Core Curriculum
In an age when many colleges and universities simply offer distribution requirements that reflect the contemporary fragmentation of learning, Ave Maria University is deservedly proud of its core curriculum. The core offers guidance to our students by requiring them to take specific courses in the great tradition of the liberal arts. In these carefully selected courses, our students share together in the discovery of truth and acquire the indispensable foundation for a lifetime of learning. Moreover, since the core curriculum comprises one-half of the overall education, the students not only achieve breadth of knowledge, but also depth of knowledge. Since each discipline views reality from its distinct perspective, students encounter the truth about God and His creation more completely through the dynamic interplay of all of the liberal arts including theology and natural science.
Ave Maria University also seeks to inculcate in students an appreciation for the fine arts, an essential aspect of truly human and truly Catholic culture. Students are required to take two non-credit practica in the fine arts. The first of these must be in Gregorian Chant and is taken either semester during the freshmen year. The second should be completed in the sophomore year and may be in chorus, instrumental music, studio art, dance, or theatre.
 | theology |
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| philosophy |
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| HISTORY |
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| LITERATURE |
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| LATIN |
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| Natural Sciences |
| | Two of the following courses: |
| American Civilization |
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| mathematics |
| | One of the following courses: |
| Fine Arts |
| | MUSC 101
| Gregorian Chant in History and Liturgy (non-credit) | | | a second practicum (non-credit)
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To graduate with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, a candidate must complete the following requirements:
1. Fulfill the core curriculum requirements.
2. Complete the requirements within a major according to the specifications of the respective discipline.
3. Earn a minimum of 128 credit hours from the core, the major, and elective courses.
4. Transfer students must complete at least 32 credit hours of coursework at Ave Maria University.
5. File an application for a degree with the Registrar at least one semester before graduation and be approved by the institution.
6. Attain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in the major and overall.
7. Length of study must not exceed seven years.
8. Participate in institutional placement testing and assessment programs.
The University's by-laws require that the core curriculum, or general education, requirements of the B.A. degree will not be less than fifty percent of the overall credit required for graduation. The core curriculum as illustrated below includes sixteen courses or 64 credits plus two non-credit practica out of the total 128 credits required for the B.A. degree.
