstrated competency by taking appropriate courses at another institution of higher education. Students should get permission to take these courses from other institutions from the Chair of First-Year Studies. Many students who are subject to FRST suspension are also subject to general academic suspension. These students must satisfy both sets of requirements for readmission.
Appeal Process
Any student who is subject to FRST suspension for not satisfying the first-year competency requirement in any of the four courses may appeal the decision in writing as directed in the suspension letter. Students are strongly encouraged to seek the guidance of their preceptor, a FRST program member, or another faculty member in preparing the appeal letter.
Students whose appeals are granted will be given one (and only one) extra semester to fulfill the competency requirement. During that semester, the student must register for and complete the affected course(s) with a minimum grade of C or be FRST suspended from the University at the end of that semester. No further appeals are possible; To be readmitted, students must first demonstrate they have met the competency requirements. For instance, they might transfer a C or better grade in a course in the related area, such as a Q1 or W1 course.
Credits for all four 1000 level FRST courses are applied as “At Some-Distance” from the student’s major. In addition, FRST 1101 counts as a required W1 (writing intensive) course, FRST 1002 counts as a required first-year seminar, and FRST 1103 counts as a required Q1 (quantitative intensive) course.
Those students whose test scores indicate a particular need for skills reinforcement are advised to use the Tutoring Center, and some participate in non-credit tutorials. Any Stockton student may use the Tutoring Center, and faculty members are encouraged to advise all students of this resource.
In consultation with their preceptors, many first-year students take one or more other courses in addition to FRST 1000-level courses.
Other Courses for First-Year Students
In addition to courses associated with the competency requirement, the program offers courses that are designed especially for first-year students. These 2000-level FRST courses are equivalent to various G-acronym courses and carry credit that may be applied to the University’s general studies requirement.
For first-year writing, students who are not placed into FRST 1101 and still need a W1 in the first year are expected to take FRST 2120 Rhetoric and Composition. FRST 2120 counts as a W1 and a GEN course.
For first-year math, students who are not placed into FRST 1102 or FRST 1103 and still need a Q1 in the first year may enroll in courses such as FRST 2310 Algebraic Problem Solving. FRST 2310 counts as a Q1 and GNM course.
In addition to FRST-acronym courses, the University also offers other courses in program studies and in General Studies that are designed especially for first-year students. These courses are labeled with an “F” attribute (appropriate for first-year students) so that students and their preceptors can identify them easily.
Full details about the First-Year Studies curriculum are accessible on the First-Year Studies website.
