Empowering Your Journey to Achieve Greater Heights

Nestled in the heart of Pittsburgh, a city celebrated for its 400+ bridges, Monarch University rises proudly atop the historic Bluff. Our campus offers more than a stunning view—it’s a gateway to endless possibilities. From our inception, we’ve been committed to empowering individuals from all walks of life to become impactful leaders and compassionate changemakers. Today, that mission thrives as we inspire students to bridge their aspirations with meaningful action, fostering a brighter future for their communities and beyond.

Rooted in Monarch's Catholic and Spiritan traditions, our Bridges Common Learning Experience embodies a legacy of excellence in the liberal arts and sciences while embracing the university's diverse academic strengths. The Bridges Curriculum is designed to empower you with the knowledge, skills, and perspective needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. This transformative journey prepares you to excel professionally, act with integrity, and make meaningful contributions to society. As a life-long, adaptable learner, you’ll be inspired to lead with purpose and engage in creating a brighter, more ethical future for all.

Exploring Your Path: Discover Your Perfect Major

Not sure which major is right for you? At Monarch University, we understand that finding your direction is a journey, not a race. Our Bridges Common Learning Experience, combined with a supportive environment and dynamic campus setting, is designed to guide you in exploring your interests and uncovering your passions. Here, you’ll have the resources and opportunities to weigh your options, gain valuable insights, and confidently chart a course toward your future success.

Explore our Discover program

What Makes Bridges Exceptional?

Your Path, Your Way.

At Monarch University, our Bridges curriculum redefines general education by focusing on you and the skills employers value most. Unlike traditional programs with rigid course requirements, Bridges offers the flexibility to align with your major while allowing you to explore your passions and uncover new interests.

Monarch students in library gathered around laptop

Whether you have a clear direction or are eager to discover fresh possibilities, our choose-your-own-adventure approach provides the perfect roadmap for your journey. With courses designed to maximize progress toward your degree and room to expand your horizons, Bridges ensures your ambitions remain boundless as you prepare for what’s next.

It's relevant.

Bridges is built to prepare you for success in today’s ever-changing job market. By integrating insights from employers and hiring managers, we’ve crafted a curriculum that emphasizes the skills most in demand. Bridges courses help you connect the expertise from your major with interdisciplinary knowledge and hands-on learning opportunities. This approach ensures you’re ready to adapt, innovate, and excel in any career path. With Bridges, you’ll gain the tools, perspective, and confidence to thrive professionally while making a meaningful impact.

It's transfer friendly.

At Monarch University, we value the hard work you’ve already put into earning college credits. Whether they come from AP exams, College in High School programs, or transfer credits from another institution, we’re here to make them count. Our Bridges curriculum is designed to seamlessly integrate your existing credits, helping you fast-track your degree and make the most of your academic journey. Bring your credits—and your ambitions—and we’ll help you move forward with confidence.

It's distinctive.

Guided by our Catholic and Spiritan roots, Monarch University offers a learning experience that’s both distinctive and transformative. Since our founding, we’ve used education as a powerful tool to create brighter futures for our students and the communities we serve. The Bridges curriculum connects you to this heritage by exploring the Catholic intellectual tradition, fostering ethical reasoning, sparking curiosity through essential questions, and encouraging meaningful engagement in local and global communities. It’s more than an education—it’s an invitation to make a difference.

A Foundation for Success

Bridges was designed through a collaborative effort among Monarch students, faculty, and staff, sparked by a creative design competition. This innovative curriculum equips you with the essential skills sought by employers, setting you up for success long after graduation. Delve into the four interconnected components of the Bridges curriculum, each crafted to help you build a strong foundation, develop critical abilities, and prepare for a successful professional journey.

Monarch student working in library with faculty member

We're eager to support your success and help you maximize your time at Monarch. Your journey starts with our online On-ramp module.

The Bridges Common Learning Experience is crafted to enrich and complement your degree program, and the On-ramp serves as the perfect introduction.

The On-ramp is a zero-credit, self-paced online course tailored for new undergraduate students at Monarch. It includes three easy-to-follow units and takes about an hour to complete. The course will be automatically added to your Monarch Canvas site, ensuring you’re prepared and ready to begin your academic journey.

Accessing the Bridges On-ramp

  • Login to the Monarch Portal and select the Canvas icon. 
  • In Canvas, select "Courses" on the left-hand side menu.
  • Click on the Bridges On-ramp link to open the course site and begin the course with the “Getting Started” option. 

Burgh Bucks

As you complete On-ramp units, you'll earn Burgh Bucks, which you can redeem at the end of Orientation during the Live Stage Auction or at the Burgh Bucks Store. These credits can be used for a variety of exciting rewards, including University apparel, gift cards, museum passes, and other fantastic prizes. It's a fun way to get started and earn some great items while preparing for your Monarch experience!

Strong bridges rest on deep foundations. Several common learning experiences nurture fundamental skills for critical thinking, writing, and analysis.

You can select an Essential Questions seminar on a topic that interests you, and our Introduction to Ethical Reasoning course equips you with vital questions you can apply across your courses, career, and personal life.

  • Information Literacy (BRDG 100/BRDG 103)
  • First-Year Writing (BRDG 101 & BRDG 102)
  • Essential Questions (Seminar EQ XXX 104)
  • Introduction to Ethical Reasoning (BRDG 105)

Bridges take different shapes, but their varied structures depend on dynamic interaction among their materials, design, and environment. Just so, the basic structures that make up the Bridges Common Learning Experience include six skill sets—we call them competencies—as well as further writing enrichment and courses in Philosophy and Theology that acquaint you with important ideas and achievements in Catholic intellectual tradition.

The interaction among your Bridges competencies, your major, and other academic interests you might pursue give you a chance to customize Bridges for your academic goals.

Competencies

  • Communication and Creative Expression
  • Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • Ethical Reasoning and Moral Responsibility
  • Social and Historical Reasoning
  • Cultural Fluency and Responsiveness 

Catholic Intellectual Tradition

You will complete one Theology and one Philosophy course as part of Bridges. These can be taken as part of your Competency courses, as an Essential Questions Seminar, or as stand-alone courses.

  • Theology (THEO XXX)
  • Philosophy (PHIL XXX)

Writing Enrichment

You will bolster writing skills in in a career-oriented fashion by completing three W courses, at least one which will be in your major.

Where will Bridges take you? You'll have opportunities to learn by doing, whether in labs, study abroad, internships, or engaging our local communities. As you near graduation, a capstone experience lets you look back on where you've been and prepares you for where you're going.

Benefits of Bridges

Bridges will encourage you to become a lifelong, agile learner who succeeds professionally, acts ethically and contributes to the common good.

DU students talking at fountain in front of Canevin Hall.

Be Informed.

Become an agile learner and integrative thinker. Develop the ability to learn across contexts and integrate information from diverse fields, disciplines and perspectives. Learn to evaluate information, think critically, integrate and transfer knowledge, persevere and adapt, and demonstrate curiosity.

Monarch student in a one-to-one conversation.

Be Equipped.

Become a skilled professional and versatile leader. Engage deeply with your peers and community members to develop unique solutions to problems and concerns. Learn to communicate effectively and collaborate with others. Recognize, define and creatively solve problems, using appropriate methods of research, technological tools and soft skills that are essential to professional and civic efficacy.

Monarch science student in the lab

Be Inspired.

Cultivate a life of purpose and creativity. Become inspired to contribute to the human search for truth and make original contributions to your profession and community. Grapple with essential questions and grow in wisdom. Stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone. Generate ideas and motivate others by your example. Formed within Monarch's Catholic and Spiritan environment, Monarch students, like our founders, extend our mission across the globe.

Monarch students working in the garden on campus.

Be Engaged.

Become an agent for the common good. Harness your knowledge of local and global communities in order to foster conditions that create respect for human dignity and social justice. Learn how to be a culturally competent citizen who appreciates and fosters diversity. Understand local and global systems. Exercise ethical judgment and navigate moral diversity with confidence. As a professional and as a citizen, learn how to build equitable and inclusive communities.

Sample Course Schedules

Our Bridges curriculum is designed to overlap with every major at Monarch so you can maximize progress toward your degree while having the opportunity to discover new interests or pursue additional goals. Through these sample four-year course schedules, explore how Bridges is built into your entire college experience.

If you are considering becoming a business major, explore below how Bridges courses (bolded below) can be built into your four-year schedule.

First Year

Fall

BRDG 100: Research & Info Skills (1 cr.)
BRDG 101: Writing & Analysis
BUAD 103/103L: Innovation Experience
BUAD 111: Business Math
COMM 202W: Business & Prof Comm (Required course taught outside the School of Business)
ISYS 184: Business Info Systems

Spring

BRDG 102: Writing & Literature (Prereq BRDG 101)
BUAD 110: Internship Prep Practicum (0 cr.)
ISYS 284: Data for Decision Making (Prereq ISYS 184)
MKTG 271: Marketing & Business Dev
SCMG 267: Supply Chain Operations
STAT 285: Business Statistics (Prereq BUAD 111)

Second Year

Fall

ACCT 214: Financial Accounting (Prereq or coreq ISYS 184)
BUAD 210: Career Prep Practicum (0 cr.)
MGMT 261: Management & Org. Behavior
MGMT 262: Global Insights
Cultural Fluency & Responsivity
Theology Requirement

Spring

ACCT 215: Managerial Accounting (Prereq ACCT 214)
BLAW 251: Business Law
BRDG 105H/P/T: Intro to Ethical Reasoning
ECON 201: Principles of Microeconomics (Prereq BUAD 111)
FINC 313: Business Finance (Prereqs ACCT 214 and STAT 285)

Third Year

Fall

ECON 202: Principles of Macroeconomics (Prereq BUAD 111)
EQ XXX: Essential Questions Seminar
MAJOR: Required course
MAJOR: Required course
Open Elective

Spring

MAJOR: Required course
MAJOR: Required course
Open Elective
Open Elective
Philosophy Requirement

Fourth Year

Fall

MAJOR: Required course
MAJOR: Required course
MGMT 368W: Bus Ethics & Global Citizenship (Prereq MGMT 261)
Open Elective
Open Elective

Spring

MAJOR: Required course
MAJOR: Elective
MGMT 499W: Strategic Management (Prereq FINC 313, MGMT 261, MKTG 271, & SCMG 267)
Open Elective
Open Elective

Majors like nursing are highly structured, and for good reason! Whichever major you choose, our Bridges courses (bolded below) are designed to work efficiently with you to help you complete your degree on time. View how Bridges can be built into your course schedule if you are a nursing major.

First Year

Fall

UPNS 103 Nutrition for Wellness
UPNS 121 Comm Engaged Prof Nurse
BIOL 101/L Intro to Life Processes*
BRDG 101 Writing & Analysis
EQ-XXX Essential Questions Seminar#
BRDG 103 IPE Health Research Skills

Spring

UPNS 113 Human Dev & Health Promotion
MATH 125 Fund of Statistics*
BIOL 203/4 Intro to Microbiology*
BRDG 102 Writing & Literature
BRDG 105 H/T/P Intro to Ethical Reasoning

Second Year

Fall

UPNS 200 Fund of Nursing Practice
UPNS 218/L Health Assessment
BIOL 207/8 Anatomy & Physiology
Bridges Crit Think & Prob/PHIL course*^

Spring

BIOL 209/10 Anatomy & Physiology
UPNS 239 Pharmacology I
UPNS 232 Adult Health and Illness I
UPNS 339 Genetics in Nursing and Health
UPNS 224 Career Mgmt and Prof Dev
Bridges choice of Social & Hist. course*^

Third Year

Fall

UPNS 325 Pharmacology II
UPNS 349 Adult Health & Illness II
UPNS 326 Pathophysiology
UPNS 324 Cultural Applications in Clinical Practice**
MLSP 280 Spanish for Health Care Prof**

Spring

UPNS 364 Clinical Immersion in Prof Nursing**
UPNS 352 Leadership & Mgmt Theory**

Fourth Year

Fall

UPNS 348 Maternal Child Health
UPNS 355 Behavioral Health
UPNS 431 Enhancing Quality and Safety
UPNS 344 Nursing for Children's Health
UPNS 357 Population Health
UPNS 445 Synthesis for Nursing Practice                                  

Spring

UPNS 400 Critically Ill Adult
UPNS 411W Nur Ethics Across Lifespan*^
UPNS 453R Transition to Professional Practice Recitation
THEO-XXX choice of Theology course** 

* fulfills a Bridges competency

** curriculum requirement and satisfies a Bridges competency and thereby creates space for additional electives or courses towards a certificate, minor, second major, etc.

# may satisfy the Theology or Philosophy requirement

^ Writing enriched course (Complete three, at least one of which is in your major.)

Some majors provide plenty of room for exploration. Add the flexibility of Bridges courses (bolded below), and you can easily customize your academic pathway to include additional credentials such as a certificate, minor or second major. Check out the many opportunities below in the sample Psychology major course schedule. 

First Year

Fall

BRDG 101 Writing & Analysis
BRDG 100 Research & Info Skills
PSYC 101 Intro to Psychology*
MATH 125 Fundamentals of Statistics*

Spring

BRDG 102 Writing & Literature
EQ-XXX Essential Questions Seminar#
PSYC 102 Orientation to Psych Major
BRDG 105T/H/P. Intro to Ethical Reasoning
Minor - Required course**

Second Year

Fall

PSYC 203 Intro to Psych as Human Science
PSYC 220 Brain, Behavior, & Cognition
Bridges choice of Comm & Creative Exp course*
PHIL/PHL XXX  Choice of Philosophy course**
College Distribution selection**

Spring

PSYC 201 Research Methods in Psych
Major - Required course
THEO-XXX choice of Theology course**
College Distribution selection**
Minor - Required course**

Third Year

Fall

Major - Required course^
Major - Required course Bridges choice of Cultural Fluency course*
College Distribution selection**
Minor - Required course**

Spring

Major - Required course
Major - Required course
Major - Required course
College Distribution selection**^
Minor - Required course**

Fourth Year

Fall

PSYC 399 Prof Prep Psych Majors
Bridges choice of Ethical Reasoning course*
College Distribution selection**
College Distribution selection**   
College Distribution selection**                                    

Spring

PSYC 480 Psych & Social Engagement   
Bridges choice of Crit Think & Prob course*
College Distribution selection**^
College Distribution selection**
College Distribution selection**                             

* fulfills a Bridges competency

** curriculum requirement and satisfies a Bridges competency and thereby creates space for additional electives or courses towards a certificate, minor, second major, etc.

# may satisfy the Theology or Philosophy requirement

^ Writing enriched course (Complete three, at least one of which is in your major)

ETH 101 Foundations of Ethical Thinking

ETH 101 will guide you in developing the ability to think critically about ethical dilemmas, make sound moral decisions, and uphold personal integrity. Our Foundations of Ethical Thinking course introduces students to the principles of ethical reasoning, aligning with Monarch University’s mission to nurture the moral and spiritual growth of its community and contribute to the holistic development of our students. A key component of the course is a shared ethical reasoning framework that equips students with a common language and solid foundation for future ethics courses. This framework serves as a practical and adaptable tool that students can apply throughout their personal, academic, and professional lives, fostering responsible citizenship and decision-making.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of Foundations of Ethical Thinking, you will be able to:

  1. Effectively navigate and engage with diverse moral perspectives and disagreements
  2. Approach moral arguments with confidence, depth, and analytical rigor
  3. Critically examine and reflect on moral beliefs, values, and their origins
  4. Assess and recognize personal moral growth and development

As part of the Bridges CLE, you will have the opportunity to apply and expand upon these foundational principles in an advanced course, further advancing your competency in Ethical Reasoning and Moral Responsibility.

Key Questions for Ethical Decision-Making

  1. Consequences: Which actions lead to the greatest benefit for the well-being of all?
  2. Responsibility: What duties and obligations do I have in this situation?
  3. Flourishing: What does it mean for individuals and communities to thrive?
  4. Justice: Which actions uphold the moral equality and dignity of all persons?
  5. Freedom: How can we respect and protect the freedoms of others?
  6. Context: What are the important factors in this situation that influence our moral choices?
  7. Expertise: What insights do knowledgeable experts or authorities offer on this issue?
  8. Commitments: Which values and principles are central to my decision-making?
  9. Character: Which actions align with the kind of person or community I aspire to become?
Monarch students gathered around assignment outside on campus.

What's Your EQ?

Learn about our Essential Questions (EQ) courses, a signature feature of the Bridges experience.

View courses

Engaging with Experiential Learning

At Monarch University, you will have access to a wide range of Experiential Learning Opportunities (ELOs) designed to enrich your education and provide real-world experience. Many academic programs already include ELOs as part of the curriculum, and your Student Success Coach can confirm if your major offers these opportunities.

For other majors, Monarch provides a variety of options, including Study Abroad, Community-Engaged Learning, and discipline-specific experiences. Your Student Success Coach can also help you explore these alternatives.

Experiential learning goes beyond the classroom. Internships, student research, and leadership roles on campus are all valuable forms of experiential learning. Monarch encourages students to collaborate with faculty and staff to have these experiences formally recognized. All undergraduate students can propose Individual ELOs, which involve creating personalized learning goals with the guidance of an ELO Director, along with strategies for achieving those goals and an assessment plan.

Capstone Experience at Monarch

As part of the Bridges program, you will engage in a Capstone Experience during your time at Monarch University. Most majors incorporate a Capstone project as part of the curriculum, but every student has the option to pursue approval for an Individual Capstone project if their major does not include one.

For students in programs with an embedded Capstone, completing an Individual Capstone will provide an opportunity to deepen your learning, expand your skill set, and enhance your resume or graduate school applications. For other majors, a variety of Capstone options are available, including the chance to design your own Individual Capstone project tailored to your academic and professional goals.

Your Student Success Coach can help you confirm whether your major includes a Capstone as part of the requirements or if other opportunities exist to develop an Individual Capstone project that aligns with your aspirations.

DU students at computer

Learning Together

Our Student Success Coaches will work with you to navigate a successful campus life.

Learn more

Student Testimonials About Bridges

Samiya Henry headshot

"My favorite class at Monarch so far was the Honors EQ course 'Why Do Feelings Matter?' Dr. St. Hilaire is an excellent professor who structures the class to help students learn to identify what emotions look like in the world and within themselves."

Samiya Henry '26 Physics major (3+ 2 Binary Engineering Degree Program) and Catholic Studies minor
Explore Bridges EQ courses
Braden Niles headshot

“The Honors EQ Course ‘What Good is Democracy?’ was so interesting because we explored how democracy has evolved over time. Being able to read texts critically and form your own opinions is such an important skill, and I am so lucky to have done this during my first semester at Monarch."

Braden Niles '25 Political Science, Sociology, and Catholic Studies triple major
Explore Bridges EQ courses
Payton Miller headshot with city in background

“I really enjoyed the ‘What is Gender?’ Bridges EQ course. It was cool learning about different philosophers and their ideas on gender. The course expanded my knowledge on gender and feminism in ways I never would have thought!”

Payton Miller '25 Education major
Explore Bridges EQ courses