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Jun 14, 2026
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2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
NU Essential Learning Outcomes
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NU Essential Learning Outcomes
The Catholic Intellectual Tradition is the foundation and structure of academic formation at Newman University. The principles of this tradition permeate its curriculum. At the conclusion of their undergraduate careers, Newman students have not only been trained in a field, but educated as a whole person to seek the truth and to lead a purposeful life for the common good. Such an education is measured by the following Essential Learning Outcomes. Every Newman University undergraduate student will develop:
1. An Appreciation for the Catholic Intellectual Tradition (CIT)
- Understand this tradition regarding questions about God, creation, the human person and human dignity, the natural law, and ultimate human goods.
- Demonstrate a clear grasp of faith’s search for understanding and the universality of the truth in scientific discovery and philosophical reasoning, with insights from many cultures and disciplines.
2. Critical Reasoning
- CIT recognizes the full range of human reason and the diversity among its intellectual virtues.
- Qualitative: Use observational logic to discover and assess conclusions and explanations across disciplines.
- Quantitative: Use mathematical or statistical reasoning to solve problems.
- Scientific: Apply empirical and conceptual analysis to generate, test, and revise hypotheses or theories about the natural world.
- Ethical: Reach sound moral judgments about individual choices and communal action.
- Interdisciplinary: Integrate knowledge, reflectively and synthetically, across disciplines.
3. Effective Communication
- CIT welcomes the meaningful and convincing proclamation of what is true, good, and beautiful.
- Demonstrate ability to read attentively and write excellently in a variety of genres.
- Demonstrate ability to listen well and speak confidently in a range of settings.
- Develop and demonstrate the capacity for civil discourse while respecting true freedom of inquiry and debate.
- Present ideas and explanations through well-constructed, systematic arguments.
- Demonstrate the ability to ethically navigate the digital information and communication environment.
4. Global Competencies
- CIT insists upon a principled tolerance: listening to and dialoguing with others to seek the truth.
- Understand humanity through scientific study of individuals, societies, and human history.
- Develop cultural competencies: interpersonally, locally within communities, and globally.
- Engage in service learning and civic life, acting in solidarity and respect with the dignity of all persons.
5. Creative Artistry and Innovation
- CIT promotes the objective splendor of beauty and persons formed in creativity across the disciplines.
- Appreciate the moving power of beauty in human artistry and God’s creation.
- Explore creative self-expression in both the fine arts and in other disciplines.
- Engage in creative problem solving and innovation.
6. Leadership and Professional Skills
- CIT maintains that our innate human dignity flourishes when we find and follow our vocation.
- Demonstrate the ability to seek truth and act upon it when found.
- Engage and reflect upon leadership development and vocational exploration.
- Demonstrate ability to collaborate in, facilitate, and lead the work of a group.
- Develop skills in adaptive, self-directed learning.
The Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) at Newman University integrates writing across all programs and the NU Core, enhancing student learning and developing discipline-specific writing skills. This initiative ensures that writing instruction is consistent, integrated, and aligned with the university’s mission. WAC courses also meet and assess Essential Learning Outcomes 3a, with approval from the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (UCC) to maintain alignment with institutional standards.
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