Core Curriculum

Our curriculum embodies the tradition of a liberal arts education in light of the Catholic faith, which emphasizes a concern with ultimate questions and personal and spiritual development within a diverse world. The Core Curriculum prepares students for global citizenship, stewardship of the Earth, and a productive career by cultivating a passion for intellectual life, a commitment to moral responsibility, and a desire to improve the human condition through socially conscious citizenship.

Core Courses

The Saint Michael's core curriculum is organized into the categories and subcategories defined below. The specific requirements and courses that satisfy the Foundational Courses, Intellectual Exploration and Edmundite Tradition categories (and each of the subcategories within them) are defined in the program requirements for each of the majors in this catalog. Students meet the Professional Competencies standards through content that is built into the coursework that is required within their major.

Foundational Courses

These courses provide a foundation for academic life at the college, explore questions of ultimate meaning, and engage with the broad questions of liberal education.

1. Purposeful Learning

2. First-Year Seminar

3. Fundamental Philosophical Questions

4. Study of Christian Traditions and Thought

5. Junior Seminar

Intellectual Exploration

These courses expose students to the breadth of disciplinary learning and the various ways of looking at and understanding themselves and the world. Students will take (or satisfy through transfer equivalent) coursework in each subject area in any semester prior to graduation.

1. Literature & The Arts

2. History & Society

3. Scientific Inquiry

4. Quantitative Reasoning

5. Second Language for students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (not required for students pursuing a B.A in Engineering)

Edmundite Tradition

Courses in the Edmundite tradition explore the Society of Saint Edmund’s rich heritage of Catholic intellectual thought and abiding commitments to social justice and inclusion.  Students will take one course with each of the following designations. These courses may also fulfill areas listed above or may reside in the majors and minors:

1. Catholic Intellectual Tradition

2. Engaging Diverse Identities

Professional Competencies

A Saint Michael’s education will also develop skills essential to every career choice.  Each major has been designed with the following learning outcomes:

1. Ethical Decision Making

2. Information Literacy

3. Oral Communications

4. Written Communications