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Academic Curriculum
LEARNING IN THE LASALLIAN TRADITION: THE CURRICULUM
The program of study at the undergraduate College leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. The curriculum
is divided into courses which meet general education requirements, courses in the major, and elective
courses. The general education requirements include courses which develop liberal arts skills, a required
core, either the Lasallian Core Traditions Program or the Lasallian Honors Program, and a set of courses
selected by the student and organized within content areas. This curriculum empowers its students
to become life-long learners, competent in an area of disciplinary or professional study, enabled with
critical thinking skills, and predisposed to use this knowledge for service and leadership.
Graduation Requirements
To earn the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, a candidate must fulfill the following requirements:
1. Earn at least 122 semester credits;
2. Achieve at least a 2.000 GPA in all courses taken in the department and major field at Saint Mary’s
University and in all courses taken at Saint Mary’s University. Courses taken means all courses attempted,
including those in which the student received grades of F or X;
3. Achieve at least a 2.000 GPA in all courses taken for a minor;
4. Complete at least 45 semester credits in courses numbered 300 and above;
5. Earn at least 60 semester credits in academic residence at Saint Mary’s;
6. Spend the final year in academic residence at Saint Mary’s University unless enrolled in an approved
off-campus program;
7. Apply no more than four semester credits of music ensembles toward the minimum graduation
requirement of 122 semester credits;
8. Apply no more than four semester credits of 100 and 200-level music lessons toward the minimum
graduation requirement of 122 semester credits;
9. Apply no more than four semester credits of TA245 Production Laboratory toward the minimum
graduation requirement of 122 semester credits;
10. Complete two physical education or dance classes;
11. Satisfy the mathematics initial requirement;
12. Complete the general education program (a core, content areas, and skills requirements) in effect at
the time of matriculation; and
13. Complete at least one major program.
General Education
The Cores
Both the Lasallian Core Traditions Program and the Lasallian Honors Program are grounded in the
University Mission and the Lasallian dispositions of faith, zeal, service, and community. These four
commitments underscore the ultimate aim of the programs: to awaken and nurture the intellectual,
spiritual, and personal development of learners in preparation for lives of service and commitment to
social justice.
All students must complete either the Lasallian Core Traditions Program or the Lasallian Honors
Program. Both programs contain interdisciplinary, non-departmental courses, and each curriculum acts
as a force for integration within the specialization of the major and the diversity of electives.
Lasallian Core Traditions Program
The Lasallian Core Traditions Program is the required core taken by the majority of the students in
the undergraduate College. The program provides an educational experience for students which
is common, integrated, and interdisciplinary. Students acquire and refine the knowledge, skills
and Lasallian Catholic values needed to describe, evaluate, and respond appropriately to different
perspectives on real world issues, problems, and themes.
Students must complete the 12 credit-hour Lasallian Core Traditions Program to graduate from Saint
Mary’s University. First-year students take LCT140; sophomores take LCT225; juniors take LCT375; and
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