Special Programs

Students with English placement of 110 participate in the Academic Development Program (ADP).

Students are selected to participate in this program based on ACT scores in English/reading and performance on the English Placement Assessment. ADP participation is voluntary; however, students who are recommended for the ADP program are highly encouraged to enroll in it.

ADP Students enroll in two core courses that are paired together. This means that the same students will be enrolled in both sections. ADP sections for Fall 2023 are:

• ENGL 110: Intensive Writing and THTR 111: Introduction to Theater
• ENGL 110: Intensive Writing and ARTH 150: Explorations in Art History
• ENGL 110: Intensive Writing and MUSC 115: Understanding Music & Culture

What are the advantages of enrolling in ADP?

• ENGL 110 gives students an extra semester’s worth of practice in writing to prepare them to do the high level of writing required throughout all St. Thomas coursework, including the required English core course (ENGL 121). Just like playing soccer or clarinet, writing improves with practice and effort. It is like a muscle; the more one flexes it, the stronger it becomes.
• ENGL 110 is limited to just 15 students per section, so students will receive a high level of individualized attention and support from the professor to improve writing skills.
• ENGL 110 is paired with ARTH 150, MUSC 115, and THTR 111, which are core courses. With only 15 students per section, students will receive a high level of one-on-one attention and support from a core professor, providing a solid academic grounding in the first semester.
• Each ENGL 110 section works directly with a peer writing mentor from the Center for Writing who will also help students with writing assignments in ENGL 110 and any other classes.
• Paired courses offer two small classes with the same group of students. This provides first year students with a great opportunity to get to know other classmates.
• ADP professors are assigned as first year advisors for students. ADP students will receive one-on-one attention by a professor who will know the students well beyond the fall semester.

The St. Thomas Air Force ROTC program is available to all students, whether or not they wish to pursue becoming an USAF officer. Participation in the AFROTC program may not necessarily require students to pursue a particular major, and Aerospace Studies Courses may be used as electives toward overall degree requirements.

New students may begin AFROTC by registering for AERO 111: Heritage and Values with AERO 200: Leadership Lab. This course is one credit and there is no tuition charged if the student is an AFROTC member. Interested students can contact the AFROTC department at (651) 962-6320.

The purpose of the Aquinas Scholars program is to provide opportunities for academically advanced students to deepen and enrich their undergraduate education. All students are eligible to apply to the Aquinas Scholars Program. A committee of students and faculty will review applications. The most important part of the application is the essay, which must show evidence of intellectual curiosity and academic excellence. Although there are no absolute entrance standards, Aquinas Scholars typically have a high school rank of at least the 96th percentile, a high school grade point average of at least 3.8, and a combined SAT of at least 1200 or an ACT composite of at least 28. If you are interested in applying to the Aquinas Scholars Program, contact: (651) 962-6122 or (800) 328-6819, Ext. 2-6122. For more information please visit the Aquinas Scholars website.

During their first and second years, Aquinas Scholars take a minimum of four honors sections of the core curriculum requirements. Honors sections are limited to 20 students and emphasize in-depth discussion and analysis. During their third and fourth years, Aquinas Scholars enroll in a minimum of three interdisciplinary honors seminars that are team-taught by faculty from two different departments. In addition, the program sponsors a variety of co-curricular and extracurricular activities.

All first-year students admitted into the Aquinas Scholars Program will be required to take an honors section of THEO 100.

The Academic Counseling team partners with Academic Support Services for Athletics to make sure first year student-athletes are enrolled in classes that accommodate their athletic practice and competition schedules. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Smith Ware, Director of Academic Support Services for Athletics at (651) 962-5952 or via email at michelle.smithware@stthomas.edu.

Students who are the first in their family to go to college, or their parents did not graduate from college, are considered a first-generation student. We are proud that many first-generation students choose to attend St. Thomas. The Proud To Be First program is designed to support our first-generation students in their transition to college. Many students, staff and faculty at St. Thomas are available and eager to support first generation students.

Participating in a music ensemble is a great way for first-year students to establish a community of friends while completing the required Fine Arts requirement. All ensembles and lessons fit easily into most first year student schedules. Students earn one academic credit for each ensemble. There are no additional tuition and fees when students enroll in 18 credits or fewer per semester. Students may fulfill their Fine Arts Requirement by participating in a large ensemble for four semesters.

Ensembles are open to all students by audition. Please see select a link below to sign up for an ensemble audition.

• Band
• Choir
• Orchestra

The term pre-professional refers to graduate and professional programs after a bachelor’s degree has been completed. It is important to understand that pre-professional programs are not academic majors; they are directional paths of study intended to prepare undergraduates for a specific industry or career such as health or law.

There are no preferred or “right” undergraduate majors for students interested in professional programs. Professional schools recommend that students select an academic major in which they have the most interest and aptitude. More information can be found in the course catalog.

Thank you for completing the Canvas course and reviewing the O&R Guide website. Please complete the Course Preference Form and an Academic Counselor will build an initial fall semester course schedule. The schedule will most likely include PHIL 110; THEO 100; ENGL 121 or 190; and a language course.

Students can choose from over 100 different programs in 50-plus countries. Program duration varies (academic year, semester, summer or January term) and study abroad experiences can be customized to allow students to complete internships, participate in service learning, in-depth research or field-based study, all while fulfilling major, minor or core requirements. Grants, loans and scholarships can often be applied to study abroad programs, making study abroad comparable to the costs of studying on campus.

There are study abroad programs designed just for first-year students, including an opportunity to take THEO 100 in Rome during January Term. Check out the Study Abroad website or contact the Office of Study Abroad at (651) 962-6450 or find us in Murray-Herrick 212.

STEM Inclusive Excellence is a program that builds community with underrepresented students interested in science, math, and technology. The program includes intentional community-building with a student's faculty advisor, activities with peer mentors, and science-oriented social and professional events. If you are interested in this program or have questions about STEM Inclusive Excellence, please contact the program's Assistant Director Hugh Smeltekop at 651-962-5513.