Central to undergraduate education at Notre Dame is the core curriculum, a set of course requirements that apply to all students, regardless of major. The core reflects the University's vision for a modern liberal arts education, and a “ways of knowing” approach designed to expose students to diverse modes of thought.
This chart maps out the requirements.
Beyond the “ways of knowing” courses expected of all students, each college and major has additional requirements, which all students receive guidance on as they begin working with academic advisors during the summer and fall of their first year.
As an example of how the core curriculum shapes the academic formation of our students, watch philosophy professor Meghan Sullivan’s video on why “every Notre Dame student is expected to be a philosopher of sorts”.
Learn More
Explore the Core Curriculum at Notre Dame and click below to learn more about two courses every first-year student takes.