Degree Requirements

Manhattanville College is a liberal arts institution whose philosophy is to offer students a sound general education, while allowing them to develop a depth of knowledge in two fields: the major and the minor. Manhattanville students are expected to be well-rounded people with knowledge of many subjects with highly developed analytical and research skills who express themselves in writing clearly and effectively. All students, regardless of major, must take a certain number of broad-based courses in a variety of disciplines. These are called "distribution courses."

The College requires all students to take at least 6 credits in four of the five following areas:

  • Humanities
  • Social Sciences
  • Math, Science and Computer Science
  • Fine and Performing Arts
  • Foreign Languages

One cannot simply take courses in one's major field; in fact, the most important major courses should be reserved for your third and fourth years in order to take them as close as possible to the date of graduation.

In order to assure that students progress toward these goals, Manhattanville provides each student with an Academic Advisor, a faculty member with whom the student is expected to meet regularly to discuss all issues affecting academic performances and goals. The advisor for first-year students is the "preceptor", the teacher of the required freshman Preceptorial. The preceptor helps the student define educational goals and develop a program of study for both semesters of the first year. Transfer students are assigned an advisor in their chosen major area of study. The Academic Advisor is a member of the faculty who:

  • gives advice on possible courses of study;
  • approves courses for the semester and assists with registration and adding or dropping any courses;
  • helps one choose, change or solidify one's major, minor and program of study; and,
  • assists in developing the Manhattanville Portfolio (see below).

Freshman Preceptorial

The Preceptorial is a two-semester course required of all full-time students entering Manhattanville as freshmen. The class is meant to be an introduction to college-level thought and work. Interdisciplinary in nature, its content deals with basic issues of values and cultures.

Designed specifically for first-year students, the Preceptorial emphasizes the development of reading and writing abilities, of critical thought, and of library and research techniques, and it serves as an introduction to important topics in the humanities, arts, social sciences, and natural sciences.

College Writing and Research expectations

In most upper-level courses students will be required to write papers based on research in the library or the laboratory. In order to prepare for their later work, students are expected to develop their writing skills in writing intensive courses such as the Preceptorial, and through the successful completion of ENC 4010: First Year Writing Seminar (with a grade of C or higher), usually by the end of the First Year, but no later than the end of the third semester at the College (most transfer students are exempt from this requirement). Failure to complete ENC 4010 successfully results in writing probation; failure to complete the requirement when on probation results in dismissal from the College. Students who need additional support in developing their writing skills are expected to utilize the Academic Resource Center (ARC).

After the first year, all Manhattanville students (including transfer students) will be expected to complete two courses that are labeled as Writing (W) or Writing and Research (W/R) intensive  before the end of their junior year (usually completing at least one during the sophomore year). In addition, students will need to complete a one-credit Library Information course, which should be taken with a W or W/R course.