CORE Curriculum

The Academic Program

The purpose of the academic program of studies at Saint Francis University is to develop intellectually competent individuals who will have sound knowledge, a respect for scholarly pursuits, and a critical turn of mind that will balance freedom with restraint, creativity with discipline. They will look to the past for guidance and for the keys to interpreting the present. They will plan for the future with confidence in their own resources.

To achieve this purpose the undergraduate program provides a common basis of general education for all as a means of intelligent intercommunication with others. Be yond this, individual abilities and interests are given the opportunity to unfold through major concentrations that lead to self-development. At various stages, students have choices of elective courses that encourage exploration of untried fields which beckon their curiosity.

Two other considerations underlie the curriculum plan. One has to do with the recognition of superior ability and its encouragement by the use of a variety of teaching arrangements. On the other hand, the University identifies, motivates, and guides students whose pre-college academic achievements do not always do justice to their real potential for this purpose. Studies are constantly under way to develop new evaluation and instructional techniques. With opportunities for higher education opening up to a more diverse group of learners, the University believes it has a responsibility to assist in developing individuals to their highest potential.

The program of studies includes an undergraduate curriculum leading to the Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science and the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. Some departments have special career programs and specific vocational goals in mind. In addition, the University offers graduate programs which are professionally oriented, leading to a Master of Human Resource Management, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, Master of Medical Science, Master of Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Physical Therapy or Master of Physician Assistant Sciences.

The General Education Program

The General Education Program includes the learning Saint Francis University wants for its students generally, regardless of academic major or professional ambition. At Saint Francis University, general education is a multi-year program that weaves core curriculum courses plus other program components (e.g., writing competency exam, capstone experience, flagged courses), co-curricular requirements (e.g., college-wide community enrichment series), first year experiences (e.g., SOAR, advising), and options (e.g., thematic clusters) to create a connected, coherent academic experience that provides a foundation for life-long learning.

General Education Mission Statement

The General Education program, as an integral component in the achievement of the Mission of Saint Francis University, provides a means for the University to honor many of its most important commitments. Ever mindful of the rapidly changing world around us and the need for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary inquiry to address complex problems, the General Education program is dedicated to providing students with the values, skills, and knowledge necessary to meet future challenges. True to the liberal arts roots and Franciscan heritage of the University, the program encourages students to examine ethical issues, demonstrate global awareness, become actively involved in community service, and prepare for life-long learning of new skills and knowledge.

The General Education program contributes to the development of the whole person, allowing individuals to achieve more rewarding and purposeful lives. The General Education Program strives to achieve 14 objectives that collectively represent the values, skills, and knowledge deemed most important by Saint Francis University. These include:

Values: Develop an understanding of the goals of Franciscan higher education and examine one’s own values in light of those goals.

— Understand the complexities underlying moral and ethical questions and the consequences of choices we make as individuals and as members of communities.
— Develop an understanding of the importance of human and cultural diversity.
— Develop a commitment to life-long learning and to sharing our skills and abilities through community service.

Skills: Demonstrate skills in communication, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, information literacy, and responsible citizenship.

— Develop the skills necessary for effective communication in a variety of formal and informal contexts.
— Demonstrate proficiency in mathematical reasoning and quantitative literacy.
— Develop critical reasoning skills and abilities.
— Effectively conduct research using discipline-appropriate materials and methods.
— Develop the collaborative and leadership skills necessary for exercising the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in a participatory democracy.

Knowledge: Develop a broad conceptual foundation in various fields of knowledge and make interdisciplinary connections.

— Demonstrate knowledge in the traditional liberal arts and sciences, with attention to primary source materials, multicultural issues, and interdisciplinary topics.
— Develop historical perspective across and within disciplines, finding the connections among different ideas, courses, and majors.
— Develop a conceptual foundation in economic, political, and social systems.
— Cultivate an understanding of processes and concepts used in science and technology.
— Develop an appreciation of the visual arts, music, theatre, and literature through creative expression, performance, and analysis of artistic works.

— Develop an understanding of key elements of personal health and wellness, major health care issues the well-being of communities.

Important Definitions:

Curriculum— all the courses offered by Saint Francis University.

Core Curriculum — the distribution of courses that all students must take from English, fine arts, foreign languages, history, mathematics, sciences, philosophy, religious studies and social sciences, plus skills courses.

Common Core — core courses which all students must take.

General Education — a multi-year program that incorporates core curriculum courses plus other program components to create an academic experience that provides the foundation for life-long learning.

Major— the specialty area in which students choose to develop expertise.

Minor — a concentration of courses from an area other than the major. This is not a required part of the curriculum for most majors.

Senior Capstone — an experience or course that enables students to make connections based on material, information, and ideas encountered and developed during their undergraduate years.

Thematic Cluster — a group of courses from a variety of disciplines investigating related themes and offered during the same semester.

Thematic Minor — a concentration of related courses from two or more areas that follow a specific theme (must be pre-approved by a faculty committee).