Core Curriculum

The core curriculum at Thomas More University has been designed by the faculty to assure that students receive a solid liberal arts education as well as a strong concentration in their major.

The Thomas More University core curriculum has as its objective to challenge students to examine the ultimate meaning of life, their place in the world, and their responsibility to others.

In pursuit of this objective every student is expected, by graduation, to be able to:

  1. Evaluate the merits of arguments, created materials, and behavior against standards-based in faith and reasoning, science, aesthetics, and ethics
  2. Respectfully evaluate their worldview in relation to the world views of others
  3. Examine social issues with an awareness of the Catholic tradition of justice
  4. Demonstrate habits of curiosity, reflection, and independent inquiry using knowledge and skills drawn from multiple disciplines
  5. Communicate effectively through speech and writing

Undergraduate degrees awarded by Thomas More University include:

  • Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Bachelor of Elected Studies, Bachelor of Business Administration
  • Associate of Arts
  • Associate of Elected Studies

English (6 credit hours): ENG 150, Literature, Writing, and Research and any literature or advanced writing courses at the 200 level or above, with the exception of courses designated for English majors only.

Math (3 credit hours): Any course numbered 121 or higher.

Social Science (6 credit hours): Any two of the following – ECO 105, POS 105, PSY 105, SOC 105

Communications (3 credit hours): Select one of the following – COM 105, 204, or 305(Not required of Physics/Pre-Engineering, Nursing, and Medical Laboratory Science majors.)

History (6 credit hours): Any 2 core approved HIS courses

Foreign Languages (3 – 6 credit hours): Two semesters in the same language at either the 101 / 102 or the 201 / 202 level; or one semester at the 255 level or higher. (Not required of Nursing majors)

Experiential Learning (1 credit hour minimum): Credit and course is based on major

Natural Science (6 – 7 credit hours): Two courses, each from a different department (Biology, Chemistry, Physics); one course must have a laboratory component.

Theology (9 credit hours): One course in Sacred Scripture from THE 205, 207, 305, or 306. One course from Systematic Theology from THE 201, 218, 219, 309, 317, 405, or 406. (Nursing Majors substitute THE 308) THE 425, Social Issues (Not required of Medical Laboratory Science and Engineering majors.)

Philosophy (6 credit hours): One course in Epistemology and Metaphysics from PHI 205, 220, 225, 325, 327, 330, or 401. One course in Values and Ethics from PHI 215, 230, 235, 337, or 417.

Fine Arts (5 – 6 credit hours): Chosen from Art, Dance, Theatre, Music, or certain specified English courses. (Medical Laboratory Science majors are required to complete 2 3 credits)

First Year Seminar (3 credit hours): FYS 150

 

English (6 Credit Hours): ENG 150 Literature, Writing & Research and any literature or advanced writing course (i.e. Creative Writing, Advanced Composition) at the 200 level or above and designated by the English department

Social Science (3 Credit Hours): From among: ECO 105, POS 105, PSY 105, SOC 105

Mathematics (3 Credit Hours): MAT 121 or higher

History (6 Credit Hours): Any 2 core approved HIS courses

Communication (3 Credit Hours): From among COM 105, 204, 207, or 305

Theology (3 Credit Hours): FROM THE 201, 205, 207, 218, 219, 305, 306, 309, 317, 405, 406 or 425

Philosophy (3 Credit Hours): Any course except PHI 105

Natural Science (3-4 Credit Hours): One course from Biology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, or Physics (lab optional)

Fine Arts (2-3 Credit Hours): From Art, Dance, Theatre, Music, and certain specified English courses

Experiential Learning (1 credit hour minimum): Credit and course is based on major

First Year Seminar (3 credit hours): FYS 150

English (3 Credit Hours): ENG 150 Literature, Writing & Research

Mathematics (3 Credit Hours): Any course numbered 121 or higher

Social Science (3 Credit Hours): From among: ECO 105, POS 105, PSY 105, SOC 105

Communication (3 Credit Hours): From among COM 105, 204, 207, or 305

World Civilizations (6 Credit Hours): HIS 101 and HIS 102

Theology (3 Credit Hours): From THE 201, 205, 207, 218, 219, 305, 306, 309, 317, 405 or 406

Philosophy (3 Credit Hours): Any course except PHI 105

Natural Science (3-4 Credit Hours): One course in Biology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, or Physics (lab is optional)

Fine Arts (2-3 Credit Hours): From Art, Dance, Theatre, Music or certain specified English courses

English (3 Credit Hours): ENG 150 Literature, Writing & Research

Social Science (3 Credit Hours): From among ECO 105, POS 105, PSY 105, or SOC 105

World Civilizations (3 Credit Hours): HIS 101 or HIS 102

Communication (3 Credit Hours): From among COM 105, 204, 207, or 305

Theology or Philosophy (3 Credit Hours): One course form THE 201, 205, 207, 218, 219, 305, 306, 309, 317, 405, 406, or any Philosophy course except PHI 205

(3-4 Credit Hours): One course from Biology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, or Physics (lab is optional)

Students must fulfill the following additional requirements to earn a degree from Thomas More University. Students will not receive a diploma or transcript from the University until the following requirements and obligations are met.

  1. A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is required for all students. A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is also required in the student’s major(s).
  2. All core requirements must be taken under the Letter Grading System. All courses listed as requirements for one’s major(s) must be taken under the Letter Grading System unless the major department permits otherwise. A minimum of 96 semester hours must be earned under the Letter Grading System for the bachelor’s degree, and 48 semester hours for the associate’s degree.
  3. To assist the University’s efforts in maintaining the quality of its academic program, students are required to participate in all assigned assessment activities. All first year students in the B.A., B.S., and B.S.N. programs must participate in pre-core assessment testing. Upperclassmen in these same programs must participate in post-core and major field testing to graduate from Thomas More University. Graduating students must score no lower than one standard deviation below the national mean (unless otherwise specified by the policy of the student’s major department) in all post-core and capstone major field testing. Students who do not earn the minimum scores must retake the test one time at their own expense to achieve an accurate measurement of the student’s ability. Students who expect to graduate at any specific graduation date should ascertain from a faculty advisor in their major field(s) whether a comprehensive or specialized examination is required to complete the major requirements.
  4. Students must fill out the Application for Graduation, obtain approval, and submit to the Registrar’s Office by the appropriate deadlines. See section on Graduation Applications.
  5. In addition to the academic and non-curricular requirements for all degrees, students must satisfy all financial obligations to the University before receiving their transcript and diploma.

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