Core Curriculum
While at the University of St. Thomas, you will receive a fulfilling education including Core courses sometimes referred to as General Requirements. The Core of your education at St. Thomas will be rich in courses that help you learn to look at work and life through multiple lenses to understand challenges, problems and opportunities from every angle. These courses will build character, introduce and sharpen practical career skills and train you to talk about your strengths in a way that matters to potential employers.
Your St. Thomas Education
Core Curriculum
These courses are a common learning experience (Core Courses) that serve as a foundation for all St. Thomas students.
Your Major
Building on this foundation, students choose one, or more than one, area to major in that focuses on preparing them for their future careers or graduate/professional education.
Enhanced Courses
You will choose additional courses that complement the Core and major studies to give you the freedom to explore and enhance your overall experience.
Enhancement can occur in several ways:
- A second major
- A minor (or minors)
- A guided series of courses
- A set of exploratory electives
More About the Core
First-Year Experience
The First-Year Experience provides you with a foundation to help you feel welcome, build community and acquire the tools needed to succeed at St. Thomas.
Core Courses
The variety of coursework you’ll take will help you become an effective problem-solver — the kind employers seek. From a breadth of courses, you will learn to skillfully gather information, assess its trustworthiness and draw meaningful conclusions.
Flagged Concepts
In a globalized world, employers want culturally competent workers who can appreciate and navigate diverse stories and viewpoints and have the ability to communicate effectively. Through flagged concepts — Writing Across the Curriculum, Global Perspectives and Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice — St. Thomas sets you up to thrive.
These concepts are designed to help students focus on specific skills and are usually covered in one of your Major courses or Core Courses.
Writing Across the Curriculum
The ability to effectively communicate your ideas will help you succeed in any career. That’s why our professors give guidance and feedback to enhance your writing skills, regardless of your area of study. Overall, you’ll take four flagged writing concepts: two in writing-intensive, one writing to learn and one in writing within the discipline.
Global Perspectives
These courses are designed to introduce students to the opportunities and challenges of living in a globalized world. Our world is marked by social, cultural, political, technological and economic interdependence and integrations across local, national and international boundaries — therefore, understanding and integrating global knowledge, perspectives and intercultural competencies is essential to living, working and serving.
Diversity, Inclusion, Social Justice
The University of St. Thomas believes it is crucial for students to think critically about diversity, inclusion, and social justice if they are to become informed ethical contributors in a diverse society. For graduates of St. Thomas to be fully successful, they must understand the significance of all three: diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
Capstone Experience
In the capstone experience, students combine every element of their education and consciously reflect on how their work at St. Thomas connects with the university’s mission. Students elect a course in their major or a course from a department outside their major.
First-Year Experience
First-Year Experience
The First-Year Experience provides you with a foundation to help you feel welcome, build community and acquire the tools needed to succeed at St. Thomas.
Core Courses
Core Courses
The variety of coursework you’ll take will help you become an effective problem-solver — the kind employers seek. From a breadth of courses, you will learn to skillfully gather information, assess its trustworthiness and draw meaningful conclusions.
Flagged Concepts
Flagged Concepts
In a globalized world, employers want culturally competent workers who can appreciate and navigate diverse stories and viewpoints and have the ability to communicate effectively. Through flagged concepts — Writing Across the Curriculum, Global Perspectives and Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice — St. Thomas sets you up to thrive.
These concepts are designed to help students focus on specific skills and are usually covered in one of your Major courses or Core Courses.
Writing Across the Curriculum
The ability to effectively communicate your ideas will help you succeed in any career. That’s why our professors give guidance and feedback to enhance your writing skills, regardless of your area of study. Overall, you’ll take four flagged writing concepts: two in writing-intensive, one writing to learn and one in writing within the discipline.
Global Perspectives
These courses are designed to introduce students to the opportunities and challenges of living in a globalized world. Our world is marked by social, cultural, political, technological and economic interdependence and integrations across local, national and international boundaries — therefore, understanding and integrating global knowledge, perspectives and intercultural competencies is essential to living, working and serving.
Diversity, Inclusion, Social Justice
The University of St. Thomas believes it is crucial for students to think critically about diversity, inclusion, and social justice if they are to become informed ethical contributors in a diverse society. For graduates of St. Thomas to be fully successful, they must understand the significance of all three: diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
Capstone Experience
Capstone Experience
In the capstone experience, students combine every element of their education and consciously reflect on how their work at St. Thomas connects with the university’s mission. Students elect a course in their major or a course from a department outside their major.
Course Transfer
Students who have earned college credits through advanced placement (AP) tests, post-secondary enrollment options (PSEO) and College in the Schools (CIS) and who would like a comprehensive credit evaluation, are encouraged to contact your admissions counselor. They can explain our Core and major options while estimating how long it might take you to graduate from St. Thomas.
Notice: Current St. Thomas students must speak with their academic counselor to learn about the pre-approval process for transfer courses. Academic Counseling & Support can be reached at (651) 962-6300.
What Next?
More information regarding your Core courses and placement exams will be sent prior to orientation, but for questions in the meantime, please contact your admissions counselor.