The Brandeis Core

Academic rigor. Robust debate. Critical thinking. A commitment to justice.

These are the defining characteristics of a Brandeis education — and the principles that are at the heart of the Brandeis Core.

Every student in the School of Arts and Sciences embarks on a journey through the Brandeis Core — an innovative curriculum of courses and modules that provide you with skills, knowledge and understanding you need to thrive during your time here, and throughout your life.

A Timeless Toolkit for a Changing World

Professor John Plotz talks with students while wearing a mask, sitting outside under a tent.

Nearly every college and university requires that students complete a series of general education courses, designed to ensure that they acquire a broad set of skills and competencies that prepare them for the world beyond college.

The Brandeis Core goes a step further. It reflects the university's unique heritage of justice and inclusion, and the dynamic intellectual and personal demands of an increasingly interconnected world.

In your Core courses, you'll dig deep into issues of justice, diversity, equity and inclusion, examining relationships between and among societies, institutions, religions and peoples. You'll be required to think critically, communicate effectively and function successfully in a digital environment. You'll make evidence-based arguments and decisions, manipulate quantitative information and grapple with historical and cultural context.

Ultimately, you'll broaden and deepen your college experience, and prepare yourself for the meaningful work of life as an engaged, global citizen of the 21st century.

Core Competencies

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First-Year Experience

Foundational Literacies

Schools of Thought

We believe that a liberal arts education must run both broad and deep. That's why the Brandeis Core explores approaches, perspectives, insights and methodologies from across a variety of disciplines and schools of thought. You acquire specialized skills and knowledge in your major, and broad understanding by completing one course in each of the four divisions of the School of Arts and Sciences.

Global Engagement

What are the roots of injustice? How do we heal a world that is more connected, yet more divided, than ever? The global engagement component of the Brandeis Core explores social, political, cultural and linguistic diversity in the United States and the world by focusing on three thematic areas: Difference and Justice in the World; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Studies in the U.S.; and World Languages and Cultures.

Health, Wellness and Life Skills

You can't be your best self without healthy mind and body habits. Enter health, wellness and life skills. This module helps you build confidence and resilience, manage challenges and develop a solid foundation of general life skills. Stress management, financial literacy and drug and alcohol education are among the numerous courses that will help you build skills for physical, mental and spiritual health.

Core Requirements

Brandeis Core requirements allow you to explore and acquire new perspectives and knowledge by exposing you to courses and experiences from across the University:

University Writing Seminar (including attendance at a faculty led Critical Conversation)
One course from the Division of Science
One course from the Division of Humanities
One course from the Division of Social Sciences
One course from the Division of Creative Arts
One quantitative reasoning course
One Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Studies in the United States course
One Difference and Justice in the World course
The third semester of a language sequence or its equivalent
Course(s) or course equivalents within your major that satisfy writing, digital literacy and oral communication requirements
Three Health, Wellness and Life Skills modules

“I took an archeology class my first year and I didn't realize I'd love it so much, but I ended up with an Anthropology minor. Just trying to fulfill the Core, I was able to find so many different things that I was interested in.”

Brianna ’26

Brandeis University Admissions