What Division is Seton Hall University? Exploring Undergraduate and Graduate Academic Structure

What division is Seton Hall University in? As the oldest diocesan university in the United States, Seton Hall balances its Catholic heritage with an inclusive campus culture that welcomes students of all backgrounds. With an acceptance rate of about 80%, Seton Hall offers a reasonably accessible path to higher education.

Prospective students exploring Seton Hall will find a scenic campus filled with Gothic architecture and lush greenery. A campus tour reveals stately academic buildings, athletics facilities for the Seton Hall Pirates sports teams, and modern residential halls nestled in the suburban backdrop. Virtual tours allow website visitors to explore the campus when an in-person visit isn’t possible.

But beyond the manicured lawns and copper topped turrets lies the question—what division is Seton Hall University? As with most universities, Seton Hall’s academic structure includes both undergraduate and graduate programs across several component colleges and schools.

An Overview of Seton Hall University’s Academics

Seton Hall University confers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across nine schools and colleges. These academic units operate under common University policies but organize their own curricula. University requirements known as the Core Curriculum form the foundation for all undergraduates.

The Core Curriculum constitutes three quarters of bachelor’s degree requirements. Spread across disciplines, it aims to cultivate critical thought while conveying principles of the Catholic intellectual tradition. Seton Hall supplements this broad base with specialized coursework tailored to each major.

Graduate curricula focus intensely on a single field, be it business administration, diplomacy, theology or another concentration. Rigorous standards challenge students to demonstrate comprehension, analysis, and innovation expected from leaders in their profession.

Seton Hall’s schools and colleges embody a diversity of fields and academic divisions:

• College of Arts & Sciences
• College of Communication & Arts
• College of Education & Human Services
• College of Nursing
• School of Business
• School of Diplomacy & International Relations
• School of Health & Medical Sciences
• School of Law
• School of Theology

Students enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate programs complete the University Core Curriculum. But certain schools have additional prerequisites, particularly those training students for licensed professions.

While academic programs reside within their respective schools and colleges, students need not confine themselves to a single discipline. Seton Hall encourages undergraduates to explore broadly through minors and electives before committing to a major. This freedom comes with responsibility, as wise choices now prevent delays down the road.

Navigating the Seton Hall Core Curriculum

The University Core Curriculum forms the foundation for all Seton Hall undergraduates through exposure to signature courses, special topics, and seven core proficiencies. Students in most majors must also meet the Core Curriculum requirements of their specific school or college.

The Standard Core Curriculum

Designed to foster intellectual, social and spiritual growth, the standard University Core Curriculum includes:

• Six common courses
• Five academic proficiencies
• Engagement with questions of ethics and the Catholic intellectual tradition

The six common courses occupy the CORE designation and bear required sequences. CORE 1101 Journey of Transformation launches freshmen year, with CORE 2101 Christianity and Culture in Dialogue following the next year. Juniors take CORE 3101 Engaging the World and CORE 3XXX Engaging the World (Capstone) as upperclassmen.

Another signature sequence comes through CORE 2101 Catholic Traditions and CORE 3XXI Catholic Traditions in Dialogue, which students complete in their first two years. These courses establish literacy in Catholic teachings as part of the university’s mission.

While the standard University Core courses focus on interdisciplinary humanities, students mine other core subjects through individually selected Arts and Sciences courses. These choices introduce students to disciplines vital for any career:

• Oral and written communication
• Mathematics
• Science
• History
• Social sciences
• Fine arts

Combined with other electives, the Seton Hall Core Curriculum seeks to ready students for life beyond college. But each undergraduate college or school also sets requirements in line with its specialization.

The Arts & Sciences Core Curriculum

As the liberal arts backbone of Seton Hall University, the College of Arts & Sciences provides the instruction and facilities supporting many majors. Its own Core Curriculum promotes intellectual rigor, cultural appreciation, and ethical grounding across 56+ majors spanning:

• Arts & Humanities
• Mathematics & Sciences
• Social Sciences

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree through Arts & Sciences must complete this specialized college core. The additional requirements include:

• Philosophical foundations courses such as Ethical Theories and Practice
• Multiple Christianity & Culture courses building on the main University Core versions
• Expository writing workshops.

Exposure to different schools of thought and honing of communication abilities aim to prepare students for continual learning. The emphasis on experiential coursework through the Arts & Sciences core distinguishes it from the wider Seton Hall Core Curriculum.

Hallmarks of a Seton Hall Education

All undergraduate students at Seton Hall receive an education that emphasizes Catholic values and provides opportunities for development, regardless of their major. Signature courses and proficiencies bring undergraduate experiences together under a unified vision for shaping students into compassionate, engaged global citizens.

University Core Signature Courses

The six common University Core courses mentioned earlier constitute shared milestones for each class year. These signature courses plant the seeds for students’ transformation with lessons transcending any one field of study.

CORE 1101 Journey of Transformation: As a cornerstone freshman course, CORE 1101 draws from the humanities to spur introspection on students’ personal journeys. Class discussions encourage students to examine belief systems while appreciating diverse cultures.

CORE 2101 Christianity and Culture in Dialogue: This sophomore-year course prompts meaningful engagement with Christianity’s implications for modern society. Students critique their assumptions through lenses like art, literature, or social justice. Discussion expands their capacity for civil discourse around faith.

CORE 3101 Engaging the World: World issues take center stage in this junior-year course, which applies knowledge and skills from previous learning. Students hone critical thought while weighing complex debates over globalization, sustainability and inequality.

CORE Capstone Course: Reserved for graduating seniors, the capstone course integrates lessons from earlier core classes using case studies linked to current events. Students showcase their intellectual development through projects demanding research, analysis and practical solutions.

These and other signature courses present touchpoints to gauge students’ progress in attaining essential proficiencies.

Core Proficiencies

In addition to specific requirements by college or school, students demonstrate core proficiencies fulfilling universal undergraduate learning goals:

• Written and Oral Proficiency: Students display advanced ability in academic, professional and creative communication through workshops enhancing these lifelong skills.
• Critical Thinking: Instead of just retaining facts, students evaluate assumptions, interpret data and design innovative solutions to problems.
• Information Fluency and Research Proficiency: Modern life overflows with information, but students learn how to filter, organize and synthesize quality research.
• Quantitative Proficiency: While math anxiety frustrates many, students gain confidence applying statistical and logical reasoning to various contexts.
• Global Awareness Proficiency: Understanding different cultural values and societal systems enriches students’ citizenship in an increasingly interconnected world.
• Catholic Studies Proficiency: Students explore Catholic intellectual traditions as a window for examining their own ethical values and role within community.

Fulfilling these proficiencies prepares graduates to navigate diverse environments, unlocking opportunities for advancement. But students need not wait until senior year to benefit. Each proficiency clouds their vision at a pivotal life juncture.

Conclusion: What Division is Seton Hall University?

Seton Hall University comprises various schools tackling wide-ranging academic inquiries, yet shared values and experiences shape the institution’s heart and soul. The University Core Curriculum signature courses deliver common touchpoints where students contemplate life’s complexity before plunging into major coursework.

Additional core requirements within each college or school direct students’ foundational knowledge toward advanced studies. This broad immersion readies undergraduates for continually evolving career landscapes that reward adaptability.

Whether graduating with a diploma conferring a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Business Administration or other distinction, all alumni become part of the Seton Hall community. This lifelong membership confers access to career networking, athletic events, and continuing education options. Seton Hall University nourishes personal jourthoods where they begin while preparing students for destinations beyond expectation.