SEU has launched a new minor in Classical Education, expanding our commitment to forming students who pursue wisdom, virtue, and a lifelong love of learning. This undergraduate pathway provides an accessible entry point for students from any major who want to deepen their understanding of this timeless approach to learning.
According to Classical Education Specialist Sarah Abbott, this minor follows a simple, profound approach. “Because it’s classical education, the minor follows the order of learning,” she explains. “We believe that the goal of education is to grow students into well-rounded people … not simply to get a good job, but to be virtuous, pious human beings.”
Intentional, Flexible Pathways
The Classical Education minor includes 27 credit hours (rather than the traditional 18), giving students more options, especially those learning online. Courses are offered fully online or in hybrid formats, and every class includes live sessions where students can join for rich discussion and connection.
The course schedule begins with an introduction to classical philosophy and educational foundations, then moves into courses centered on piety, wonder, and moral imagination. From there, the journey continues through the seven liberal arts, followed by courses in philosophy and theology. These courses explore ideas such as the purpose of education; the unity of knowledge; and the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty. Students read classic texts, analyze ideas through the lens of culture and film, and learn to engage with literature the way a child naturally would: learning to love the story first before breaking it apart.
The minor concludes with a capstone-style course titled Mentorship & the Great Books, which is launching this summer. Students read an epic text, meet regularly with a tutor, lead discussion posts, and practice classical pedagogy themselves.
“Whether a student is going into ministry, the arts, business, or anything else, leaders need to know how to communicate with people, ask good questions, and listen,” Abbott says. “We’re helping students become well-rounded human beings.”
Student Experience Rooted in Joy and Curiosity
For students already enrolled in the minor, the experience has been deeply meaningful. Summer Thacker, a current student, describes the program as refreshing and transformative.
“It has been a joy to take these classes,” she shares. “Because we’re learning in the way a child would, you can almost start over from a fresh perspective, and it’s been so enjoyable for me.”
Summer also highlights the discussion-based format and the absence of rigid requirements. “Without a required word count or a specific number of replies, there’s so much more freedom to learn. Everything is so well thought out, and I can see the difference in my learning because of the intentionality behind the classes.”
Without tests or quizzes, students have more freedom to focus on reading philosophically, thinking critically, and making meaningful connections between what they’re observing and what they’re studying. “It’s more about thinking, reading, and analyzing,” Summer says. “You’re not boxed in…there’s room to explore the material and go further than what you’re assigned.”
Enhancing Every Major
The Classical Education minor pairs seamlessly with programs across our university, including ministry, business, arts, education, communications, and leadership. Students are discovering that this pathway strengthens their ability to think clearly, speak confidently, ask thoughtful questions, and engage with others.
Rooted in the pursuit of the true, the good, and the beautiful, this minor invites students to grow into well-rounded human beings and become individuals who are able to view the world through a unique and powerful lens. This program is also a great complement for students involved in Classical Conversations Plus, though it is open and valuable to all students interested in classical education.
Whether you’re a student on our main campus, online, or at one of our partner sites, this Classical Education minor will equip you to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage with others in meaningful ways. If you would like to learn more about this minor or other opportunities for classical learning through SEU, reach out to Sarah Abbott directly at seabbott@seu.edu.
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