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Exciting new cohorts planned for 2012-2013!

The Core program is only available to incoming freshman applicants with less than forty-five credits. High school seniors graduating with forty-five or more Running Start credits may also join the Core on a space-available basis. We are currently working with select faculty to create three unique learning communities for 2012-2013. Each cohort is designed to give students an introduction to the diverse fields of study available at UW Tacoma while also helping them fulfill the General Education Requirements all students must meet for graduation.

While the content of each Core course is unique, each cohort provides students with the same distribution of credits. Cohort faculty work together to strengthen students' critical thinking, research, and writing skills. All cohorts include four courses taken across the first year:

  • Academic Writing [C; Composition]
  • Humanities [V; VLPA; Visual, Literary, and Performing Arts]
  • Social Science [I; I&S; Individual and Society]
  • Science [N; NW; Natural World]

When registering to attend Freshman New Student Orientation, incoming Core students are given a description of each Cohort and asked to rank their cohort and individual course selections.  Core students receive their Cohort and course assignments as part of the registration sessions during New Student Orientation.

More Choices!

Our freshmen have spoken and we listened!  Beginning in 2012-2013 freshmen will have more choices when selecting their Core classes. Each cohort will have a wider selection of courses to choose from across the year.  All incoming freshmen are encouraged to take their time in selecting their cohort and course choices and to keep the following information in mind:

  • There is no "wrong" cohort - while topics vary, each cohort offers the same distribution of credits.
  • Each cohort is designed to help students meet their General Education Requirements regardless of which major they choose.
  • Ask yourself: Which cohort looks the most interesting?  Which classes will keep me engaged and excited about learning?

Already know which major you're interested in? 

All Core cohorts are being designed to coordinate with the prerequisites for these programs. As part of registering to attend New Student Orientation, students will be asked to indicate which major they are most interested in.  This will allow us to contact students with information about relevant premajor coursework when needed.    

Interested in living on campus? 

We will be designating a Residential Cohort this year specifically for students wanting the full on-campus experience. All interested students will need to successfully complete a housing application. Freshmen choosing to live on campus will be given the opportunity to be placed in the same cohort along with the opportunity to take part in extracurricular activities planned specifically for residential students.