The Arts and Sciences undergraduate program requires a minimum of 128 credit hours of study and at least one internship or practicum experience. These credits are earned through a combination of degree requirements, electives and career development opportunities in the city of Boston and beyond. The degree requirements are comprised of four components which each contribute to students' achieving the goals of the undergraduate program. Remaining credits are earned with elective courses. Often, students use electives to complete a minor program or benefit from the special academic opportunities offered.
Institutional Learning Goals
Emmanuel College prepares students to:
Emmanuel students address complex realities across diverse areas of inquiry, drawing on deep connections formed through the study of the liberal arts and sciences and a chosen discipline. Through critical analysis, balanced reflection and active discourse, they confront vital issues equipped with the intellectual tools to imagine solutions. Students emerge with a deeper appreciation for the pursuit of knowledge as a pathway to a more meaningful, creative and enriching life.
Students of Emmanuel College are able to apply knowledge to real-world challenges by engaging in creative and ethical problem solving. As people who value and promote diversity, graduates work on multiple levels to advance their organizations and all whom they serve and employ. Students see themselves as part of a larger whole and add value through teamwork and leadership, recognizing the need to be agile and forward-leaning in their chosen professions.
Inspired by Catholic social teaching and by the values of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, students honor the dignity, worth and gifts of every human person. Through vibrant discussions, they reflect on their own moral reasoning and on diverse perspectives—including voices that have been historically silenced. As active participants in campus life, they develop the interpersonal and leadership skills to practice courageous advocacy. And throughout Boston and beyond, they experience the joy of serving others while finding purpose by addressing inequality.
These transformative experiences empower students to discover their strengths and a deeper sense of personal identity; grow emotionally, morally and spiritually; and gain the confidence to embrace their convictions through social action.
The Curriculum
Students who matriculate at Emmanuel require a minimum of 128 credit hours of study. These credits are earned through a combination of degree requirements and electives. The degree requirements are comprised of the following components:
- Writing Requirement - Two (2) Courses
- ENGL1103 Intro to Academic Writing (or equivalent if transferring approved course in via Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or College course transfer credit)
- Writing Intensive Course (WI): Typically 2000 or 3000-level course completed after ENGL1103 and before senior capstone
- Essential Values Requirement – Four (4) Courses. May overlap with an AOK course.
- Diversity and Multiculturalism (DM) – Two (2) courses
- Social Justice (SJ) – Two (2) courses
- Areas of Knowledge (AOK) – One or two courses from each AOK. Within each Area of Knowledge students will gain critical thinking and effective communication skills. Courses that fulfill Areas of Knowledge may also fulfill courses that are designated as SJ and DM to fulfill Essential Values requirements, WI courses that fulfill Writing Intensive courses, as well as courses that are required for major or minor programs. However, one AOK course may not fulfill another AOK course (ex. An HI course may not also fulfill a LC course).
- Ethical Reasoning (ER)
- Historical Inquiry (HI)
- Language and Culture (LC) – one course if continuing in a language and proficiency exam places student into second semester, two courses if beginning a new language.
- Literary Inquiry (LI)
- Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
- Religious Inquiry (RI and RI-CT) – Two (2) courses, of which one (1) course must be in the Christian Tradition designated as (RI-CT)
- Scientific Process - Natural Sciences (NS and NSL) – Two (2) courses of which one (1) course must have a lab component designated as NSL (2 hours or more weekly distinct from lecture section.
- Scientific Process - Social Sciences (SS) – Two (2) courses, with each course from a different discipline (department prefix)
- Visual and Creative Inquiry (VCI)
*Courses will continue to be added to the catalog as fulfilling the General Education Curriculum, for the Essential Values, Areas of Knowledge, and Writing Intensive (WI). Students should check Student Planning for course designations for the most up to date approval of courses that will fulfill the General Education Curriculum requirements.
The major program allows students to develop depth of knowledge and skills in an academic discipline. Students choose a major program offered by Emmanuel or develop an individualized major. Major program requirements vary, and at least 50% of them must be fulfilled through Emmanuel courses.
However, except for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program, students may take no more than 64 credits in one department.
The Capstone is the culminating experience of the undergraduate program. Through this experience, students demonstrate achievement of program goals through academic work that exhibits knowledge and skills appropriate to the degree-level of the program. The nature of the Capstone Experience requirement depends on the major program. Students who double major will complete multiple Capstone Experiences, as each major program defines an appropriate culminating experience. In all majors, the Capstone Experience involves completing a significant piece of work that requires the integration and application of learning from multiple courses. Students should consult with their academic advisors early in their majors to ensure that they are prepared for the work required in the capstone courses.
Completed through the major program credit bearing course or IDS4194 or INT1010 for majors that do not require an internship as approved by the department. Internship must be conducted in the semester in which the student is registered for the internship course.
Additional Free Electives to reach the 128 credit minimum if not met by the requirements above