About the Program

The Morse Academic Plan (MAP) of the College of Arts and Science is an integrated general education curriculum in the liberal arts. Students and faculty from the Steinhardt School of Education, Stern School of Business, Tisch School of the Arts and some other programs also participate in the MAP. In addition to the academic foundation it provides for students' future studies, the MAP defines the common experience of undergraduates across these different divisions of New York University.

The MAP is named for Samuel F. B. Morse (1791-1872), an early faculty member of the University. Best known as inventor of the telegraph, Morse taught fine arts at NYU and was an eminent painter. In his breadth of talent and high achievement as both an artist and scientist, Morse symbolizes the range of skills and interests that the MAP is designed to foster.

The MAP provides a core academic experience for undergraduates at NYU. Through a challenging array of foundational courses the program heightens cultural awareness, hones critical reading skills, promotes creative and logical thinking, and gives students extensive practice writing and speaking English and proficiency in at least one other language. The MAP consists of four parts: the Expository Writing Program, study of a foreign language, the Foundations of Contemporary Culture (FCC), and the Foundations of Scientific Inquiry (FSI).