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Academics

Undergraduate Curriculum

At UD, we're committed to preparing students not just for tomorrow but for the world beyond. That's why all undergraduates engage in the Common Academic Program (CAP) — a transformative educational journey that will equip you with the skills needed to understand and respond to the complexities of our ever-changing world.

All learning encounters are informed by seven institutional learning goals that are grounded in our Catholic, Marianist identity.

You'll start with a set of foundational courses, including two small humanities seminars. Then you'll work with your holistic advisor to craft a program that aligns seamlessly with your unique interests and aspirations. In the process, you'll develop knowledge and skills employers are looking for — from leadership to conflict resolution.

CAP Requirements
CAP Components
Quick Facts

800+ courses

offered in more than 40 departments and programs

90% of companies

want the skills CAP develops, including leadership, communication, problem solving, cross-functional teamwork, data analysis, ethical reasoning and creative thinking

A Tailored Curriculum

CAP's integrated approach to learning provides cross-disciplinary experiences that allow you to apply your knowledge and values to real-life situations. Recent revisions to CAP offer several benefits to students, including:

  • More flexibility for minors, double majors or exploring interests.
  • Additional course options across 40+ departments and programs.
  • Greater application of prior earned college credits to meet CAP requirements.
  • Same strong foundation in problem-solving, critical thinking, vocational reflection and ethical reasoning that's at the center of our Catholic, Marianist education.
Students engaged in classroom
A Personalized Approach

Holistic Advising

No matter your major, you'll work with your advisor to create a plan that provides unique learning experiences all four years. In addition, you'll have an entire Flight Crew focused on helping you achieve your goals and find success. 

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Student talking with their advisor
Institutional Learning Goals

UD's institutional learning goals are the hallmark of our undergraduate education. From coursework and co-curricular programming to experiences outside the classroom, students have many opportunities to expand their knowledge around these themes.

Scholarship

All undergraduates will develop and demonstrate advanced habits of academic inquiry and creativity through the production of a body of artistic, scholarly or community-based work intended for public presentation and defense.

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Faith Traditions

All undergraduates will develop and demonstrate ability to engage in intellectually informed, appreciative and critical inquiry regarding major faith traditions. Students will be familiar with the basic theological understandings and central texts that shape Catholic beliefs and teachings, practices and spiritualities. Students' abilities should be developed sufficiently to allow them to examine deeply their own faith commitments and also to participate intelligently and respectfully in dialogue with other traditions.

Explore UD's Catholic, Marianist Identity

Diversity

All undergraduates will develop and demonstrate intellectually informed, appreciative and critical understanding of the cultures, histories, times and places of multiple others, as marked by class, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation and other manifestations of difference. Students' understanding will reflect scholarly inquiry, experiential immersion, and disciplined reflection.

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Community

All undergraduates will develop and demonstrate understanding of and practice in the values and skills necessary for learning, living and working in communities of support and challenge. This includes: accepting difference, resolving conflicts peacefully and promoting reconciliation; they encompass productive, discerning, creative and respectful collaboration with persons from diverse backgrounds and perspectives for the common purpose of learning, service, and leadership that aim at just social transformation. Students will demonstrate these values and skills on campus and in the Dayton region as part of their preparation for global citizenship.

Practical Wisdom

All undergraduates will develop and demonstrate practical wisdom in addressing real human problems and deep human needs, drawing upon advanced knowledge, values, and skills in their chosen profession or major course of study. Starting with a conception of human flourishing, students will be able to define and diagnose symptoms, relationships and problems clearly and intelligently, construct and evaluate possible solutions, thoughtfully select and implement solutions, and critically reflect on the process in light of actual consequences.

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Explore the Dialogue Zone

Critical Evaluation of Our Times

Through multidisciplinary study, all undergraduates will develop and demonstrate habits of inquiry and reflection, informed by familiarity with Catholic Social Teaching, that equip them to evaluate critically and imaginatively the ethical, historical, social, political, technological, economic and ecological challenges of their times in light of the past.

Vocation

Using appropriate scholarly and communal resources, all undergraduates will develop and demonstrate ability to articulate reflectively the purposes of their life and proposed work through the language of vocation. In collaboration with the university community, students' developing vocational plans will exhibit appreciation of the fullness of human life, including its intellectual, ethical, spiritual, aesthetic, social, emotional and bodily dimensions, and will examine both the interdependence of self and community and the responsibility to live in service of others.

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Rather than a list of courses to ‘get out of the way,’ CAP provides UD students a chance to see their area of interest through a different lens. These courses not only strengthened my understanding of philosophy, history and religion, but they prepared me to understand how my future career exists in an ever-connected global environment.
Rachel K. Young '23