In the fall, you’ll be introduced to some of the greatest thinkers in history and how they tackled questions that still resonate today.  In the spring, you’ll continue by studying modern thinkers and their answers to these questions.

• Required?  Yes. (Honors Students should see below.*)  
• Options? No. You will be enrolled in this course automatically.  It will be on Monday/Wednesday/Friday at 9:00am or 10:00am. 

This is one of your two Learning Community courses that form the First-Year Experience.  With roughly twenty other students, you’ll have a shared, year-long learning experience in the liberal arts.  

Course Description:  An introduction to philosophy, using the original writings of several philosophers from the ancient and medieval periods, with a more general consideration of the history of philosophy. Enduring Questions addressed: (1) What does it mean to be human? What is our place in nature and in the cosmos? (2) What makes a life good? How can we live a good life or best pursue it? What is opposed to it? See more philosophy course descriptions here.

ENG 101: Writing and Rhetoric OR TRS 201:Foundations of Theology I: Scripture and Jesus Christ 
You will complete ENG 101 in the Fall and TRS 201 in the Spring, or vice versa.  By the end of your first-year, you’ll have completed both. 

• Required?  Yes.  (Honors Students should see below.*) 
• Options? No. You will be enrolled in this course automatically.  It will be on Monday/Wednesday/Friday at 9:00am or 10:00am. 

This is one of your two Learning Community courses that form the First-Year Experience.  With roughly twenty other students, you’ll have a shared, year-long learning experience in the liberal arts.  

ENG 101 Course Description:  Through intensive writing practice, students in English 101 inductively explore the Western traditions of logic and rhetoric, developing their facility and effectiveness as writers and deepening their awareness of the rhetorical aspects of human communication. The course teaches students to write well-organized, logically sound, rhetorically effective, and grammatically correct expository and argumentative prose. Because this is a course in the skills and processes of writing, students will be writing constantly - numerous essays, in-class drafts and other assignments - in addition to being quizzed regularly on grammar and mechanics. The course also introduces students to the library, to tools for finding information, and to research techniques, including the conventions and principles of documentation and the art of analysis and synthesis of sources. See more English course descriptions here.

TRS 201 Course Description:  The course develops an understanding of and engagement with revelation, as understood in Vatican II's Dei Verbum, through scripture and the historical unfolding of the tradition, that centers on and draws its rationale from the person and work of Jesus Christ.  See more Theology and Religious Study course descriptions here. 

• Required?  Yes. 
• Meet with your Academic and Career Advisor (ACA) 
• Receive approval for registration (see “Register for Classes” below) 

You will automatically be assigned an Academic and Career Advisor.  Once this occurs, you will receive a welcome email from your advisor with next steps about meeting.  Keep an eye out in your University email for this! 

The Theory Evaluation Test (TET) is a one-hour online examination which all entering freshmen must take prior to their first semester as a major in the School of Music; students pursuing both the Dance minor, and the Music minor will also take this test prior to enrolling in music classes (see info on AP Theory credit below: those with AP Theory in their background, or other university-level music theory courses, do not need to take the test and should contact Dr. Gorbos directly). The purpose of the TET is to assess the level of incoming students' theory knowledge in order to place them in Fundamentals of Music Theory (MUS 101, offered in the spring term), or Harmony I (MUS 123)/Ear Training Sight Singing I (MUS 121), offered in the fall or summer.

The TET may be taken only once, and may not be repeated.  Students who do not take the TET are automatically placed in Fundamentals of Music Theory.

Learn more about the Theory Evaluation Test

Orchestra auditions will be held in person at the end of August. If you are unable to attend an audition in person, please contact the orchestra manager, Rebekah O'Brien: obrienre@cua.edu. Questions may also be directed to Maestro Tartaglione: tartaglione@cua.edu.

For more information, visit the Orchestral Instruments and Conducting page.

• Required?  Yes, for all majors except Early Childhood Education. 
• Determine your language placement by answering the questions below.

All students at Catholic University must fulfill the intermediate language requirement.  This requires the completion of language courses to the 104-level.   

Did you study language in high school?

• No.  You should register for a language at the 101-level.   If Departmental consent is required to register for the course, email arguetaf@cua.edu.
• Yes, for one year.  You should register for a language at the 101-level.   If Departmental consent is required to register for the course, email arguetaf@cua.edu.
• Yes, for two or more years.  You must complete the Language Placement Test.  Based on your results, you will register for a language course at the appropriate level.  It is important to complete the test during the summer.  Caution: Should you fail to take a placement test before the semester begins, you must take Catholic University's Placement Test during the first week of classes. You will not be allowed to stay in your language class until you have completed the test. Please note that such a delay will result in greater difficulties registering for the class section of your choice.
  

Did you grow up speaking a foreign language? 

• No.  Please see the guidelines above.  
• Yes.  We have a Heritage Speakers placement test to place you at the proper level. If you are not sure if you are a Heritage Speaker and/or to schedule a date and time to take the placement test, contact Dr. Mayka Puente at puente@cua.edu.

Have you had difficulty with language? 

• No.  Please see the guidelines above. 
• Yes.  You may be eligible to complete two approved courses in lieu of the intermediate language requirement. The Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) determines eligibility based on an individual’s learning history and documentation of a disability that impairs foreign language acquisition. To see if this is the right option for you, check the DSS page on accommodations.

• Required? No.  Students requiring accommodations should register.   
• Register here with Disability Support Services

• Required?  Possibly.  If you can receive college credit, you should send reports to Catholic U. 
• Determine what credit you may be eligible to receive.  

Did you complete any Advanced Placement (AP) tests?

• Yes.  If you scored a 4 or a 5 on your AP test(s), you can receive college credit.  See the AP Equivalency Chart here.  Review the College Board instructions for sending scores.  You can send electronically to Catholic University using our school code: 5104. 

Did you complete any Dual-Enrollment courses?

• Yes.  See the Dual Enrollment Equivalency Chart here.
  Information on the process to submit this information is coming soon.

Did you complete any International Baccalaureate (IB) courses?

• Yes.  If you scored a 5 or above on high level exams (or their equivalent), you can receive college credit.
  Information on the process to submit this information is coming soon.

• Required? Yes.
• Add courses to your Shopping Cart in Cardinal Station
• Mark your registration day:
  • June 15 - All incoming students may register.
• Register for courses in Cardinal Station

Utilizing your shopping cart: Similar to websites where you can put items in a “shopping cart” before purchasing them, in Cardinal Station, you can place the courses you want in your shopping cart before enrolling in them. You will only be able to officially enroll in them after you have met with your Academic and Career Advisor (ACA) and once your enrollment period opens. 

• Review and confirm your final choice of courses
• Contact your ACA advisor to make changes

As a general tip, if you decide to change your schedule after your initial registration, check in with your Academic and Career Advisor (ACA).  Please note that your access in Cardinal Station to add/drop courses will be limited after July 31.  After that date, you will first have to contact your ACA advisor to give you access to change your schedule.  The final deadline to add/drop courses is September 4 and is listed on the Academic Calendar.