Undergraduate Programs
Majors, Minors, and Degree Requirements
"Education is integral to the mission of the Church to proclaim the Good News. First and foremost every Catholic educational institution is a place to encounter the living God who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth (cf. Spe Salvi, 4). This relationship elicits a desire to grow in the knowledge and understanding of Christ and his teaching. In this way those who meet him are drawn by the very power of the Gospel to lead a new life characterized by all that is beautiful, good, and true; a life of Christian witness nurtured and strengthened within the community of our Lord's disciples, the Church."
The Undergraduate Curriculum
True learning requires engagement with the ideas of the great thinkers, artists, and scientists of the past and present. True learning also requires time to reflect upon and assimilate these ideas. Ave Maria University students not only cover a great range of material; they also learn it deeply. Students normally enroll in four classes per semester, allowing in-depth study and discussion of course material. As part of their education, students are expected to go the extra mile outside of class— guided by their professors.
The curriculum allows students to develop in a broad variety of ways. Whether in the classroom, research lab, library, chapel, or on the playing field, students are challenged to manifest the virtues of a well-formed mind. Students come forth from Ave Maria with the skills and habits that make them leaders in their chosen fields. This program teaches students to think critically, solve problems, and communicate effectively—skills demanded for effective leadership and evangelization in the modern world.
Degree Awarding Authorization
Ave Maria University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees. Ave Maria University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Contact SACSCOC at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033- 4097; telephone (404) 679-4500; https://sacscoc.org/, for questions about the accreditation of Ave Maria University.
- •The undergraduate program in elementary education is approved by the Department of Education of the State of Florida.
- •Ave Maria University is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing to offer the B.S.N. degree.
- •As of March 2021, the nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326 404-975-5000.
Substantive Change Policy Statement
Ave Maria University maintains compliance with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Substantive Change Policy and Procedures, through the appropriate and timely reporting of qualifying changes. The SACSCOC liaison is responsible for educating the campus community about substantive change reporting requirements and leading efforts to monitor high risk activities to proactively detect potential substantive changes. All questions about whether a change is substantive should be directed to the AMU SACSCOC liaison or designee. It is expected that all substantive changes, including those requiring SACSCOC notification and/or approval prior to implementation, will also secure all other required approvals as necessitated by AMU, Board of Trustees, or other regulatory body policy, regulation, or law.
Majors (36)
Ave Maria University offers the following undergraduate major programs:
Minors (34)
Students may complement their major with one or more of the following minors:
Double Major
With the assistance of their advisor, students may design a double major which allows them to complete the required coursework of two distinct programs. Many program combinations will still require only 120 credits to complete both majors. A student in some programs can complete a double major within the normal four-year sequence of courses.
Electives
Elective credit is used to fulfill the remaining credit requirement after core curriculum and major or minor requirements have been met. A student in consultation with his or her academic advisor determines which courses to use as electives.
Foreign Language Requirement
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must demonstrate intermediate proficiency in at least one foreign language. Students may satisfy the language requirement through one of the following ways:
Option 1: Coursework
Complete 201-level courses (or equivalent) or higher in a foreign language at Ave Maria University
Option 2: Placement Test
Score at the 201-level or higher on the University's placement test
Option 3: Transfer Credit
Present transfer credit for 201-level (or equivalent) or higher courses in a foreign language
Bachelor's Degree Requirements
To be awarded a bachelor's degree by Ave Maria University, a student must complete the following requirements:
- Complete the Core Curriculum
- Satisfy all requirements of a major program
- Complete a minimum of 120 semester credits
- Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the major
- Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Complete at least 32 credits at Ave Maria University
- Submit an Application for Degree
- Satisfy all financial obligations to the University
Online Learning
Ave Maria University offers the following graduate programs online: