Department Contact:
Name of Chair: Daniel Waldow
Program Description:
Alta Via is an intentional community of Catholic students, guided by clergy and professors, who seek to grow closer to Jesus Christ through communal life, intellectual and spiritual formation, and the exercise of the moral virtues.
Alta Via is Latin for “the high road.” This phrase signifies that the purpose for this group is to aid Catholic students on their upward journey to the promised land of eternal life.
Each year ten students are awarded an Alta Via scholarship, which is renewable each year for our years so long as the scholarship requirements are satisfied (see below). For more information on Alta Via see the following: https://www.francis.edu/campus-ministry/alta-via
Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of their Alta Via coursework, students will be able to:
1. Define and explain the doctrinal content of the articles of the of Catholic faith .
2. Identify and accurately apply the fundamental principles of Catholic moral theology within complex circumstances.
3. Describe the essential features of Catholic liturgy, Sacraments, and prayer.
4. Identify the major elements of St. Francis of Assisi’s life, teaching, and legacy.
Progression and/or Retention Criteria:
Freshman:
FRAN 130 Professing the Faith I
FRAN 131 Professing the Faith II
Sophomore:
FRAN 230 Living the Faith I
FRAN 231 Living the Faith II
Junior:
FRAN 330 Praying the Faith I
FRAN 331 Praying the Faith II
Senior:
FRAN 430 Witnessing the Faith I
FRAN 431 Witnessing the Faith II
In addition, Alta Via students who began in the program as of fall 2026 or after must complete Core Course 2 (Theology) by taking a 200+ THEO course from the list of approved classes for Core Course 2. Alta Via students who began in the program prior to fall 2026 can be exempt from Core Course 2 if they take at least 3 total credits in FRAN courses, with at least 1 credit each at the 100, 200, and 300 levels. For example, a student who completed FRAN 130, FRAN 230, and FRAN 330 would be exempt from Core Course 2.
Other information to include, related to this program:
Students on an Alta Via scholarship are expected to participate in a faculty, staff and student pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi during the summer (typically early May) following their junior year. Free flights, lodging, and most meals will be provided. Alta Via students should talk to their advisors/program directors well in advance to ensure their availability for this pilgrimage. Refusal to participate in the pilgrimage can result in loss of scholarship.
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