General Education: Definition, Significance, and Selection

Earning a college degree signifies having reached a level of intellectual development that merits formal recognition. Intellectual development can be measured both in terms of depth and breadth of knowledge, and a college degree should signify growth in both dimensions. Before colleges and universities offered majors and minors, all students took the same courses - a type of curriculum called a “liberal education.” Today, all undergraduates must spend time studying literature, history, philosophy, and other liberal arts subjects through general education requirements. Understanding the role of gen ed will help you make the most of your college education and prepare you for success in your major and career.

Defining General Education

Breadth of knowledge is demonstrated by satisfying a group of general education requirements that are shared by students in all majors. While the aim of the major field of study is to provide experiences defining membership in a disciplinary community, the aim of the general education program is to provide experiences that define what it means to be a college-educated person. General Education is a system of courses designed to help you build skills and habits of mind that will help you flourish in your chosen profession and as a citizen of the global community.

General education comprises that core of knowledge and skills that educated people possess regardless of their particular careers or vocations. The collective result of a college experience, through both the curriculum and the co-curricular activities, will be an educated person. Ideally, an educated person can acquire, understand, analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and communicate information and knowledge; can think critically, solve problems, and create original work; is proficient in at least one discipline, having familiarity with a broad range of knowledge in other disciplines; and has an ongoing desire to learn, to acknowledge and respect diversity, to appreciate aesthetic values and to maintain a commitment to the improvement of local and global communities.

The Core Curriculum

The centerpiece of the general education program is called the “core curriculum” because these courses comprise the core of the college experience and the courses and skills sets support success in all majors. At many universities, gen ed classes take up most of an undergraduate’s first two years. These include basic liberal arts courses, such as English and history, as well as science and math.

Objectives of General Education

The requirement for general education courses is intended to expand students’ knowledge beyond their main area of study, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience. These courses are designed to develop critical thinking abilities, enhance communication skills, and teach basic knowledge in many subjects.

Read also: Your Guide to Nursing Internships

By introducing students to a variety of subjects, including math, English composition, history, humanities, social and natural sciences, general education encourages a comprehensive approach to learning. This inspires students to consider multiple perspectives when problem-solving, setting them up for lifelong learning and success in their personal and professional lives. Cal State East Bay's General Education (GE) Program is designed to educate its students holistically and is central to the university experience. While a college diploma opens doors to career and employment opportunities, the true value of the degree is not the degree itself but the experiences and relationships developed while in college--the value is in the journey not the destination.

Cal State East Bay's campus community is dedicated to supporting students through their journey. Although students may struggle to make meaning and see the immediate benefits of their college curriculum as they look to the end goal of graduation, Cal State East Bay is focused on its graduates being educated people whose quality of life will be vastly improved by the college experience. The General Education (GE) requirement promotes the intellectual growth of all undergraduates by ensuring that they acquire a breadth of knowledge that will enlarge their perspectives beyond the focus of a major and serve them well as participants in a knowledge-based society. It seeks to stimulate continued growth by providing knowledge of both the content and the methodologies of different academic disciplines.

Key Skills Developed Through General Education

Several key skills are developed through general education, including:

Communication: The ability to effectively convey and interpret information through a variety of formats, including written, oral, and non-verbal methods, tailored to different audiences and contexts.
Critical Thinking: Critical thinking integrates problem-solving strategies to draw conclusions supported by evidence. Critical thinking is the active and skillful process of analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information from various sources to make reasoned, logical judgments and decisions.
Quantitative & Scientific Literacy: Quantitative and scientific literacy involves the ability to apply mathematical, statistical, and scientific methods to investigate questions, analyze and interpret data, evaluate trends and uncertainties, and make evidence-based conclusions.
Civic and Global Engagement: Civic and global engagement involves a broad and informed understanding of local, national, and global communities.

General Education Requirements

LSUA considers that students should complete a substantial core of general education courses, regardless of their particular program of study. The minimum number of general education courses required by the university’s associate and baccalaureate degrees is presented below. Individual degree programs frequently require that students take specific courses to meet the general education requirements presented above. Finally, general education courses should typically make use of more than one pedagogy or approach to learning. The courses that meet these criteria and that, therefore, have been assigned general education status are presented below. All the requirements outside of your major are GE/Breadth. For complete information, see General Education Requirements.

The number of general education courses required to complete a degree can vary among educational institutions. Generally, these gen ed requirements make up between one-third and one-half of a degree, typically equating to around 42-60 college credits. It’s also worth noting that individual college departments may stipulate additional gen ed requirements for their specific programs.

General Education Course Categories

A GE course in topical breadth addresses broad subject areas that are important to the student's general knowledge. These areas typically include:

Arts & Humanities-12-20 units.
Science & Engineering-12-20 units.
Social Sciences-12-20 units.
Literacy with Words & Images-20 units. The objective of this core literacy is to help students communicate their ideas effectively in written, oral and visual forms.
- English Composition-8 units.
- Writing Experience coursework in the student's major or in other departments-6 units. Courses in writing experience provide students instruction on how to communicate ideas in the subject matter of the course.
- Oral Skills coursework or additional Writing Experience coursework-3 units. Courses in oral literacy involve effective communication of ideas through oral presentation and build on and strengthen the critical thinking skills exercised through writing.
- Visual Literacy coursework-3 units. Courses in visual literacy provide students with the analytical skills they need to understand how still and moving images, art and architecture, illustrations accompanying written text, graphs and charts, and other visual embodiments of ideas inform and persuade people.
Civic & Cultural Literacy-9 units. The objective of this core literacy is to prepare students for thoughtful, active participation in civic society.
- American Cultures, Governance, & History-3 units.
- Domestic Diversity-3 units.
- World Cultures-3 units. Courses in World Cultures provide students with a global perspective in a world where communication technologies, economic relationships, and the flow of people across national borders increasingly challenge national identities and create transnational cultures.
Quantitative Literacy-at least 3 units.
Scientific Literacy-at least 3 units.

With the exception of units used to satisfy the English Composition element, units approved for a Core Literacy will be accepted toward satisfaction of the appropriate Topical Breadth component.

Choosing General Education Classes

Taking general education classes should be more than just meeting a requirement. Choose classes that truly captivate your curiosity, as this will lead to better engagement and valuable learning. Think about how these classes can lay the groundwork for your future career. Ensure your schedule has a good balance of challenging and easier classes. You don’t want to take gen ed classes that will negatively impact your GPA, but chasing easy A’s isn’t a good idea either.

Instead, treat general education requirements the same way as you might treat a college minor: as opportunities to explore other interests, whether they counterbalance or complement your main course of study. Also, make sure to enroll in general education classes early in your college career. They usually fill up quickly, and if you’re not sure what you want to major in yet, they can help guide you toward your major.

Some gen ed classes are required for all undergraduates, but other gen ed subjects may present you with a list of classes from which to choose. Ultimately, it’s best to pick gen ed classes that interest you and/or that complement your major or minor. Make sure to meet with your academic advisor to fully understand the general education requirements for your school and program.

Transferring General Education Credits

Transferring credits from your general education classes is typically straightforward. Most universities generally accept credits from a completed degree, particularly those from general education. Many students enroll at a local community college for a couple of years so they can get general education requirements out of the way at a much lower price before eventually transferring to a four-year university.

However, keep in mind that many institutions have a residency requirement. This means that a certain percentage of your total college credits by graduation, often around 25%, must be earned from the institution you’re transferring to. To fully understand specific transfer policies and to know which of your credits they’re likely to accept, speak with an advisor at your prospective school.

Transfer Students who have successfully completed the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) lower division course work are exempt from all General Education requirements that may be met with lower division courses. Transfers starting at Stanislaus State in fall 2023 or future terms may request a GE substitution. Completion of UVU's General Education program satisfies General Education requirements at all Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) institutions. General Education courses transfer across USHE institutions with common naming, numbering, and credit standards. For students transferring before completing all General Education requirements, USHE institutions shall accept completed coursework with a passing grade, as approved by the sending institution. Transfer students may need additional coursework to satisfy remaining General Education requirements, and minimum grades may not fulfill major or prerequisite requirements. With student consent, receiving institutions may adjust course designations to support degree completion. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet their major's specific General Education requirements.

Addressing Challenges in General Education

Failing a gen ed class means you will likely have to retake that class at a later date or take (and pass) another course in that same gen ed subject category. During your second attempt, don’t forget to leverage all support systems, like your college’s learning center, the instructor’s office hours, and tutoring services, to make sure you succeed in the course.

Typically, students simply need to complete all gen ed requirements by the end of their degree program. That said, some colleges may require you to fulfill certain gen ed requirements by the end of your first or second year. Some students might prefer to distribute these courses across their entire undergraduate journey, while others may aim to wrap them up in the early stages of their college education, allowing them to later focus exclusively on their major’s coursework. It’s wise to engage with an academic advisor who can guide you through your choices and program prerequisites, assisting in tailoring your course timetable effectively.

Alternative Ways to Fulfill Requirements

Passing AP exams and IB exams in high school could help you enter college with credits already under your belt, allowing you to fulfill certain general education requirements. Note that college policies vary in terms of what AP/IB scores you must get to earn college credit. Dual enrollment programs are another excellent choice, enabling you to simultaneously earn credits for your high school diploma and future college degree. Just make sure to confirm with your prospective colleges that they accept credits from these programs.

The Value of General Education

General education is fundamental in shaping well-rounded individuals capable of independent thinking and practical application of knowledge. A broad, college-level encounter with math, science, communication, writing, and other key disciplines develops critical soft skills, such as analysis and creative problem-solving. It’s these types of skills that employers want to see the most in college grads.

While a major program equips students with specialized knowledge, the General Education program offers students a shared academic experience that fosters broad learning across the liberal arts and sciences. The gen ed framework itself varies and has changed substantially over time. What colleges consider fundamental speaks to the culture of specific colleges and of higher education as a whole. For example, a Christian college may require a course in religious studies as part of its general education requirements.

tags: #major #in #general #education #definition