General Education Delivered with Agility, Praxis & Pathways

SFBU’s APP Core courses form the foundation of every degree program, guiding students through a journey of self-discovery, global awareness, and applied learning. Each 3-credit course is designed to help you build agility, connect theory with practice, and apply insights from across disciplines to real-world challenges.

Through SFBU’s Computer Science or Business Administration program, international students take five APP Core courses (15 credits total), delivered asynchronously for maximum flexibility. These experiential courses connect academic learning with practical skills, allowing you to experience SFBU’s innovative approach. You’ll earn valuable credits, strengthen your academic foundation, and prepare for your future career or graduate studies.

Sample APP Courses (15 credits)

  • APP101: How to Tell Your Story - Discover how writing and design thinking help you articulate your identity and goals through powerful storytelling.
  • APP102: How to Design Your Life: A Journey Through Personal Epistemology - Redefine success and build personal strategies for wellness, relationships, and purpose.
  • APP103: How to Communicate in a Global Context - Master communication across cultures, languages, and media for real-world collaboration.
  • APP104: How to Lead: Transforming Insights from History into Modern Movements - Study leadership past and present—and apply lessons to design your own modern movement.
  • APP202: How Your Brain Works - Understand how your mind learns and adapts, and use neuroscience to improve focus, creativity, and growth.

The APP model serves as the backbone of our academic approach, reflecting our commitment to a new paradigm of higher education:

Agility for a Changing World

  • Adapt to global changes with confidence
  • Build skills for new markets and technologies

Praxis - Practical + Academic Focus

  • Apply learning through real-world projects
  • Blend academic insight with creativity

Pathways to Success

  • Earn credits that move you forward
  • Gain global skills for study and career growth

Why is SFBU So Innovative?

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Brad Fuster, DMA, speaks about the transformative Agility Praxis Pathways (APP) model. Listen to learn about the role of AI in curriculum design, how APP is reshaping student learning, and the challenges of hiring faculty to fit this innovative model.