Transition Academic Programs

Transition Academic Programs (TAP) provides academic advising and administrative support for students transitioning between majors, as well as programming for students transitioning from high school to college. Campus-wide TAP programs include: the Texas A&M-Blinn TEAM co-enrollment partnership with Blinn College (TEAM), the Aggie Gateway to Success provisional admission program (Gateway), the university’s transitional major (General Studies), a program and course for students to investigate academic majors (Explore), and a personalized, directed advising program for at-risk students (Aggies Thrive).

Academic Advising for Students in Transition

Students in the TEAM and Gateway programs are supported by TAP academic advisors for the length of those programs.  Continuing students approved to enter TAP to qualify for entry to a different degree-granting major are temporarily classified as “General Studies” majors. A TAP academic advisor will help each General Studies student develop a realistic academic plan for transitioning into a specific major and progressing toward timely graduation.

Aggie Gateway to Success

Qualified students are selected for provisional admission by the Office of Admissions to participate in the Aggie Gateway to Success (AGS or Gateway) program as General Studies major students.  Students participating in this mandatory on-campus program are assigned 6 hours of University Core Curriculum courses plus a study skills class during the second summer session (July-August) prior to their first fall semester at Texas A&M University. They participate in peer-mentor led groups. Students are expected to live on-campus while participating in the program. Participating students must attend a designated New Student Conference prior to the start of the summer session. Gateway students may apply for summer Financial Aid.

Students who pass all assigned summer courses with at least a 2.0 grade point average and no failing grades earn the right to continue as fully admitted students for the fall semester. They gain the opportunity to earn acceptance into any major program for which they meet regular change of curriculum requirements. Gateway students are advised by Transition Academic Programs advisors about the best way to complete these requirements.

The Texas A&M-Blinn TEAM Program

The Texas A&M-Blinn TEAM Program (TEAM) is a collaborative, co-enrollment partnership between Texas A&M University and Blinn College. To be considered for selection to the TEAM program, a prospective student must apply for regular freshman admission and meet all admission criteria. Participating TEAM students enroll in a minimum of 12 total credit hours per semester, divided between Texas A&M and Blinn. TEAM students are able to transition into degree-granting majors at Texas A&M via the change of major process when they satisfy benchmark credit and grade point criteria at both schools, and complete departmental entry requirements. It is sometimes possible for TEAM students to transition to full enrollment at A&M in less than two years. TEAM students are able to access student services and programs on both campuses, to include participation in the Corps of Cadets and Greek Life.  They may apply for on-campus housing at A&M, as well as financial aid (based upon their combined credit hours from both schools).

Undergraduate Studies’ units have modified services available to students enrolled via distance education, at branch campuses, or at other instructional locations.