The Augsburg Curriculum is designed to help students develop the skills necessary for successful careers and fulfilling lives, including:
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Oral Communication
- Information Literacy
- Quantitative Literacy
- Ethical Reasoning
- Problem Solving
- Intercultural Competence
- Civic Agency and Engagement
- Health and Wellness
The curriculum helps students develop these skills across the core requirements and major coursework: for example, college-level writing skills are introduced in ENL 111 (or ENL 101), reinforced in the core Liberal Arts Foundation courses, and mastered within the context of a student’s major. Other components of the Augsburg core curriculum embed these skills: for example, modern language courses not only teach language skills but also develop students’ intercultural competence; courses in natural sciences and mathematics emphasize applied quantitative reasoning; and the first-year seminars and Augsburg Experience requirements develop students’ skills of civic engagement. For details about particular requirements, consult the Registrar’s page.
To best serve our students, we evaluate their skills prior to matriculation or during the first semester on campus in the following areas:
- Mathematics
- Modern Languages
- Writing
See Academic Advising for more detailed information about when, where and how to complete these assessments.
For information and support for writing, see the many resources provided on Writing Across the Curriculum.
For more about the key skills employers want in new hires, read “It Takes More Than a Major,” compiled by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU.)
Augsburg’s Strommen Center for Meaningful Work provides a host of opportunities to help students hone, articulate and apply their skills through internships, mentoring relationships, resume workshops, and much more.
Specific Core Skills Requirements
Developmental Courses
For a strong start in college, some students qualify for developmental course work (GST 100, ENL 101, MAT 103, and MAT 105.) These courses must be completed by the end of the fourth term at Augsburg (for incoming first-year students.) Transfer students must complete the courses by the end of their third term.
Effective Writing
Excellent writing skills are more important than ever. Students are required to pass ENL 111 (Effective Writing) or the equivalent with a grade of 2.0, P, or higher. Students must complete ENL 111 by the end of their sophomore year, since it provides the foundation for all other college-level writing. Transfer students must complete it by the end of their third term.
Modern Language
The ability to speak another language provides an important gateway into other cultures. Students must complete one year of college-level study of a modern foreign language with a minimum grade of 2.0/P. Those students who have previously studied another language should take the placement exams (see above.) Students who place at 112 (Beginning Language 2) need only one more language course. Students who place at 211 (Intermediate Level 1) or above have completed the modern language requirement. No additional classes are required, although students are encouraged to pursue additional language study.
Students who have demonstrated competence in American Sign Language by passing an approved course sequence will have fulfilled the Modern Language Core Skill.
Students whose first language is not English and whose score is below the minimum on the ESL placement test must fulfill the English as a Second Language (ESL) requirement. The requirement is satisfied by successfully completing the ESL course(s) and achieving a score above the minimum on the ESL placement exam. Students who complete the ESL requirement fulfill the Modern Language Core Skill requirement. Contact Academic Advising for additional information.
Health and Wellness
Wellness courses offer students opportunities to de-stress and develop the skills of healthful living. WEL 100 Foundations of Wellness (or a transfer equivalent) is required of all students. The second course may be chosen from a variety of different wellness activities (WEL 102, Lifetime Activity courses). Students who are not health and physical education majors or intercollegiate athletes may test out of one lifetime activity course. Students may demonstrate proficiency from a selected list of lifetime activities. There is a fee to take the lifetime activity proficiency test.