Core Requirements

Orientation: Students are prepared for success at Ottawa University by completing:

  • LAS 14525 Seminar: Orientation to the Academy; OR

  • UNV 30001 Academic Success & Personal Significance.

Writing: Students must demonstrate college level writing by completing:

  • LAS 20010 College Seminar I: Exploring the Liberal Arts, AND LAS 20020 College Seminar II: Developing Learning Tools; OR

  • LAS 30012 Writing and Critical Thinking in the Liberal Arts; OR

  • College-level Comp II course.

Arts & Humanities: To promote an understanding of and an appreciation for art, culture, and expression, and to demonstrate the ability to recognize and analyze values in a reflective and creative way, students complete two courses selected from two different arts and humanities disciplines. Each course must be at least 3 semester credit hours. Arts and Humanities disciplines include:

  • Visual Arts (ART)

  • Foreign Language (FRE, SPA)

  • English (ENG except courses used to fulfill the Writing requirement)

  • Music (MUS)

  • Philosophy (PHL except PHL 21723 Introduction to Logic)

  • Religion (REL not including a course used to fulfill the religion requirement)

Communication: Students must demonstrate effective communication by completing a Communication (COM) course. The course must be at least 3 semester credit hours.

Interdisciplinary: Students study elements of multiple disciplines, reinforcing critical thinking skills through interdisciplinary courses. Students must complete one course of at least 3 semester credit hours. Options include:

  • LAS 45012 Global Issues in the Liberal Arts; OR

  • NRS 46003 Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice; OR 

  • Any course with a title beginning with IDS (e.g. REL 49923 IDS: Issues in Science and Religion)

Math/Statistics/Logical Systems: To demonstrate problem solving, logical reasoning and analytical thinking, students must complete one course (at least 3 semester credit hours) in

  • Math (MAT except MAT 30143 History of Mathematics); OR

  • Logical systems (PHL 21723 Introduction to Logic).

Natural Science: Students demonstrate a basic understanding of science and problem-solving skills by completing a science course which includes a lab component. The course must be at least 4 semester credit hours. Options include:

Religion: Honoring our mission as a “Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry” students must complete one at least 3 semester credit hour course in religion. Courses satisfying this requirement differ across campuses.

OUKS Residential students must complete REL 20224 The Gospels.

OUAZ Residential students must complete

Adult Studies students are exempt from this requirement.

Social Sciences: To promote an understanding of human behavior as individuals and as groups, students complete two courses selected from two different social sciences disciplines. Each course must be at least 3 semester credit hours. Social Sciences disciplines include:

  • Economics (ECO)

  • Human Geography (HPS 23153 Human Geography)

  • Psychology (PSY except PSY 36000 Statistics for Social Sciences)

  • Sociology (SOC)