Academics

At Augustana, college is about more than earning a degree. Yes, you can double major. You can graduate in four years. You can perform, research, write and present. But you'll also spend a lot of time on discovery: of yourself, of the world and your place in it, and of how to leave a lasting mark.

Explore majors and minors

Important inquiry

Four years at Augustana begins and ends by asking big questions of yourself and the world. You'll start with First-Year Inquiry (FYI). These courses explore the value of a liberal arts education in our changing world while guiding you to discover your true interests and ambitions. 

As a senior, you'll culminate your college experience with Senior Inquiry, a substantial creative or research project within your major. You'll make connections to what you've learned throughout your education, deepen your knowledge in your major, connect to areas across the liberal arts and apply what you've learned. You'll finish with a great addition to your resume and a final product you can share with potential graduate schools and employers.

Core curriculum

Higher education is more than the pursuit of general knowledge. Augustana's Core Curriculum is more than just general education requirements you'll fulfill before you move on to "real" classes. It's a sequence of courses that will open the door to your Augustana liberal arts education. 

It helps students to:

• Think about the world and its challenges from many perspectives
• Appreciate how views differ and how these differences make life complex and interesting
• Communicate ideas clearly in speaking and writing

By the time you graduate, about a third of your classes will be from the the Core Curriculum sequence; a third will be part of a major; and the rest will be electives or will belong to another major or minor area of study. And when you graduate, you will have the depth, versatility and critical thinking (a.k.a. problem-solving) skills of a well-educated citizen, no matter what field(s) you choose. 

Faculty connection

Smaller classes mean bigger opportunities  to connect: our average class size is 18 students. Your professors won't just know your name, they'll truly know you and push you to exceed your own expectations. 

While you focus on inquiry and research, our faculty focus on teaching. All Augustana classes are taught by professors. You won't find any teaching assistants here.

Our student-faculty ratio is 12:1 allowing you to get plenty of face-time with professors. But you'll quickly discover that your favorite professors do more than just lecture and grade papers. They're mentors, allies, research partners and trusted advisors. They'll help guide you in your education and find your best self.