Mini-semester courses start near the middle of the semester and can be added to maintain full-time academic status if a student needs to drop another course to preserve their GPA.

Do not drop a current course or add a mini-semester course until you have done the following:

1. Check with your college advisor or University Records to ensure you have not already taken the FYEX course you wish to add. You cannot take the same FYEX course twice for credit.
2. Verify with Financial Aid staff that the FYEX course(s) you wish to add will satisfy your scholarship and/or financial aid requirements. (If you are a student athlete, check with your designated academic advisor.)
3. If you are taking a combination of main campus and community college classes, check with Accounts Receivable before making any changes to see how it will affect your total cost for the semester.

Important Fall 2024 Mini-Semester Dates

First 8-Weeks   (January 15 - March 9)

• January 15 — Classes begin
• January 16 — Last day to add (without instructor’s signature)
• January 27 — Last day to add (with instructor’s signature)
• January 31 — Last Day to Drop a Course without a “W” (100% refund)
• February 13 — Last Day to Withdraw from a Single Course with a “W”
• March 9 — Last Day of Classes

Second 8-Weeks   (March 17 - May 9)

• March 17 — Classes begin
• March 18 — Last day to add (without instructor’s signature)
• March 20 — Last day to add (with instructor’s signature)
• March 26 — Last Day to Drop a Course without a “W” (100% refund)
• April 15 — Last Day to Withdraw from a Single Course with a “W”
• May 9 — Last Day of Classes

FYEX and UNIV Mini-Semester Course Offerings

For the entire mini-semester course list, including the FYEX mini-semester course offerings, please check with University Records.

FYEX and UNIV Course Descriptions

Students may find the current listing of all available FYEX and UNIV course offerings by accessing the Course Catalog.

FYEX 1110. First-Year Seminar (1-3 Credits)

This course is designed to help students achieve greater success in college and in life. Students will learn many proven strategies for creating greater academic, professional, and personal success. Topics may include career exploration, time management, study and test-taking strategies to adapt to different learning environments, interpersonal relationships, wellness management, financial literacy, and campus and community resources.

FYEX 1112. The Freshman Year Experience (3 Credits)

An introduction to the university and its resources; emphasis on development of academic and personal skills that enable freshmen to become successful learners. Restricted to: Main campus only.

Prerequisite(s): Freshman Standing Only.

FYEX 1116. Managing Your Money (1 Credit)

Principles and strategies for effective money management. Includes financial goal setting, both short and long term. Explores the relationship between career and income earning potential. Explores issues of credit and debt management and prevention of identity theft.

FYEX 1117. Financial Literacy: Money Matters (2 credits; Graded)

Introductions to money management and financial literacy for the college student explored through activities. Students are exposed to key topics such as loans, scholarships, credit, spending smart, identity theft, and other topics related to financial literacy. This course will cover a variety of financial literacy topics ranging from budgeting to student loan repayment. This course is designed to assist students in becoming more financially literate. Restricted to Las Cruces campus only.

FYEX 1130. Academic Skills for Mathematics (1-3 Credits)

Emphasis on study skills for success in math, up to the calculus level, tailored to meet individual student needs. Topics include test preparation strategies, efficient time management and practice methods, and introduction to and practice with learning software. Consent of instructor required.

FYEX 1131. Personal Learning Skills (1 credit; Graded)

Improve specific academic skills including: Time Management, Overcoming Procrastination, Concentration and Memory, Test Anxiety and Preparation, Text-Reading Techniques, Stress Management, Critical Thinking and Reading, and Preparation for Graduate School.

• Digital Literacy: Navigating the Digital Learning Environment: The course is offered through the First Year Initiative (FYI). The purpose of the course is to teach the fundamentals of using an electronic device for personal and academic needs, including online learning. Students will “investigating NMSU/Las Cruces/New Mexico’s pop culture (e.g., art, music, food) while immersing themselves in NMSU various digital applications (i.e. Google Suite, Canvas, and Adobe Creative Cloud, etc.). Students are provided a framework for exploring and organizing their digital academic and social experience while celebrating NMSU rich cultural life. Digital Literacy is defined as a demonstrated ability to use technology to access, manipulate, evaluate, integrate use and communicate information individually or collaboratively in a computer supported, and web-based environment for learning, working or leisure.

• Critical Thinking: The course is offered through the First Year Initiative (FYI). It is designed to assist students in increasing self-awareness and critical thinking skills that can be applied in the academic and social setting. This course will introduce students to a variety of topics ranging from an introduction to critical thinking to logical fallacies and critical media literacy.  The exposure and skill development of the course will be learned through a variety of course activities and assessments.

• Stress Management: This course is offered through the First Year Initiative (FYI) and is designed to assist students in becoming more effective learners by increasing their ability to understand the importance of self-care and utilization of stress management techniques in the social and academic environment. This course will cover a variety of topics ranging from time management to test anxiety and will increase awareness of campus resources to support students in managing stress.

• Artificial Intelligence: Practical Uses and Ethical Consideration: The course introduces college students to generative artificial intelligence (AI) with a focus on learning basic skills to use generative AI tools in academic work. It covers fundamental concepts, practical applications, ethical considerations, and hands-on assignments to enhance understanding and skills.

FYEX 1132. Academic and Personal Effectiveness (2 credits; Graded)

Learn academic self-analysis skills through the application of study and learning techniques to current courses. Exposure to a variety of topics which enhance university and life-long learning.  

FYEX 1134. Speed Reading (1 credit; Graded)

Develop strategies and practice techniques to improve vocabulary, reading comprehension, and reading rate.  

FYEX 1150. Diversity at the University (1 credit; Graded)

In this course students will engage in discussions about diversity at the university, what it means in today’s society and local community, and build on its complexity at NMSU.

FYEX 1170. NMSU Gospel Choir (1 Credit)

Students will gain performance experience and exposure to urban contemporary gospel music. Open to all majors. May be taken for unlimited credit. Restricted to: Main campus only.

FYEX 1996. Special Topics (1-4 Credits)

Covers specific study skills and critical thinking topics. Specific sub-titles to be listed in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.  

FYEX 2111. Critical Thinking Skills (3 Credits)

Introduction to critical thinking processes. Develops higher order thinking necessary to evaluate clearly, logically, and accurately one s academic and life experiences. Practical emphases on assertive thinking and perspectives. Prerequisite(s): CCDE 110 N

UNIV 300. Preparing for the Graduate Record Examination (1 credit; S/U)

Review computer adaptive test-taking strategies and practice for the verbal, quantitative and analytical writing sections of the GRE. 

UNIV 350. Peer Education (3 credits; Graded)

Junior and senior level students co-facilitate a Freshman Year Experience class with an instructor. Topics include: student development theory, leadership skills, classroom management and presentation skills.

UNIV 361. NMSU Gospel Choir

Students will gain performance experience and exposure to urban contemporary gospel music. Open to all majors. May be taken for unlimited credit. Restricted to: Main campus only.