The General College Curriculum, or GCC, is a collection of baccalaureate courses inspired by the traditional liberal arts disciplines of the trivium (grammar, rhetoric, and logic) and quadrivium (arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music).

By requiring this course of study prior to undertaking the major and minor fields, the University aims to (1) provide students the opportunity to acquire and solidify skills in reading, writing, and critical thinking which are fundamental to all other disciplines; and (2) enable students to gain the experience and knowledge needed to achieve the spiritual, philosophical, historical, aesthetic, and scientific foundations necessary to understand and evaluate human experience from a Christian perspective as well as to enjoy a good life motivated by charity and concern for others.

The General College Curriculum also promotes career competencies aligned with the recommendations of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE):

Career Development: Identify and articulate one’s skills, strengths, knowledge, and experiences relevant to the position desired and career goals and identify areas necessary for professional growth. The individual can navigate and explore job options, understands, and can take the steps necessary to pursue opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization.

Communication: Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms to persons inside and outside of the organization. The individual has public speaking skills; can express ideas to others; and can write/edit memos, letters, and complex technical reports clearly and effectively.

Critical Thinking: Exercise sound reasoning to analyze issues, make decisions, and overcome problems. The individual can obtain, interpret, and use knowledge, facts, and data in this process, and may demonstrate originality and inventiveness. Individual can identify and respond to need based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information.

Equity & Inclusion: Demonstrates the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from different local and global cultures, beliefs and identities.

Leadership & Service: Leverage the strengths of others to achieve common goals and use interpersonal skills to coach and develop others. The individual can assess and manage his/her emotions and those of others; use empathetic skills to guide and motivate; and organize, prioritize, and delegate work.

Professionalism: Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits, e.g., punctuality, working productively with others, and time workload management, and understand the impact of non-verbal communication on professional work image. The individual demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior, acts responsibly with the interests of the larger community in mind, and can learn from his/her mistakes.

Teamwork: Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward commons goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities. The individual can work within a team structure and can negotiate and manage conflict.

Technology: Leverage existing digital technologies ethically and efficiently to solve problems, complete tasks, and accomplish goals. The individual demonstrates effective adaptability to new and emerging technologies.

Vocational & Personal Discernment: Develop an understanding of who you are called to be and works to serve others with these gifts.

 

Students pursuing the B.A., B.M., B.S., B.S.W., B.B.A., B.S.N., and B.S.E. degrees must complete the General College Curriculum with any minor modifications noted herein for the appropriate degree program.