Gonzaga Program

Gonzaga Program

Congratulations and welcome!  You have been invited to join The University of Scranton community because you show great academic promise. It is our mission to help you succeed by inviting you to participate in this unique program designed to support your transition from high school to college. Our Gonzaga Program will strengthen critical thinking, reading, writing and verbal skills that are essential for academic achievement at the collegiate level.

Gonzaga students are part of a cohort group for the required Gonzaga coursework which provides smaller class sizes for personalized attention from professors and a collaborative peer support network. In this setting, students can grow their knowledge and skills while working as part of a community and developing leadership skills.

 

  • A Jesuit Focus on Your Goalsplus or minus

    Our Gonzaga Program, named for St. Aloysius Gonzaga, the patron saint of students, is part of the supportive community at The University of Scranton that shares the more than 450-year-old heritage of Jesuit education. Students in the Gonzaga Program are prepared not just for a career, but for life, as we promote "magis", a culture of excellence.

    By taking advantage of this program, you will become an advocate for yourself and earn a head start in preparing for the rigorous curriculum ahead of you. Together we will create an academic foundation that will enable you to excel!

  • Outcomes and Opportunitiesplus or minus

    Prospective employers and admissions committees at graduate schools, medical, dental and law schools look at your total educational record. That includes GPA, extracurricular activities, internships and volunteer work. If you are planning further study after graduation, your scores in national examinations (LSAT, MCAT, GRE, etc.) and your recommendations from college committees and faculty are also considered. You have four years to forge your academic image and transcript, and our Gonzaga Program will help you make the right start toward graduation.

  • Core Courses and Team Meetingsplus or minus

    The Gonzaga Program core courses consists of First Year Seminar and Writing 105 in the fall semester and Writing 106 in the spring semester. Members of the Gonzaga Program will be assigned to the same sections for all of these courses. You will become a member of a community of students with the same goal: to use these courses to improve and sharpen the skills you will need for your college career. The faculty members assigned to these courses also collaborate so that the curriculum emphasizes the connections between the courses and provides the best opportunity to improve verbal and written skills. Students in the Gonzaga Program may be subject to dismissal if they do not successfully complete the core courses with a grade of C or better.

    First Year Seminar (3 credits)

     

    Writing 105-106: College Writing I-II (6 credits)

    These two courses offer instruction in structuring argumentative essays, with a focus on defining and focusing problems, creating arguments and providing evidence. Completion of both courses with a grade of C or better fulfills the University’s writing requirement and part of the diversity requirement.

    Team Meetings

    Gonzaga team meetings are a way to connect with students throughout the cohorts and to introduce them to the valuable resources and support staff that will supplement their coursework here at the University. These workshops include topics such as active learning, goal setting, motivation, test anxiety, time management and much more. These sessions are 8 weeks in length and upon completion of them, Gonzaga students are eligible for a free 100 level 3-credit intersession course.

  • First Year Scheduleplus or minus

    Fall Semester
    Credits
    First Year Seminar* 3
    Writing 105* 3
    Major Course 3-4
    Cognate 3
    Total 12-13

     

    Intersession
    Credits
    Optional Free Course at Scranton (100 level only;
    contingent upon completion of 8 team meetings)
    3
    Total 3
    Spring Semester
    Credits
    Writing 106* 3
    Major Course 3-4
    Major Course 3
    Cognate 3
    General Education Electives 3
    Total 15-16

     

    *indicates Gonzaga section cohort

  • Royal Startplus or minus

    The Royal Start is an exciting, peer-led orientation program designed to offer students a “sneak peek” into life as a Royal. The Royal Start program takes place on the Friday prior to the start of the fall semester. Our new Royals will enjoy a variety of faculty, staff, and peer-led programming designed to showcase the valuable resources available at University of Scranton. Students will also get an insider’s view from upperclassmen who are former Gonzaga students and have been handpicked by the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence staff to inspire and engage.
  • Residential Learning Community: Community for Transformative Learningplus or minus

    University life is all about transformation and learning through active reflection, but it begins with the transition from high school to college. That’s where a successful start begins, with our transformational learning community. Students will live and study with a group of peers in exploration of who they are and what unique strategies, resources and daily practices work for them. Staff advisors, along with a dedicated academic coach, will offer individual and group programming that focuses on adjustment to University life, academics, connection to campus, and an awareness of their own agency.

  • Frequently Asked Questionsplus or minus

    What does the Gonzaga Program provide?

    • •  research and study skills
    • •  writing support
    • •  coordinated instruction
    • •  academic advising
    • •  tutoring
    • •  mentoring
    • •  academic coaching

    How many students are in the Gonzaga Program?

    Each year, approximately 90 students are selected to participate in the program.

    How long does the program last?

    The program is conducted over the course of your first year. We will then continue to track and support your progress through graduation.

    Will I graduate on time?

    Participation in the Gonzaga program should not affect your anticipated graduation year. When you graduate will depend on your choice of programs and the progress you make in your studies.

    What is the strategy for my first year?

    You will take 15-16 credits in your first semester as outlined in the First Year Schedule above, and you will be offered one free course (on-campus or online) during Intersession.

  • Contact Informationplus or minus

    Center for Teaching & Learning Excellence
    (570) 941-4038