Overview

The School of Arts and Sciences provides the curriculum that is at the heart of La Salle University’s liberal arts education, offering coursework through the colleges of: Humanities, Education & Behavioral Sciences, Natural & Applied Sciences and Leadership & Global Understanding. It is the University’s largest school, with more than half of La Salle’s undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in one of the School of Arts and Sciences’ majors or programs. The School of Arts and Sciences offers coursework in a variety of departments to meet La Salle’s institutional learning outcomes, which include:  Critical Analysis and Reasoning, Oral and Written Communication, Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning, Ethical Understanding and Reasoning, Understanding Diverse Perspectives and Cultural and Global Awareness and Sensitivity.

As a liberal arts school in a Catholic, Lasallian tradition, we aim to develop the whole person by fostering a rigorous search for truth, and preparing students to live purposefully and well in association with others. The arts and sciences are essential for making a good living and a good life.

To meet these aims, the School of Arts and Sciences:

1. provides an innovative and transformative academic experience that promotes students’ academic, professional and personal growth.
2. offers a diverse and inclusive learning environment, distinguished by productive inter-group engagement about power, privilege and social justice.
3. nurtures partnerships with our neighboring communities, the Greater Philadelphia area, and beyond, to increase our academic, social, and economic impact and
4. fosters a sense of community that contributes to the overall well-being of our faculty, staff and students. 

Mission

Vision

The School of Arts and Sciences at La Salle University will develop a national reputation as a liberal arts school in the Catholic, Lasallian tradition with a vibrant intellectual environment, a strong sense of community, and an integral connection to global issues.

Mission

In keeping with the mission of La Salle University, the School of Arts and Sciences is dedicated to excellence in teaching and to developing the full intellectual, personal, and social potential of our students in an environment of mutual respect and cooperation. The faculty and staff of the School of Arts and Sciences provide a liberal education of both general and specialized studies for its own students and for those from the School of Business, the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and the Undergraduate Evening and Weekend Programs. The undergraduate and graduate programs of the School also aim to provide students with a solid foundation for lifelong learning, informed service, and progressive leadership in their communities, and for fulfilling the immediate and final goals of their lives. With the shared mission of the Christian Brothers, the School of Arts and Sciences is passionately engaged in the process of enriching the community of scholar-learners, teachers, and researchers, through the power of enhanced academic experience. Faculty and staff in the School of Arts and Sciences believe a liberal academic experience should provide the opportunity for the mutual advancement and sharing of the excitement of learning for its own sake.

Preparation for The Health Professions

Students preparing for careers in the health professions (medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, podiatric medicine, optometry) traditionally major in biochemistry, biology, or chemistry. However, students may elect to major in any program provided they complete the required science and mathematics courses to support their applications. The courses specified by the Association of American Medical Colleges for Medical School applicants are generally applicable as minimal requirements for most of the health professional schools. They are:

• General Chemistry 8 semester hours
• Organic Chemistry 8 semester hours
• Physics 8 semester hours
• Biology 8 semester hours
• Mathematics (to Calculus) 0-6 semester hours

Most professional schools will accept these as minimal preparation, but may recommend additional courses. Students should be alert to the fact that professional schools are interested in demonstration of aptitude in science and mathematics, and the courses taken must be those normally rostered by majors in these areas, not courses offered for non-major election.

In the normal application process to health professional schools, the applicant’s full undergraduate record is scrutinized. The strong liberal arts component in the La Salle curriculum will provide evidence of broad interest and rounded academic development. Evidence of leadership and active interest in associated activities will lend strong additional support to applications. Volunteer work in the particular health profession is also necessary.

Normally, the competition for placement in these programs results in high acceptance standards. Grade point averages ranging from 3.4 to 4.0 are representative of levels expected in these programs. Students are encouraged to consult with their health professions advisor concerning admissions criteria at various schools.

Preparation for Law

Law schools do not prescribe particular curricula for admissions. La Salle University, therefore, approaches the preparation for law on an individualized basis, tailoring the program of each student to individual needs and desires. Thus, students may major in English, Philosophy, Political Science, History, Sociology, Business, etc., as preparation for law. In addition, La Salle offers a number of courses of particular interest to students interested in pursuing law careers, which may be taken as electives.

The Pre-Law Program offers the student a coordinated approach to course selection, preparation for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and both academic and admissions counseling. In addition, it provides many programs and panel discussions through the St. Thomas More Pre-Law Society. The Coordinator of Pre-Law Programs gathers, collects, and disseminates to students appropriate information concerning legal education and the legal profession and informs students of special opportunities throughout the academic year. Pre-law advisors are available to guide students on an individualized basis with emphasis on particular needs.

Departments and Programs

Undergraduate Students Taking Graduate Courses

Undergraduate students with senior standing and an overall GPA of 3.0 or better may take up to six graduate credits during their undergraduate career at La Salle University. These six graduate credits will only apply toward the student’s undergraduate degree. Permission of both the undergraduate chairperson and the graduate director are required.

Requirements for Multiple Majors

Detailed course requirements for majors are listed in the University Majors and Curricula section of this catalog, under each discipline. The requirements for a Second major may be reduced slightly depending on the first Major.

Opportunities Outside the Classroom

As students progress through their programs of study, they learn about the process of conducting research in their major discipline. Capstone experiences in all fields as well as the Honors Program provide opportunities for independent scholarship projects.  Also, at the undergraduate level, the University offers a formal program that crosses all disciplines and helps match student and faculty interests. At the end of the year, multiple venues are offered for students to present their work. Finally, many faculty invite outstanding students to participate in their own professional research programs. Faculty-undergraduate student teams can apply for financial support during the summer months through a competitive grant program sponsored by the School of Arts and Sciences.

Internships

Internships complement the theoretical foundation and the practical, hands-on learning experiences offered in students’ courses. Through internships, students have the opportunity to explore potential careers, acquire real-world, professional experience, make contacts and build relationships, and clarify their future goals and aspirations. With its prime location in the Delaware Valley, a hub for so many industries and organizations, La Salle is able to offer internship opportunities to students in every major. Internships can be taken for course credit or for no credit, and they can be paid or unpaid. For additional information about the countless internship opportunities available to La Salle Arts and Sciences students, contact the undergraduate academic departments or the Career Center.

Service-Learning

La Salle University’s culture is rooted in the Christian Brothers’ tradition of faith, service, and community. Service is such an integral part of life on campus that La Salle has been recognized several times on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. La Salle has also been selected for the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s Community Engagement Classification, an honor reserved for just a small fraction of colleges and universities that can demonstrate a true commitment to the local and global community. Although many students join established outreach organizations on campus, there are also opportunities to perform community service through coursework. A list of approved courses can be found on the Service Learning Programs website.

Location/Contact Information

School of Arts and Sciences, Dean’s Office
Holroyd Hall, Suite 104
SASOffice@lasalle.edu
(215)-951-1042

Staff Contact Information

Cameron Wesson, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Arts and Sciences
Holroyd Hall, Suite 104
wesson@lasalle.edu
(215) 951-1042

LeeAnn Cardaciotto, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Curriculum and Assessment
Holroyd Hall, Suite 104
cardaciotto@lasalle.edu
(215) 951-1042

Lisa Jarvinen, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development
Holroyd Hall, Suite 104
jarvinen@lasalle.edu
(215) 951-1042

Mary Carmel Etienne
Assistant Dean and Director of Advising
Holroyd Hall, Suite 104
etienne@lasalle.edu
(215) 951-1042