Core Curriculum
The University’s core curriculum has been recently updated to include a synthesis course which integrates a student’s learning experience in critical thinking, faith and reason, and various academic disciplines. An important goal of the core is to assist undergraduate students in developing competence in critical thinking, critical reading, effective writing and oral communication so that they develop both their knowledge base and skills as graduates of the University.
Integration of learning has long been a hallmark of Catholic education and the University of St. Thomas takes pride in its strong core curriculum which provides for the integration of higher knowledge with a student’s major. Taken towards the end of a student’s academic career, the synthesis course is meant to help students gain insight into faith and reason, and to understand the world more comprehensively in light of their chosen major.
 View UST's Current Core Curriculum
Ex Corde Ecclesiae
The core’s strong emphasis on integration brings it into greater conformity with Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Constitution for Catholic Universities, Ex Corde Ecclesiae, published in 1990.
On August 15, 1990, Pope John Paul II issued an apostolic constitution on Catholic higher education entitled Ex corde Ecclesiae. He described the identity and mission of Catholic colleges and universities and provided general norms to help fulfill its vision. The University looks to Ex corde for guidelines, direction, and inspiration as we continue on our journey of providing excellence in higher education and as we aspire to become a great Catholic University.
Aspirations of Ex Corde include the natural desire to know the truth, dialogue between faith and reason, dialogue of faith with cultures of our time, dialogue of faith with modern sciences and technology, achieving an integrated worldview, social teachings of the Church and professional ethics.
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