Residential Learning Communities

WHAT ARE RESIDENTIAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES (RLC)?

A Residential Learning Community (RLC) is an exciting way for first-year students to merge their academic priorities with their personal and social goals. You join a RLC based on your major or a particular focus area and live among other students with similar interests and degree plans. As part of the emphasis on community, residents share common classes and have access to other academic services and programming provided exclusively for RLC members. The RLC program enhances your academic and social success by creating partnerships and study groups with other students in your major starting from your first day at UTA.

WHY JOIN AN RLC?

RLCs are designed to enrich the residential experience for students and connect academic and extracurricular involvement.  Students in RLCs enjoy:
• Reserved seats in important core classes
• Participate in at least two common courses with your fellow RLC members
• First year student success class focused specifically on being successful in your major or with a connection to the RLC interest area
• Connections with faculty members outside of the classroom
• Enhanced program and academic opportunities exclusively for RLC students
• Students live in the same designated area of a residence hall designed specifically for RLCs
• Valuable personal experiences and advice from the Residential Peer Mentor, an upper-class student mentor that also lives in the residence hall
• Historically RLC students have been more successful in their other courses and are more likely to persist to graduation
 

Learn more about RLCs

Jumpstart your success at UTA by joining an RLC!

AVAILABLE RESIDENTIAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES

The Architecture RLC provides students an opportunity to explore what it means to be a CAPPA student and build their professional knowledge and skills to enhance their performance as architecture students. 

Location: Maverick Hall 
Partnership: College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs
Required Classes: UNIV-AR 1131 & ARCH 1341 [Fall] + UNIV 1000 [Spring]
Academic Interest: Architecture, Interior Design, and Sustainable Urban Design

Joining the Art & Design RLC provides students an opportunity to explore academic and career options within the field of art, connect with fellow artists and visual designers, and engage with the thriving art community at UTA and in the broader DFW metroplex.

Location: Maverick Hall
Partnership: College of Liberal Arts - Department of Art and Art History
Required Classes: ART 1300 [Fall} + UNIV 1000 [Spring]
Academic Interest: Art, Studio Art (any concentration), Art Education


Joining the Business RLC allows students to get a head start in the College of Business through the Goolsby Leadership Academy BNSF Early Leader Program, connecting with fellow business students, participating in problem solving activities in a business environment, and rapidly meeting the admission requirements of the College of Business. Preference is given to those that have a minimum 1250 SAT or 26 ACT and a 3.2 high school GPA or higher. 

Location: Arlington Hall 
Partnership: College of Business
Required Classes: UNIV-BU 1131 & MANA 1301 [Fall] + UNIV 1000 [Spring]
Academic Interest: Business (any program)

The Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS) RLC provides students with opportunities to explore Mexican American and Latino history and culture and engage with CMAS programs and faculty, enriching their student success experience. 

Location: West Hall 
Partnership: Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS) 
Required Classes: UNIV 1131 [Fall] + UNIV 1000 [Spring] 
Recommended Paired Class: MAS 2300 [Spring]
Academic Interest: Any 

The Engineering RLC assists students in exploring their interests within the various engineering disciplines and helps students explore career opportunities and emerging technologies. 

Location: West Hall 
Partnership: College of Engineering
Required Classes: UNIV-EN 1131 [Fall] + UNIV 1000 [Spring]
Academic Interest: Engineering (any program)
The First Achievers RLC is designed to assist students from non-college backgrounds to successfully navigate the first-year college experience. Students can expect to grow essential abilities and competencies that help them navigate both academic and personal challenges, fostering independence, responsibility, and success in their academic and future professional lives.  Students will be equipped to manage daily tasks, relationships, and decision-making processes, contributing to their overall well-being and development.

Location: West Hall 
Partnership: TRIO Student Support Services & Office of Transition Programs & Services
Required Classes: UNIV 1131 [Fall] + UNIV 1000 [Spring]
Academic Interest: Any, focused on those first in their families to attend college

The Honors College RLC provides students with a community of peers to gain the most from their academic experience. Students in the Honors College RLC are immersed in a collaborative, intellectual, and close-knit social community with a focus on academic enrichment and excellence.

Location: Vandergriff Hall
Partnership: Honors College
Required Classes: UNIV-HN 1131 & POLS 2312 [Fall] + UNIV 1000 [Spring]
Academic Interest: Any, must be admitted to the Honors College


The Major Exploration RLC is a vibrant community of first-year students who share an interest in exploring their options to find a major that fits their interests, strengths, and career goals. 

Location: Vandergriff Hall
Partnership: Division of Student Success
Required Classes: UNIV 1131 [Fall] + UNIV 1000 [Spring]
Academic Interest: Any

The Mavs RISE RLC is an opportunity for first year students admitted to UTA through the Mavs RISE program to gain additional support and connection with others in the program. Mavs RISE is an invitation only admission program designed to serve, support, and empower first year students who are conditionally admitted. Students receive targeted support that is tailored to their individual needs to provide them the right path to academic success. Contact MavsRISE@uta.edu for more information. 

Location: West Hall 
Partnership: Division of Student Success
Required Classes: UNIV 1131 [Fall] + UNIV 1000 [Spring]
Academic Interest: Any, must be admitted to UTA through the Mavs RISE program

The Nursing RLC allows students to network with professional nurses, develop a professional portfolio, and experience expedited advising and registration. Students benefit from increased engagement with faculty and exploration of the variety of focus areas available within the nursing profession.

Location: KC Hall
Partnership: College of Nursing and Health Innovation
Required Classes: NURS 3364 & BIOL 1345 [Fall] + UNIV 1000 [Spring]
Academic Interest: Nursing
 
The Science & Pre-Med RLC provides a tailored academic experience by uniting students with similar academic interests. This experience will enhance the skills they need to innovate, learn, and discover various fields in science, centered around development in the health professions.

Location: KC Hall
Partnership: College of Science
Required Classes: UNIV-SC 1131 & BIOL 1441 [Fall] + UNIV 1000 [Spring]
Academic Interest: Biology, including pre-med, pre-pharm, pre-dental, or pre-vet
The Terry Scholars RLC provides a unique academic experience by uniting recipients of the Terry Foundation Scholarship Program. This community is made up of individuals who demonstrate leadership and academic achievement. Contact terryscholars@uta.edu for more information.

Location: Vandergriff Hall
Partnership: Terry Scholars Program
Required Classes: UNIV 1131 [Fall] + UNIV 1000 [Spring]
Academic Interest: Any, must be awarded the Terry Scholars Foundation Scholarship

The TLS RLC offers a specialized student experience by uniting recipients of the Texas Leadership Scholarship with a focus on developing leadership skills and elevating academic achievement. Contact leadership@uta.edu for more information.

Location: Arlington Hall 
Partnership: Follett Student Leadership Center
Required Classes: UNIV 1131 [Fall] + UNIV 1000 [Spring]
Academic Interest: Any, must be awarded the Texas Leadership Scholars Program Scholarship


HOW DO I APPLY?

Visit the University Housing website and apply online through the Housing Application system.
University Housing

OTHER QUESTIONS?

If you have any other questions, check out our FAQ page or reach out to us directly by emailing rlc@uta.edu or visiting our contact page!

FAQ email
 

HOW DO I APPLY?

Visit the University Housing website and apply online through the Housing Application system.

Apply