Core Program

During your first year in Core, you'll take a two-semester course sequence exploring the humanities disciplines in small seminars and lecture presentations.

In your second year, you'll take three courses that build upon first-year concepts that are carried into discussion of contemporary issues.

Core concludes in the fall of junior year with a professional ethics course and a spring culminating completion ceremony.

All Core courses fulfill the University's Common Academic Program requirements. No additional courses are added to your schedule, allowing you flexibility to pursue all your interests and goals.

While Core is not an honors or accelerated program, honors students may earn up to 15 honors credits through Core.

Core is the oldest integrated learning-living community (ILLC) at UD. As part of an ILLC, you'll take courses and live in the same residence hall with some of your classmates. Because you're taking most of the same classes and living with the same 90 people, you'll make more friends and receive help when needed. Many students report ILLC's are a highlight of their UD experience.

Incoming first-year students can select Core as their ILLC from their Porches To-do List. Capacity is limited. Students must make their selection of Core by June 1.

You will encounter one of the most comprehensive academic support structures at the University during your experience in the Core Program. From highly committed faculty to a large peer support community, you will receive much guidance to help you succeed.

Core student leaders provide a multitude of assistance and encouragement:

• Core Fellows: Second-year Core students hold weekly study hours and exam preparations
• Core Resident Assistants: Upper-level students ensure smooth transition and assistance in the residence hall
• Core Write Place Consultants: Specially trained, upper-level students provide writing assistance
• Core House Residents: Upper-level students living in the student neighborhood offer learning community engagement

To apply for the Core Program, select Core as your learning-living community during registration for First Year Choices. Selection is on a first-come, first-served basis, and is capped at 120 students.

No, it's not possible to postpone joining the Core Program. The first semester includes a set of interrelated courses upon which the later courses build, so joining after your first semester isn't an option.

Core and Honors work closely together; you could receive 15 hours of Honors credit for completing the Core Program with a "B" average. 

Note: The Core Program is not an honors program, but many honors students are also Core students.

Most students accepted at UD are eligible to apply for the Core Program. The program is designed to enrich the learning experience of any UD student.

Students from the University's four undergraduate schools – the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business Administration, the School of Education and Health Sciences, and the School of Engineering – participate in the Core Program.

The 120 students selected each year represent a cross-section of new students with differing backgrounds and abilities.

No, students in the Core Program don't take any extra classes. The Core Program consists only of Common Academic Program (CAP) courses — courses that all UD students must take in order to graduate.

Core Program classes are smaller than Common Academic Program (CAP) classes, allowing Core Program students to receive closer faculty attention.

Core Program courses cover much of the same material as equivalent non-Core courses, but Core Program courses are specially adapted to the program's structure and theme.

First-year Core Program students take ASI 110-120, a 12 semester-hour sequence in which English, global languages and cultures, history, philosophy and religious studies are integrated chronologically and thematically. Second- and third-year Core Program courses build on concepts and methods from the first year and carry program themes into discussions of contemporary issues.

Core Program faculty work together to ensure students find meaningful coordination among their courses.

The Core Program fulfills many of the Common Academic Program (CAP) requirements. In fact, the Core Program served as a model for the CAP!

Because of its structure and small size, the Core Program can offer closer coordination of courses and more systematic development of its theme.

Core Program faculty are selected on the basis of teaching excellence and interest in innovative teaching. They have chosen to devote extra time and attention to their Core Program students and courses.

The Core Program helps you to understand, appreciate and critically evaluate historical roots and contemporary expressions of competing values in global cultures. Core Program faculty help you to see interrelations among courses from different disciplines and to develop skills in critical reflection on ethical, social, and political issues.

Core Program students particularly enjoy the friendships they form in the program. Because you take courses together and participate in extra-curricular events together, you get to know each other well. A special sense of community develops among Core students that enhances both your academic and co-curricular college experience.