Eastern's Liberal Arts Core

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Eastern’s Liberal Arts Core (ELAC) constitutes 40 of the 120 credits needed to graduate. ELAC is a systematic approach to support all Eastern students in mastering five "Learning Outcomes" — core competencies essential to successful careers and active civic lives. Each course in the Liberal Arts Core curriculum uses at least one "High Impact Practice" — engaging, active learning methods — to quantify and articulate the learning that takes place. The First-Year Experience combines foundation courses in mathematics and writing with exciting, engaging seminars of 20 students or fewer. ELAC also incorporates student-led academic planning in a student’s first year.

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First Year Experience

Kickstart your Eastern journey with Orientation to meet peers and acclimate to campus. Explore the Liberal Arts core with LAC 100 and 101, and receive comprehensive academic support to plan your four years. Engage in activities, join clubs, and connect with our welcoming community.

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High Impact Practices

At least one of 11 “high impact practices” (active learning methods) is used in each ELAC course to provide students with engaging applications of theoretical frameworks.

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What Employers Want

Discover how Eastern’s learning outcomes provide key skills that employers are looking for. Hear from Eastern alumni working in their field.

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Learning Outcomes

Each Eastern graduate will possess and be able to articulate five “Learning Outcomes” identified as important for life and career success. Eastern’s Liberal Arts Core curriculum teaches these outcomes in various settings and courses, individually and in combination.

73%

of employers think that requiring college students to complete a significant applied learning project before graduation improves the quality of their preparation for careers.

89%

of students agree that an applied learning project increases their chances of being hired.

95%

of all Eastern students have had at least one applied learning experience before graduation.

News Reporter

Tyler Madden ’21

Communication major Tyler Madden ’21 is a reporter with WKRC in Cincinnati, OH. “I will always cherish my four years at Eastern. As the producer for our on-campus ETV news show, I was able to take everything I learned from my classes and apply it to producing content outside of the classroom. The hands-on experience you get from working on industry level equipment like I did at Eastern taught me skills I use every day."

Psychology

Fatima Godina ’22

Fatima co-authored a published article on dual language learners in preschool classrooms. “As a dual language learner myself, it was really interesting to be part of this study. This experience really sparked an interest in the field of research. I love learning, and I think that’s one of the main things that you do as a researcher — you just never stop learning.”

Health Sciences

Chase Hubbard ’21

Chase is in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Hartford. “Eastern’s Health Sciences program has provided me the foundation that I needed, not only in human anatomy and physiology, but also in the functions of healthcare. Eastern has helped me become a well-rounded student and prepared me to step into the widely competitive and professional health industry.”

Learn more about the ELAC curriculum and how it fits into your educational plan at Eastern.