UC Berkeley Global is proud to announce its Global Program for Freshmen (GPF), launching Fall 2020. This unique “online study-abroad” program is designed for incoming first-year university students seeking a close-knit, collaborative learning community within a digital-learning environment.

Students will have access to Berkeley instructors and mentors while working closely with their peers in small cohorts using online tools. GPF offers courses in Letters & Science (L&S) that cover key prerequisites for majors across various disciplines. Elective courses allow students to complete a total of 15 credits per semester, while additional programming will focus on important issues for first-year students, including preparing for college life, selecting a major and career development.

Upon completion, students earn credits that they can transfer to their home institution. This makes GPF an ideal opportunity for universities seeking a high-quality online option for their incoming students, or any individual student who wants a rich and stimulating first-year experience. GPF instructors will emphasize the connections between classroom and experiential learning by building in cohort and community activities mapped onto both core and elective courses.

According to Dr. Diana Wu, Dean of UC Berkeley Global and UC Berkeley Extension, the program will include individualized advising and coaching, while introducing students to life at a major research university. “Our goal is to set students up for a successful college experience, so I’m excited by the blend of thoughtful curriculum, high-impact advising and special programming. We’re offering students some of the best elements of a small liberal arts environment with the resources of one of the finest universities in the world.”