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• A minimum of 123 credits are required for graduation.
• Credits earned for COM 100 and MAT 100 do not count toward the 123 credits required for graduation; however, COM 100 students may petition for elective credit.
• Where appropriate, courses required for the major can be used to satisfy General Education requirements. However, the credits earned for these courses are applied to either Gen Ed requirements or the major, not both.
• Paths of Knowledge coursework may count towards major or minor requirements, but may not fulfill a second Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration requirement.
• Students are expected to follow the catalog requirements for General Education, the major, and additional requirements.
• A minor or second major within the areas listed under Paths of Knowledge automatically fulfills that area of the Gen Ed requirements.

Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the  or . To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥â€™s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

• Students should declare their intention to pursue the liberal studies major and submit a rationale for their program of studies and the courses that will constitute it before they earn 75 credits.
• This proposal must be approved by the two department chairs who have agreed to sponsor the major. An advisor will be appointed from one of the departments. If the two areas of study are within the same department, then the department chair and a faculty member who teaches in one of the specific areas are asked to approve the proposal.
• A minimum of 15 credits must be taken in each of the two departments or programs. A minimum of 18 credits must be taken at the 300/400 level.
• Students must complete a one credit capstone course, COL 400, supervised by their advisor.
• All major requirements are in addition to those required by the university core. Paths of Knowledge may not be fulfilled by courses from either of the two selected disciplines.

All ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥ students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours.

First Year Curriculum: Enduring Questions

• SEARCH Seminar-Enduring Questions or Honor Search-Enduring Questions (3 credits: SRH 101 or HNR 160)
• COM 101 Composition & Research: Must earn a C or higher (3 credits)
• THE 105 Foundations of Theology (3 credits)
• PHI 105 Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits)

Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration Credits

• Exploring the Natural World (6-8 credits)
  • Lab Science 
  • Math
• Individuals & Communities (6 credits)
  • History or Political Science
  • PSY 101, HIS, POS, SOC, SSC, or ECON 3
• Culture & Language (9 credits)
  • Communication (Not COM 100 or 101)
  • World Language – 2 courses in sequence
• Creative Expressions (6 credits)
  • Literature (ENG)
  • Art, Music, or Theatre

Ethical Leaders and Followers Credits

• Theology or Philosophy (200-400 level)
• Theology or Philosophy (Ethics/Morality @ 200 level)

Paths of Knowledge may count towards minor or Related Requirements, but not Mid-Level Arts Exploration requirements. Choose one path.

PATH 1: Interdisciplinary Study (IS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level from the interdisciplinary minors of Women & Gender Studies, Digital Media, Community & Environmental Sustainability, Community Engagement, Cultural Studies, Leadership Studies or Pre-Law.

PATH 2: Multi-disciplinary Study (MS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level employing multiple disciplinary perspectives to explore the Enduring Questions in one of the following themes: Cultural & Global Studies, Imagination & Creativity, Peace & Conflict, Poverty & Wealth or Sustainability, Science & Technology.

PATH 3: In-depth Disciplinary Study (DS)

Three courses at the 200-400 level in one Liberal Arts discipline other than one’s major, guided by common ideas and methods of inquiry. Students choose from Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theology, Theatre or World Languages. This path may be used to give students a firm foundation in a discipline supporting their chosen major, or to pursue an interest in one of the Liberal Arts disciplines. 

All ÃÄÄïÖ±²¥ students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, liberal arts majors must select two areas of study, with a minimum if 15 credits in each; must complete a one-credit capstone course, COL 400, supervised by their advisor; and must complete a minimum of 18 credits at the 300/400 level.

Additional Graduation Requirements

• SRH 101/HNR 160: Search Seminar/Enduring Questions
• Communicty service hours
• Overall GPA = 2.0 or higher
• GPA in major = 2.0 or higher (GPA Requirements vary by major)
• Writing enhanced course

• Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the . MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.