Advising and Ratio Studiorum Program
Center for Advising Resources and Support (CARS)
The Center for Advising Resources and Support (CARS) works in concert with all of Creighton’s undergraduate colleges to serve as a general advising resource and support center for students and faculty. CARS serves as a campus switchboard for advising, guiding students to advising resources. In addition, CARS coordinates Creighton’s Ratio Studiorum Program (RSP) for first-year students, provides Pre-Professional Advising support for students who are considering graduate and professional school study, and facilitates training and education for Creighton’s advising and retention system – CreightonConnect.
Freshman Advising & RSP
The Ratio Studiorum Program (RSP) is Creighton’s academic advising and orientation program for first-year students. It introduces students to the requirements, challenges and rewards of life at Creighton. RSP 101-105 Culture of Collegiate Life is taught by RSP Faculty Advisors who serve as first- and second-year academic advisors and assist with the development of a student’s 4-year academic plan. Students examine such topics as Creighton’s Jesuit heritage and values, academic integrity, and the core curriculum. Reading, writing and class discussion entertain issues of self-exploration and self-discovery.
The name “Ratio Studiorum” emanates from a Jesuit “plan of studies” bearing the name “Ratio atque Institutio Studiorum Societatis Jesu” and adopted in 1599 as a formal program for study at the university level. In an analogous manner, Creighton’s Ratio Studiorum Program is designed to help students understand how the Academy works, how the curriculum functions to form them as young women and men, and how they can expect to grow and develop in the university setting. The Program focuses on the need for students to plan their curriculum, their career, and a way of life that concentrates on ethical living, service to others, a search for truth and justice in public and personal life, and a search for the relationship with the Almighty. Informed choice is the goal, freedom and knowledge are the tools in this discernment, and faculty and professional staff are the guides.
First-year students begin the program through a Ratio Studiorum 100-level class. This is a one credit, graded course designed to facilitate a smooth transition from high school by examining key elements of collegiate life, such as the meaning and value of a liberal arts education; the Jesuit, Catholic history and values; and the vocational aspirations and challenges common to all freshmen. The class meets in groups of about 15-20 students and is taught by an RSP Advisor who serves as the academic advisor throughout the student's first two academic years or until student is accepted into a major or a program. The course is spread over both semesters for students in Arts and Sciences, while students in the Heider College of Business and Nursing only take the course first semester. A Decurion or peer academic leader (a junior or senior invited by the RSP Advisor) joins him/her in this venture.
The 100-level courses are as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| An Introduction to the Culture of Collegiate Life (College of Arts & Sciences) | ||
| An Introduction to the Culture of College Life (College of Nursing) | ||
| An Introduction to the Culture of Collegiate Life (Heider College of Business) | ||
| Introduction to the Culture of Collegiate Life (Honors Students in College of Arts and Sciences) | ||
| Introduction to the Culture of Collegiate Life (Transfer Students (College of Arts and Sciences & Heider College of Business with less than 38 credit hours) |
Sophomore, Junior & Senior Advising
Once students are accepted into a major (generally during the sophomore year), students are assigned to a faculty advisor within their program. The faculty advisor serves as the student’s primary academic advisor until graduation. Students should meet each semester with their primary academic advisor to ensure they are on track for their degree.