First Year Seminar

Your gateway to a meaningful college experience

College isn’t just about choosing a major, it’s about discovering who you are. First Year Seminar (FYS) is your gateway to that journey. In small, discussion-based classes, you’ll explore enduring, meaningful questions like “what is justice?” and “what does it mean to be human?” You’ll also gain critical-thinking skills and tips for how to navigate college life with confidence. 

FYS courses give you the space to ask questions, test ideas, explore your interests, and learn from others. You’ll build on strengths you already have and discover new ones while finding your place in NAU’s welcoming and interconnected academic community.

First Year Seminar at NAU

At NAU, FYS courses are designed to help you transition from high school to college by engaging deeply with questions that matter. Each class blends big ideas with real-world relevance, allowing you to share your perspective and build understanding through dialogue.

FYS courses do more than help you fulfill General Studies requirements. They help you explore potential majors, connect with peers, and develop the habits of curiosity that will guide you throughout your college experience.

Learning outcomes

By the end of your FYS course, you’ll be a stronger writer, speaker, and thinker. You’ll have practiced listening acutely and engaging respectfully with different viewpoints, and most importantly, you’ll have gained confidence in your ability to learn and adapt. 

Community and connection

College is easier, and more enjoyable, when you start with a support network. FYS courses help you build lasting connections, with classmates who share your curiosity and instructors who are mentors as much as teachers. You’ll feel a sense of belonging that becomes the foundation of your NAU journey. 

Broaden your perspective

Every First Year Seminar class begins with a question, but where it leads is up to you and your peers. Faculty design courses around topics that spark discovery and reflection, drawing from their own research and passions. You’ll join classmates from different backgrounds and viewpoints, making every discussion richer and every insight more meaningful. Together, you’ll learn how to see the world, and your place in it, through a broader, more thoughtful lens. 

Dedicated support

Faculty

Your professors are experts in more than their fields, they’re experts in helping first-year students grow and succeed. They bring years of teaching experience and a passion for mentoring to every class to create an environment that’s both challenging and supportive. FYS faculty connect you with campus resources like advising, tutoring, and financial aid, and encourage you to take ownership of your learning from day one.

Career readiness

Even in your first semester at NAU, you’ll start developing skills that will serve you well beyond your NAU college experience. Through discussion, collaboration, and reflection, you’ll strengthen your communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving, skills that employers seek and that prepare you for internships and a career after graduation.