Your OHIO journey begins in your Learning Community, where you'll not only learn how to make the most of your time at OHIO but begin to immerse yourself into your academic college with other students who share the same passions and interests as you. You'll quickly realize it's more than a one-credit hour course; it’s a gateway to the friendships and experiences that will shape your college experience — and your future.
Already know what Learning Community you would like to join? Select your student type to learn your next steps.
What Is a Learning Community?
As part of a Learning Community, you and the other students in your major-based cohort will take a series of clustered classes, typically a first-year seminar and two general education courses that align with your graduation plan. Outside of the classroom, you'll continue to build relationships, skills and confidence by engaging in academic and social activities with members of your Learning Community.
Designed With Your Success in Mind
We know a well-supported Bobcat means a successful Bobcat, which is why every Learning Community is:
- instructed by a faculty or staff member from your academic college;
- cohort-based, meaning you'll learn alongside other students in your major or others who are exploring a similar major;
- and supported by a Learning Community leader, who is an upperclass student that plans activities and study sessions as part of your Learning Community Seminar course.
Learning Community Outcomes
Each year, students in Learning Communities take a survey about their experience. Students in the fall 2022 cohort shared the positive ways in which they were impacted by their participation in a Learning Community.
Introduction to OHIO and Resources
- 97%agreed the Learning Community course increased their knowledge of resources on campus for getting involved
- 97%agreed the Learning Community course covered issues and/or topics important to new students
- 94%agreed the Learning Community course helped them make a positive transition to the University
Instructor and Leader Support
- 97%agreed their course instructor was enthusiastic about working with new students
- 98%agreed their Learning Community Leader, an upper-class student, encouraged participation in out-of-class activities
- 96%agreed their Learning Community Leader was responsive or very responsive to questions or concerns and easy to connect with
Community with Peers
- 97%agreed that joining a Learning Community helped them meet other OHIO students
- 95%agreed that cohort members encouraged each other to do well in their academics
Explore Communities
Transfer and Relocate Students
OHIO offers a specialized Learning Community for transfer and OHIO relocate students.
How to Sign-Up for a Learning Community
There are specialized options for first-year students as well as transfer and OHIO relocating students.
First-Year Students
Starting in January?
Learning Community Seminar classes (UC 1900) are offered in the spring semester to and its whole purpose is to connect you to the campus, to the community, and to a peer group of other incoming First-Year students. You will learn about campus resources, ways to get involved, how to support the campus value of respect, career exploration, and how to register for classes.
The life of a First-Year student is not easy and we work to provide you this option so that you can better understand how things happen on this campus in order to be successful in the transition so you can reach your goals.
It is a small class and there is a peer Learning Community Leader student that is part of the class. The Learning Community Leader will also plan time for the class to connect and meet up outside of class to build a strong peer group.
Sign-up with your Advisor when you register for classes.
Starting in August?
Incoming first-year students sign up for a learning community during a June-July 2 Bobcat Student Orientation (BSO) — you do notneed to take action before attending BSO.
During the second day of the day-and-a-half BSO program, you'll meet with your advisor to register for classes. You will leave BSO with a full schedule, including the Learning Community Seminar and linked courses.
Please Note:
- Initially, through the beginning of July, the Learning Community classes will be listed on your schedule as LCOM, which is short for Learning Community. Your schedule will display the days and times of the classes that make up your Learning Community but not the specific classes.
- After July 11, your schedule will be adjusted and to display the specific classes that make up your Learning Community.
Transfer & OHIO Relocate Students Residential Community and Campus Connections Class
OHIO offers a unique Campus Connections class that centers around being a transfer or an OHIO Relocate student. This is a 7-week course supported by a Peer Leader that focuses on connecting you to the Athens community, the campus resources and the Bobcat student community.
Starting in January?
Campus Connections, UC 1500, courses are offered at the start of the spring semester to support incoming new Transfer and Relocate students.
There is not a residential component to the spring semester course.
Starting in August?
Class Only Sign-Up
If you are just interested in taking the UC 1500 Campus Connections course but not live in the residential community, please let your advisor know when you register for classes.
Residential Sign-Up
Students are able to sign-up to request to live in the Transfer and Relocate Residential Community and agree to register for the classif they accept the housing assignment.
Please alert your advisor that you are required to take the UC 1500 Campus Connections course as you are living in the Transfer community. You will sign-up for the class with your advisor.
There are limited housing options for students who sign-up to be part of this community. It typically fills by mid-May each year.
Housing Options for Fall 2023
Bromley Hall (opens in a new window) 4th floor, suite doubles
Adams Hall , 1st floor, triples
June 13 Housing update
Adams: 0 female beds remain
Adams: 0 male beds remain
Bromley: 0 female beds remain
Bromley: 0 male beds remain
Sign-up opened on February 1, 2024.
As we filled all of the beds in the community, we have closed the sign-up link at this time.
Students are still able to register for the UC 1500 Campus Connections course with their advisor.
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Give: Learning Communities Fund
Be a part of offering additional opportunities to Bobcats enrolled in Learning Communities by donating to OHIO's Learning Communities Fund.
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Scholars and Award Winners
Each year, OHIO's Learning Community Program awards those who offer outstanding support to the program and its students.
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Become a Learning Community Leader
Are you a current OHIO student who is eager to offer support to incoming Bobcats as they transition to life on campus and learn about the opportunities available to them? Consider becoming a Learning Community Leader.
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Become a Learning Community Instructor
Are you an OHIO faculty or staff member who wants to help incoming students transition into life on campus? Consider becoming a Learning Community instructor.
Contact Us
Have questions or need support? Contact the Learning Community Program team at OHIO.
Learning Communities at Ohio University are a collaborative effort between University College, the Office of Admissions, the Office of the Registrar, Institutional Effectiveness & Analytics, the Office of Information Technology, the Division of Student Affairs, Division of Diversity and Inclusion, Alden Library, Women's Center, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the Scripps College of Communication, the Patton College of Education, the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts, and the College of Health Sciences and Professions.