The College of Professional Studies builds on the foundational educational experience provided by Marquette's Core of Common Studies. The curriculum amplifies and deepens the knowledge, skills and values students glean from the nine knowledge areas of the core, and it offers students opportunities to develop specialized knowledge and skills in several undergraduate majors and minors.
The College of Professional Studies' advising, instruction, curriculum and assessment programs provide an educational environment for a diverse population of adult students marked by excellence, faith, leadership and service.
Please consult the Office of the Provost's Web site at www.marquette.edu/provost for additional and updated information on the core.
Back to topStudents must complete 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 |
Students must complete 15 credit hours of leadership skills for all majors:
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit hours |
| LEOR 2050 | Leading Teams and Groups | 3 credit hours |
| LEOR 2100 | History and Theories of Leadership | 3 credit hours |
| LEOR 3150 | Leadership and Diversity In Organizations* | 3 credit hours |
| LEOR 3160 | Systems Thinking | |
| LEOR 3610 | Leaders as Communicators | |
| Total leadership courses | 15 credit hours | |
* Courses fulfill University Core of Common Studies and college curriculum.
Additional skills courses
Students must complete an additional 6-12 credit hours of skills courses:
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit hours |
| PRST 2110 | Principles of Liberal Studies | 3 credit hours |
| CMST 3210 | Business and Professional Presentations | 3 credit hours |
| PRST 1001 | Foundations of Learning** | 3 credit hours |
| PRST 1005 | Fundamentals of College Reading and Writing** | 3 credit hours |
| Total additional skill courses | 6-12 credit hours | |
** Optional course that may be required. Consult with your adviser.
Students are required to complete course work in specific discipline areas, including:
**FOUNDATIONS OF LEARNING (3 credit hours)
For increased success, some new students may be required
to complete PRST 1001. This course is considered an elective,
although it may be required for your program. Consult
your adviser.
**FUNDAMENTALS OF COLLEGE READING AND WRITING (3 credit hours)
Focuses on the reading and writing skills necessary for success in the college's core curriculum courses. Students may be required to register for this course upon the recommendation of the admissions committee as a condition of enrollment. Consult your adviser.
PRINCIPLES OF LIBERAL STUDIES (3 credit hours)
Students are required to complete PRST 2110 during their first two years. See the course description for more information.
ENGLISH/COMPOSITION/COMMUNICATION (9 credit hours)
Students are required to complete six credit hours of English composition and six credit hours of communications-based course for 12 credit hours. College of Professional Studies students are required to take ENGL 1001 and ENGL 1002, Rhetoric and Composition 1 and 2*; and CMST 3210, Business and Professional Presentations.
HISTORY (6 credit hours)
Students are required to complete six credit hours of history. Generally, College of Professional Studies students complete their history requirement with HIST 1001 and 1002, Growth of Western Civilization 1 and 2*.
LITERATURE (6 credit hours)
Students are required to complete six credit hours of literature. Generally, College of Professional Studies students complete their literature requirement with ENGL 2410, Survey of English Literature 1*, and ENGL 2510, Survey of American Literature 1*.
MATHEMATICS (6 credit hours)
Students are required to complete six credit hours of mathematics, of which three hours must be PRST 2140, Research and Statistical Methods* (except for Psychology majors). The remaining credit hours depend on students' needs.
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit hours |
| MATH 1100 | College Algebra | 3 credit hours |
| PRST 1140 | Foundations of Applied Mathematics | 3 credit hours |
NATURAL SCIENCE (3 credit hours)
Students are required to complete PRST 1120, Aspects of Modern Science*, for three credit hours. Additional and/or different natural science courses may be approved by the college.
PHILOSOPHY (6 credit hours)
Students are required to complete PHIL 1001, Philosophy of Human Nature* and PHIL 2310, Theory of Ethics* for a total of 6 credit hours.
SOCIAL-BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (9 credit hours)
Students are required to complete six credit hours of social-behavioral science, of which three hours must be PSYC 1001, General Psychology* and three hours must be LEOR 2220, Economic Theory and Practice. Students may choose one of the following for the remaining three hours:
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit hours |
| ANTH 1001 | Introductory Anthropology* | 3 credit hours |
| CRLS 1001 | Introduction to Criminology* | 3 credit hours |
| POSC 2201 | American Politics* | 3 credit hours |
| SOCI 1001 | Principles of Sociology* | 3 credit hours |
THEOLOGY (6 credit hours)
Students are required to complete THEO 1001, Introduction to Theology*, and one second-level theology course (THEO 2000-level) for six credit hours. THEO 2400, Christian Discipleship*, is suggested as a second-level selection.
* Courses fulfill University Core of Common Studies and college curriculum.
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Attend an information session and learn about:
Bachelor’s Degrees: Leadership and Organizations, Criminology and Law Studies, Professional Communication, Psychology
Convenient scheduling with Saturday, weeknight and online classes
Application and admission process
Financial aid options
