Apply to a Learning Community Today
You will need to log in to your Bellarmine application to complete a Learning Community Application
What are Learning Communities?
Learning Communities are a program designed to impact students by providing a network of support and creating a cohesive curricular and cocurricular learning environment that fosters success in their first year and beyond.
We offer 7 mission-aligned Learning Communities for various career paths, interests, and themes to enhance the overall learning experience. Students who surround themselves with like-minded individuals are likely to have higher GPAs and have a greater sense of belonging at Bellarmine.
Mission and Outcomes
The mission of Bellarmine Learning Communities is to create a supportive learning environment designed for first year students in which academic and personal success is enhanced and nurtured.
The learning community program strives to:
- Build a positive, inclusive network of support among students, mentors, faculty, and staff
- Create an integrated academic and social experience to deepen student learning and success through seamless, connected and organized learning experiences
What are the benefits of Learning Communities?
- Network of support, both internal and external:
- Peer Mentors
- Each student is assigned a peer mentor who has participated in Learning Communities and is here to assist in the first-year experience and transition.
- Faculty
- Staff
- Career Advisor
- Community Partners
- Alumni
- Optional Residence Component
- Learning Communities have a designated housing complex, Kennedy Newman. Students will live in the same hallway as their Learning Community, which creates a routine that is fit for first-year success.
- Specialized Career Coaching
- Bellarmine’s Career Development Center offers career advisors based on major. This allows our career advisors to have advanced knowledge in specific fields for optimum assistance in networking, mock interviews, internship referrals, and resume and cover letter guidance.
- Specialized Curriculum
- First-year students will take courses with the same group of students increasing their comfortability with exploring complex topics for a greater understanding in their area of study.
Healthcare Learning Community
The Healthcare Learning Community (HLC) is designed for students interested in health & medicine. The HLC challenges students to consider the elements of “Mind, Body, & Spirit” as they explore the many facets of becoming a healthcare provider. Each of these concepts are important to health and wellness and are interrelated and must be considered as symbiotic.
HLC at a Glance
- Theme: Mind, Body, & Spirit
- Community Capacity: 80 students
- Intended Population: Students interested in becoming healthcare professionals. Areas of study may include, but are not limited to nursing, exercise science, biology, chemistry, clinical psychology, public health, and healthcare administration.
Common Courses*
|
Fall Semester
|
Spring Semester
|
|
Cluster Option 1: BIOL 108 (Lab component) with ENGL 101/200
|
Cluster Option 1: BIOL 109 (Lab component) with THEO 200
|
|
Cluster Option 2: CHEM 103 (Lab component) with ENGL 101
|
Cluster Option 2: CHEM 104 (Lab component) with THEO 200
|
|
KNGT 101
|
KNGT 102
|
|
PSYC 103
|
HIST 120
|
|
BU 199
|
BU 299
|
*Courses are subject to change
Course Key
BIOL 108- Human Anatomy & Physiology I
ENGL 101- Introduction to Academic Writing
ENGL 200- Introduction to Literature
CHEM 103- General College Chemistry I
KNGT 101- Knight Life I: Becoming BU
PSYCH 103- Introduction to Psychology
BU 199- Career Pathways Exploration
BIOL 109- Human Anatomy & Physiology II
THEO 200- Ultimate Questions
CHEM 104- General College Chemistry II
KNGT 102- Knight Life II: Liberal Arts and Sciences in Society
BU 299- Internship Prep & Success
Healthcare Learning Community Initiatives
- Students should develop a thorough understanding of oneself to provide quality care to patients.
- Provide students with the opportunity to be trained in CPR, NARCAN, and other certifications as requested.
- Students should be exposed to a variety of healthcare pathways to fully embrace the track that is the best fit for themselves.
Social Impact Learning Community
The Social Impact Learning Community (SILC) is designed for students who long to improve the human condition. This community is service-driven and focuses on four pillars: compassion, civic engagement, civility, and community. Students in this community should have a special interest in creating a more inclusive society and be willing to engage in challenging dialogue about current societal issues of injustice and intolerance.
SILC at a Glance
- Theme: Culturally Responsive Service
- Community Capacity: 20 students
- Intended Population: Students interested in improving the world around them. Areas of study may include, but are not limited to psychology, political science, education, criminal justice, sociology, environmental justice and sustainability, theology, and public health.
Common Courses*
|
Fall Semester
|
Spring Semester
|
|
Cluster Option 1: HIST 120 with SOC 101
|
Cluster Option 1: PHIL 101 with ENVS 111
(Lab Component)
|
|
KNGT 101
|
KNGT 102
|
|
THEO 200
|
BU 299 |
|
BU 199
|
|
*Courses are subject to change
Course Key
HIST 120- Global Perspective
SOC 101- Introduction to Sociology
KNGT 101- Knight Life I: Becoming BU
THEO 200- Ultimate Questions
BU 199- Career Pathways Exploration
PHIL 101- Introduction to Philosophy
ENVS 111- Environmental Science
KNGT 102- Knight Life II: Liberal Arts and Sciences in Society
BU 299- Internship Prep & Success
Social Impact Learning Community Initiatives
- Students should be immersed in service-learning experiences in the local community to aid in the understanding of global social issues.
- Students should collaborate with their network of support to understand their social responsibility.
- Students should be exposed to a variety of pathways to fully embrace the track that is the best fit for themselves within the lens of social impact.
Explore Learning Community
The Explore Learning Community (EXLC) is designed for students open to exploring different majors and career pathways. Students will consider their “Calling and Purpose” and will have specialized learning opportunities to support and empower their exploration of vocation and career pathways.
EXLC at a Glance
- Theme: Calling & Purpose
- Community Capacity: 20
- Intended Population: Students open to exploring their major/career pathways
Common Courses*
|
Fall Semester
|
Spring Semester
|
|
Cluster Option: THEO 200 with HIST 120
|
Cluster Option: PHIL 101 with ENGL 200
|
|
KNGT 101
|
KNGT 102
|
|
BU 199
|
BU 299
|
*Courses are subject to change
Course Key
THEO 200- Ultimate Questions
HIST 120- Global Perspective
KNGT 101- Knight Life I: Becoming BU
BU 199- Career Pathways Exploration
PHIL 101- Introduction to Philosophy
ENGL 200- Introduction to Literature
KNGT 102- Knight Life II: Liberal Arts and Sciences in Society
BU 299- Internship Prep & Success
Explore Learning Community Initiatives
- Students should be able to identify two to three areas of study they would like to pursue at the end of their first year.
- Students should have a well-developed resume and cover letter they feel confident sending to employers.
- Students should be exposed to a variety of pathways to fully embrace the track that is the best fit for themselves.
Business Learning Community
For students interested in the best practices of managing and operating organizations. Students will explore how to become an ethical leader in the field of business. Students will have unique opportunities to network with the community to identify the field of business best suited for them. Students will participate in specialized activities that will better prepare them for this career.
BLC at a Glance
- Theme: Ethical Leadership
- Community Capacity: 20
- Intended Population: Students interested in business. Majors may include, but are not limited to business administration, marketing, economics, sports administration, accounting, and finance
Common Courses*
|
Fall Semester
|
Spring Semester
|
|
Cluster Option: BUSA 103 with COMM 205
|
Cluster Option: PSYC 103 with HIST 120
|
|
KNGT 101
|
KNGT 102
|
|
BU 199
|
BU 299
|
*Courses are subject to change
Course Key
BUSA 103- Introduction to Business
COMM 205- Business & Professional Communication
KNGT 101- Introduction to Academic Writing
BU 199- Career Pathways Exploration
PSYC 103- Introduction to Psychology
HIST 120- Global Perspective
KNGT 102- Knight Life II: Liberal Arts and Sciences in Society
BU 299- Internship Prep & Success
Business Learning Community Initiatives
- Students should understand proper etiquette in the field of business.
- Students should be able to define the importance of being an ethical leader in the field of business.
- Students should be exposed to a variety of pathways to fully embrace the track that is the best fit for themselves through the lens of business.
Arts, Media, & Entertainment Learning Community
For students interested in creatively expressing themselves. Students will come together and explore how to create media and how media is consumed. First-year students are encouraged to collaborate to develop innovative media that prepares them for their prospective careers (Areas of study may include music, communication, marketing, design, art, & technology, art, arts administration)
AMELC at a Glance
- Theme: Innovation & Creativity
- Community Capacity: 20
- Intended Population: Majors may include, but are not limited to music, art, communication, design, arts, & technology, and arts administration
Common Courses*
|
Fall Semester
|
Spring Semester
|
|
Cluster Option: ART 101 with PSYC 103
|
Cluster Option: PHIL 101 with HIST 200
|
COMM 103
|
|
|
KNGT 101
|
KNGT 102
|
|
BU 199
|
BU 299
|
*Courses are subject to change
Course Key
ART 101- Drawing I
PSYC 103- Introduction to Psychology
COMM 103- Introduction to Public Speaking
KNGT 101- Introduction to Academic Writing
BU 199- Career Pathways Exploration
PHIL 101- Introduction to Philosophy
HIST 120- Global Perspective
KNGT 102- Knight Life II: Liberal Arts and Sciences in Society
BU 299- Internship Prep & Success
Arts, Media, & Entertainment Learning Community Initiatives
- Students who actively engage in the AMELC will be exposed to a network of support, both internal and external, that will actively assist them in their learning and professional development as they prepare for their prospective careers.
- Students should end their first year with a completed professional and visual resume.
- Students should understand the value of networking within the digital and fine arts community.
Connect
Contact
Contact us at learningcommunities@bellarmine.edu.
Seth Kelly, First-Generation & Learning Communities Program Specialist
skelly@bellarmine.edu
502.272.7499
Kim Kerns, Assistant Dean of Academic Enrichment
kkerns@bellarmine.edu
502.272.8073