Current Pathway Students
What to expect your first year
Pathway is your major or academic program during your first year at BGSU. After completing Pathway requirements, you’ll transition into your degree program for your second year. Staying on track academically helps ensure steady progress toward your degree.
- Connect regularly with your advisor. You are required to meet with them before registering for classes each semester.
- Enroll in 5-6 designated courses for at least 15 credits hours per semester. The courses you take are foundational classes that count toward your degree and help prepare you for your intended major. You’ll take small classes taught by faculty who specialize in supporting first-year students.
- Take advantage of full access to the same opportunities, resources and campus experiences as every BGSU student.
- Pay a reduced tuition rate during your first year in the Pathway program
15-17 credit hours is a typical semester class schedule.
Every hour in class = 2 hours of study time.
Fall Pathway classes
15-17 credit hours
Required Courses
- UNIV 1000 University Success
- ACEN 1000 College Reading and Learning Skills
Depending on placement
- WRIT 1110 Seminar in Academic Writing or
- WRIT 1120 Seminar in Research Writing
Depending on potential major
- MATH 1150 Introduction to Statistics or
- MATH 1220 College Algebra
Cohort Classes
Depending on potential major
- BIOL 1010 Environment of Life
- COMM 1020 Introduction to Public Speaking
- ENG 1500 Literature and Culture
- POPC 1600 Introduction to Pop Culture
- SOC 1010 Introduction to Sociology
- HIST 1250 American History
- HIST 1260 Modern American History
- HIST 1510 World History
- THFM 2150 Diversity in Theatre
- WS 2000 Women’s Studies
Spring Pathway classes
15-17 credit hours
Required courses
UNIV 1290 Career & Life Planning
Depending on placement
- WRIT 1110 Seminar in Academic Writing or
- WRIT 1120 Seminar in Research Writing
Depending on potential major
- MATH 1150 Introduction to Statistics
- MATH 1220 College Algebra
- MATH 1280 Pre-Calculus
Cohort classes
Depending on potential major
- BIOL 1010 Environment of Life
- COMM 1020 Introduction to Public Speaking
- ENG 1500 Literature and Culture
- POPC 1600 Introduction to Pop Culture
- SOC 1010 Introduction to Sociology
- HIST 1250 American History
- HIST 1260 Modern American History
- HIST 1510 World History
- THFM 2150 Diversity in Theatre
- WS 2000 Women’s Studies
BG Perspectives (BGP)
Course requirements
1 course
- English Composition & Oral Communication – WRIT 1120
- Quantitative Literacy – MATH 1150 or MATH 1220
- Cultural Diversity in the US – ETHN 1010, WS 2000, THFM 2150
- International Perspective – HIST 1510
- Selected course to complete requirement – WRIT 1110
2 courses
- Humanities and the Arts – ENG 1500, ENG 2010, FILM 1610
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – HIST 1260 or SOC 1010
- Natural Sciences (one lab required) – BIOL 1010
Requirement info
- All students must complete 36 hours of BGP courses. (A bachelor’s degree requires 122 credit hours to graduate.)
- Most degrees require elective hours for graduation. Courses that count as electives:
- UNIV 1000
- UNIV 1290
- ACEN 1000
Check your class schedule
MyBGSU > Student Center > Classes and Registration > View My Classes
Pathway requirements
To transition into your degree program after your first year, you must:
- Meet with your advisor before course registration
- Earn at least a 2.0 GPA during your first year (Some academic colleges and majors require a higher GPA.)
- Complete at least 24 credit hours in your first year
Tips to stay on track
Stay connected to your support system.
- Read emails from the Pathway team carefully. They include important reminders, deadlines and next steps.
- Your advisor will meet regularly with you throughout the year. Respond promptly to their emails.
- Ask for help early if you’re struggling academically or personally.
How to schedule an advisor meeting
MyBGSU > Advisor tile > Appointments > Add Appointment
- Attend classes consistently and stay engaged in your coursework.
- Use the support resources available to you.
- Pay attention to important dates and deadlines on the BGSU academic calendar.
- Communicate and be transparent with the Pathway team and your support systems. Talk with your advisor before making major academic decisions, including withdrawing from classes or the University. Those decisions can affect your financial aid and future enrollment at BGSU.
- Join a student organization, attend campus events or get an on-campus job.
- Students who build connections and engage in campus life often have a stronger college experience and greater academic success.
Transitioning out of the Pathway program
Once you complete all your Pathway requirements, you will transition into your degree program for your second year at BGSU.
As you prepare for that transition:
- Watch for emails from your advisor during the spring semester and complete all required next steps.
- Plan ahead for second-year costs since you will begin paying standard BGSU tuition and fees after your first year. As a Pathway student, you’ll join the Falcon Tuition Guarantee cohort for the semester you entered BGSU. Explore financial aid and scholarships.
- Expect to be assigned a new advisor within your academic college once you transition to your major.
What your support system needs to know
Starting college is a major transition. Encouragement from family members and supporters can make a big difference. The Pathway team is here to guide your student through their first year, but student success works best as a shared responsibility between students, families and the University.
- Check in regularly and ask specific questions about classes, assignments and campus life.
- Encourage your student to seek help early if they are struggling academically, socially or personally.
- Remind your student to read and respond to emails from the Pathway team and their advisor.
- Talk openly about responsibilities, expectations and financial planning for future years at BGSU.
Federal privacy laws, including FERPA, protect a student’s educational records once they begin college. That means University staff members communicate primarily with the student about academics.
Students may choose to grant family members access to certain information, including grades and billing details. If your student submits a FERPA release:
- You will receive an email asking you to confirm your access.
- You must respond to that email before access can be activated.
- Your student controls what information you can view and can update those permissions at any time.
FERPA details and how your student can share access with you
We encourage you to discuss grades with your student. Final grades are protected under FERPA and require student authorization for access.
Encourage your student to stay engaged in conversations about academic progress throughout the semester, not just at midterms or finals
Pathway students receive reduced tuition and fees during their first year. Beginning in the second year, students transition to standard BGSU tuition and fee rates. Your student will be part of the Falcon Tuition Guarantee cohort for the semester they entered BGSU.
Plan ahead for these changes as your student moves into their degree program.
Updated: 06/23/2026 01:48PM