New Requirements for Class of 2032 & Beyond

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A Curriculum Grounded in Discovery, Purpose and the Pursuit of Knowledge

Starting with the Class of 2032 and beyond, we are launching new common area requirements for all students.

A Forward-Looking Education

Why are we excited to embark on this new curriculum?

Holy Cross is committed to building a community of learners who embrace the liberal arts, who are passionate about exploring real world issues and who are developing the skills they need for a successful future. Our thoughtfully-designed new common curriculum will help you explore big ideas, build valuable skills and discover your place in the world. You will take courses across a breadth of disciplines while exploring what it means to be a responsible, ethical citizen of our world and simultaneously strengthening your abilities in communication and critical thinking. The result? A well-rounded education that prepares you not just for a career, but for a meaningful life beyond graduation.

The Model

Within our new flexible framework, an individual course can satisfy up to three goals. Courses from your major, minor, concentration, etc. can all be used to satisfy different aspects of the common requirements. In addition, your year-long Montserrat seminar will allow you to satisfy up to four common requirements, including at least one Breadth area and at least one Competency. 

Your major, montserrat classes, common and requirements form your plan of study

 

Throughout your plan of study, you will cover:

students studying

The Breadth Areas

  • 1 each in the Arts, History, Literature, Mathematical Sciences, Natural Sciences, Philosophy, Religion, and Social Sciences (8 total)
  • 2 Language
     

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The Responsible Citizenship Themes

  • 1 in Justice and Equity
  • 1 in Intercultural Competence
  • 1 chosen from the four Responsible Citizenship goals (Environmental Literacy, Ethical Reasoning and Action, Justice and Equity, and Intercultural Competence)
     

Student presenting his work

The Competencies

  • 1 in Quantitative Reasoning
  • 2 in Writing (one completed in Montserrat, the other one completed later, often through your major department)
  • 1 in Oral Communication
  • 1 in Information Literacy
     

Frequently Asked Questions

Students in the Class of 2032 and beyond will be required to meet these new common requirements. Students currently enrolled at the College as of Fall 2028 (Classes of 2029, 2030, and 2031) are subject to the previous requirements found in the College course catalog.

Yes! Many classes that you are interested in taking will count for multiple requirements.

To graduate, all students must take 32 courses total. Of those 32 courses:

  • 2 classes will be your year-long Montserrat seminar
  • 10 - 14 classes will typically be in your major
  • Many courses you take will count for multiple common requirements

An example course of study:

  • A student majoring in psychology might take a Montserrat seminar that fulfills Philosophical Inquiry and Writing
  • The student takes courses in the psychology major that provides opportunities to fill 3 Breadth Areas, 2 Responsible Citizenship Themes, and 4 competencies
  • After the Montserrat seminar and major requirements, the student would still have 20 remaining courses to complete 6 breadth areas and 1 responsible citizenship.
  • Because requirements often overlap, the student could comfortably double major, minor, or both!

All Holy Cross students have an academic advisor and a class dean who are available to help them monitor their academic progress. You will also be able to track your “academic journey” in Workday, our official system for managing Student Records.

Yes! Holy Cross awards credit for Advanced Placement exams taken through the College Board Advanced Placement Program and the International Baccalaureate Program and will accept some Advanced Level General Certificate of Education (A-Level) exams. One unit of credit is awarded for an Advanced Placement score of 4 or 5 in any discipline recognized by the College. One unit of credit is awarded for a score of 6 or 7 on a Higher Level International Baccalaureate Examination in a liberal arts subject. One unit of credit is awarded for a score of A/A* or B on an A-Level exam in a liberal arts subject. The College does not award credit for the IB Standard Exam or the AS-Level Exam. AP, IB and A-Level credit may be used to satisfy common area requirements but may not be used to advance academic standing. 

 

The College provides a broad array of courses across disciplines that make completing the common area requirements both manageable and meaningful. True to the liberal arts, students are encouraged to explore courses across disciplines, engage with new ideas and make connections between fields of study.