Foundational Curriculum

A liberal arts education is typically characterized by the development of broad intellectual and cultural interests and by the achievement of a significant body of skills and knowledge. It is the particular responsibility of the Foundational Curriculum to address the first of these goals, the broadening of students' interests, while also laying the foundation for the acquisition of advanced skills and deeper knowledge within optional areas of concentration, normally defined as majors.

So it is at the University of Richmond, where a distinctive curriculum has been designed. 

The following information is intended for students matriculating beginning Fall 2024. Students who matriculated prior to Fall 2024 should reference the general education requirements as outlined here.

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  • Foundational Curriculum

    For detailed information about the general education curriculum, please visit this webpage.

    Type Course Quantity
    Areas of Inquiry Historical Inquiry 1 course
    Literary & Textual Inquiry 1 course
    Natural Science Inquiry 1 course
    Social Inquiry 1 course
    Symbolic Reasoning Inquiry 1 course
    Visual & Performing Arts Inquiry 1 course
    Integrated Focus Areas Written Communication 2 courses
    Embodied Communication 1 course
    Quantitative Data Literacy 1 course
    Power, Equity, Identity, & Culture 1 course
    Engagements First-Year Seminar (FYS) 1 course
    Second Language Proficiency Up to 4 courses*
    Wellness 3 courses, noncredit
    *May be satisfied by a demonstration of proficiency upon entrance to the University without carrying credit (language courses carry variable credit). For non-native English speakers, students who must submit TOEFL scores for admission are exempt from the COM2 requirement. Language courses in Arabic and Russian may require additional conversation courses to reach the Intermediate level.
  • Wellness Requirement

    In keeping with the University’s objective of fostering knowledge and personal well-being, every undergraduate student will complete a three part wellness series prior to graduation. Before arriving on campus, first year and transfer students will complete both Alcohol Edu and Haven, an online alcohol prevention and education program. Once on campus, students will complete WELL 100 in their first semester. Students are also required to complete one WELL 101 health education topics course. Classes are geared towards topics that will promote academic success and personal health. 

    As part of the University’s on-going commitment to sexual misconduct education and prevention, all second year students will be required to complete Every Choice, an online bystander training program (WELL 102) focusing on sexual misconduct prevention education. The course provides students with awareness, education and skills practice to assist them with engaging in proactive behaviors to intervene in situations of sexual misconduct. Upon completion, students will be equipped with basic bystander skills that will allow them to identify multiple options for intervention and assist them with identifying obstacles that would prevent action. The course will also inform students about sexual misconduct resources on and off campus resources. 

    WELL 100
    Introduction to College Life at the University of Richmond    		 Must be attempted and satisfactorily completed during the first semester of enrollment Noncredit
    WELL 101
    A wellness topic of your choice    		 Must be attempted and satisfactorily completed prior to the start of the fifth semester of enrollment Noncredit
    WELL 102
    Bystander Education Program    		 Must be attempted and satisfactorily completely within the first 6 weeks of the third semester of enrollment, or, for transfer students, in the first semester of enrollment Noncredit

     

  • Completion of a Major

    All undergraduate degrees at the University of Richmond require satisfactory completion of one major. Multiple majors and/or minors may also be pursued and upon completion will be recorded on the permanent academic record.

    The major is a field of academic study chosen as an area of specialization. A major may be in a subject area and will include courses in that subject area along with courses prerequisite to those required courses and may also include designated courses outside the subject area. Interdisciplinary programs will include courses from a number of different subject areas. Majors require between 9 and 18.5 total units, counting all courses both inside and outside the subject area, including all prerequisites for those courses. (See the section for each school for specific major or minor requirements.)

    The School of Arts and Sciences offers the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees. The Robins School of Business offers the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree. The Jepson School of Leadership Studies offers the Bachelor of Arts degree.

    In addition to the degree requirements previously stated under Graduation, a candidate must satisfy major requirements outlined in the following sections.

    Major Requirements 9 -18.5 total units
  • Achievement Requirements

    Undergraduate degree candidates must earn a grade point average of not less than 2.00 on all coursework attempted.

    Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Science in Business Administration must complete 35 units.

  • Additional Degree Requirements
    • 17.5 unit on-campus residency requirement (transfer students should see section on Transfer Credit)
    • 28 unit residency requirement, to include work taken on approved exchange and study abroad programs and visiting away and off-campus programs as well as courses taken through dual degree and cross-registration programs (this requirement is pro-rated for transfer students)
    • Application for degree and attendance at Commencement
    • Completion of financial and administrative obligations