This orientation course is meant to introduce learners, teachers, and higher education leaders to the Global Freshman Academy (GFA). We recommend you browse the course to learn about GFA, its mission, how it works, the courses that will be available over the coming months, and the outcomes we hope to provide to our learners. Click "See more" to view frequently asked questions.
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This orientation course is meant to introduce learners, teachers, and higher education leaders to the Global Freshman Academy (GFA). We recommend you browse the course to learn about GFA, its mission, how it works, the courses that will be available over the coming months, and the outcomes we hope to provide to our learners. Click "See more" to view frequently asked questions.
This orientation course is meant to introduce learners, teachers, and higher education leaders to the Global Freshman Academy (GFA). We recommend you browse the course to learn about GFA, its mission, how it works, the courses that will be available over the coming months, and the outcomes we hope to provide to our learners. Click "See more" to view frequently asked questions.
FAQ
Is Financial Aid Available?We are pursuing options to make financial aid available, but at this time it is not available to GFA students.
Can I receive university credit for courses via GFA even if I have not received my high school diploma or passed the high school equivalency exam?Anyone can take these courses for ASU credit. However, if you’d like to apply them toward a university degree, you will most likely need your high school diploma or proof that you’ve passed the high school equivalency exam. This will also depend on the policies of the particular university to which you are applying.
Is GFA for Freshman only?No. While GFA is perfect for incoming Freshman who want to enjoy a flexible, economically-viable model for taking Freshman-level courses, ambitious high school students who want a jump-start for their college career, or adult-learners returning to Freshman year after a hiatus, these introductory-level courses can be taken by anyone who wants to continue lifelong learning or by educators who want to share resources with students.
Will GFA be extended to full college degrees?At this time, edX and ASU are focused on breaking down the barriers to successfully completing Freshman year.
Will I get a letter grade on my Verified Certificate? No. Your Verified Certificate is provided by edX to any student who completes an ID Verified course with a passing score (which varies, but will be clearly communicated via course materials) and will not feature a letter grade. Additionally, your Verified Certificate does not equal credit earned by ASU and you will still need to complete the steps required for credit conversion after you have earned the Verified Certificate.
Will I get a letter grade on my Arizona State University transcript?Yes students who pursue the ID Verified track will receive a letter grade from ASU for the course and an official Arizona State University transcript if they pay the credit fee.
Why is the estimated effort (18 hours per week) for these courses so high? As a tier-1 public research university, ASU courses reflect the rigorous standards faculty members expect of their students. Given this, ASU recommends that for a 7.5 week course, students should be prepared to spend 6 hours a week on coursework for every 1 course credit. So for a 3 credit course, you should expect to spend approximately 18 hours of coursework per week.
To what extent can I use credits earned via GFA to apply for a university degree?Arizona State University is an accredited university. Credits you earn via Global Freshman Academy will appear on an Arizona State University transcript and can be used as transfer credits anywhere ASU credits are accepted. We recommend that you check with your university to see whether ASU credits are accepted. While having earned ASU credits before you apply to a university will not guarantee your admittance, we believe many universities will value the hard work you have already completed.
Will Arizona State University credits be accepted at international universities?University credits are typically recognized globally when they come from accredited institutions. Please check with your local university to see Arizona State University credits are accepted.
After having taken a class and passed, what is the maximum allotted time to pay for the credit through ASU?You will be able to upgrade from a standard Verified Certificate to credit for one year after you successfully complete and pass the course.
How will exam proctoring work?Students who have chosen the Verified track in the course will be asked to re-verify their ID upon launching any proctored exam in a GFA course. During a proctored exam, students will be monitored for the duration of the exam, and suspect behavior will be flagged and reviewed within 3-5 days of exam submission. A webcam will be required for proctored exams.
Will GFA courses be offering any accommodations for people with learning disabilities? Especially during proctored exams?edX is committed to achieving full accessibility (WCAG 2.0 compliant or better) in the platform. We are continuously making accessibility improvements as we build out new capabilities and programs in order to meet this stringent standard. In terms of our proctoring solution, we are working with the software vendor and our university partners to ensure anyone taking courses for credit eligibility has an equitable experience. Accessibility is a key requirement for Arizona State University, as well. All Global Freshman Academy courses delivered through the edX platform will be ADA compliant and transcripts for hearing impaired students will be available for each video.
What is the full list of courses offered via Global Freshman Academy?To see the most up-to-date list of courses offered by Global Freshman Academy, visit the Future GFA Courses section of the Welcome to Global Freshman Academy Course.
If I fail a class in GFA, will it be reflected on my transcript? If you do not pass the course, you will not be eligible for the upgrade to credit. The failure will not appear anywhere on your ASU transcript.
If I fail a GFA course, will I have the option to retake it at no additional cost? With the Global Freshman Academy, you only pay for the course credit once you receive a passing grade. If you need to retake a course, you can do so at anytime but will be required to again pay the $45 ID Verification fee.
If I already know the material of a course offered via GFA, would I have the option to test-out and receive ASU credit? At this time, we do not offer an option to test out of the material offered in a GFA course. You will need to complete and pass all course material in order to be eligible for credit.
Will you have courses in other subject areas? e.g., Education, Management, Psychics, Computer Science, etc.The Global Freshman Academy is a collection of freshman level courses that fulfill a specific set of general education requirements. The general studies focus areas will include Mathematical Studies, English, Humanities, Arts and Design, Social-Behavioral Sciences and Natural Sciences. To see the most up-to-date list of courses offered by Global Freshman Academy, visit the Future GFA Courses section of the Welcome to Global Freshman Academy Course.
How do I transfer the credits that I might earn through GFA?Once you complete your course(s) and are ready to transfer the credit earned, you will simply request your official transcript from ASU and submit to the the university to which you are applying.
I have previously earned credits from other universities. Can I still take courses through GFA?We would first recommend checking with the university of your choice, whether that is ASU or elsewhere, to see which of the credits you already have would transfer in and what freshman year classes you may still need to take. This will give you a better idea of what GFA courses you would find beneficial.
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Learning objectives
- What global freshman academy (gfa) is
- How gfa works
- Who gfa is for
- Courses that are available through asu to earn academic credit
- What global freshman academy (gfa) is
- How gfa works
- Who gfa is for
- Courses that are available through asu to earn academic credit
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Activities
Review Course Syllabi Before the Semester Begins
Show steps
Familiarize yourself with the expectations and requirements of each course to prepare for success from the start.
Show steps
-
Obtain course syllabi from your professors or the university website.
-
Review each syllabus carefully, paying attention to course objectives, grading policies, and assignment due dates.
-
Identify any areas where you may need additional support or resources.
-
Reach out to your professors or classmates if you have any questions.
Follow Online Tutorials on Time Management
Show steps
Develop effective time management strategies to balance academic, social, and personal responsibilities during your freshman year.
Show steps
-
Search online for reputable sources that provide time management tutorials.
-
Watch the tutorials and take notes on the techniques and strategies presented.
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Apply the techniques you learn to your own daily routine.
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Experiment with different strategies to find what works best for you.
Review High School Algebra and Trigonometry
Show steps
Ensure you have a strong understanding of Algebra and Trigonometry to build upon when starting your freshman year math courses.
Show steps
-
Review your notes from high school algebra and trigonometry.
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Take practice problems from a textbook or online resource.
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Complete a practice test to assess your skills.
-
Identify areas where you need additional support.
-
Seek extra help from a tutor or online resources.
Four other activities
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Show all seven activities
Create a Study Plan for the Semester
Show steps
Develop a personalized study plan to stay organized and on track with your coursework throughout the semester.
Show steps
-
Determine how much time you can realistically dedicate to studying each week.
-
Create a schedule that includes specific times for studying, attending class, and completing assignments.
-
Set goals for each study session and break down large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks.
-
Identify potential distractions and develop strategies to minimize them.
-
Seek support from a friend, family member, or academic advisor to help you stay accountable.
Join a Study Group for your Math Class
Show steps
Working with peers helps to strengthen your understanding of course material and improve your problem-solving skills.
Show steps
-
Ask your classmates or professor if they know of any existing study groups for your math class.
-
If there are no existing study groups, consider starting one yourself.
-
Meet regularly with your study group to review class material, work on practice problems, and prepare for exams.
-
Take turns leading the study sessions and facilitating discussions.
Write a Blog Post about your Freshman Year Goals
Show steps
Reflecting on your goals will help you stay motivated and focused throughout the year.
Show steps
-
Brainstorm your goals for the year, both academic and personal.
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Write a blog post about your goals, explaining why they are important to you.
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Share your blog post with friends, family, or a mentor for feedback.
-
Revisit your blog post throughout the year to track your progress and make adjustments as needed.
Volunteer at a Local Community College
Show steps
Gain valuable experience and give back to the community while solidifying the skills and knowledge acquired in your courses.
Show steps
-
Research local community colleges or organizations where you can volunteer.
-
Identify positions that align with your interests and skills.
-
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
-
Commit to a regular volunteer schedule and show up on time.
Review Course Syllabi Before the Semester Begins
Show steps
Familiarize yourself with the expectations and requirements of each course to prepare for success from the start.
Show steps
- Obtain course syllabi from your professors or the university website.
- Review each syllabus carefully, paying attention to course objectives, grading policies, and assignment due dates.
- Identify any areas where you may need additional support or resources.
- Reach out to your professors or classmates if you have any questions.
Follow Online Tutorials on Time Management
Show steps
Develop effective time management strategies to balance academic, social, and personal responsibilities during your freshman year.
Show steps
- Search online for reputable sources that provide time management tutorials.
- Watch the tutorials and take notes on the techniques and strategies presented.
- Apply the techniques you learn to your own daily routine.
- Experiment with different strategies to find what works best for you.
Review High School Algebra and Trigonometry
Show steps
Ensure you have a strong understanding of Algebra and Trigonometry to build upon when starting your freshman year math courses.
Show steps
- Review your notes from high school algebra and trigonometry.
- Take practice problems from a textbook or online resource.
- Complete a practice test to assess your skills.
- Identify areas where you need additional support.
- Seek extra help from a tutor or online resources.
Create a Study Plan for the Semester
Show steps
Develop a personalized study plan to stay organized and on track with your coursework throughout the semester.
Show steps
- Determine how much time you can realistically dedicate to studying each week.
- Create a schedule that includes specific times for studying, attending class, and completing assignments.
- Set goals for each study session and break down large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks.
- Identify potential distractions and develop strategies to minimize them.
- Seek support from a friend, family member, or academic advisor to help you stay accountable.
Join a Study Group for your Math Class
Show steps
Working with peers helps to strengthen your understanding of course material and improve your problem-solving skills.
Show steps
- Ask your classmates or professor if they know of any existing study groups for your math class.
- If there are no existing study groups, consider starting one yourself.
- Meet regularly with your study group to review class material, work on practice problems, and prepare for exams.
- Take turns leading the study sessions and facilitating discussions.
Write a Blog Post about your Freshman Year Goals
Show steps
Reflecting on your goals will help you stay motivated and focused throughout the year.
Show steps
- Brainstorm your goals for the year, both academic and personal.
- Write a blog post about your goals, explaining why they are important to you.
- Share your blog post with friends, family, or a mentor for feedback.
- Revisit your blog post throughout the year to track your progress and make adjustments as needed.
Volunteer at a Local Community College
Show steps
Gain valuable experience and give back to the community while solidifying the skills and knowledge acquired in your courses.
Show steps
- Research local community colleges or organizations where you can volunteer.
- Identify positions that align with your interests and skills.
- Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
- Commit to a regular volunteer schedule and show up on time.
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Higher Education Administrator
Curriculum Developer
Instructional Designer
Policy Analyst
Education Consultant
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Education Researcher
Academic Advisor
Education Administrator
Teacher Leader
High School Teacher
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