There is no core curriculum at Trinity. However, we do have distribution requirements, one in each of the following areas: Natural Science, Social Science, Numeric and Symbolic Reasoning, Fine Arts, and Humanities. Most students fulfill these requirements within their first year without even trying. Also, many of requirements for any major satisfy several of those distribution requirements. Additionally, there are several general education requirements: one year of a first year seminar, 2 writing intensive courses, a global engagement requirement, and 2 semesters of a foreign language. Those requirements are also easy to fulfill because most students take those courses anyway.
Trinity requires 36 credits (each class equates to approximately one credit) and each major requires about 10-14 credits, which leaves a lot of room to explore, take different electives, or add additional minors or majors. The weight of the workload depends on the student’s choice of classes and major. Typically students take between 4-5 courses a semester for a total of about 9 each year. Most students are taking challenging courses, contributing to the “work hard, play hard” atmosphere at Trinity. The student body is far more cooperative than competitive. Grades are not shared or stressed as the most important part of course.
Because of Trinity’s unique first year program, students have an advisor before they even step foot on campus. Their first year seminar instructor also serves as their advisor until they declare a major, which is typically done by the end of the sophomore year. Once you select a major, you may choose any professor in the department as your academic advisor. My experience with my advisors has been very positive. Any professor, whether he/she is your advisor or not, is more than willing to sit with you and plan out your future courses. Students must speak with their advisor before they are permitted to select courses.
Course selection is done online, which makes the process much smoother. Each student receives a time slot based on their class year and last name. Additional courses are created or dropped based on the expressed popularity during registration. There is usually a cap to courses to maintain the small classroom environment. If there is a course that is not offered that interests you, most professors will allow you to take the course as an independent study if you ask.
Trinity’s extensive opportunities in research set it apart from other liberal arts colleges. I have researched with the math department every semester since my second semester in my first year. The plethora of research opportunities at Trinity enriches the academic experience at Trinity. These opportunities are possible because the faculty is so supportive of its students, and are committed to the growth of their students. Over half of the science majors participate in research at some point, yet research is available in any major. Many students leave Trinity with one or more published articles, having presented several times at science symposiums throughout the country.
Besides research, students are often involved in internships throughout the country. Over half of students are involved in an internship for one or more semesters. There are well over 250 established internships in Hartford that students can either participate in, for pay or credit, during the school year or over the summer. The vast alumni network allows for students to have internships throughout the country.
Studying abroad is also very popular at Trinity; over half of the students study away. There are two unique features of Trinity’s study abroad program. The first is that students are allowed to study abroad for up to 3 semesters, more than most colleges, and the second is that students’ financial aid packages travel with them, making studying abroad much more affordable. Trinity has two popular satellite campuses, one in Rome and one in Cordoba, Spain. Trinity also has special programs called Global Learning Sites, in which there will always be one faculty member as a contact who sets students up with internships and community service projects of their interest.
Faculty members are very accessible. They are required to hold office hours, yet most are available to students for many more hours than that. It is very easy to schedule appointments to meet with them and it is highly encouraged because they are such a valuable resource for students.
The degree requirements depend on the degree. A few require general examinations to graduate, yet most do not. In order to receive honors in a major, typically a student must complete a senior thesis or senior seminars, but again this depends on the major.