CCC Frequently Asked Questions

The Cornerstone Core Curriculum consists of 14 core course requirements and two overlays. For more detail descriptions of each CCC requirement and policies, visit the Cornerstone Core Curriculum website. The CCC Summary Chart provides a quick summary of all CCC requirements.

The CCC offers several benefits for students, namely:

Alignment: CCC course-level learning objectives directly support the institution-wide Student Learning Outcomes expected of all undergraduates at SJU.

Choice: Certain requirements have broader parameters compared to their GEP equivalents. For example, students can complete any one Philosophy Level One course, instead of PHL 154 Moral Foundations only.

Flexibility: CCC requirements are not as interdependent on one another as in the GEP. For example, the Theology requirement is not a prerequisite to the Mission Specific Overlay. (Note: individual course prerequisites may still apply.)

Options for transfer students: Transfer credit may be used to satisfy core curriculum requirements.

Free Electives*: A reduced Core allows for more free electives to pursue interests, second majors, and minors. There is no minimum number of free electives: students complete however many are needed to reach or surpass 120 total credits for graduation. (*Note: the number of free electives depends on the number of credits completed in the CCC, major requirements, and transfer or exam credit.)

A 2021 Programmatic review found that the General Education Program (GEP) was not equipped to support programs acquired through mergers with University of the Sciences and PA College of Health Sciences. Thus, a goal emerged to develop a single liberal arts curriculum for all SJU students.

While both the GEP and CCC share the same goal of preparing SJU graduates for personal excellence, professional success, and engaged citizenship - with a Jesuit flair - there are a few key components that have changed. This GEP vs CCC chart outlines key changes to the structure and each requirement. Below are a few highlights.

First Year Seminars 

No longer required or offered. ENG 101 Craft of Language assumed the oral presentation SLO, with the addition of rhetoric. The World History requirement absorbed the library and information literacy SLOs. Both ENG 101 and World History must be completed within a students' first two semesters.

Non-Native Language 

Students now complete one, 3- or 4-credit course. Placements in language courses are based on the student’s high school record and score on the SJU placement test. A second Non-Native Language course, consecutive or non-consecutive, can count for the Global Citizenship option in the Mission Specific Overlay requirement.

Natural Science

Fulfilled with a 4-credit lab- or experiential learning-based course. 3-credit lecture-based natural science courses will be phased out and do not meet the CCC Natural Science requirement.

Free Electives

The CCC does not require a minimum number of free electives. Students complete however many are needed to reach or surpass 120 total credits for graduation. Thus, the total number of free electives a student will take depends on their major requirements, a student's own course selections, and any transfer credit. Where possible, students are encouraged to spread free electives throughout their program of study, balancing them with CCC and major requirements.

Core requirements have additional options and are defined differently in the CCC.

• PHL 154 Moral Foundations is not the only Philosophy Level One option; students can take any PHL L1 Ethics or PHL L1 Non-Ethics certified course to meet this requirement..

• The Theology requirement can be satisfied with any one THE course, instead of specifically THE 153, 154, or 155.

• Students can choose from HIS 101 Globalization in World History, HIS 102 Movements in World History, or HIS 103 Empires in World History to satisfy the World History requirement. HIS 154 Forging the Modern World will be phased out and does not meet the CCC World History requirement.

Overlays 

The GEP has four overlays: Diversity, Diversity/Globalization/Non-Western, Ethics-Intensive, and Writing-Intensive. The CCC has two overlays: Writing-Intensive and Mission Specific.

• The Diversity Overlay became a stand-alone requirement wherein students must complete any one Diversity (DIV) certified course.

• The Ethics Intensive Overlay was integrated into the Philosophy requirements wherein exactly one Philosophy course must be ethics-focused. For example, if a student takes PHL 154, an Ethics-based PHL Level One, their PHL Level Two course must be Non-Ethics, and vice versa.

• The Mission-Specific Overlay absorbed the Faith and Reason requirement as one of three options. Students choose one course certified in Ethics & Social Justice, Faith & Reason, or Global Citizenship.

CCC core courses may not satisfy two core areas at once. (Recall that there are 14 core course requirements and two overlays.) 

Thus, one course cannot count for two core requirements for the same student. For example:

• SOC 101 Intro to Sociology is approved to meet either the CCC Social Science or the CCC Diversity requirements - but not both for the same student. Student A can take SOC 101 for the Social Science requirement, but Student B can take it for the Diversity requirement.

CCC courses may double count with major and minor requirements - except for ENG 101, World History (HIS 101, 102, or 103), and INT 151 Inequality in American Society.

Double Counting with Overlays

ENG 101, World History, and INT 151 cannot double-dip with either Overlay.

1. Writing-Intensive Overlay: all CCC courses, major and minor courses, and electives may double dip with the W-I overlay, except for ENG 101, World History, and INT 151.

2. Mission Specific Overlay:  

   1. The following may not double dip with the Mission Overlay (for the same student): Diversity, Philosophy Level One, Philosophy Level Two, Religious Studies, & Theology.

   2. The following may double-dip with the Mission Overlay: Fine & Performing Arts, Design & Creativity, Literature, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Social Science.

For more information about double counting in the CCC, visit the CCC Policies & Procedures website.

Students who transfer to SJU with a completed, AA, AS, or AAS in Health Sciences degree are not required to complete the CCC curriculum. They will receive credit for having completed their general education requirements with the addition of a maximum of nine hours of SJU mission and identity coursework, i.e.:

• Philosophy Level One (must be certified as Ethics; 3 credits)

• Theology Certified Course (3 credits)

• Mission-Specific overlay (3 credits)

If a student has completed a course that would, in a course by course transfer evaluation, count for one of the courses listed above, that course will be considered completed.

Adult Learner Programs are on moratorium for the 2025-2026 academic year. Adult Learner Programs complete all requirements within the CCC with the following modifications:

• Natural Science: choose a lab-based or lecture-based science course

• Non-Native Language: choose a Non-Native Language course, Literature in Translation, or Classics course

• INT 151 Inequality in American Society is not required.

If a GEP student changes their major in Fall 2025 or later, their major requirements will follow what is published in the most recent academic catalog whereas their general education requirements will remain from the term in which they were admitted. 

For example, if a student admitted in Fall 2024 changes their major from Communication Studies to Graphic Design, they will follow the GEP and the Graphic Design major requirements for the 2025-2026 academic year catalog.

DegreeWorks has been updated to reflect the Cornerstone Core Curriculum. You may notice that DegreeWorks looks a little different compared to previous years. In addition to the degree summary box, there is a section for Math & Language Placements, Cornerstone Core Curriculum, each requirement area has it's own box, major requirements, and free electives. Courses will slot to the appropriate requirement based on Attribute.

Students and faculty can search by Attribute (under the Advanced Search feature of the schedule). This tool allows users to search by requirement category (e.g., CCC: PHL L1 Non-Ethics or CCC: World History). Here is a screenshot example of what the Advanced Search by Attribute looks like.

Advisors and students should also check the Attributes on the results page or in the class details to confirm what requirements a course meets. These Attributes draw from the catalog entry for that course.

For more tips and tricks on searching for classes, check out the Effective Course Search Tips video tutorial.

Yes, where applicable, exam and transfer credit can fulfill CCC requirements. 

In the case of exam credit, not every requirement area will have a relevant exam (e.g., INT 151 Inequality in American Society, Philosophy Level One, etc.). Students and advisors should consult the exam Advanced Placement equivalency chart and/or the International Baccalaureate equivalency chart for more information regarding transferable exams and minimum scores.

Transfer credit earned from another institution, study abroad, or block transfer agreement may apply to the CCC.

For more information about transfer credits and the CCC, review the CCC policies & procedures website. The CCC Summary Chart also offers a succinct overview regarding whether AP/IB or transfer credit can be used to fulfill a certain requirement.