FAQs

Yes, some Core requirements can be met through AP credits, IB credits, or college-level credits from other programs or institutions. To ensure students have a shared experience of the UP academic community, most students do have to take the introductory Anchor Seminar and Exploration Level coursework at UP. A limited number of other Core requirements can be fulfilled via transfer credit if those credits are from courses approved by academic programs in coordination with the Core director and the Office of Admissions. Further information about transferring credit to UP is available through the Office of Admissions.

The Core is designed for students to start with Foundation Level coursework as the majority of Core credit hours along with the Anchor Seminar course as a shared introductory course. As part of the Foundation Level, all students should take two philosophy classes and two theology classes in sequence, but other Foundation Level courses do not require prerequisites. After completing relevant coursework at the Foundation Level students can begin taking Exploration Level courses.

For new students who do not have relevant transfer credits, the Core requires a one-credit Anchor Seminar course, eleven 3-credit hour Foundation Level courses, and two 3-credit hour Exploration Level courses. In sum, students thus take thirteen regular Core courses in addition to the Anchor Seminar introduction.

There is no University level foreign language requirement. Note, however, that some programs within the College of Arts and Sciences and the professional schools may require language coursework that is described within the requirements for each major program.