Your education is uniquely yours, and planning it should feel clear and empowering.
Every degree has required courses you must complete, but you also have room to explore and make choices along the way. For undergraduate students, that means balancing your major requirements with the Foundations & Transformations curriculum—our take on a liberal arts general education.
These tools help you see your academic roadmap:
✔️ Academic Catalog – Your go-to for a big-picture view of curriculum requirements, with many degrees offering program sequences that show which courses to take and when.
✔️ Student Planning – Your personalized dashboard tracking your degree progress, remaining requirements, grades, and more.
Log into Student Planning and click the checklist icon to view your academic progress.As always, if you're unsure, contact your academic advisor or the Office of Student Success and Academic Enrichment for guidance.
Foundations & Transformations liberal arts education requirements consist of course topics offered by the College of Arts & Sciences that focus on building critical skills while choosing subjects that interest you.
It starts with ASC 101: Thinking Through — a selection of around 40 unique courses that will encourage you to dig deeper into a timely topic, step outside of your comfort zone, and learn something new.
From here, you'll begin to complete courses across the humanities, sciences, and social sciences divisions—including ones with special experiences centered around service learning and diversity and skills-building in writing enriched or lab-focused classes.
Take a look at all of the diverse topics you can explore:
To learn more about Foundations & Transformations general education requirements for undergraduate students, review the Academic Catalog for the year you started your Widener journey and select either "General Education" or "Academic Policies".
The Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs are your official guides to Widener’s programs, majors, and courses. Think of the catalog as your academic roadmap—it outlines the curriculum you need to follow based on the year you entered Widener. Each catalog is updated annually, and past versions remain available for reference.
Your advisor will help you use the catalog to plan your courses and stay on track, but it’s important to review your catalog yourself so you understand your requirements.
Your course plan is more than a schedule—it’s your personal roadmap for growth. Each choice is a chance to explore new ideas, feed your curiosity, and shape an education that excites you. Thoughtful planning helps you stay on track to graduate and discover courses that spark your interests, build valuable skills, or even lead to a minor or certificate.
⚠️ See a hold on your account? Learn how to address holds
👉 Tip: Prepare your plan (and some back-up classes!) before your registration window in case you need support or guidance.
Student Planning is a great place to start! Follow the steps above to see what courses you need to take and the courses that fulfill the requirement.
Once you know what requirements are left to fulfill, click "Academics" then "Course Catalog" to see what's offered in the upcoming semester.
We've also compiled a list of the latest special topics offered for easy exploring! Still unsure what to take? Get the insider scoop on which courses to take by asking your friends, professors, ASC 101 faculty, and advisors.
In Student Planning, you can start mapping out your semester by clicking “Add Course to Plan” next to any class that interests you. Think of this as creating your wish list—it helps you see how different options fit together.
Remember, adding a course to your plan doesn’t reserve a spot; you’ll officially register and confirm your selections when your registration window opens.
Absolutely. Courses outside your major are considered electives—classes you choose beyond your core degree requirements. Electives are a great way to explore new interests, gain fresh perspectives, and even work toward a minor or certificate that personalizes your education and adds depth to your degree.
These #88 "Special Topics" courses fulfill Foundations & Transformations education requirements. As lifelong explorers, our professors are constantly engaged in developing new classes. Here are the latest!
Course Type Key:
(D)-Diversity (W)-Writing Enriched
African American Studies (D) (AFAS-288-A) : The Intersecting Identities of Black Women
Computer Science (CSCI-288-A): Intro to Data Science with Python
Anthropology (ANTH-288-A): Death and Dying| African American Studies (D) (AFAS-288-A): The Intersecting Identities of Black Women | This interdisciplinary and multicultural course will provide a critical lens into the complex standpoint of Black women. Students will examine their historical and contemporary position at the intersections of, but not limited to racism, classism, sexism, and forms of collective as well as individual forms of resistance. |
| Art History (AH-388-A): Art & Anatomy | Throughout history, artists have grappled with the human body as a subject of both aesthetic beauty and scientific inquiry. This course will explore the relationship between artistic expression, the human body, and anatomical knowledge throughout global history. Through a comprehensive examination of visual art—from idealized écorchés to treatises on the grotesque and monstrous—students will delve into how artists have depicted the human body across various cultures and time periods, while also gaining insight into the scientific understanding of anatomy that influenced these representations. Throughout the semester, students will engage with primary sources, scholarly articles, and critical texts to deepen their understanding of the complex relationship between art and anatomy. They will develop critical thinking skills through discussions, essays, and presentations that encourage them to analyze artworks within their historical, cultural, and anatomical contexts. This course is suitable for students majoring in the Visual and Performing Arts, pre-medical studies, biology, or any student with an interest in the intersections of art and science. |
| Communications (COMS-188-A): Coms & Digital Media Seminar | The COMS/DMI Seminar course provides students with the essential tools and strategies to succeed in the communication and digital media industries. This seminar will engage students in a variety of activities, discussions, and assignments to promote self-management, self-awareness, goal setting, inclusion, belonging, and wellness. Students will enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills while building supportive connections with peers, faculty, and staff. This seminar develops skill sets to help students thrive academically, socially, and professionally. |
| Communications (COMS-288-A): Human-Centered Design in the Age of AI | This course explores the intersection of user-centered and UX (user-experience) design principles and artificial intelligence, equipping designers with the skills to leverage AI as a co-pilot throughout the product development lifecycle. It covers, from a practical, hands-on perspective, how to use AI for faster research, ideation, prototyping, and user testing, while maintaining human empathy and ethical oversight. This class will contain group discussion, debate, and conversation. |
| Humanities (W) (D) (HUM-288-A): Cultures Shaping Bodies, Bodies Shaping Identity | What does it mean to live in a human body? How do physical bodies inform our sense of self? This course will explore the many different ways that cultures shape the human body—from clothing and hairstyles to tattoos and plastic surgery, and how bodies, in turn, shape people's identities. We’ll discuss questions of agency and conformity, laws and norms around bodies and how they are enforced, and how identities can be deliberately and completely rewritten. The course will cover a variety of times and cultures, and engage with art, literature, clothing, body modification and many more ways that people and societies shape bodies and identity. |
| Music (MUS-388-A): Special Topics in Music | Topics offered in response to student and/or faculty interest. |
| Computer Science (CSCI-288-A): Intro to Data Science with Python | This course introduces the fundamental concepts and practices of data science using Python. Students will learn how to analyze and visualilze data using widely used Python librarier. Emphasis is placed on hands-on problem solving and real-world data applications |
| Anthropology (ANTH-288-A): Death and Dying | This course applies interdisciplinary perspectives to the social processes of death and dying. Sociology is the ideal discipline for this topic as death is experienced both personally and collectively, yet this course also integrates anthropological, psychological, historical, medical, and spiritual investigations of the subject. Students will develop an understanding of how the universal experience of death differs historically and cross-culturally. Discussion topics include death norms, funerals, bereavement, euthanasia, suicide, transhumanism, healthcare practices, hospice, the death penalty, and more. This course has several required off-campus field trips. Cross listed with 26/FA SOC 250 A. |
| Anthropology (ANTH-288-HY1): Applied Anthropology | This course introduces students to applied anthropology—the use of anthropological theories and methods to address real-world problems. Students will examine the roles of anthropologists across a range of institutional and professional contexts. Emphasis is placed on practical research skills, including ethnographic methods, community engagement, and qualitative analysis. The course also explores ethical challenges and responsibilities in applied work. Through case studies and hands-on projects, students will practice translating cultural insights into actionable solutions. By the end of the course, students will understand how anthropology can inform policy, programs, and everyday decision-making beyond academia. |
| Anthropology (ANTH-388-A): The End of the World? | This course explores the human fascination with the end of the world, examining apocalyptic narratives across history and cultures. We will delve into the diverse ways humans have imagined and prepared for the world's demise, from ancient myths of cosmic destruction to contemporary anxieties about climate change, nuclear war, pandemics, zombie-apocalypses, and technological singularity. Through the examination of ethnography, mythology, ritual, film, and scientific discourse we will analyze the cultural and historical forces that shape apocalyptic visions. Students will critically examine the recurring themes, symbols, and archetypes found in these narratives, as well as the cultural contexts in which they arose. |
| Political Science (POLS-188-A): Intro | This course introduces students to the variety of topics that political scientists examine, how they study those topics, and introduces the skills necessary to understand and engage in political science practice and research. The course also explores the wide range of career options open to political science majors |
ASC 401-A: Rhyme and Reason of Change (W) We will study poetry, essays, and various creative media to help us reflect on the rhyme and reason of personal change and changemaking within our communities. | Our section of ASC 401 is focused on the rhyme and reason of transformation. In life, some things seem to have no rhyme or reason: they just happen. Poetry—our primary lens in this class—is not like that. Poems are built with care, whether they be playful, sculpted into traditional forms, or apparently wild. Poetry offers us metaphors that can help our lives sing and our experiences resonate across time and distance and difference. Poems can be encounters with deep truth, transformation, and hope. In this class, we will consider what it means to approach life like a poet—that is, to pay close attention to what we notice and care about and to find ways to transform that care into expression—and we will study poetry, essays, and various creative media to help us reflect on the rhyme and reason of personal change and change-making within our communities. We will use class texts to reflect on ourselves, our educational journeys thus far, and our potential to continue transforming our lives and communities in the years ahead. |
ASC 401-B: Narratives of City Life (W) We will explore current and historical narratives of American cities, including Philadelphia, and reflect on how our individual fields of study can contribute to the future life of cities. | Widener University is located in the city of Chester, nestled between Wilmington and Philadelphia. We are closely connected to other cities, such as Washington D.C, Baltimore, and New York City, by both rail and highway. In this section of ASC-401 we will explore current and historical narratives of American cities, with a particular emphasis on Philadelphia. While our primary site of exploration will be literary fiction, we will also engage with documentary film, journalism, and nonfiction from a variety of academic fields. Ultimately, we will reflect on how our individual fields of study can contribute to, and help us make sense of, the life of cities. |
| ASC 401-C: The Criminal Mind | In this class, we use real true crime cases to explore how understanding human behavior can help investigators solve crimes and reveal deeper truths about the people behind them. Students will reflect on connections between disciplines, integrate diverse methods, and synthesize this knowledge into their capstone project. |
ASC 401-D: Restorative Justice (W) In this course, we will examine how restorative justice is used as a transformative tool to build community, encourage listening and dialogue, resolve conflict, interrupt violence, and create a path to healing for victims, offenders, and communities. | This section of Thinking Forward focuses on restorative justice. Restorative justice advocates believe that a crime is not just a violation of a law or rule; it is a violation that harms human beings and communities. Restorative justice offers practical ways to address harm that may provide healing. In addition, while those who have harmed others must be held accountable for their actions, the harm that they caused must also be repaired and the reasons for the offense addressed—with the hope of curbing re-offense. We will meet in class as a peace circle to discuss readings and course materials that look deeply into the theories and practices of restorative justice. Restorative justice insists on listening and narrative, and we will listen deeply to each other and to multiple narratives of victims and co-victims of crime, offenders, and harmed communities to consider how restorative justice promotes healing and peace. |
| ASC 401-E: Utopian and Dystopian Futures (W) | We will investigate the promises and problems of so-called perfect societies through your individual learning experiences by collectively exploring the dilemmas facing our world and what role your disciplines play in determining whether our future is utopian or dystopian. |
ASC 401-F: Franklin and Liberal Education (H) Using Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography (and a few of his shorter writings) as a guide, we will explore in-depth the concept of the liberally educated person, paying special attention to the quintessentially American ideal of self-government, both at the individual and societal level. | In this section of ASC 401, we will use Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography (and a few of his shorter writings), as well as a mix of contemporary sources (e.g., chapters from trade books, scholarly articles) as guides to explore in-depth the concept of the liberally educated person, paying special attention to the quintessentially American ideal of self-government, both at the individual and societal level. Throughout the semester, we will reflect on our own experiences with education, thinking about the learning habits, methods, and knowledge we have developed both in and outside of academic coursework and how our personal experiences resonate--or do not resonate--with the discourse about liberal education that has been ongoing in America for more than 200 years. |
ASC 401-G: Culture and Power: Unmasking the Ordinary In this class we will explore how invisible power structures shape everyday cultural and social life. Students will critically reflect on these systems and their own roles within them, considering their capacity to act as informed, ethical agents of change. | This will be an eye-opening course that examines how cultural systems shape, reproduce, and challenge structures of power. Students will explore how race, class, gender, nation, and other structures function as dynamic sites of struggle and creativity. Expect to challenge assumptions, connect theory to real-world events, and sharpen your analytical edge. Students will leave the course empowered to see the world differently—and equipped with the critical insight and confidence to challenge injustice and create meaningful change. |
ASC 401-HY1: Political Violence Students will be guided through the process of developing and investigating their own original pressing questions related to the topic of political violence. | With an emphasis on both the past and present, this team-taught Thinking Forward seminar asks you to think in new ways about the use of violence by political and social movements. What role does political violence play in the world we live in? How well do you understand that role? How have the courses you have taken so far helped you develop that understanding? Emphasizing the value of critical thinking in a changing world, you will gain knowledge and insights on the significance of political violence, taking into account your current knowledge of and preconceptions about the topic. A variety of assignments will ask you to express your understanding of the nature and role of political violence in the modern world. |
ASC 401-J: Stories and Self (W) We will examine how stories shape human experience and our concept of self/selves, with emphasis on gathering the stories in our individual experiences, including our time at Widener, and casting them in a broader light. | Stories abound in various forms—poetry, graphic narratives, novels, memoirs, movies, TV programs, and via conversation around the bonfire, through text messages, over dinner, in classrooms and churches and basketball courts. They have been and continue to be central to our culture, both as a way to communicate our experiences and learn about others' perspectives. This course will examine the way stories shape our understanding of the human experience, our personal and multiple identities, and our concept of self/selves. We will explore multiple modes of communicating stories, with a particular emphasis on gathering the stories provided in our individual experiences and casting them in a broader light. This course provides the tools to:
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Holds are alerts in Student Planning that signal something you need to resolve before registering. Take care of them early so they don’t block your schedule.
👉 Tip: Check for holds before your registration window opens to give yourself the best chance at the classes you want. This is what a hold alert looks like:
⚠️ What to Do If You Have a "Bursar's Hold":
This means there is a financial balance due to the Bursar's Office. The Bursar’s Office will work with you to develop a payment plan strategy to release your registration hold. To address the hold:
- Contact the Bursar’s Office at 610-499-4161
- Email busoffmc@widener.edu, or
- Visit Lipka Hall for an in-person conversation
⚠️ What to Do If You Have a "Financial Aid Document Hold":
A financial aid hold typically means you have documents you need to submit or you need to complete steps to have your federal loans disburse. Don't worry, the Student Financial Services Office can help!
- Contact the Student Financial Services Office at 610-499-4161
- Email finaidmc@widener.edu, or
- Visit Lipka Hall for an in-person conversation
⚠️ What to Do If You Have a "Health Forms Hold":
Health form holds means the Student Health Services Office is missing required health forms, but don't worry, this is an easy fix!
- Contact the Student Health Services at 610-499-1183
- Email studenthealthservices@widener.edu, or
- Visit Student Health Services for an in-person conversation
Academic faculty advisors are here to help you navigate your academic journey, translating your goals and interests into a successful educational experience. They assist with understanding and navigating academic requirements, policies, and procedures, guiding you in course selection.
Some of the most exciting ways to customize your unique academic journey—like co-ops/internships, studying or interning abroad, pursuing a minor or certificate, or a 4+1 accelerated master’s program—require planning ahead. These opportunities can affect your course sequencing, so it’s important to talk them through with your advisor early.
Your advisor can help you:
The earlier you start these conversations, the more flexibility you’ll have to take advantage of everything Widener offers.
Course registration is your chance to shape the semester ahead—and Student Planning makes it simple to do online.
When is Course Registration
To find your unique registration time, log into Student Planning and look for a blue alert like this:
For additional support with course registration, view the additional FAQs below or contact the Office of Student Success and Academic Enrichment.
If Student Planning isn’t letting you register, don’t worry—it will display an error message explaining why. Common reasons include:
👉 Tips:
Still stuck? Contact the Office of Student Success and Academic Enrichment at studentsuccess@widener.edu.
You can add or drop a course during the first week of each semester. After this add/drop period, any schedule changes should be discussed in a supportive meeting with your advisor.
To withdraw from a class or take a break, schedule an appointment with your advisor or the Office of Student Success and Academic Enrichment to review your options and next steps.
To drop a course in Student Planning, select the "Drop" button next to the course in the Schedule tab on the Plan & Schedule page.
Some instructors may “publish” the course in Canvas a week or two before the semester begins, so you have time to purchase books and review the syllabus. View required textbooks—even if the course is not yet published—through the Widener bookstore.
You can view your current and upcoming class schedules in Student Planning, found in your self-service portal. Once you log in, navigate to Student Planning → Plan & Schedule to see your course list, meeting times, and locations.
You have unique goals that you’re working to achieve through education—and we’re here to support your journey. That’s why Widener offers several options for you to customize your educational experience. Your academic advisor can further help you decide which degree path is right for you.
👉 Tip: In addition to the opportunities below, your specific degree program may offer specializations, dual degree options, and other ways to customize your degree path unique to the program.
Explore all programs on widener.edu
Review the online catalogs
Widener's 4+1 program—or, as we call it, Accelerated Advantage—is available to any major and allows you to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in five years, rather than the typical six years.
You’ll spend four years as an undergraduate, followed by one year in grad school. You'll learn the same material as you would on a traditional path, but during your junior and/or senior years, you'll take courses that count toward both your undergraduate and graduate degrees.
If you’re interested in fields such as medicine, law, or health sciences, pairing your major with a pre-professional pathway can prepare you for that next step—and your future career.
In fact, students in our pre-physical therapy and pre-occupational therapy pathways benefit from preferred admission to Widener’s PT and OT doctorate programs, while pre-law students are eligible for special admissions programs to Delaware Law and Widener Law Commonwealth.
Looking to expand your horizons? Pursuing a double major or a dual degree lets you customize your education by studying more than one field in depth. Whether you want to combine complementary interests or explore two distinct disciplines, you’ll graduate with a competitive edge and a broader perspective.
Explore all programs on widener.edu
Review the online catalogs
Minors and certificates let you customize your education by adding depth, variety, or specialized skills beyond your major. These options give you the flexibility to explore new interests, strengthen your career preparation, and add more versatility to your education to set you apart in today’s job market.
Undergraduate minors and certificates
Adult and continuing studies minors and certificates
Did you know that first-year students may be invited into the honors program? You’ll engage in intellectually stimulating coursework, engage in academic and leadership activities, and interact with motivated peers.
We also offer discipline-specific programs in business, engineering, nursing, and more.
Pair military science courses in our College of Arts & Sciences with your full-time undergraduate program of choice.
While you can pursue any major, nursing, engineering, and computer science programs complement specific skills and training that will help you excel in a plethora of leadership and military careers.
Trust your gut and know there's always room to change your mind. Only you can decide what's most important to you.
For support and guidance, your academic advisor, Career Design and Development Office, and Student Success and Academic Enrichment Office are also here to help you think through your interests, career goals, and timeline so you can choose the best fit.
Yes! Many students pair these opportunities. It all comes down to intentional scheduling and maximizing your Foundations and Transformations general education electives when possible to advance your studies and ensure you stay on track.
Your advisor will help make sure your schedule works to support your goals and provide transparency if your aspirations may require additional time (e.g., summer courses).
Widener’s Accelerated Advantage program lets you take select graduate courses during your junior and senior years that count toward both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. This not only helps you finish in five years instead of six, but also saves you money—you’ll pay the standard undergraduate tuition rate for those graduate courses, rather than the higher graduate per-credit rate.
If interested in pursuing a 4+1, consult with your academic advisor at the start of your junior year. As long as you meet the academic requirements, you can apply for one of the qualifying master’s degree programs.
You can make many changes directly in Student Planning, such as adding courses or switching sections, but some changes—like adding a minor or certificate, or choosing a double major, etc.—may require approval from your academic advisor or the department.
To pursue a 4+1, you will need to submit a graduate application for one of the qualifying master's programs during your junior year.
Always check with your advisor first to ensure your plan stays on track for graduation.
Unsure which to choose? Widener hosts minor and certificate fairs each fall and spring, during which you can explore all our academic areas and the many opportunities available to enrich your educational experience.
You can also explore minor and certificate offerings on widener.edu:
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