Learning Communities

Learning Communities enroll small groups of students (15-23) into a set of courses together forming an educational package that includes a built-in support network of peers. Learning Communities provide a wide range of benefits including connections to faculty, peer mentors, campus resources, and special insights into what is required to be successful in a student's program of study. Benefits of Learning Communities include the formation of a social network, the engagement in a small group learning environment, and the experience of peer mentors who have excelled in the same coursework. Academic advisors should talk to their students about what their program faculty or college expects and/or requires.

You will join by registering for a Learning Community after consulting with your academic advisor during new student orientation. You will automatically be enrolled for the classes that are associated with your Learning Community once you enter the Learning Community class number that your advisor provides. Your advisor will also go over all the important details and logistics of registering for classes.

Learning Communities that have an assigned Peer Leader usually meet once or twice a week for 55-minute periods. When students enroll in a Learning Community, there will be a specific time for the Learning Community meeting on their schedule, MLTI 1011. Just like any other class, it has a set curriculum and requires attendance. Much of the time spent in Learning Communities reinforces important content in college and provides valuable skills to be successful academically, professionally, and personally. Many students find that enrolling in a Learning Community makes them more efficient learners.  90.82% of first-year students who enrolled in a Learning Community recommend it to future Bearcats. On average, Learning Community students earn higher grades and complete more hours towards their degrees than students not enrolled in Learning Communities.

90.82% of former Learning Community students recommend the experience to incoming first-year students, and 94.24% agreed that it prepared them to be successful in their second year. Along with incorporating the content of the associated Learning Community courses, Learning Community meetings focus on five target learning areas: life-long learners, connected and engaged, critical and reflective, professional and career-ready, and mentally and emotionally well. Students in a Learning Community also get the opportunity to network with upper-level students, faculty, and advisors. Learning Communities also provide students with a support network of peers who share common coursework and goals. Because of this co-enrollment, Learning Community students benefit from learning alongside their peers and forming study groups.

Most UC students enroll in a Learning Community or similar educational structure (e.g., an arts studio or performance group, PACE program) during their first year. Nearly all students in the following colleges enroll in an LC: Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS), Allied Health Sciences (CAHS), Medicine (COM), and Education Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH). In addition, almost half the students in Arts & Sciences (A&S) enroll in a Learning Community. Media Production students within CCM are also required to enroll in Learning Communities. 

Yes. Learning Communities are focused on the transition to college that is most applicable to first-year students, and it is exclusive to students in their first or second of college.

Students enroll into Learning Communities based on their majors; areas of interest; and placement scores. Students will talk with their advisor at new student orientation about what Learning Community may best suit them.

Learning Communities in A&S, CAHS, COM, CEAS, and CCM have an independent Learning Community meeting time (MLTI 1011) that is facilitated by a Learning Commons Peer Leader.  Peer Leaders are upper-level students who have been specially selected based upon their academic and leadership capabilities. A Peer Leader will serve as a mentor and will guide students academically, socially, and professionally. 

In CECH, students will enroll in PRFS 1001, a course within the Learning Community. PRFS 1001 is team taught by an Instructor and Learning Commons Peer Facilitator.

Peer Leader and Peer Facilitators perform very similar tasks. Both are responsible for leading a group of first-year students through their transition to UC. Peer Facilitators, however, collaborate with an instructor partner such as an academic advisor to help meet the needs of students. Where Peer Leaders are responsible for leading every class session, Peer Facilitators facilitate one day with an instructor partner and another on their own each week. 

The Learning Community MLTI 1011 course is graded as a pass/fail, non-credit course, but all of the classes associated with the Learning Community (those students are automatically enrolled into as part of the Learning Community package) are credit-bearing and graded according to the university grading scale. In order to pass the Learning Community, students must attend and actively participate in the Learning Community MLTI 1011 course. Because the Learning Community meeting time is a non-credit bearing course, a fail will not affect a student's GPA; but it will show up on their transcript as a "U” (unsatisfactory). 

All students are strongly encouraged to enroll in a Spring learning community and some colleges require it So, talk with your academic advisor to determine your next steps.

Yes, there are a variety of Learning Communities for exploratory first-year students. You should talk to your advisor to see which Learning Community would be best for you.

Visit the Peer Leader/Facilitator Employment webpage to learn more about the positions.

Students are not able to drop a Learning Community within Catalyst. If students have questions regarding dropping their Learning Community, they must contact their academic advisor.

Yes, many students with Advanced Placement credits enroll in a Learning Community; however, you should talk to your advisor about any AP or other credit that you have. Your advisor will be able to make accommodations to their schedule if necessary.

Leverage the power of first-year experience, learning community, and peer mentorship programs to promote academic success and persistence in a certain subject area.

Visit Us 
French Hall West Lobby 
2815 Commons Way 
Cincinnati, OH 45221 
 
Email Us 
LearningCommons@uc.edu 
 
Call Us 
(513) 556-3224