Mar 19, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: Content may no longer be accurate.

General Education Requirements


Weber State University General Education Requirements


Click for PDF version of the GE Requirement

General education at Weber State University provides students with a foundation in the arts and sciences that transcends and complements their academic emphases.  This exposure to diverse fields of study enables students to make intellectually honest and ethical decisions that reflect a knowledge of and respect for diverse people, ideas, and cultures.  Such breadth of education also cultivates skills critical to student success in academic, personal, professional and community endeavors both within and beyond the university.

Students completing general education can:

  • Communicate, understand and interpret ideas and information using written, oral and visual media
  • Think critically and creatively to construct well-reasoned arguments supported by documented research
  • Use quantitative, mathematical relationships, operations and reasoning
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the history, foundational principles, economics, and politics of the United States
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how the biological and physical sciences describe and explain the natural world
  • Demonstrate an understanding of humans, their behavior, and their interaction with and within their physical, social, local and global environments
  • Demonstrate an understanding of diverse forms of aesthetic and intellectual expression

Before selecting general education courses, students should consult with an academic advisor (weber.edu/advisors) and review their CatTracks degree evaluation accessed through the eWeber student portal.

CORE GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS


 

The core requirements listed below apply to all Bachelor’s degrees and AA/AS degrees. It is recommended that students complete these requirements within the first 60 credit hours. General education requirements for AAS degrees vary and are specified by each program.

 

 

COMPOSITION (EN) 3 credit hours


Complete ENGL 2010 Intermediate College Writing  (3) and earn a “C” grade or better.

Entrance into ENGL 2010  requires one of the following:  Passing ENGL 1010   with a grade of “C” or better, passing the AP Language and Composition or Literature and Composition examination with a score of 3 or better, achieving an ACT English and Reading score of 29 or better, a CLEP with essay test with a score of 50 or better, or an articulated transfer credit from another regionally accredited college or university.

 

QUANTITATIVE LITERACY (QL) 3-5 credit hours


Select one of the following options and earn a “C” grade or better:

To enroll in MATH 1030  , MATH 1040  , MATH 1050  , MATH 1080  or MATH 2020  you must have either earned an ACT Math score of 23 or higher, completed MATH 1010   with a “C” grade or better, or earned an appropriate Accuplacer score.

If you earned a “C” grade or better in PHIL 2200  between Spring 2007 and Spring 2013 and you are declared in a catalog year between Spring 2007 and Spring 2013, your QL requirement is also met.  Some departments may not accept PHIL 2200  toward program requirements.

 

MATH & ENGLISH PLACEMENT


 

Math Placement

Effective Date: March 31, 2017

Rubric - High School GPA and Math ACT

Your initial math placement level is based on your Math ACT score or a weighted rubric of your high school GPA and Math ACT scores (if you took the SAT, your scores will be converted to an equivalent score). If you do not have a high school GPA and Math ACT you should take a placement test. (You may enroll in MATH 0950 Pre-algebra without a placement score.) You may also challenge your initial placement by taking a placement test. Check with your college advisor before enrolling in your first math course to ensure you register for the course most appropriate for your major. Many programs require you to take a specific Quantitative Literacy (QL) course to satisfy major requirements.

Placement Tests

Weber State offers a choice of several placements tests for students who do not have math placement or would like to challenge their initial placement. Fees and administration of the placement tests vary. See the Testing Center website for more information.

  • ALEKS (http://www.weber.edu/developmentalmath/aleks.html) (Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces) is an online math learning system that uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately provide you with a course placement as well as a comprehensive overview of your strengths and weaknesses. ALEKS is in pilot phase and is subject to change; however, all placement will be honored should cut scores change. The ALEKS Placement Test fee includes access to review modules, practice tests, and limited test retakes for a 6 month period of time. 
  • ACCUPLACER (http://www.weber.edu/TestingCenter/accuplacer.html) is a placement test used at over 1,500 institutions. ACCUPLACER uses adaptive technology to tailor the test to your skill level by increasing or decreasing the question difficulty based on your responses to previous questions. You may take ACCUPLACER up to 2 times within a 12 month period.
  • The Residual ACT (http://www.weber.edu/TestingCenter/act.html) is the same as the National ACT but is limited to students who will be attending WSU as score reports cannot be sent to other universities. Allotted testing time between Residual ACT testing is 60 days.

Wondering which exam to take? 

  • If you expect to place into MATH 1030 or higher, you can choose between ALEKS, ACCUPLACER, or the Residual ACT.
  • If you expect to place into MATH 1010 or lower, take ALEKS.
Level WSU Course Placement Placement Criterion
Rubric ALEKS Math ACT Math ACCUPLACER
0 No current placement No scores; see your academic advisor for options
1 MATH 0950 0.0 - 19.9 0 - 13
2 MATH 0970 or MATH 0990 20.0 - 21.9 14 - 29
3 MATH 1010 22.0 - 23.2 30 - 45 21 or higher
4 MATH 1030 (QL) or MATH 1040 (QL) or MATH 2010 46 - 100 21 or higher CLM 20 - 49
5 MATH 1050 (QL) 55 - 100 23 or higher CLM 50 - 69
MATH 1060 55 - 100 23 or higher CLM 50 - 69
MATH 1080 (QL) 55 - 100 23 or higher CLM 50 - 69
6 QL requirement satisfied 65 - 100 26 or higher CLM 70 or higher
MATH 1210 78 - 100 CLM 90 or higher

Placement Expiration

Be aware that your placement can expire if you do not begin your math course within a certain period of time (see below). Enroll in math within your first year to avoid expiration and potential delays in your graduation.

Placement Scores that Expire after 24 Months

  • ALEKS scores
  • ACCUPLACER scores
  • Math ACT scores for placement into MATH 1030, 1040, 1050, 1080, or 2010 (after 24 months you can enroll in MATH 1010 or take a placement test)

Placement Scores that Do Not Expire

  • Rubric scores for MATH 0950-MATH 1010
  • Math ACT score for placement into MATH 1010
  • Any placement score that satisfies the Quantitative Literacy (QL) requirement (Note: While these scores will always satisfy the QL requirement, the score will expire as a prerequisite for higher-level math courses after 24 months)

Placement and Completing your Quantitative Literacy (QL) Requirement

Your placement indicates where you need to begin in one of the following Math sequences to fulfill your QL requirement. Check with your college advisor if you are not sure which sequence and/or QL course is most appropriate for your major.

  • MATH 0950 → MATH 0990 → MATH 1010 → any MATH QL course or
  • MATH 0950 → MATH 0970 → MATH 1010 → any MATH QL course or 
  • MATH 0950 → MATH 0970 → MATH 1030 or 1040
  • MATH 0950 → MATH 0990 → MATH 1010 → MATH 2010 → MATH 2015 → MATH 2020 (for elementary education majors) or
  • MATH 0950 → MATH 0970 → MATH 2010 → MATH 2015 → MATH 2020 (for elementary education majors)

Once you pass a prerequisite math course, the course is valid for 24 months before it expires as a prerequisite.  Some math courses are offered in several formats. Visit the Developmental Math website for more information about selecting the best format for your major and learning style.

To satisfy the QL requirement you must complete one of the following:

  • Earn a “C” or better in MATH 1030, 1040, 1050, 1080, 2020 or
  • Earn a “C” or better in any math course for which either MATH 1050 or 1080 is a prerequisite or
  • Score 3 or higher on AP Calculus exam or
  • Score 3 or higher on AP Statistics exam or
  • Score 70 or higher on ACCUPLACER College Level Math (CLM) or 
  • Score of 26 or higher on Math ACT or
  • Score of 65 or higher on ALEKS

Questions about Placement?

 

 

English Placement

Your English placement is based on your ACT or ACCUPLACER scores (if you took the SAT, your scores will be converted to an equivalent score).  If you did not take the ACT, you should take the Reading Comprehension and Sentence Skills ACCUPLACER tests to obtain your placement. Non-native English speakers should contact the Learning English for Academic Purposes (LEAP) Program (801-626-6028) for placement testing.

Level WSU Course Placement Placement Criterion
ACT
English (E) & Reading (R)
ACCCUPLACER
Sentence Skills (SS) &
Reading Comprehension (RC)
0 No current placement No scores; see your academic advisor for options
1 ENGL 0900 12 or lower in either E or R 39 or lower in either SS or RC
2 ENGL 0955 13 - 16 in either E or R 40 - 89 in either SS or RC
3 ENGL 1010 17 or higher in both E and R 90 or higher in both SS or RC
4 ENGL 2010 29 or higher in both E and R
5 Composition requirement satisfied

Placement Test

Weber State offers ACCUPLACER for students who do not have English placement or would like to challenge their initial placement. ACCUPLACER is a placement test used at over 1,500 institutions. ACCUPLACER uses adaptive technology to tailor the test to your skill level by increasing or decreasing the question difficulty based on your responses to previous questions. You may take ACCUPLACER up to 2 times within a 12 month period. See the Testing Center website for fee and test administration information.

Placement Expiration

ACT scores expire after 48 months for English placement. ACCUPLACER scores expire after 24 months.

Placement and Completing your Composition Requirement

Your placement indicates where you need to begin in one of the following English sequences to fulfill your Composition requirement. 

  • ENGL 0900 → ENGL 0955 → ENGL 1010 → ENGL 2010 or
  • ESL courses → ENGL 1010 → ENGL 2010 (for non-native English speakers)

To satisfy your Composition requirement, you must earn a “C” or better in ENGL 2010. Some Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees only require successful completion of ENGL 1010.

Questions about Placement?

Contact the English Department (801-626-6251) with questions regarding English course placement.

 

AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS (AI) 3-6 credit hours


Select one of the following options and earn a “C” or better:

 

INFORMATION LITERACY (IL) 1.0 credit


Successful completion can be met by receiving a credit grade on a proficiency exam or taking one of the courses with a “C” grade or better.  Exams are credit/no credit, courses vary.  Students should check with their Major Adviser to determine the best way to meet the information literacy requirement. More information is also available at: http://library.weber.edu/researchandteaching/information_literacy or by contacting the IL Administrator at 801-626-7068 or infolit@weber.edu.

Note: Information Literacy (IL) transfer credit that does not automatically transfer from another college or university will be evaluated on an individual basis. Transfer credit must meet the current WSU IL requirements, have been taken within the last seven years, and passed with a grade of “C” or above.

DIVERSITY


Complete one of the following general education courses and earn a passing grade.  Note: the following courses will meet both a breadth and diversity requirement (see courses marked with a “♦” in the Breadth requirements).

BREADTH GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS


DO NOT DUPLICATE DEPARTMENTS: Courses selected to fulfill breadth requirements must each be from a different program, with the exception of Honors.

HUMANITIES & CREATIVE ARTS


Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Fine Arts, or Bachelor of Integrated Studies: Select nine (9) credit hours - at least three (3) credit hours from Humanities and at least three (3) credit hours from Creative Arts and earn a passing grade.

Associate of Applied Science: Select three (3) credit hours from Humanities or Creative Arts and earn a passing grade

 

HUMANITIES


Anthropology

CREATIVE ARTS


Interior Design

SOCIAL SCIENCES


Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Fine Arts, or Bachelor of Integrated Studies: Select six (6) credit hours in addition to the American Institutions requirement and earn a passing grade.

Associate of Applied Science: Select three (3) credit hours and earn a passing grade.

SOCIAL SCIENCES


Child and Family Studies

Criminal Justice

Engineering Technology and Culture

Health Education

Management Information Systems

Physical Education Professional

Women & Gender Studies

PHYSICAL SCIENCES & LIFE SCIENCES


Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Fine Arts, or Bachelor of Integrated Studies: Select nine (9) credit hours - at least three (3) credit hours from Physical Sciences and at least three (3) credit hours from Life Sciences and earn a passing grade.

Associate of Applied Science: Select three (3) credit hours from Physical or Life Sciences and earn a passing grade

PHYSICAL SCIENCES


Physics

LIFE SCIENCES


Anthropology

Zoology

WSU PROGRAM COURSES


WSU courses are interdisciplinary, variable (3-5) credit, team-taught and limited enrollment courses that satisfy requirements in two areas (core or breadth) of general education (with passing grade).

*Students may take as many WSU courses as they wish, but only the non-overlapping GE attributes from subsequent WSU courses will count toward GE requirements.

AP, CLEP and Transfer Credit


General education requirements may also be satisfied by:

AP Credit

Students who have completed advanced placement courses in high school and passed the Education Testing Service examination with acceptable scores (3, 4, or 5) may be granted WSU credit hours for each, and will be given general education credit in the appropriate category. (Refer to the Credit by Examination or Petition section and/or contact the Admissions Office for more information.)

International Baccalaureate Credit (IB)

Students who have completed International Baccalaureate courses in high school and passed the corresponding Higher-Level or Diploma examinations may be granted WSU credit hours for each, and will be given general education credit in the appropriate category. (Refer to the Credit by Examination or Petition section and/or contact the Admissions Office for more information.)

CLEP Credit

All students are eligible to take the CLEP (College Level Examination Program) battery which, if passed satisfactorily, may satisfy most of the general area requirements. (Refer to the Credit by Examination or Petition section and/or contact the Admissions Office for more information.)

Transfer Credit

Weber State University accepts transfer credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities. Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degrees earned at any higher education institution accredited by one of the following six regional accrediting associations (recognized by the U.S. Department of Education) will satisfy all general education core and breadth requirements provided the granting institution was regionally accredited at the time the degree was awarded.

  • North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Southern Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges

For students who are transferring from a non-regionally accredited institution, please refer to Credit by Examination or Petition.

Contact the Transfer Admissions Advisement Office for more information (see Transfer Advisement).