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University Core Curriculum

Philosophy and Goals of the Core Curriculum

The Core Curriculum at Loyola Marymount University is at the heart of the University’s unique educational offering to our students. The Core integrates Catholic Intellectual Traditions, Ignatian Pedagogy, and the Liberal Arts to create a distinctive curricular pathway that nurtures Cura Personalis– the Education of the Whole Person. The Jesuit, Marymount, and CSJ values of the Core foster Encouragement of Learning and invite students to become persons in Service of Faith, committed to the Promotion of Justice.
 
The Core is not a checklist. While the Core does offer a common intellectual experience to our community of learners, it also allows students to craft their own educational pathway in their chosen field of study. LMU's Core prepares our graduates to face contemporary challenges and inspires them to ignite the world with their passion, knowledge, and dedication to social justice.

Core Learning Outcomes

Through the LMU Core, students will...

  • Demonstrate foundational skills in writing, speaking, information literacy, and quantitative and analytical reasoning. 
  • Acquire knowledge from the primary disciplines of a liberal education in the Ignatian tradition and guided by our sponsoring communities: The Society of Jesus, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange.
  • Connect course themes to issues of concern in the contemporary world.
  • Engage fundamental questions of faith and justice.
  • Construct arguments using evidence, logic, creativity, and critical thinking.
  • Integrate skills gained in the course of study in preparation for social justice work in diverse local and/or global contexts.

Developmental Pattern of the Core

The LMU Core is organized across three levels – Foundations, Explorations, and Integrations. The Foundations courses (see below) introduce students to the intellectual traditions of the Academy and LMU. Students are guided through six courses to understand, appreciate, and analyze key issues in philosophy, theology, ethnic studies, STEM fields, rhetoric, with an emphasis on developing fundamental communication skills. 
 
The four Explorations courses (see below) build on the skills and knowledge base of the Foundations level refining them through the different disciplinary methods and perspectives of the humanities, arts, natural sciences, and social sciences.  
 
The three Integrations courses (see below) are designed to offer a culminating experience to students. These courses challenge students to take the skills and knowledge from the Foundations and Explorations courses, as well as their majors, and apply them to interdisciplinary consideration of thematic questions. 

In addition to the above, students will also take one or multiple courses that emphasize mission-driven community engagement, referred to as Experiential Learning for Mission which emphasize the university’s commitment to promotion of social justice. 

Summary of the Area Requirements of the University Core Curriculum

Students are required to earn credit for all thirteen Core criteria and the Experiential Learning for Mission (ELM).1 Not all courses that a student will take at LMU carry Core attributes. Core attributes must be earned by faculty through a rigorous peer review process. Individual courses can only meet ONE Core requirement, except when they also carry the ELM learning attribute. Students can fulfill Core requirements by taking courses in their major. Typically, students take a combination of courses in their major and outside of it to complete the LMU Core. 

Note: Students enrolled in the Seaver College of Science and Engineering and the University Honors program have modified Core requirements. Students who transfer in coursework from another institution may substitute or waive certain Core requirements, as determined on a case-by-case basis and subject to review by the Registrar's Office. Please consult your department, college, or advisor for more information. For planning purposes, additional information regarding Core policies can be found on the Core Curriculum website.

Foundations (Years 1-2)
Students fulfill One Area Requirement per course in each of these Areas:
First Year Seminar (Year 1)
Rhetorical Arts (Year 1)
Quantitative Reasoning
Theological Inquiry
Philosophical Inquiry
Studies in American Diversity

Explorations (Years 2-3)
Students fulfill One Area Requirement per course in each of these Areas:
Creative Experience
Historical Analysis and Perspectives
Nature of Science, Technology, and Mathematics
Understanding Human Behavior

Integrations (Years 3-4)
Students fulfill One Area Requirement per course in each of these Areas:
Faith and Reason
Ethics and Justice
Interdisciplinary Connections

Flagged Courses  
Experiential Learning for 1 Flag1

1For first-time, first-year students entering the University during the 2025-26 Bulletin year and beyond. Students who entered the University during a prior academic year or as a transfer student should consult their department, college, or advisor.