Academic and interest-based communities
Mizzou offers FIGs (Freshman Interest Groups) and General and Thematic Learning Communities to enhance academic and social experiences. In these groups, students with similar interests live close together in designated residence halls.
The difference? Students in FIGs are freshmen who take courses together. General and Thematic Learning Communities are open to all undergraduate students (freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors). Some FIGs are subsets of larger Learning Communities, but you can join one without joining the other.
FIGs
FIGs are groups of 15-20 first-year students who share similar academic or career interests. Students in FIGs live together in a residence hall, take at least three core courses together, take part in a weekly Proseminar and attend events related to shared interests.
If you join a FIG, you'll be in contact with an upperclassman (your peer adviser) and a faculty or academic staff member whose work is related to your interests. Peer advisers (PAs) live in residence halls with the FIGs and provide information about the university in general and about the FIG's theme. The faculty mentor advises the PA, attends events and serves as a resource for students.
The more than 100 FIGs are organized by themes:
- Broad fields of study, such as Nursing, Discovering Science and Exploring Journalism
- Specific focuses, such as such as Sustainability and Sports Management
- Honors groups, such as Humanities, Pre-Medicine and Engineering
- General learning, such as Career and Major Exploration and Service and Leadership
Learning Communities
If you live in a residence hall, you’ll automatically be part of a learning community. Just as with FIGs, students in General and Thematic Learning Communities have opportunities to interact with faculty and focus on a particular interest area. Students don't necessarily have to take classes together like they do in FIGs, and the Learning Communities are made up of 50-200 students.
Thematic Learning Communities focus on specific majors or common interests. General Learning Communities focus on broad themes for students of all majors, such as career exploration and leadership development. Learn more about types of FIGs and Learning Communities.
Whether you're getting a tour of the University Hospital facilities or making contact with successful business entrepreneurs, you'll benefit from the special access to Mizzou faculty and other successful students. You'll make friends and contacts while you get the help you need to explore your interests and prepare for your future.