Liberal Arts Core Requirements
To fulfill Immaculata's objective as a Catholic university with its program of study based on the liberal arts and its core values, all degree-seeking students at Immaculata must complete the required core curriculum for their degree programs.
As stated in its philosophy and outcomes, undergraduate academic programs at Immaculata are rooted in the liberal arts tradition. The goals for the liberal arts core requirements at Immaculata reflect the essential academic outcomes developed by the National Leadership Council for Liberal Education and America's Promise [LEAP], a study initiated by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. They also respond to the mission and vision of Immaculata University.
Core Curriculum
The Immaculata University Core Curriculum (the Core) provides an integrated program of courses designed to assist students in their quest to understand themselves, their faith, and their relationships with others and the world around them.
The Core consists of three overarching categories: Inquiry, Community, and Vision. Under each category are subcategories encompassing an interdisciplinary approach to learning and diverse course offerings. The Core design ensures students can achieve the stated learning outcomes while allowing a measure of flexibility in course selection.
Core Curriculum Learning Outcomes
The seven core curriculum student learning outcomes are listed below:
- Pursue truth through critical, independent, and creative thinking
- Obtain, evaluate, and utilize the data which enables individuals to pursue knowledge and understanding
- Communicate proficiently in written, oral, digital, and visual formats
- Collaborate effectively in groups in an inclusive and respectful manner.
- Understand the nature and requirements of moral judgment and ethical reasoning
- Recognize how both the previous development of civilizations and contemporary forces have created a complex, diverse, and interdependent world in which they must live as engaged citizens
- Recognize the transcendent dimensions of the human person as foundational to a moral vision of society
Baccalaureate Degrees
Students seeking attainment of a baccalaureate degree must meet the requirements below of the baccalaureate core curriculum in addition to any requirements established for their major/minor areas of study.
Baccalaureate Core by Category
CORE Category | CORE Sub-Category |
# of credits |
Category Credit Totals |
First Year Seminar* |
3 |
3 |
|
Visions: Understanding Ourselves and Our Relationship with God | Pursuit of Faith |
6 |
12 |
Pursuit of Wisdom |
6 |
||
Inquiry: Understanding Our Relationship with the World Around Us | Composition |
6 |
12 |
Natural & Physical World |
3 |
||
Quantitative Reasoning |
3 |
||
Community: Understanding Our Relationship with Others | Creativity |
3 |
12 |
Social Consciousness |
3 |
||
Historical Consciousness |
3 |
||
Global Society |
3 |
||
TOTAL |
39 |
*First Year Seminar Requirement: Full time students entering Immaculata University as first-time freshman must complete a First Year Seminar course (FYS 100, 101, or 110, as advised). Part-time adult or transfer students must take IMAC 101 to fulfill first year seminar requirement.
Additional Baccalaureate Graduation Requirements
- Ethics Requirement: *All baccalaureate students must complete an ethics requirement. Courses approved to meet the ethics requirement include the following: BUS 338, CIS 335, COM 308, EDU 328, EDU 348, HCM 340, HCM 421, MTR 301, PHI 220, PHI 312, PHI 384, THE 218, THE 238, and THE 408.
- Writing Intensive Requirement: All baccalaureate students must complete one, three-credit Writing Intensive course in the major before beginning the senior year. WI credits are part of the major course of study and are not in addition to the total core credits represented above.
Associate Degrees
Students seeking attainment of an associate degree meet the requirements outlined below for the associate degree core program in addition to any requirements of their major area of study.
Associate Core by Category
CORE Category | CORE Sub-Category |
# of credits |
Category Totals |
Inquiry | Composition |
6 |
9 |
Natural & Physical World |
3 |
||
Quantitative Reasoning | |||
Community | Creativity |
9 |
9 |
Historical Consciousness | |||
Social Consciousness | |||
Global Society | |||
Visions | Pursuit of Faith |
6 |
9 |
Pursuit of Wisdom |
3 |
||
TOTAL |
27 |
Core - Approved Courses Per Sub-Category
CORE Category | CORE Sub-Category | Approved Courses* |
First Year Seminar (see notes above) | FYS 100, 101, or 110 | |
Visions: Understanding Ourselves and Our Relationship with God | Pursuit of Faith | 100 level (taken 1st)
200 or above (taken 2nd)
|
Pursuit of Wisdom | Must take one:
2nd course may be any Philosophy course |
|
Inquiry: Understanding Our Relationship with the World Around Us | Composition |
|
Natural & Physical World |
|
|
Quantitative Reasoning |
|
|
Community: Understanding Our Relationship with Others | Creativity |
|
Social Consciousness |
|
|
Historical Consciousness |
|
|
Global Society |
|
*This list may be augmented when new core courses are approved.
Italicized courses meet core requirements for part-time, degree completion programs.