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Core Curriculum

General Education Requirements
The Sterling College curriculum incorporates the classic elements of a liberal arts education and includes experiences across the arts and sciences designed to help students develop strong problem solving skills and become lifelong learners. Many Sterling College courses require students to integrate skills and content from multiple disciplines. Sterling’s curriculum demands commitment—physical, intellectual, and emotional—to problem solving in real-world situations to meet the following objectives:

• Practice both critical and systems thinking.
• Compile, assess, and use data to make decisions.
• Communicate accurately and effectively in writing and speech.
• Understand historical and global contexts of current issues.
• Show leadership through active participation in the community.
• Develop and appreciate creativity in work and problem-solving.

Core Courses
Skills and knowledge introduced in Core Courses are considered essential for a Sterling College graduate. These courses not only prepare students to succeed in their chosen majors but also prepare students for lifelong learning in areas beyond their major fields of study. Many Sterling courses integrate skills and content from more than one field of study. An interdisciplinary approach to problem solving is an important tradition at Sterling, and students are encouraged to seek additional connections among their courses.

Distributive Requirements for all Students:
In addition to the core courses each student must complete a minimum of 6.0 credits in Humanities electives, 6.0 credits in Natural Science electives, and 6.0 credits in Social Science electives. Of the Humanities credits, 2.0 must be at the 200-level or above and must emphasize textual analysis and written critical response.

Electives may include courses counted toward major or concentration requirements.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree must earn a minimum of 120 credits with a minimum cumulative Q.P.A. of 2.0 and pass the Mathematics Competency Test. Candidates must also complete all required Core Courses, complete five credits of Humanities electives, including a minimum of two credits emphasizing textual analysis and written critical response, and complete an approved major. All resident students must receive a satisfactory grade in the College’s Work Program during their final semester of academic enrollment. Non-resident students must receive a satisfactory grade in their final semester of record in the College’s Work Program.

Course Waiver
To request waiver of a course, a student must meet with his/her advisor to determine whether the required competencies for the course have been met. Once the request is approved by the advisor, the student must petition the Dean of the College in writing and submit all supporting documentation for final approval of course waiver.

Required Course Load
The standard course load, including both Core Courses and electives, is 30 credits for each year. With permission of the Dean of the College, students may take a reduced course load of as few as 24 credits per year. Students must be aware that a reduced course load will require additional semesters of study, at additional cost, to earn their degree. Students may take up to 33 credits per year without additional charge. Those who wish to take courses beyond this credit limit must seek the permission of the Dean of the College and will be charged additional tuition.