There’s nothing general about a Wheaton education. Our bold and innovative Compass Curriculum gives you the freedom and flexibility to create your own path. Compass combines a small number of requirements with many optional pathways, allowing you to personalize your educational experience.
Courses are taught by renowned faculty who are accomplished scholars and researchers in their respective fields. Our learning environment is rigorous yet not competitive. You’ll have a faculty advisor, professional advisor, and a peer mentor who are all here to help you succeed.
The Compass Curriculum builds on Wheaton’s core principles of intellectual curiosity, global citizenship, experiential learning, social justice, diversity and inclusion, and collaborative community. At Wheaton, you’ll graduate with a degree, work experience and attributes employers seek: critical thinking, creative problem solving, collaboration and global perspective.
Compass Curriculum Highlights
- Develop a broad foundation of knowledge across disciplines
- Immerse yourself in your passions and discover new interests
- Customize your learning experience
- Explore cultures beyond your own
- View important issues from many perspectives
- Put your knowledge to work through experiential learning and internships
Requirements
Connected First-Year Experience
The First-Year Experience course combines the deep discussions, reading and writing of a traditional first-year seminar with cross-disciplinary discovery. It encourages you to consider complex problems and questions through multiple lenses, right from the start.
Sophomore Experience
In the second year, you’ll gain real-world experience and professional connections, through an experiential course, internship, enhanced employment opportunities, service project, study abroad or leadership opportunity.
The Major
You’ll complete at least one major, which ensures an in-depth exploration of your chosen discipline and a capstone experience in that field. (Many students choose more than one major, with specific requirements for each.)
Mentored Academic Pathway (MAP)
Students will meet regularly with their MAP faculty advisor as they craft their educational plan, follow up, reflect and refine that plan. A set of required reflections will help students reflect on their experiences, set their goals and chart their course.
Optional Pathways
Honors Programs
Learn and engage with a supportive community of high-achieving students. Choose from three distinct honors programs to enrich your experience at Wheaton.
LEAPS
Liberal Education and Professional Success (LEAPS) programs combine classroom learning, experiential opportunities and alumni and professional mentorship to develop professional skills geared toward specific industries.
Minors
With over 50 available minors, you can choose one that complements your major or explore other academic areas that interest you.