Core Curriculum

What is Core Curriculum?

The “Core” is the center of our curriculum. It is a group of required courses that will assist the student to gain a foundation of knowledge, skills, and proficiencies that we believe every graduate of Massasoit should possess. This Core will assure employers and transfer colleges that our graduates have pursued a liberal arts education that is college level in the areas of communication, mathematics, science, social science and humanities.

A major benefit of the Core Curriculum is that it has been carefully designed to assist students to develop the prerequisite and corequisite skills needed to ensure success in their degree program (the Core does not pertain to Certificate programs unless otherwise specified by the individual program). The Core is competency-based. If a student is able to demonstrate that he/she already possesses these skills, he/she will be allowed to select courses of a higher level and/or a greater diversity of subject matter. A series of assessment tests will be employed to determine each student’s level of ability. Test results will dictate whether a student will be exempt from certain courses or placed in courses to assist the student in gaining the skills he/she needs. Visit the Testing and Assessment page for more information.

The Core Curriculum has been designed to assist students to gain knowledge and skills that enhance and complement those of their chosen field. It will broaden life interests and equip a student to make more effective use of our world throughout life. We believe that it will help each student to keep growing as a person. We are proud of our Core Curriculum and trust that our students will share our belief when they have engaged in it.

Minimum Core Requirements

There are three Cores: one for Associate in Arts (AA) degrees, one for Associate in Science (AS) degrees, and one for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees. The minimum Core components for each are listed below.

Additional information concerning the Core Curriculum may be obtained by contacting the Office of Academic and Student Affairs.