HELPING STUDENTS CHART THEIR COURSE
Pathways consist of a series of courses drawn from UA’s core curriculum, interconnected by a broad topic that students can explore from multiple perspectives. Through Pathways, students learn how different disciplines approach a similar line of study. They also gain a clearer understanding of the value of general education and liberal arts study. Students who take courses that are tied together by a shared theme, or Pathway, will begin to see how everything they are studying can create a wholistic learning experiences that is greater than the sum of its parts. Readings, assignments, and conversations become meaningful together – not just as pieces of separate academic knowledge and background that students are required to obtain.
Over 40 faculty have had a hand in the conception, design, and implementation of UA's Pathways program, which is the largest of its kind in the country.
To complete a Pathway, a student must complete 9 credit hours
3 hours of social and behavioral science or history from the core curriculum that is a part of the Pathway.
3 hours of fine arts, humanities, world language or literature from the core curriculum that is a part of the Pathway.
3 hours of coursework that is not a core curriculum course, but is part of the Pathway.
There are four Pathways
Yes. Students can complete graduation requirements without doing a Pathway. We encourage them to do it, however, since it can be completed without taking any additional courses and provides a useful credential on their transcript.
Any student who is enrolled at UA and is in the 2025 catalogue or later can do a Pathway.
A student can add/drop a Pathway HERE. The link is also accessible through the Add/Drop Majors and Minors page on mybama.ua.edu.
Students will be able to see their progress through a Pathway in Degree Works.
View all courses in each of the Pathways below.
A PDF of the Pathways courses can also be viewed in Degree Works once you have added the Pathway
Each semester, all students in a Pathway will be invited to attend guest lectures and social events. Students will interact with people from across the university and have chances to make new connections and friendships.
Departments can request to have a course added to a Pathway through the Course Inventory Management (CIM) system. Please contact Dr. Joy Burnham, Assistant Provost for the Office of Undergraduate and General Education, at jburnham@ua.edu for more information.
Yes. The third course can have a USGC and/or W attribute, as long as it also has the needed Pathway attribute.
Students in the Pathways will receive benchmarking assessments when they register for a Pathway, and then again when they complete the Pathway. Students will be assessed on their acquisition of their respective Pathway’s student learning outcomes.
It is good to mention that the Pathway can be done without adding more classes (assuming there their third, non-core course, is in their major or minor). Remind students that market studies have shown a desire for these skills among employers and that they will receive a credential on their academic transcript (as well as a graduation cord!).
Please contact Dr. Joy Burnham, Assistant Provost for the Office of Undergraduate and General Education, at jburnham@ua.edu for more information.