Navigating General Education Requirements in Florida: A Comprehensive Guide

General education requirements in Florida are designed to ensure that students develop a broad base of knowledge and essential skills, preparing them to be thoughtful, generative learners and responsible citizens in a complex world. These requirements encompass various areas of knowledge and intellectual competencies, fostering critical thinking, effective communication, and a lifelong commitment to learning. This article delves into the specifics of these requirements, drawing upon Florida Statutes and the guidelines set forth by the State Board of Education (SBOE) and the Board of Governors (BOG).

General Education Paradigm and Philosophy

The core philosophy behind general education is to expose students to diverse fields of study, thereby cultivating well-rounded individuals. Students explore the human condition, global and historical perspectives, cultural and aesthetic dimensions, and communicative, mathematical, scientific, and technological domains. This exposure helps students to develop the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to participate responsibly in an increasingly diverse and complex world.

Knowledge Bases

A generally educated person possesses knowledge in several key areas:

Human Awareness and Understanding: Comprehending human behavior, development, relationships, and the dynamic relationship between culture and human awareness, as well as factors promoting physical, mental, and social well-being.
Global and Historical Knowledge and Understanding: Understanding the nature, origins, and contributions of civilizations, the workings of economies, and the effects of political, social, and economic systems on society.
Cultural and Aesthetic Knowledge and Understanding: Appreciating the arts, humanities, and sciences and their impact on individuals and the world, as well as understanding cultural systems and their effects.
Communication: Recognizing the importance of effective communication, understanding various methods, and comprehending how to gather, synthesize, and integrate information in written and oral forms.
Mathematics, Science, and Technology: Grasping the basic concepts and processes of the natural sciences, applying mathematical skills to solve real-world problems, and understanding the influence of science and technology on society.

Intellectual Competencies

A generally educated person should be able to:

Read, write, speak, and listen effectively.
Acquire, evaluate, analyze, present, and communicate information.
Employ quantitative and qualitative analyses to solve problems.
Use information technology in communication, research, and problem-solving.
Organize concepts into orderly systems.
Work collaboratively within complex systems and diverse groups.
Apply ethical judgment to everyday life.
Apply the scientific method of inquiry.

Values

A generally educated person values:

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Intellectual honesty.
Curiosity and openness to new ideas.
Recognition of one’s own creative and intellectual potential.
Acceptance of differences among people and cultural diversity.
Civic engagement.
Lifelong learning.
Social justice and equality.

Core Course Requirements and Recent Legislative Changes

According to Florida State Statute 1007.25(3), general education core course options consist of a maximum of five courses within each of the subject areas of communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences.

In 2023, Senate Bill (SB) 266 brought significant changes to general education in Florida. It modified s. 1007.25, F.S., by establishing content standards for each of the five general education subject disciplines. Additionally, it created s. 1007.55, F.S., specifying content, principles, and standards for all general education, ensuring that every undergraduate student graduates as an informed citizen through rigorous coursework that promotes and preserves the constitutional republic. This coursework should be traditional, historically accurate, and of high quality.

SB 266 also initiated a review of general education core course options, conducted by faculty committees appointed by the SBOE and BOG. These committees recommended modifications to the core course list, which were then presented to the Articulation Coordinating Committee (ACC). The ACC approved the recommendations on October 13, 2023, and forwarded them to the SBOE and BOG for consideration. In January 2024, the SBOE and the BOG officially adopted the updated general education core courses into SBOE Rule 6A-14.0303, F.A.C., and BOG Regulation 8.005.

Section 1007.55, F.S., mandates that public postsecondary institutions' boards of trustees and presidents annually review and approve their institutions' general education course requirements. The Office of K-20 Articulation provides individualized reports from the Statewide Course Numbering System to facilitate this review. Each institution must then publicly approve its general education course requirements before submitting them to the ACC by September 1 each year. The SBOE and BOG then review and approve or reject each institution’s list according to the timelines specified in SBOE Rule 6A-14.0303, F.A.C., and BOG Regulation 8.005, respectively.

General Education Requirements by Degree Type

The general education requirements vary based on the degree program:

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Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Science, and Associate in Arts: Students in these programs must complete at least thirty-six (36) general education credits from five subject area categories.
Associate in Science: Students pursuing an Associate in Science degree are required to complete at least eighteen (18) general education credits across the same five subject areas.

These requirements are designed to align with the mission and goals of the college, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.

Specific Course Options

Students must complete at least one general education core course in each of the following subject disciplines: communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences.

I. Communication

*ENC 1101 - English Composition I (Credit Hours: 3)
or *ENC 1101C - English Composition I Enhanced (Credit Hours: 4)
ENC 1102 - Writing About Texts (Credit Hours: 3)
SPC 2017 - Introduction to Speech Communications (Credit Hours: 3)
SPC 2065 - Speech Communication for Business and the Professions (Credit Hours: 3)
SPC 2608 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking (Credit Hours: 3)

II. Humanities

AML 2010 - Early American Literature: Colonial Times to the Civil War (Credit Hours: 3)
AML 2020 - Late American Literature: The Civil War to the Present (Credit Hours: 3)
*ARH 2000 - Art in the Humanities (Credit Hours: 3)
ARH 2050 - Art History from Prehistory to 15th Century (Credit Hours: 3)
ARH 2051 - Art History from 15th to 21st Century (Credit Hours: 3)
DAN 2100 - Dance in the Humanities (Credit Hours: 3)
ENG 2100 - Film Studies (Credit Hours: 3)
ENL 2012 - English Literature to 1750 (Credit Hours: 3)
ENL 2022 - English Literature Since 1750 (Credit Hours: 3)
*HUM 2020 - Topics in the Humanities (Credit Hours: 3)
HUM 2210 - Humanities: Prehistory to the 15th Century (Credit Hours: 3)
HUM 2230 - Humanities: Mainstream of Cultures, 15th to 20th Century (Credit Hours: 3)
HUM 2250 - Humanities: 20th and 21st Century Cultural Perspectives (Credit Hours: 3)
*LIT 2000 - Literature in the Humanities (Credit Hours: 3)
LIT 2100 - Great Ideas in World Literature (Credit Hours: 3)
*MUL 2010 - Music in the Humanities (Credit Hours: 3)
*PHI 2010 - Philosophy in the Humanities (Credit Hours: 3)
PHI 2600 - Introduction to Ethics (Credit Hours: 3)
REL 2000 - Religion in the Humanities (Credit Hours: 3)
REL 2300 - World Religions (Credit Hours: 3)
*THE 2000 - Theatre in the Humanities (Credit Hours: 3)

III. Mathematics

*MAC 1105 - College Algebra (Credit Hours: 3)
or *MAC 1105C - College Algebra Enhanced (Credit Hours: 5)
MAC 1114 - College Trigonometry (Credit Hours: 3)
MAC 1140 - Precalculus Algebra (Credit Hours: 4)
MAC 1147 - Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry (Credit Hours: 5)
MAC 2233 - Calculus for Business and Social Sciences (Credit Hours: 3)
*MAC 2311 - Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (Credit Hours: 4)
MAC 2312 - Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (Credit Hours: 4)
MAC 2313 - Calculus with Analytic Geometry III (Credit Hours: 4)
MAP 2302 - Differential Equations (Credit Hours: 3)
*MGF 1130 - Mathematical Thinking (Credit Hours: 3)
MGF 1131 - Mathematics in Context (Credit Hours: 3)
*STA 2023 - Elementary Statistics (Credit Hours: 3)

IV. Natural Sciences

Biological Sciences

BOT 1010C - Botany (Credit Hours: 4)
*BSC 1005 - Life in Its Biological Environment (Credit Hours: 3)
BSC 1005L - Biology Laboratory (Credit Hours: 1)
*BSC 2010C - Principles of Biology I (Credit Hours: 4)
BSC 2011C - Principles of Biology II (Credit Hours: 4)
BSC 2020C - Human Biology (Credit Hours: 4)
BSC 2050 - Biology of Environmental Systems (Credit Hours: 3)
*BSC 2085C - Human Anatomy and Physiology I (Credit Hours: 4)
BSC 2086C - Human Anatomy and Physiology II (Credit Hours: 4)
ISC 1075 - Principles of Science and Investigation (Credit Hours: 3)
MCB 2010C - Microbiology (Credit Hours: 4)
OCB 2000C - Fundamentals of Marine Biology (Credit Hours: 4)
ZOO 1010C - General Zoology (Credit Hours: 4)

Physical Sciences

*AST 1002 - Introduction to Astronomy (Credit Hours: 3)
AST 1002L - Astronomy Laboratory (Credit Hours: 1)
*CHM 1020 - Chemistry for Liberal Arts (Credit Hours: 3)
CHM 1025C - Introduction to General Chemistry (Credit Hours: 4)
CHM 1032C - Principles of General Chemistry (Credit Hours: 4)
*CHM 2045C - General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis I (Credit Hours: 4)
CHM 2046C - General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis II (Credit Hours: 4)
*ESC 1000 - Earth and Space Science (Credit Hours: 3)
ESC 1000L - Earth and Space Science Laboratory (Credit Hours: 1)
*EVR 1001 - Introduction to Environmental Science (Credit Hours: 3)
GLY 1010C - Physical Geology and Laboratory (Credit Hours: 4)
ISC 1075 - Principles of Science and Investigation (Credit Hours: 3)
*OCE 2001 - Survey of Oceanography (Credit Hours: 3)
OCE 2001L - Oceanography Laboratory (Credit Hours: 1)
*PHY 1020C - Physics for Liberal Arts with Laboratory (Credit Hours: 3)
*PHY 2048C - Physics I With Calculus (Credit Hours: 4)
PHY 2049C - Physics II With Calculus (Credit Hours: 4)
*PHY 2053C - General Physics I (Credit Hours: 4)
PHY 2054C - General Physics II (Credit Hours: 4)
PSC 1341 - Physical Science (Credit Hours: 3)

V. Social and Behavioral Sciences

*AMH 2010 - United States History to 1877 (Credit Hours: 3)
*AMH 2020 - United States History From 1877 to the Present (Credit Hours: 3)
AMH 2070 - History of Florida (Credit Hours: 3)
*ANT 2000 - General Anthropology (Credit Hours: 3)
DEP 2004 - Human Growth and Development (Credit Hours: 3)
*ECO 2013 - Principles of Macroeconomics (Credit Hours: 3)
INR 2002 - International Relations (Credit Hours: 3)
LAH 2020 - History of Latin America (Credit Hours: 3)
*POS 2041 - American Federal Government (Credit Hours: 3)
POS 2112 - State and Local Government (Credit Hours: 3)
*PSY 1012 - General Psychology (Credit Hours: 3)
SYG 2000 - Introductory Sociology (Credit Hours: 3)
WOH 1012 - World History to 1500 (Credit Hours: 3)
WOH 1022 - World History Since 1500 (Credit Hours: 3)

Courses identified with an asterisk (*) are designated as state core courses and are accepted as general education at all state colleges and universities.

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Additional Requirements and Considerations

Minimum Grade: A minimum grade of C or higher is required in all general education courses.
Civic Literacy: Students initially entering a Florida College System institution or state university in the 2018-2019 school year and thereafter must demonstrate competency in civic literacy, either through a civic literacy course or by achieving a passing score on an assessment. Starting with students entering in the 2021-2022 school year, both a passing score on an assessment and successful completion of a civic literacy course are required.
Speaking-Across-the-Curriculum: All Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree-seekers must satisfy the Speaking-Across-the-Curriculum requirement by completing at least one designated general education course.
Writing Requirements: All associate degree students must complete at least one three-credit writing class as part of their general education program. Additional writing activities are required in all general education humanities courses.
Gordon Rule: Florida’s Gordon Rule (FAC Rule 6A-10.030) mandates that all baccalaureate and Associate in Arts graduates successfully complete specific writing and math requirements. Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Science and Associate in Arts students must complete twelve (12) to fifteen (15) college credits from designated General Education Gordon Rule Communication, Humanities and Social Science subject areas. All associate degree students must complete 3 college credits from designated General Education Gordon Rule Communication, Humanities, and Social Science subject areas.

Digital Badges

Digital badges are awarded to students who demonstrate skills and competencies in certain general education core courses. These badges highlight skills valued by employers and are recognized across the Florida College System and the Florida State University System. For example, a "Fundamentals of Written Communication" digital badge is awarded to students who earn a grade of C or higher in ENC 1101, ENC 1101C, or any course for which these are prerequisites, starting in the 2022-23 academic year.

General Education Core Course Content Standards

Florida Statute 1007.25 outlines specific content standards for each general education subject discipline:

Communication: Courses must enable students to communicate effectively, including clear writing and public speaking.
Humanities: Courses must foster critical thinking through the study of human culture, including literature, history, art, music, and philosophy, with selections from the Western canon.
Social Sciences: Courses must provide an understanding of basic social and behavioral science concepts and principles used in analyzing behavior and social, political, and economic issues.
Natural Sciences: Courses must enable students to critically examine and evaluate the principles of the scientific method and use it to explain natural phenomena.
Mathematics: Courses must ensure students master foundational mathematical models and methods and apply them to problem-solving.

Transfer Students

All public postsecondary educational institutions in Florida must offer at least one general education core course in each subject area and accept these courses in transfer, regardless of whether the receiving institution offers identical courses. Institutions cannot require students to complete additional courses to meet subject area distribution requirements if they have already completed a course that was previously designated as a general education core course.

Associate in Arts (AA) Degree Requirements

An Associate in Arts degree must require no more than 60 semester hours of college credit, including 36 semester hours of general education coursework. Students initially entering a Florida College System institution or state university in the 2014-2015 academic year and thereafter must demonstrate competency in a foreign language. All required coursework, except for developmental education, must count toward the associate in arts degree or the baccalaureate degree.

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