"The First-Year Experience" Program

The First-Year Experience

The First-Year Experience is the foundational liberal education core of the first-year curriculum at the Catholic University of America, bringing first-year students together in small Learning Communities for a shared, yearlong, educational experience. Within Learning Communities, students take a sequence of four core classes in philosophy, theology, and English. Tools and skills acquired in these classes become the foundation for work in their major and beyond.

The Core Curriculum

At Catholic University, we believe in a well-rounded education focused on a search for truth. Here, your education will be centered around a liberal arts curriculum that takes you into an intellectual exploration of philosophy, theology, literature, natural science, mathematics, language, and other foundational topics. 
For most students, the core curriculum consists of 15 courses and a focus area. To accommodate for more extensive major requirements, students in some professional programs complete 10 courses and no focus area. Four of the 15 (or 10) liberal arts courses are taken in small Learning Communities as part of the First-Year Experience program.

Discover the Core Curriculum

Learning Communities

During your first year at Catholic University, you will embark on a four-course sequence in philosophy, theology, and English with a group of about 18 fellow students. You will take all four courses with the same group of students, which is why we call this your Learning Community.

No matter what major you choose, these courses will help you to develop a flexible set of intellectual tools that apply to all academic disciplines, from art history to mechanical engineering. You will learn how to ask questions, how to think critically, and how to present your arguments effectively in writing. Simply put, these courses are about learning how to learn.

First-Year Course Advice

Our Center for Academic and Career Success is here to make your academic journey as smooth as possible, starting with your first year. We’ve broken down specific course advice for each major offered to help you know what classes to take your first year and make sure you start off on the right track to get your degree!