Undergraduate Degree Requirements
The College of Professional Studies builds on the foundational educational experience provided by Marquette's Core of Common Studies. It does this through a college curriculum that amplifies and deepens the knowledge, skills and values imparted to students in the nine knowledge areas of the Common Core, and by offering students the opportunity to develop specialized knowledge and skills in a variety of undergraduate majors and minors. The College of Professional Studies thereby extends the student's Core of Common Studies experiences, and focuses further learning in pursuit of a specialized degree.
Working from the principles set forth in the Core of Common Studies, the College of Professional Studies provides an educational environment – through advising, instruction, curriculum and assessment programs – for a diverse population for adult students at Marquette University marked by excellence, faith, leadership and service.
Common Core and Additional Skill credits 57-60
- Major credits 30-35
- Minor credits (optional) 18-21
- Elective credits 10-24
Please consult the Office of the Provost Web site at www.marquette.edu/acad or www.marquette.edu/provost for additional and updated information on the University's Core of Common Studies.
back to topCommon Core Courses
Students enrolled in the College of Professional Studies will complete the requisite 36 credit hours in the nine knowledge areas:
| Knowledge Area | Credit Hours |
| Rhetoric (R) | 6 credit hours |
| Mathematical Reasoning(MR) | 3 credit hours |
| Individual and Social Behavior (ISB) | 3 credit hours |
| Diverse Cultures (DC) | 3 credit hours |
| Literature/Performing Arts (LPA) | 3 credit hours |
| Histories of Cultures and Societies (HCS) | 3 credit hours |
| Science and Nature (SN) | 3 credit hours |
| Human Nature and Ethics (HNE) | 6 credit hours |
| Theology (T) | 6 credit hours |
| Total Common Core Courses | 36 credit hours |
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Additional Skill Courses
Students enrolled in the College of Professional Studies will complete an additional 24 credit hours of skill courses:
| PRST 010 | Principle of Liberal Studies | 3 credit hours |
| ENGL 105 | Writing for the Professions | 3 credit hours |
| CMST 155 | Business and Professional Presentations | 3 credit hours |
| PRST 029 | Introduction to Information Systems | 3 credit hours |
| PRST 001 | Foundations Seminar* | 3 credit hours |
| Total Additional Skill Courses | 21–24 credit hours |
*Optional course which may be required for the college curriculum. Please consult your college adviser.
back to topDiscipline Courses
In addition to the graduation requirements listed, each student within the College of Professional Studies must complete course work in specific discipline areas. These areas include:
*FOUNDATIONS SEMINAR (3 credit hours)
For increased success some new students maybe required
to complete PRST 001. This course is considered an elective,
although it may be required for your major. Please consult
your adviser.
PRINCIPLES OF LIBERAL STUDIES (3 credit hours)
All students are required to complete PRST 010 during their first two years at Marquette University. Please see course description for further information.
INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION SYSTEMS (3 credit hours)
All students are required to complete PRST 029 Introduction to Information Systems.
ENGLISH/COMPOSITION/COMMUNICATION (12 credit hours)
All students must complete six credit hours of English composition as well as six credit hours of communications-based course for a total of 12 credit hours. The specific course that all College of Professional Studies students need to complete this requirement are ENGL 001 and ENGL 002, Expository Writing 1 and 2*; ENGL 105, Writing for the Professions; and CMST 155 Business and Professional Presentations.
HISTORY (6 credit hours)
All students are required to complete six credit hours of history. Generally students in the College of Professional Studies complete their history requirement with HIST 001 and 002 Growth of Western Civilization 1 and 2*.
LITERATURE (6 credit hours)
All students are required to complete six credit hours of literature. Generally students in the College of Professional Studies complete their literature requirement with ENGL 022 Survey of English Literature 1 * and ENGL 032 Survey of American Literature 1*.
MATHEMATICS (6 credit hours)
All students must complete six credit hours of mathematics, of which three credit hours must be PRST 060 Research and Statistical Methods *. The remaining credit hours selected depend upon the student's individual needs.
| MATH 020 | College Algebra | 3 credit hours |
| PRST 020 | Foundations of Applied Mathematics | 3 credit hours |
NATURAL SCIENCE (3 credit hours)
All students must complete PRST 018 Aspects of Modern Science * for three credit hours. Additional and/or different natural science courses may be approved by college.
PHILOSOPHY (6 credit hours)
All student must complete PHIL 050 Philosophy of Human Nature * and one upper division course for a total of six credit hours. PHIL 104 Theory of Ethics* is suggested as upper division selection.
SOCIAL-BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (6 credit hours)
All students must complete six credit hours of social-behavioral science, of which three credits hours must be PSYC 001 General Psychology*. Students may choose one of the following courses for the remaining three credit hours.
| SOCI 001 | Principles of Sociology* | 3 credit hours |
| ANTH 001 | Introductory Anthropology* | 3 credit hours |
| CRLS 051 | Introduction to Criminology* | 3 credit hours |
| POSC 020 | American Politics* | 3 credit hours |
THEOLOGY (6 credit hours)
All students must complete THEO 001 Introduction to Theology* and one second level theology course (THEO 100-119) for a total of six credit hours. THEO 115 Christian Discipleship* is suggested as second level theology selection.
*Courses fulfill University's Core of Common Studies as well as college curriculum.
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