Second Century
Core Curriculum

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Guided by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and inspired by Catholic Social Teachings, students from Thomas More will be able to:

• Critically analyze and interpret texts, creative works, and numerical data in the search for truth and the meaning of life
• Communicate effectively through speech, writing, digital or other expressive forms in the search for truth
• Evaluate diverse perspectives on local, national, and global issues in the quest to define one’s place in the world and responsibility to others

The new core streamlines paths to graduation while offering students greater flexibility and additional opportunities to explore different areas of interest.


The University is modernizing the approach to a liberal arts education, connecting learning to our mission and providing students access to content that will help them meet the new and ever evolving needs of the 21st century.

The sequences offered through the Second Century Core Curriculum are intended to supplement degree and career goals. The University is committed to both the breadth and depth of a liberal arts education. With an inner core focused on breadth and an outer core sequence focused on depth, the 2nd century core provides students with a common intellectual experience and choice – both necessary for a successful education.

Adopted Framework
Inner Core:

Breadth and exploration | Representative of current subjects | 38 hours
Literature: 3 credit hours
Math: 3 credit hours
Social Sciences: 3 credit hours
Communications: 3 credit hours
History: 3 credit hours
Science and Lab: 4 credit hours
Theology: 6 credit hours
Philosophy: 4 credit hours
Fine Arts: 3 credit hours
Composition: 3 credit hours
Language: 3 credit hours

Outer Core:
Depth and integration | 9+ hour sequence

  • Second major
  • Minor
  • Focus on interdisciplinary
    understanding and mission
    integration

    Core, Major, More:
    120 hours minimum for graduation. Average major is 60 hrs, core is 47

English/Literature: 3 credit hours.

Math:  3 credit hours

Social Sciences:  3 credit hours

Communications: 3 credit hours

History: 3 credit hours

Science and Lab:  4 credit hours

Theology:  6 credit hours

Philosophy: 4 credit hours

Fine Arts:  3 credit hours

Composition: 3 credit hours

Language: 3 credit hours

 

9-credit sequence of study for outer core


• Up to 3-credits may come from their first major

• Up to 3 credits may come from the inner core

• Sequences can be part of a second major, a minor, or an approved
interdisciplinary cognate of coursework

• Interdisciplinary collaborations key

Second Century Core Curriculum

Sample Curriculum

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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