Archway Curriculum Features and Requirements
The Archway Curriculum goes beyond introductory courses to give you an education that’s both broad and deep.
Curriculum requirements for traditional undergraduates and transfer students differ somewhat.
Traditional undergraduates and transfer students can learn more about curriculum requirements.
The Archway Seminar
The first class you take here will build your foundation for academic excellence at NWU. Archway Seminars cover different topics—everything from bioethics to popular culture, to global conflict. But every Archway Seminar covers the same skills in researching, writing, presenting and collaborating.
Writing-instructive courses
Employers say most college grads lack the writing skills their industries demand. At NWU, you’ll take multiple writing-instructive courses beyond your first-year writing requirement, including an upper-level course in your major. So you know you’ll graduate prepared for professional communication in your discipline.
Speaking/discourse-instructive courses
It also takes more than a semester to master public speaking. Speaking (and listening) well requires coaching, experience and practice. That’s why you’ll take multiple speaking- and discourse-instructive courses at NWU, including an upper-level course in your discipline.
Diversity-instructive courses
Diversity-Instructive courses invite students to expand their understanding of U.S. society and to develop greater appreciation of our global society. In an increasingly diverse world where global migration is expanding at a rapid pace and where societal problems facing all humanity will require the minds, voices, and actions of individuals from every background, NWU students gain a deeper understanding of the diverse nature of their world.
Experiential learning
We believe in learning by doing. That’s why we built experiential learning into the Archway Curriculum. Do an internship. Collaborate on research. Serve your community. All of our students have at least two of these positive experiences—giving you opportunity both to explore a new area and to delve more deeply into your chosen field. These life-changing experiences will deepen your learning and help you stand out both academically and professionally.
The Integrative core
A Nebraska Wesleyan education is all about seeing connections. The Archway Curriculum has you choose one or two “threads”—series of interconnected courses weaving through different academic disciplines. By exploring an issue from multiple perspectives, you’ll see the overlaps that others miss. Choose from threads like “Democracy” and “Innovation.” Make bold connections and learn to see the world in a whole new way.
Many integrative core courses are also writing-, speaking-, discourse- or diversity-instructive. Some may overlap with your major or minor as well. Single courses can meet multiple graduation requirements, helping you stay on track to graduate on time. The integrative core joins different areas of your individualized curriculum to make you a stronger critical thinker.
Senior capstones and culminating experiences
So you’ve taken all the courses. You’ve followed your threads. You’ve even had several amazing beyond-the-classroom experiences. But what does it all amount to?
Most schools hand you a diploma and leave you to connect the dots. But at NWU, every student completes a capstone project. That might include a professional practicum or internship, a fine arts performance or exhibition, or a major research project that demonstrates to you, your professors and future employers exactly what your Nebraska Wesleyan experience means for your life.