Academics

How many majors does Salve Regina offer?

What are Salve Regina's most popular majors?

What is the average class size? Student-to-faculty ratio?

Does Salve Regina have teaching assistants (T.A's)?

Does Salve Regina award merit scholarships?

Does Salve Regina have an honors program? If so, tell me about it.

Is credit given for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses?

When must undecided students declare their majors?

What type of courses are students required to take as part of Salve Regina's Core Curriculum?

Are there any programs during the freshman year that help students transition from high school to college?

Do students have the opportunity to study abroad?

Are internships required?

If a student is struggling in a subject, is there a place to go for extra help/support?

Is additional academic support available for students with diagnosed learning differences?

How many majors does Salve Regina offer? back to top
You'll have 32 majors to choose from – so, you're bound to find something that interests you!  The undergraduate studies page on the university web site lists each major and gives you the opportunity to explore them in-depth. 

What are Salve Regina's most popular majors? back to top
Often, the most popular majors change year to year due to various external factors (for example, with the debut of CSI came an increase in Administration of Justice majors). Currently the most popular majors are: administration of justice, biology, business, education, English, nursing, psychology and - breathe a sigh of relief – Undecided! Also attractive to students are Salve Regina's unique, smaller programs such as cultural and historic preservation, art, theatre and music. 

What is the average class size? Student-to-faculty ratio? back to top
With an average class size of 19 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, it's no wonder why Salve Regina's students rave about how accessible their professors are, and about how closely they interact with them. Students and faculty actually know each other. Typically the largest classes you'll have at Salve Regina will be your core requirement courses (the ones that all students are required to take regardless of your major). Even introductory classes rarely exceed 30-35 students. As you begin taking more specialized courses toward your major, class sizes typically decrease. If you want an intimate learning environment in which professors know you by name and care about whether you're grasping material, Salve Regina's a good academic fit for you. If you prefer voluminous lecture halls and anonymity, Salve Regina will surely cramp your style.

Does Salve Regina have teaching assistants (T.A's)? back to top
No T.A's…the only teachers you'll have at Salve Regina are professors - the real McCoys! 

Does Salve Regina award merit scholarships? back to top
Yes. The office of admissions awards Dean's, Trustee's and Presidential Scholarships based on your high school academic performance and your standardized test scores. In addition to receiving a generous chunk of change to reduce tuition costs over four years, another great thing about these scholarships is that you don't have to fill out an additional application to be considered for them. If you're accepted to Salve Regina and meet our scholarship criteria, you're automatically offered the scholarship for which you're qualified. No additional forms to fill out, and no extra essay! Click here to discover whether you're eligible for a Salve Regina merit scholarship.

Does Salve Regina have an honors program? If so, tell me about it. back to top
Yes. Any student who is awarded a merit scholarship, or nominated by admissions, is invited to apply into the Pell Scholars Honors program. Salve Regina's honors program is linked thematically to the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy. What does that mean? It means that our honors program and the Pell Center share the same goals: to serve the community, to seek peace and justice in the world, and to be responsible citizens at the local, national, and international levels. The honors program extends throughout your four years at Salve Regina and consists of honors level classes, internships and study-abroad options, activities and lectures in conjuction with the Pell Center, and a seniors honors thesis. If you're interested in learning more about our honors program, click here.

Is credit given for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses? back to top
Yes, those late nights you've spent studying won't go to waste! An AP test score of three  usually earns credit; however, some academic departments require a score of four. If you're in Higher Level IB courses and earn acceptable scores, you're also eligible to receive academic credit at Salve Regina. Once you've been admitted, the academic advising staff will review scores and determine whether, and how much, credit will be granted.

When must undecided students declare their majors? back to top
You have time…that's what the core courses are for - in addition to providing you with a well-rounded academic experience, they help you figure out which subject(s) you'd like to study in more depth. By the second semester of your sophomore year, it's time to make a choice. Until then, true to the liberal arts philosophy, experiment and discover what gets your blood flowing! (Nursing majors are the exception to this rule. Since the nursing curriculum begins freshman year, prospective nursing students must declare their major upon applying to Salve Regina.)

What type of courses are students required to take as part of Salve Regina's Core Curriculum? back to top
Salve Regina's Core Curriculum is comprised of the Common Core and the Core Complement. To fulfill the Common Core requirements, all undergraduates must complete four specific courses (two freshman year and two sophomore year) and the Capstone Experience course (senior year). The remainder of the core courses are part of the Core Complement. These are designed to give you freedom to select courses within specific categories, such as literature, foreign language, mathematics, and visual and performing arts. (Don't worry, you'll still have enough time and space to take plenty of electives and courses within your major.) The goal of Salve Regina's thematic Core Curriculum is to develop lifelong learners and responsible world citizens, and to provide all Salve Regina undergrads with a common learning experience. You may be rolling your eyes now, but current students have given the Core rave reviews (see how much can change in a year?!!). To learn more about Salve Regina's Core Curriculum, download the overview sheet.

Are there any programs during the freshman year that help students transition from high school to college? back to top
We know that going from high school to college is a major step in your lives, and we don't expect you to go through it all alone. At orientation, before freshman year even begins, each of you will be assigned to a small group of 15 students that meets once a week throughout your entire first year at SRU. This one-credit class is taught by a staff or faculty member, who will serve as your freshman advisor, and an upperclassman mentor. The seminar has an academic theme, a service-learning component, and gives students the opportunity to discuss transitional issues. Some commonly discussed themes are: how to select courses and how to deal with your roommate who leaves dirty socks on your bed. Not only do you meet with this group of 15 once a week in the Seminar, but you'll also be in the freshman portal courses together. Students say that seeing the same faces consistently during this first year is a nice way to get acclimated to life way from home. 

Do students have the opportunity to study abroad? back to top
Salve Regina encourages students to study abroad for a summer, semester, or even a year…and the options aren't too shabby!  How does studying in Italy, Greece, Australia, Mexico, London, Japan, Spain, France, or Ireland sound? The Office of International Programs helps you with the overseas process. And, if you choose a program that Salve Regina's directly affiliated with, you can take your Salve Regina financial aid abroad with you!

Are internships required? back to top
Although lifeguarding and babysitting your neighbor's iguana can be fun and interesting, you may want more on your resume, and in your repertoire, by the time you graduate from college. Some departments - such as business, administration of justice, social work, politics and our pre-professional programs – require internships. Although internships are not required for all majors, you will be encouraged to gain practical experience and/or an internship in your field of study. A list of professional opportunities is available to all students in the career development center (CDC). Internships can be done for credit or non-credit, for experience only, and with or without compensation. Learn more about internships and career services through Salve Regina's career development center.

If a student is struggling in a subject, is there a place to go for extra help/support? back to top
We don't want any student to fall behind or through the cracks! Tutors, graduate and undergraduate students with proven competency in their academic areas, are available to all students through our academic development center (ADC). And, if writing papers is not your forte, or if you simply need help developing your thoughts, the experts in Salve Regina's writing center are here to help. There is no limit to how often students can utilize these services, and there are no additional fees for them. 

Is additional academic support available for students with diagnosed learning differences? back to top
Once accepted to the university, students with learning differences should send documentation to the academic development center in order to ensure that appropriate accommodations are met.  Salve Regina's learning disabilities specialist assists students with obtaining accommodations, selecting courses, and, in general, serves as the go-to person for students with disabilities whenever necessary.  Visit the academic development center for more information about the university's support services.