Note: If you began your undergraduate degree before Fall 2018, consult the previous General Education curriculum for requirements.

Core Curriculum

Inspired by the St. Edward's University mission, the Core Curriculum allows graduates to gain the skills they need to be independent and productive, to confront the critical issues of our global society, and to seek justice and peace.  

AGLS Award
St. Edward's Curriculum

The St. Edward's University Core Curriculum is designed not only to prepare students for their first jobs, but also to develop them for future careers and lifelong learning. Coursework is characterized by a focus on:

  • Civic engagement and social responsibility
  • Communication
  • Critical thinking
  • Ethical reasoning
  • Intercultural knowledge
  • Problem solving and innovative thinking

Suggested SEU Core Sequence

The Suggested SEU Core Sequence provides guidance for students and advisors as to the sequencing of specific general education requirements recommended for most students; however, students may want to adapt this sequence according to their own particular needs.  Students are invited to pursue minors or double majors as interdisciplinary complements to their major work. The SEU Core Curriculum Overview provides more detailed descriptions of each general education requirement. Below is an overview of the various components of the SEU core curriculum.

The university welcomes first-year students each fall with a Freshman Seminar in which students join a community of learners and actively engage in academic and co-curricular exploration. As they are introduced to our campus life and mission, they will also develop critical thinking skills by meaningfully confronting questions of social justice. Students generally complete Foundations courses (22 credit hours) in their first year and complete Content and Contexts coursework (21 credit hours) in the second and third years.  Students may also elect to take general education courses as part of a study abroad program.

Flagged Mission Marker courses in major or core curricula students further develop their writing; deepen their understanding of issues related to social identities; diversity, and equity; broaden their understanding of social problems; and participate in community-based activities that address these issues. Mission marker requirements will usually be fulfilled by courses in the major or courses that fulfill other general education requirements and thus add no additional hours to the student's curriculum. Mission Markers are expected to be taken in residence.  However, to petition to have a course or experience count for this requirement, contact your Success Coach.

Before graduating, students will complete a discipline-appropriate Culminating Experience project that integrates and applies the depth of learning in the major and is facilitated by the skills and perspectives gained through the core curriculum. Students thus culminate their St. Edward's University experiences with a research endeavor, work of creative expression, community engaged project, or other  discipline-appropriate opportunity.  Common to all such projects is that they refine and showcase students' abilities to solve problems, reflect in a meaningful way on their work, and communicate effectively.