Fairmont State University
Core Curriculum First-Year Seminar Exemption Information
Beginning fall semester 2020, all first-year students at Fairmont State University will be required to enroll in and
successfully complete a one-credit Core Curriculum First-Year Seminar (FYS).
The purpose of this class is to provide students with a sense of belonging and the tools needed to be successful in
college.
First-year seminar is part of the new Fairmont State Core Curriculum being implemented fall 2020 that outlines a
required curriculum that all students must complete along with course requirements determined by their major and
Academic College in order to graduate with a degree.
It is important students understand that First-Year Seminar:
• Is a graduation requirement.
• Must be attempted for the first time within the first 2 semesters or first 30 credits.
• Requires a grade of “C” or higher (students who earn a D or F in First-Year seminar must repeat the class).
The University recognizes there will be academic programs and new students that either require or are eligible for
exemption from the Core Curriculum First-Year Seminar.
The following list outlines primary reasons a student may be approved for an exemption from the Core Curriculum FYS
requirement:
• Academic Program with an approved exemption.
• Transfer student with 30 completed credits (does not include duel enrollment, CLEP, or AP credits/classes).
• Re-enrolled with successful completion of 30 academic credits.
• Earned Associate Degree or higher.
• Non-Degree students.
• Students who were actively enrolled in Spring 2019 and chose to move to an Academic Course Catalog
containing the First-Year Seminar requirement."
Individual students interested in applying for an exemption must complete the Request for Exemption from the First-
Year Seminar Core Curriculum Requirement form. This form is available in the Fairmont State forms repository.
All individual exemption requests will be reviewed by the Coordinator for the First-Year Seminar Program. The Office
of the Provost will review appeals for denied requests.
According to the most recent National Survey for the First-Year Experience, almost 74% of colleges and universities,
public and private, have a First-Year Seminar as part of an overall First-Year Experience at their institution. While
some students may be eligible for an exemption, all new students will be invited and encouraged to enroll in a First-
Year Seminar to increase their likelihood of success in college.
catann 5.5.2020