The core curriculum at Nyack College is designed to give students a broad exposure to the liberal arts that will serve as a foundation for students to think, read and write analytically, critically, and coherently.  Specifically, students are exposed to ideas and methods in 8 academic fields of study: English, Philosophy, History, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Modern & Classical Languages.  Nyack’s core in the liberal arts and sciences conforms to the standards of the Board of Regents of the State of New York.

The liberal arts core curriculum of the undergraduate program consists of the following:

• Basic Communication – College Writing I, 3 credits
• Basic Communication – College Writing II, 3 credits
• Humanities – Introduction to Philosophy, 3 credits
• Humanities –Global Literature I, 3 credits
• Humanities –Global Literature II, 3 credits
• Western and World Civilization – World Civilization I, 3 credits
• Western and World Civilization –World Civilization II, 3 credits
• American Civilization – Multicultural America, 3 credits
• Fine Arts – Elective, 3 credits
• Social Sciences – Elective, 3 credits
• Mathematics – Elective, 3 credits
• Laboratory Science – Elective, 4 credits
• Information Management – Information Literacy, 1 credit

The core, then, is composed of 35 credits in the liberal arts and sciences.  In keeping with our core values of being Globally Engaged, Intentional Diverse and Socially Relevant, the liberal arts core has a strong focus on providing students with a range of cultural and global perspectives.  In terms of skills and resting on the conviction of Academic Excellence in the 21st century, the core stresses writing proficiency, oral communication abilities, analytical thinking, empirical study, as well as information and technological literacy.  

All undergraduate degree programs require 6-12 credits of a foreign language, except for the programs of the School of Business and Leadership and the School of Music.  The Liberal Arts core in the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science is composed of 28 credits. 

All undergraduate degree programs also require a 15 credit minor in Bible and Ministry.  Together with the Liberal Arts core, the courses within the Bible and Ministry Minor constitute a well-rounded sequence designed to develop a biblically informed Christian liberal arts education.

The Bible and Ministry curriculum of the undergraduate program consists of the following:

• Personal Development - Introduction to Spiritual Formation, 2 credits
• Biblical Studies - Old Testament, 3 credits
• Biblical Studies - New Testament, 3 credits
• Theological Studies - Christian Thought, 3 credits
• Biblical/Historical Studies - Bible or Historical Theology elective, 3 credits
• Institutional History - Nyack Heritage, 1 credit

Table 1: Undergraduate Student Learning Goals

Table 2: Undergraduate Student Learning Goals

1- Socially Relevant

1a. Students will recognize the value of economic, political, social, and organizational systems as tools for positive change.
1b. Students will apply a foundation of compassion and integrity to their chosen field of study.
1c. Students will demonstrate servant leadership as they engage the community and marketplace.

2- Academically Excellent

2a. Students will attain an educational foundation in arts and humanities, science, mathematics, and social science.
2b. Students will be able to communicate in oral and written form and demonstrate information and technological literacy.
2c. Students will demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills across the curriculum.

3- Globally Engaged

3a. Students will understand the interplay of historical, cultural, and geographical realities of the global community.
3b. Students will value diversity through an understanding of worldviews, languages, cultures, and peoples.
3c. Students will engage in service opportunities within the global community.

4- Intentionally Diverse

4a. Students will understand the heritages and traditions of diverse peoples and cultures.
4b. Students will appreciate the need to promote biblical principles of social equality.
4c. Students will engage in interactions and relationships with those from diverse backgrounds.

5- Emphasizing Personal Transformation

5a. Students will grow in their faith as they pursue God’s purpose in their lives.
5b. Students will integrate their Christian worldview into learning and service.
5c. Students will apply discipleship principles to assist in the personal transformation of others.