Baylor’s Core Curriculum Earns “A” for Excellence
Baylor is one of only 13 private universities – and only six public institutions – to earn a top grade for its core requirements
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Baylor University’s core curriculum again has earned an “A” for the excellence of its core requirements from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni’s What Will They Learn?® (WWTL) project.
WWTL evaluates the general education requirements of the more than 1,100 U.S. colleges and universities, assigning grades from “A+” to “F” based on how many core subjects each institution requires. Baylor stands out nationally as one of only 13 private universities – and only six public institutions – to earn an “A” for requiring six core subjects: composition, literature, (intermediate-level) foreign language, U.S. government or history, mathematics and natural science.
“By requiring a minimum of 34 hours of coursework as part of its core requirements, Baylor prioritizes providing students with a sound base of learning,” ACTA wrote in its announcement. “At a time when headlines about falling academic standards run rampant, Baylor serves as a model of intellectual seriousness, offering students an education that is both rich and meaningful.”
ACTA also commended Baylor’s core as “one of the strongest ACTA has seen at more than a thousand universities,” noting specifically the University’s required course, The U.S. Constitution, Its Interpretation, and the American Political Experience, as the nation commemorates America’s 250th anniversary.
Characterized by critical thinking, communication, civic engagement and Christian commitment, the College of Arts & Sciences unified core curriculum is the foundation for the B.A., B.F.A., B.S. and B.S.A.S. degrees from Baylor, serving to educate men and women to become informed and productive citizens of a democracy and servant leaders of faith communities. Baylor’s robust core curriculum extends across diverse academic disciplines such as the sciences, social sciences, humanities and fine arts. In addition, students take common courses in Christian Scriptures and Christian Heritage, as well as through co-curricular experiences with Chapel and Creative Arts.
To learn more, visit WhatWillTheyLearn.com.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
The College of Arts & Sciences is Baylor University’s largest academic division, consisting of 25 academic departments in the sciences, humanities, fine arts and social sciences, as well as 11 academic centers and institutes. The more than 5,000 courses taught in the College span topics from art and theatre to religion, philosophy, sociology and the natural sciences. The College’s undergraduate Unified Core Curriculum, which routinely receives top grades in national assessments, emphasizes a liberal education characterized by critical thinking, communication, civic engagement and Christian commitment. Arts & Sciences faculty conduct research around the world, and research on the undergraduate and graduate level is prevalent throughout all disciplines. Visit the College of Arts & Sciences website.