Course catalog St. Norbert College Catalog

At St. Norbert College, the values of the liberal arts, the Catholic faith and the college’s founding Norbertine order come together to create a uniquely embracing and reflective environment for our students. Here you will learn not only about your world, but about yourself – and the classroom is only the beginning.

With help from all your professors and, particularly, from your academic advisor, you will be able to navigate your own academic journey using the resources listed in our College Catalog.

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For current students

Need to register for classes, make schedule changes, or access your transcripts? The registrar’s mySNC website has everything you need to stay on top of your academic records and course planning.

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Core Curriculum

The Core Curriculum at St. Norbert College reflects the college’s Catholic, Norbertine and liberal arts traditions by equipping students with essential skills, values, and experiences to thrive in a complex world, while fostering personal growth, leadership and spiritual development. Courses that meet Core Curriculum requirements can also count toward major requirements.

Rooted in St. Norbert College’s Catholic, Norbertine, and liberal arts traditions, the Core Curriculum empowers students to:

  • Think Critically – Apply logical reasoning, evaluate evidence, and engage with diverse academic disciplines.
  • Communicate Effectively – Express ideas clearly across written, spoken, and symbolic forms, including in multiple languages.
  • Problem-Solve Creatively – Define problems thoughtfully and explore innovative or integrative solutions.
  • Behave Ethically – Reflect on personal values and make principled decisions in academic and civic life.
  • Interact Respectfully – Collaborate across cultures and perspectives with empathy and awareness.
  • Serve Responsibly – Promote justice, stewardship, and global awareness through informed action.
  • Live Purposefully – Pursue meaningful goals, well-being, and spiritual growth through reflection and self-awareness.

Lower level Core Curriculum courses 

  • Develop student skills in writing, research and oral communication.
  • Improve student abilities in creative and critical thinking.
  • Foster student understanding of the value of a liberal arts education.

Upper level Core Curriculum courses

  • Advance student skills in synthesizing and integrating diverse methods, perspectives, or ideas.
  • Engage students in deep critical evaluation, reflection, and substantive communication of their learning.
  • Challenge students to apply course concepts in real-world contexts to analyze, predict, or propose solutions.

Foundation courses build essential academic skills and should be completed early in a student’s college journey:

  • Theological Foundations (CORE: TF) – Recommended by the end of the first year.
  • Philosophical Foundations (CORE: PF) – Recommended by the end of the first year.
  • Quantitative Reasoning (CORE: QR) – Recommended by the end of the second year.
  • Writing Intensive (CORE: WI) –  Fulfilled by any designated writing-intensive course at the 100 or 200 level. Recommended by the end of the second year.
  • Second Language Competency (CORE: SL) – Demonstrate basic proficiency in two languages through coursework, exams, or approved certifications. Recommended by the end of the third year.

To fulfill the Core Curriculum, students must complete:

Seven General Core Courses – One course in each designated area:

  • Beyond Borders (BB)

  • Catholic Imagination (CI)

  • Difference and Diversity (DD)

  • Expression and Interpretation (EI)

  • Individual and Society (IS)

  • Physical and Natural World (PN)

  • Western Tradition (WT)

Advanced Core Requirement – At least three of the seven courses must be at the 300- or 400-level.

Note: Each course may only count toward one core area.
Past course catalogs

View older course catalogs.