Program Highlights

In Arrupe’s Pre-STEM concentration, you will:

• Start the Calculus sequence, which sets you up for various pathways in higher education or careers.
• Understand, analyze, and evaluate numerical data and use it to draw or evaluate conclusions.
• Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate diverse information, ideas, and perspectives in a contextually appropriate manner.

Overall Requirements

To graduate with an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts with a Pre-STEM concentration, you will need to:

• Earn at least 62 credit hours
• Complete the Gen Ed Core
• Most bachelor's degrees in STEM require at least one semester of calculus, so you should take ACMAT 161 Calculus I as your Gen Ed Core math requirement. In some situations, ACSTA 101 Statistics is an acceptable substitute.
• Complete the Arrupe Mission Core
• Complete these concentration requirements:
• Take or test out of ACMAT 117 Pre-Calculus I
• Take or test out of ACMAT 118 Pre-Calculus II
• Take or test out of ACMAT 161 Calculus I (This course counts as your Gen Ed Core Math requirement; see above.)

Recommended electives:

In order to earn the 62 credit hours that are required for an associate's degree, you will probably need to take two or three elective courses in addition to your required courses. Depending on your interests, these electives might be a good fit for you:

• ACBIO 100 Introductory Biology
• ACCHM 100 Introductory Chemistry
• Additional math and/or statistics courses beyond your Core requirements

Because STEM includes several different fields of study, it’s best to talk to your academic advisor early in your time at Arrupe to plan your specific academic path.

What Can I Do With an Associate's Degree in Pre-STEM?

The concentration prepares you for more than 20 majors that you can pursue if you earn a bachelor’s degree at Loyola University Chicago. Learn how you can prepare for specific ones while at Arrupe below.

Important note: Consult with the College Placement Director if you are interested in these majors at another college or university, because their major requirements may be different. 

Learn More

Here are some ways to explore which college majors might be a good fit for you if you are interested in a Pre-STEM concentration..

• Browse information about college majors: Pick some majors that sound interesting, then visit their department websites. You can look at Loyola departments, or departments at other colleges and universities.
• Explore your interests: Look for events sponsored by colleges or departments that interest you. You can also look for student organizations focused on your academic interests.
• Explore information about careers: Visit Loyola’s Career Services page. They offer a resource called “What Can I Do With This Major?”
• If your GPA is 3.0 or higher, you may be eligible to take a class (usually at the 100 or 200 level) from one of the other Loyola colleges. This is called cross-college enrollment, and it is one way to explore the majors that Loyola offers. Only a few cross-college enrollment spots are available each semester, and you will have to apply and be approved by the receiving dean. Additionally, you will need to meet any prerequisites for the class. Talk to your academic advisor to see if you are eligible for cross-college enrollment.

Curriculum & Learning Outcomes

Explore the required curriculum and what learning outcomes you can expect with a degree in Liberal Arts with a Concentration in Pre-STEM (AA).

Careers

While enrolled at Arrupe, you are encouraged to start connecting your interests and skills to different major and career options. Arrupe Career Services is dedicated to supporting students as they prepare for their career pursuits. There are many resources available to assist you:

• Explore information about careers: The "What Can I Do With This Major?" career tool helps you connect majors to a variety of career options and shares strategies to make you a more marketable candidate for the types of careers you want to pursue. You can access this resource within the “Career Tools” box on the Loyola Career Services website. CareerOneStop lets you explore careers and see detailed information about different occupations, including job descriptions, employment outlooks, typical salaries, education required, relevant skills, and more.
• Browse information about college majors: Every college department has a website. Pick some majors that sound interesting, then visit their department websites. You can look at Loyola departments, or departments at other colleges and universities.
• Explore your interests: Look for events sponsored by colleges or departments that interest you. You can also look for student organizations focused on your academic interests through LUCommunity.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Because Arrupe College is designed for students with limited financial resources, graduates leave with a high-quality Jesuit education and little to no debt. 

Start the financial aid process now.