LEARNING COMMUNITIES AT UNC CHARLOTTE

“Residential” - has a residential component requiring students to live together in the same residence hall, unless otherwise noted.

“Non-Residential” - has no residential component; students can live either on or off campus, unless otherwise noted. 

Building Educational Strengths and Talents (B.E.S.T.) Learning Community
Freshmen enrolled in B.E.S.T. Program; Residential
The Building Educational Strengths and Talents Learning Community introduces select, undecided, first-generation college students, to the culture of higher education.  The Community encourages Achievers (students) to adapt their skills to meet the educational challenge in four ways: 1) experimenting with the application of various academic support systems, in conjunction with required coursework; 2) providing opportunities to interact regularly with faculty and advisors; 3) shifting the focus from managing distractions to developing strengths and interests; and 4) helping Achievers to form healthy bonds with other students, as well as with the larger community through its service learning initiative.  Though the Learning Community is a one-year experience, Achievers will receive continued support from the program through graduation.

Business Learning Community
Freshmen accepted into Belk College of Business designated as pre-business, pre-accounting, and pre-economics; Residential
The Business Learning Community (BLC) is a one year residential program. Students in the BLC interact closely with their peers, faculty, and staff and are encouraged to become active in their own educational experiences-to take their learning beyond the classroom and apply it to the business world. Freshman students in the Belk College face numerous hurdles as they progress to their upper division curriculum. The BLC will provide selected students with an increased ability to cope with first year challenges, allowing for a more successful transition to demanding upper division coursework.

Community Service Learning Community
Freshmen Living Off-Campus only, interested in Community Service; open to all majors and disciplines, with exception of students in Architecture, Engineering, Nursing and the Honors Program; Non-Residential
This interdisciplinary, non-residential learning community, designed for students living off-campus, draws on the ideals of service learning, which combine volunteer efforts with academic study. Students in this learning community will have opportunities to make a difference by volunteering in the local community, form relationships with students living on- and off-campus, and learn about community and campus resources.

Computing and Informatics Learning Community
Freshmen accepted into College of Computing & Informatics majoring in Computer Science or Software & Information Systems; Residential yet open to students living on and off campus
The CCI-LC is designed to jump-start the participants’ academic careers through studying and learning experiences more commonly associated with a small college: a close knit environment and community of mutual support. Recognizing that all significant development projects today are team efforts, the CCI-LC provides opportunities both for individual work and group work through team assignments, study groups, and community-wide activities that will provide life-long learning skills and ease the transition from high school to college, and eventually to the workplace.

Criminal Justice Learning Community
Transfer Students with a pre-major or major in Criminal Justice; Non-Residential
The aim of the year-long Criminal Justice Learning Community is to facilitate the transfer student’s academic and social transition to UNC Charlotte. Specific aspects of our program and benefits to those transfer students who participate are an opportunity to complete: six credits of the required 12 credit Criminal Justice electives; two University required goals (writing and oral communication); and two required Criminal Justice courses: Statistics 1222 and Criminal Justice Research Methods (CJUS 3101). There is a special emphasis on activities associated with the courses; an opportunity to take these courses with other transfers in the learning community; and a foundation for employment in criminal justice and/or a related field through volunteer work either on or off campus in related organizations.

Engineering Learning Community
Freshmen accepted into College of Engineering; Residential
Students in the Engineering Learning Community will have a variety of opportunities to network with other students, learn from one another, and teach others by taking classes and working on projects together. In addition, through mentoring and study groups students in the community acquire the skills necessary to improve and enhance learning.  The LC encourages students to achieve academic excellence with the support of a tight-knit community of persevering students, dedicated staff, and involved faculty.

English Learning Community
Freshmen and Transfers majoring/minoring/have an interest in English; Two year program; Residential yet open to students living both on and off campus
The English Learning Community is for students who have an interest in a broad range of cultural and academic backgrounds. Students will receive a head start in the English major/minor and in General Education requirements through three interlinked courses per semester. Features of the program include a peer mentor, individualized advising (including early career exploration), instructional support for the math phobic, and early connections both with English Department faculty as well as with a variety of campus academic, cultural and social programs. We highlight the interrelated themes of literacy, the arts, and community in our participation in the full range of Charlotte’s rich cultural resources.

The Gender Excellence (Gen X) Learning Community
Freshmen with interest in issues related to women, gender and activism; Open to male and female students in all majors and disciplines, including undeclared; Non-Residential
The Gender Excellence Learning Community (Gen X) is designed to enhance students’ knowledge of social justice issues that relate to women and gender and to help them make early connections with a variety of women and gender related campus, cultural and community programs.  During the program, students in the Gen X learning community will participate in a variety of classroom and community experiences that focus on women and gender.  These experiences draw on the ideals of service learning, which combine volunteer efforts with academic study.  Students will also make progress towards their General Education requirements and have individualized advising during the program.  Finally, through their shared enrollments in classes, students will work in groups on a number of course related projects, form common study groups, and develop core friendships and associations with other Learning Community students who share their interests.

Genocide/International Law/Human Rights Learning Community
Freshmen interested in a career in History, Law, Diplomacy, Government, Military, Education, Languages, International Organizations, Politics, and Advocacy; For students with Undeclared major or majors/minors in History, High School Social Studies, International Studies, Foreign Language, Philosophy, Religious/Judaic Studies, (A)ROTC, and Holocaust/Genocide/Human Rights Studies; Residential
Study Holocaust, Genocide, International Law/Human Rights issues and explore possible career fields with instructors who due to talent/demand are otherwise not accessible to first-year students. Trace the Holocaust and learn about war, peace, and (in)justice with an award-winning educator; study comparative Genocide with a national scholar; reflect on Terrorism, Human Rights, experience of war in English class. Live in prime freshman housing in C. F. Lynch Hall (single or double suites), participate in extracurricular activities of interest, and receive dedicated academic advising. All courses go towards General Education or major credit.

Global Village Learning Community
Freshmen; Non-Residential
The Global Village Learning Community is a one-year non-residential program designed to introduce freshmen to the phenomenon of globalization by means of social scientific study of societies and cultures. It is open to all students but will be of particular interest to students interested in any one of the social science majors such as Anthropology, History, Sociology, and Political Science, any student interested in pursuing a career that has a global dimension, or any student interested in other peoples and cultures. Students will enroll together in a series of courses that fulfill General Education requirements and will also participate in service learning. At the end of the academic year, students are given the opportunity to travel to an international site for additional academic coursework and service learning experiences.

Health Connection Learning Community
Freshmen accepted into College of Health & Human Services; Residential
The Health Connection learning community is a program for students pursuing a major in nursing, social work, athletic training, exercise science, or public health. Students will take classes, participate in community services, and learn together to enhance their understanding of different healthcare and social service disciplines and to increase their communication and teamwork skills so they can function successfully in these settings. They will live together in the same residence hall. Individual academic advisement, registration for courses, and faculty support is provided. Our overall goal is to provide collaborative teaching services to better prepare each student for possible entry into the five competitive college majors.

Leadership Journey Learning Community (LJLC)
Freshmen with interest in Leadership Development; Residential
The LJLC is a program for all freshman who have an interest in developing or building leadership skills and abilities.  However, program requirements may conflict with some academic curricula.  This experience is designed to build students into reflective, ethical leaders in today’s multicultural and rapidly changing world. Our program is based on active learning in and out of the classroom with structured activities, experiences, and community service that focus on providing leadership opportunities as well as helping first-year students adjust to college life.

Political Science Learning Community
Freshmen with interest in Political Science; Non-Residential
This Learning Community will enable students to integrate classroom knowledge with “real world” experience through directed service learning opportunities.  Students in this learning community will participate in a Freshman Seminar, enroll in other courses together, and engage in public service as part of a course on Citizenship.  Internships at public or non-profit agencies will be arranged for the members of this community.  The objective of this learning community is to develop a proactive and positive approach toward public service. It will provide students with the ethical knowledge, research skills, and practical experience they need to bridge the gap between public service and academia.  This learning community will also give students a practical outlet to satisfy their interest in public service in a setting in which they may share their experiences with one-another.

Psychology Learning Community
Freshmen majoring in Psychology; Non-Residential
Open to students living both on and off campus, the Department of Psychology is invested in providing our undergraduate majors a top notch opportunity to learn about the broad expanse of psychology and prepare our students to take their place in graduate programs and the work force. 

Teacher Education Learning Community
Freshmen designated as pre-education and who wish to become teachers; Residential
This initiative, sponsored by the College of Education, offers a powerful vehicle for capturing and supporting students’ interest in teaching as they complete their educational requirements for admission to the College of Education.  The pervasive theme of the Teacher Education Learning Community is diversity, a critical element as students prepare to assume responsibility for the learning of diverse students in today’s classrooms.

University College/College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (UCLAS) Learning Community
Freshmen with declared majors in College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and undeclared freshmen in University College; Residential and Non-Residential (one section for commuters only).
The UCLAS Learning Community students are enrolled in several general education courses required of all majors at the University.  Students work closely with a designated academic advisor.  Through their shared enrollments in classes, students have the opportunity to form common study groups, and develop core friendships and associations with other Learning Community students, and build community on campus and in the Charlotte area.

University Transition Opportunities Program (UTOP) Learning Community
Freshmen who participated in UTOP; Residential yet students can live off campus if necessary
The UTOP Learning Community is an extension of the 5 week summer experience. Although similar in intent, there are differences in approach and implementation.  Students who participate in this learning community acknowledge this difference and still appreciate the benefit of joining.  The UTOP Learning Community (LC) provides students with resources and activities that aid their transition into college such as peer mentoring, socials, tutoring, study groups, workshops on academic and personal growth, leadership opportunities and community service. The LC works with the colleges within the University to ensure students take the requisite classes for his/her major during the freshmen year.  Students engage in rigorous coursework; Academic support services and co-curricular activities are provided.