Core Curriculum

Purpose of the Core Curriculum

At Texas A&M University-Victoria, we believe in promoting an educational environment that places the learner at the center of our efforts.  We believe in the ability of each individual student to explore their worth and potential. We value critical thinking and creative expression while advocating an appreciation of cultural diversity. We believe in a learning environment that is predicated upon strong ethical principles while creating an atmosphere that fosters development of integrity, values, and knowledge.

The primary purpose of the Core Curriculum at A&M-Victoria is intellectual development. Providing a strong basis for conceptual problem-solving across the curriculum, our core courses facilitate the development of the skills to analyze, interpret, and evaluate information while encouraging questions and independent thinking.  In addition, the core courses broaden and deepen the understanding of our students in terms of interpersonal relationships, diversity, humanities and culture, ethics, and scientific and quantitative reasoning.

At A&M-Victoria, our Core Curriculum is designed to develop:

• Critical Thinking Skills – Students will demonstrate the capacity to analyze and synthesize information to arrive at a conclusion.
• Communication Skills – Students will demonstrate effective communication of an idea by developing and organizing cogent supports and expressing these via appropriate media in competent and contextually suited presentations.
• Empirical and Quantitative Skills – Students will demonstrate ability to make appropriate conclusions based on available data or facts.
• Teamwork – Students will demonstrate ability to consider different points of view and work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
• Personal Responsibility – Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to decision-making.
• Social Responsibility – Students will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes that support competent interaction and/or effective engagement in a variety of communities and cultural contexts.

We measure the success of our Core Curriculum by our ability to

• provide a learning-centered environment fostered by dedicated and knowledgeable faculty who exhibit excellence in teaching, possess appropriate academic credentials, and have industry-related experience.
• ensure outcomes-based education and curriculum by ongoing communication with students, graduates, employers, and industry professionals.
• prepare students for professional growth in their respective fields.
• maintain a systematic approach to institutional growth and development through assessment and long-range planning while improving processes and operations.
• champion a culture of learning by continuous personal and professional development of students, alumni, and employees

If you are a student and wish to learn more about what courses are required to complete the Core Curriculum, check out the Academic Catalog, under the section of 'Bachelor's Degree Requirements' or 'Master's Degree Requirements'.

Faculty who wish to propose new core courses or change an existing course may do so by visiting the Curriculum Development on the A&M-Victoria intranet. There you will also find information about Core Assessment Rubrics.