Main Content
First-Year Students
The Core curriculum helps first year students make connections within their learning community and between academic disciplines. First year students take courses together as part of a close-knit community. Learn more about Core online.
All incoming first year students are encouraged to participate in the Core program.
First year students are required to meet with their assigned advisor for their first and second quarters at UW Tacoma. A TACADV hold is placed on student registration. To register for classes, first year students are required to first meet with their assigned academic advisor.
At UW Tacoma, scores of 3 or higher are considered for college credit or placement into UW courses. Click here to check your AP applicability toward UW requirements.
There are many resources available to help students improve their academic performance. Take advantage of professor office hours if you are having trouble with class material. Students are also encouraged to schedule an appointment or drop-in to the Teaching and Learning Center which offers a wide range of free services to help students, including one-on-one tutoring and workshops on learning strategies, writing, and quantitative skills. Schedule an appointment with your assigned advisor to discuss resources and tools that are best for you!
The University requires a minimum of 5 credits of quantitative/symbolic reasoning to graduate; however, each major has its own unique requirements. Courses that satisfy this requirement focus on mathematics and statistics, or on formal and symbolic argument. Running Start and transfer students should consult with their assigned advisor to determine if a math course is needed, and if so which one.
First year and transfer students who have not taken an advanced, college level math course should take the Math Directed Self-Placement to determine which math class is right for them. Follow up by scheduling an appointment with your advisor to discuss an academic plan that will best help you achieve your goals.
There are several ways to earn college credits while in high school, including Running Start, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes. Find more information online.
Difficulty in Class, Grades and Grading Options
There are many resources available to help students improve their academic performance. Take advantage of professor office hours if you are having trouble with class material. Students are also encouraged to schedule an appointment or drop-in to the Teaching and Learning Center which offers a wide range of free services to help students, including one-on-one tutoring and workshops on learning strategies, writing, and quantitative skills. Schedule an appointment with your assigned advisor to discuss resources and tools that are best for you!
The Current Quarter Drop process allows students to drop classes using the Advisor-Assisted Drop Request Form during the Late Course Drop Period. Find more information online.
Before dropping a class or changing grading options, you should speak to your advisor; there could be financial and academic consequences.
Grades can be found under the “Grade Report” link in MyUW. To check when grades are available, refer to the Academic Calendar.
To request disability accommodation, including American Sign Language interpretation, contact the Disability Resources for Students office at 253-692-4508, drsuwt@uw.edu or submit a request. Find more information online.