Similar to Residential College, the Freshman Interest Group program is a living-learning community that block enrolls students in certain courses with their hall mates. However, unlike Residential College, FIGs are created around a specific major and are ideal for freshman coming to Texas State ready to declare a major. Each FIG consists of 8-16 freshmen and one upperclassmen peer advisor all from the chosen degree field.

What is a FIG?
The Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs) program at Texas State is a component of residential education. FIGs help students to graduate from college by increasing the involvement and connection between academia and student services. The FIG living-learning environment offers peer and faculty mentoring; shared classes and study groups; educational and professional development activities.

Why should you get involved?
Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs) at Texas State are the future of residential education. A component of Residence Life's Themed Housing program, FIGs will increase the success rate of students, their levels of involvement, and strengthen the ties between academia and student services. They are an opportunity for seamless education.

Who can participate?
A FIG is a group of 8-16 students who share the same major, minor or interest. The students block enroll in the same courses and live in the same section of their assigned residence hall. An upperclassman from the academic discipline or interest advises each FIG while living with the group. A full FIG consists of 16 freshmen living on the same floor along with one Peer Assistant (PA).

If you are interested in participating in the FIG program, click here to apply.

What FIGs are offered?
Residence Life offers FIGs for students majoring in:
• Business (http://www.business.txstate.edu/advising/figs.htm)
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• Geography
• Health Professions
• History (http://www.txstate.edu/history/fig.htm)
• Mass Communication
• Psychology (http://www.psych.txstate.edu/orgs/fig.php)

Freshman Interest Group Learning Outcomes
• Students in FIGs will cultivate close and productive relationships with peers, mentors, and faculty in effort to create a community of engaged learners.
• Students in FIGs will utilize their common interests through their Peer Assistant to get actively invested in academic departments, campus life, and career goals.

Who can be a Peer Assistant for a FIG?
Each FIG is led by a Peer Assistant, an upperclassman member of the interest group. A peer assistant is a student staff member of the Department of Residence Life whose duties include serving as the advisor, peer counselor, friend, resource and facilitator for the group. Please click here for an information packet and to apply.