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LEAD Knowledge/Methods: What it is
LEAD Knowledge and Methods courses (often referred to as general education courses at other institutions and the breadth requirement at SMCM) expose you to a range of subjects and methodologies. They make sure that all St. Mary’s College students develop their skills of interpretation, expression, and evaluation– that is, they help you to be good critical thinkers and good communicators. They invite students to consider the many ways through which we come to know about the world– and the impact such knowledge has had on our past, and will have on our future. For more information about the purpose of these courses click here.
What you need to decide
Students can fulfill LEAD Knowledge and Methods requirements two ways: by completing LEAD Inquiry or a LEAD Exploration. Today you should decide which path you would like to follow, Inquiry or Exploration. Students usually take at least one or two courses to fulfill their LEAD Knowledge and Methods requirement in their first semester.
LEAD inquiry
LEAD inquiry
The themed method: Inquiries take an integrated approach to the LEAD Knowledge and Methods learning goals. Students take five courses, with four or five of those courses being united by their relevance to a particular topic or theme.
This method may fit you if you're a:
Student who likes to find connections between your courses.
Student who wants to learn how seemingly separate courses can work together to answer some "bigger" questions.
Student who has a specific interest in one of our current Core Inquiry topics (click on the topic to learn more!)
LEAD Exploration
LEAD Exploration
The a la carte method: requires you to take six courses, one from each of the following areas - Arts, Cultural Literacy, Humanities, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.
This method may fit you if you're a:
Student who enjoys a really wide variety of topics (perhaps because you have not decided on a major yet).
Student who are entering with a high number of AP or dual enrollment credits that already fulfill some of the 6 six categories. If you have (or expect) AP, CLEP, or IB credit and you want to see if you have met any of these requirements, the list of what SMCM accepts can be found here. Please note that these credits may also fulfill courses in the Inquiries!
Chosen Inquiry?
Chosen Inquiry?
If you have decided to meet your breadth requirement through an Inquiry, use Fall 2025 Inquiry Gateway Course Spreadsheet to identify what gateway course and section you will need to take. Select the gateway course that will be your Course #2 on your worksheet. If you believe you will have AP/IB/CLEP credits that fullfill the gateway course requirement, then pick a different course using the Fall 2025 LEAD Spreadsheet (select the correct Inquiry tab along the bottom to see what other courses are offered within the inquiry this fall).
Chosen Exploration?
Chosen Exploration?
If you have chosen to approach your breadth via Exploration, you'll need to decide which of the six categories you're going to fulfill in the Fall semester (Arts, Cultural Literacy, Humanities, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavioral Sciences). Remember, you should not fulfill any categories that you might receive AP/CLEP/IB credit for. Your Summer Advisor will help you double check that you don't accidentally sign up for classes for which you already have credit.
A list of the available Fall courses that fulfill each category can be found in the Fall 2025 LEAD Spreadsheet. Select the "Exploration" tab along the bottom to view your options. Select a course from this list for you Course #2 option on your worksheet.
If you are Undecided on your major, select a second course in your chosen Breadth method and fill it in the Course #1 section of your worksheet; you could also select a course in an area you are considering as a major
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