Mar 19, 2024  
2022-23 Catalog 
    
2022-23 Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: Content may no longer be accurate.

General Education Requirements


General Education Requirements PDF

FAQ

  • What is General Education (Gen Ed)?
    Gen Ed is shared by all degree-seeking students. Gen Ed credits (~34-41) account for about 2/3 of the Associate’s and 1/3 of the Bachelor’s degrees. Gen Ed provides broad exposure to diverse disciplines and is the foundation for developing intellectual tools and responsibility to the self and others.
  • What is the mission of General Education?
    To provide students with the foundational knowledge and intellectual tools that enhance and transcend their academic program of study. The big questions posed by Gen Ed courses address significant issues about the world. Gen Ed courses help students apply their learning and develop personal and social responsibility, which is demonstrated through signature assignments.
  • Why is General Education required of all students?
    Gen Ed is not a random series of courses to “get out of the way” - it is a program of courses to lead the way to students’ future success in higher education, the workplace, and the community. Because Gen Ed courses are framed around a Big Question, which is tapped by a Signature Assignment, students repeatedly exercise Gen Ed Learning Outcomes (GELOs) and “cross-train” their mind.
  • What are the General Education Program Requirements?
    Students are required to take CORE courses in Composition, Quantitative Literacy, American Institutions, Information Literacy and Diversity (~10-17 credits) and BREADTH courses in Creative Arts and Humanities (9 credits), Physical and Life Sciences (9 credits), and Social Sciences (6 credits).
  • What are WSU courses?
    The WSU Program provides students access to team taught, high-impact, interdisciplinary, variable credit (3-5), and limited enrollment WSU courses that satisfy requirements in two areas (core or breadth) of Gen Ed (with a passing grade). Students get the benefit of the expertise of two WSU faculty members in courses that engage their mind and challenge their thinking.
  • What is the Gen Ed Certificate of Completion?
    The Certificate of Completion is awarded when students complete all core and breadth requirements with a minimum 2.0 GPA. Once awarded, it will appear on students’ transcripts and is considered part of their official record. The Certificate allows students to “lock in” their Gen Ed credits and is transferable between institutions in the Utah System of Higher Education.
  • What is the Interstate Passport?
    WSU participates in the Interstate Passport Initiative wherein a block of Gen Ed courses is accepted between institutions and noted on students’ transcripts for articulation purposes. WSU issues the Passport upon completion of the Gen Ed Certificate of Completion with a C or better in all Gen Ed courses. WSU Gen Ed requirements are met (except for American Institutions, a Gen Ed requirement mandated by the Utah State Legislature) for incoming students who have earned a Passport elsewhere.
  • Who can help me plan my General Education courses?
    Before selecting General Education courses, students should consult with an Academic Advisor and review their Cattracks degree evaluation (eWeber student portal).

General Education Certificate of Completion

The Certificate of Completion in General Education is official proof that a student has completed the general education requirements of an Associate or Bachelor degree. Once awarded, it will appear on students’ transcripts and is considered part of their permanent record. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 to be awarded the General Education Certificate of Completion.

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.


I. Composition (EN): 3-4 credit hours

Select one of the following options and earn a “C” or better. Go to the Prior Learning Assessment website for placement score criteria.

II. Quantitative Literacy (QL): 3-6 credit hours

QL may be met with one of the following options. A “C” Grade or better is required. Go to the Prior Learning Assessment website for placement score criteria.

III. American Institutions (AI): 3-6 credit hours

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

IV. Information Literacy (IL): 1 credit hour

Successful completion can be met by receiving a credit grade on a proficiency exam or taking one of these courses with a “C” grade or better. Exams are credit/no credit; courses vary. Students should check with their Major Advisor to determine the best way to meet the information literacy requirement. More information is also available online and through the IL Administrator at 801-626-7034.

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.

V. Diversity (DV): 3 credit hours

Complete one of the following general education courses and earn a passing grade. Courses marked with a “♦” in the Breadth requirements will meet both the breadth and diversity requirement.
Note: POLS 2500 SS/DV GLB  and WGS 2500 SS/DV GLB  are cross-listed courses and only one may be used to fulfill Social Science or Diversity.

Breadth General Education Requirements

Duplicating departments is not permitted. Courses selected to fulfill breadth requirements must each be from a different program, with the exception of Honors.

Humanities (HU) & Creative Arts (CA)


  • 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 (HU)

Creative Arts (CA)

Anthropology
Communication
English
Foreign Language
Honors
Music
Philosophy
Theatre
Art

Note: Only one course from ART/ARTH may be used to fulfill CA requirement.

Computer Science
Dance
English
Film Studies
Honors
Construction and Building Sciences
Music
Theatre
 

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.
Anthropology
Child and Family Studies
Criminal Justice
Economics
Engineering Technology and Culture
Goegraphy, Environment, and Sustainability
Gerontology
Health Education
History
Honors
Management Information Systems
Physical Education Professional
Political Science

Note: POLS 2500 SS/DV GLB  and WGS 2500 SS/DV GLB  are crosslisted courses. Only one may be used to fulfull SS or DV requirements.

Psychological Science
Social Work
Sociology
Wildcat Scholars

UNIV 1110 SS, CEL - FYS: Introduction to Social Issues in Higher Education (3)  

Women & Gender Studies

Note: POLS 2500 SS/DV GLB  and WGS 2500 SS/DV GLB  are crosslisted courses. Only one may be used to fulfull SS or DV requirements.

 

Physical Sciences (PS) & Life Sciences (LS)

  • 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 (PS)

 Life Sciences (LS)

Note: (1) Only one Principles of Physical Science (CHEM /PHYS 1360 ) may be used to fulfill Physical Sciences; (2) only one course from either PHYS or ASTR may be used to fulfill Physical Sciences; (3) only one course from either GEOG or GEO may be used to fulfill Physical Sciences.

Chemistry
Geography, Enivronment and Sustainability
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Honors
Physics & Astronomy

Note: PHYS 1040  and PHYS 2040  are crosslisted with ASTR.

 

Note: Only one Principles of Life Science (BTNY /MICR  /ZOOL 1370 ) may be used to fulfill Life Sciences.

Anthropology
Botany
Health Sciences
Honors
Microbiology 
Nutrition
Zoology

WSU Courses


WSU courses are team taught, high-impact, interdisciplinary, variable credit (3-5), and limited enrollment courses that satisfy requirements in two General Education areas (Core or Breadth). Student must earn a 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.