Transition Into College
At SBU's University Success Center (USC), you will receive one-on-one guidance to help you make a successful transition into the Southwest Baptist University family. USC faculty work with first-year students and transfer students who have completed fewer than two full-time semesters at other institutions.
Located in the Mabee Chapel building, the Success Center operates with 1 Corinthians 9:24 in mind as it encourages and equips new students: “Do you know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you might win.”
Success Center Programs and Services
- University Seminar and Critical Thinking courses
- Individualized academic advisement
- Assistance with degree planning and time management
- Run2Win peer mentoring
- Study Sessions — structured study groups for certain courses led by upperclassmen who have excelled in those courses
Academic Advising
Regardless of your major, you will receive one-on-one academic advisement through the University Success Center during your first year at SBU. Undecided on your major, or unsure of how your interests will take shape into a productive, fulfilling career? Your USC academic advisor can help you pursue your options and discover your calling.
As a new student at SBU, you will be assigned to one Success Center faculty member who will guide you throughout your first year at SBU by helping you:
- Establish your first-year class schedules for the fall and spring semesters
- Answer any questions you may have about life at SBU
- Explore which SBU majors are best for your skills, values and interests
- Develop skills and strategies for academic success
Success Center Courses
As part of SBU's general education curriculum, you will take two required University Studies courses in your first two semesters. These courses are designed to help you adjust to university academics, as well as develop a personal value system, critical thinking, and other skills necessary for success in and after college.
- University Seminar: Learn how to acclimate to college coursework by discovering processes that lead to success, such as time management and research-based study strategies. Examining these processes will provide you with an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses related to studying and learning. You will be transition to life at SBU while considering the relationship between your values and goals and your academic performance and future direction.
- Introduction to Critical Thinking: Learn how to think critically about the world around you, consider others' opinions, and formulate where you stand on different issues. This course will support you in that by helping you understand and develop your personal value system, cultivate critical thinking skills and consider issues in today's society.
Credit by Examination
The University Success Center administers Credit by Examination and certain tests. Go to the Course Transfer Equivalencies page for more information about Credit by Examination.
Success Center Faculty
