General Education Requirements
The general education program is the liberal arts part of your degree. This distinguishes a college degree from a career training program. It encourages broad educational experiences and provides the opportunity for students to explore their interests. Equaling about one-third of the total credits required for the baccalaureate degree, it provides for the development of transferable skills which apply to all career choices. Skills emphasized include communication, research methods, critical thinking and analyzing and synthesizing information. Students should expect their general education program to:
- Contribute to their competency in university-level academic skills;
- Provide for exploration of subjects outside a student's major and minor and demonstrate the interrelatedness of traditional disciplines.
- Develop and extend their capacity for inquiry and critical judgment.
- Promote their involvement in the examination of human values.
- Afford a realistic appreciation of the lives of people from cultures and situations other than their own.
General education courses are offered at all levels of the undergraduate experience, including the junior and senior years. All students are encouraged to work closely with their academic adviser to select the most appropriate general education program and to assure that the basic requirements have been met.
Transfer students. Students who transfer with an Associate of Arts degree have satisfied the general education requirements. Completion of another institution's Minnesota Transfer curriculum requirements will also satisfy the general education requirements. Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees do not meet the general education requirements, though individual courses will be evaluated to determine if they meet general education requirements.
General Education Guidelines
SCSU Semester-based General Education Program
Each general education course is identified by a dagger (+) in the course description section of this catalog.
I. Core (16 semester credits)
CORE 1*: ENGL 191 Introduction to Rhetorical and Analytical Writing
- ENGL 198 and ENGL 291 have been approved as substitutes for the core general education requirement in English.
- ART 198 has been approved for the core writing requirement for intended Art majors.
- TH 198 has been approved for the core writing requirement for intended theatre majors.
CORE 2: CMST 192 Introduction to Communication Studies
CORE 3: *MATH/STAT 193 Mathematical/Statistical Thinking
Several courses in mathematics have been approved as substitutes for the core general education requirement in mathematics and statistics. Generally, if your intended major requires one or more mathematics courses you will be able to use one of those courses to satisfy the core requirement.
Students who complete any one of the following six mathematics courses will be allowed to use this course as a substitute for MATH 193 or STAT 193.
- MATH 111
- MATH 112
- MATH 115
- MATH 196
- MATH 211
- MATH 221
CORE 4: PHIL 194 Critical Reasoning
CORE 5: Democratic Citizenship: CMTY 195, ECON 195, GLST 195, HIST 195, POL 195, SOC 195, SW 195
*Some specific majors may require a math course other than 193. See the department in which you intend to major for advising.
Competencies
Competencies may be demonstrated in any core areas. Examinations or other procedures are administered by the individual departments teaching the courses. Certification of competency normally waives the requirement but does not grant credit. See the following for information:
Competency in writing skills: Department of English, Riverview 106
Competency in speech communication skills: Department
of Communication Studies, WSB 129
Competency in mathematical or statistical thinking: Department
of Mathematics or Statistics, ECC 139
Competency in critical reasoning: Department of Philosophy,
BH 123
Competency in Democratic Citizenship: College of Social Science,
WH 101
Students interested in demonstrating competency in any of these areas should contact the respective department. Students demonstrating competency will be exempt from that part of the requirement. This does not alter the total number of credits required.
II. Distribution (minimum of 24 semester credits)
In two areas, take nine credits, at least six credits from departments in the left-hand column and no more than four credits from departments in the right-hand column. All nine may come from departments in the left-hand column. No more than 4 credits may be taken from any department. In one area, take six credits, all from departments in the left-hand column. This "short" area must be approved by your adviser. No more than 4 credits may be taken from any department.
AREA A: HUMANITIES AND FINE ARTS
| Choose 6-9 credits from the following: | No more than 4 credits from the following: |
| Art: 130, 131 Communication Studies: 210, 220, 229, 318, 330 Community Studies: 222 Dance: 142, 341 English: 184, 201, 202, 203, 215, 216 Film Studies: 175, 260 Foreign Language: (may count two courses in sequence for general education credit) 101, 102, 201, 202; FREN 101, 102, 110, 201, 202; GER 101, 102, 110, 201, 202; JPN 101, 102; RUSS 101, 102, 110, 201, 202; SPAN 101, 102, 110, 201, 202 HUMS 250 Music: MUSM 100, 101, 123, 125, 126, MUSP 101, 102, 103, 161, 163, 166, 167 Private Lessons: 110-410, 112-412, 114-414, 116-416, 118-418, 120-420, 122-422, 124-424, 126-426, 128-428, 130-430, 132-432, 134-434, 138-438, 140-440, 142-442, 144-444, 146-446, 148-448; Ensembles: 151-164, 258, 360 Philosophy: 111, 112, 211, 212, 213, 484 PESS: 125 Theatre: 130, 148, 270 |
Communication Sciences and Disorders: 130, 171, 220 Information Media: 204, 260 Mass Communication: 146, 220, 274, 275 COLL: 120 Religious Studies 100 |
AREA B: NATURAL SCIENCES
Note: Some majors require specific general education courses. Check the requirements of your intended major before selecting courses.
*Indicates laboratory course
Diversity (MGM) courses are underlined and in bold
| Choose 6-9 credits from the following: Include one laboratory course |
No more than 4 credits from the following: |
Biological Sciences: 101, 102*, 103*, 104, 105, 106, 107* |
Aviation 101, 103, 107 Electrical and Computer Engineering: 101, 102 Environmental & Technological Studies: 157, 182, 183, 185, 186, 260 Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering: 101 Mathematics: 105, 171, 211 |
AREA C: SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
| Choose 6-9 credits from the following: | No more than 4 credits from the following: |
| Anthropology: 101, 130, 140, 188, 198, 201 Area Studies: (AFST 250; CMTY 111, 222, 266, 470; EAST 250, 363, 364; LAST 250, 350; SOV 100) CEEP: 101, 384 (same as CPSY) CPSY: 101, 384 (same as CEEP) Economics: 201, 205, 206, 350, 381 Ethnic Studies: 201, 205, 210, 215, 220 Geography: 101, 111, 270, 372 GERO: 208 History: 101, 105, 106, 109, 140, 141, 150, 210, 211 Human Relations: 102, 105 Political Science: 101, 251, 337 Psychology: 115, 225, 240, 325 Social Science: 104, 204, 301, 460, 470 Sociology: 111, 160, 177, 200, 211, 268, 273 |
Business Law 230 Child and Family Studies: 220, 260 Community Studies: 200 Criminal Justice Studies: 100, 101, 111 Education: 250, 374 Ethnic Studies 350 FIRE: 201 Health, Phy Ed, Recreation and Sport Science: HLTH 125 Human Relations: 101, 201, 206, 497, 498 Marketing 100, 200 Management: 260, 261 Special Education: 203 Women's Studies: 201 |
DIVERSITY (MGM) COURSES
| AFST 250 ANTH 101, 130, 140, 188 ART 131 ASTR 120 AVIT 107 BIOL 106, 107 CFS 260 CJS 111 CMST 330 CMTY 111, 222, 470 COMM 146, 275 DANC 341 EAST 250 ECON 350 ED 250, 374 ENGL 203, 215, 216 ETHS 201, 205, 210, 215, 220, 350 ETS 183 |
GEOG 101, 111, 270 WS 201 |
RACIAL ISSUES (RIS) COURSES
CMTY 111, 470
ENGL 216
ETHS 201, 205, 210, 215, 220
HIST 109
HURL 102, 105
SOC 268
Double Counting: A student may count a course for credit in the general education program and in the major if the course is a requirement for that major. The credits count only once towards graduation.
Waivers: If a student takes six credits in a department which are not general education courses, the student may waive three credits of general education in that same department. In foreign languages, nine credits may waive six. This does not reduce the total credits required for graduation.
Check with the individual department. Not all departments allow waivers and double counting. Some majors require particular general education classes. Check with the appropriate department before making course selections.
III. University Requirements
Diversity Courses. Each student must complete three courses designated Diversity (Multicultural, Gender and Minority Studies). Students may take no more than 1 course from any one department in the completion of their Diversity (MGM) designated courses. See undergraduate catalog for a list of currently approved courses. One Diversity course must be an approved Racial Issues course to be taken in the first year of enrollment (new freshmen and transfers).
Students transferring less than 20 general education credits will be required to complete 9 Diversity (MGM) credits. Students transferring 20-29 general education credits will be required to complete 6 Diversity (MGM) credits. Students transferring 30-39 general education credits will be required to complete 3 Diversity (MGM) credits. Students transferring 40 or more general education credits will be required to complete no Diversity (MGM) credits.
Physical Education. Each student must complete a 1 credit course in wellness and fitness (PESS 122). See the description in the Catalog or contact the Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sport Science, HaH 227, 308-2155.
Note: Applies to students who have not completed the P.E. requirement under the quarter system.
Upper Division Writing. Each student must fulfill an upper division writing requirement. Generally, this will involve satisfactory completion of a writing intensive course at the 300/400 level within the student's major. For further information see the sections for individual departments or programs in this Catalog or consult directly with departments.
Note: Applies only to new students entering in or after Fall Semester 2005.
Exceptions. Limited exceptions to the general education program requirements may be approved whenever it can be determined that the program objectives would be better achieved through an alternate selection of courses. Petition forms are available from the Office of Academic Affairs. A copy of the student's general worksheet or major application form must be submitted with all petitions and special request forms. In addition, a graduation application review analysis form is required if the request relates to graduation.
The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum at SCSU
[Provisional - Effective Fall 2009-Summer 2010]
General information:
SCSU accepts the completed Minnesota Transfer Curriculum as fulfilling all lower division General Education requirements. We also provide an opportunity for students who wish to transfer to complete the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum here at SCSU.
Students who transfer to SCSU with a partially completed curriculum should see note 1 below.
The SCSU MN Transfer Curriculum is a slightly modified version of the standard SCSU General Education program.
The courses listed here may change. The list will be updated periodically. Check with the Office of Academic Affairs or http://bulletin.stcloudstate.edu/ugb/gened.asp for the most current list. Note: Diversity (MGM) courses are underlined and in bold.
Requirements:
GOAL 1: Communications (7 credits)
Select one of the following (*ENGL 291 or COLL 120 should be taken only in consultation with an advisor):
ENGL 191, 198, 291*
ART 198
COLL 120*
TH 198
Students also are required to complete: CMST 192
GOAL 2: Critical Thinking (3 credits)
PHIL 194
GOAL 3: Natural Sciences (Minimum of two courses, 6-8 credits, no more than 4 credits from one department. Include one laboratory course, indicated with *)
ASTR 105, 106*, 107, 205
AVIT 101, 103
BIOL 102*, 103*, 104, 107*
CHEM 101, 141*, 160*, 207*, 210*
CNA 169
CSCI 169, 200*
CSD 130
EAS 104*, 105*, 109*
ECE 101, 102
ETS 186
GEOG 273
MME 101
PHYS 101, 103*, 231*, 234*
GOAL 4: Mathematical/Logical Reasoning (3 credits)
MATH 111, 112, 113, 115, 171, 193, 196, 211, 221
STAT 193
GOAL 5: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences (Minimum 3 credits)
ANTH 101, 130, 140, 188, 198, 201
AVIT 107
BLAW 230
CMTY 200, 222, 266
CFS 220, 260
CJS 100, 101, 111
CPSY/CEEP 101, 384
ECON 201, 205, 206, 381
ED 250
ETS 157, 182
ETHS 350
FIRE 201
GEOG 270, 275
GERO 208
HLTH 125 (should be taken only in consultation with an advisor)
HIST 101, 105, 106, 140, 141, 150, 210, 211
HURL 101, 201, 206, 497, 498
MGMT 260, 261
MKTG 100, 200
POL 101, 320, 335
PSY 115, 225, 240, 325
SOC 111, 160, 177, 211, 273
SPED 203
SSCI 104, 204, 460
WS 201
GOAL 6: Humanities and Fine Arts (Minimum 6 credits, no more than 3 credits from one department. One course must be from the arts and the other from the humanities.)
Arts:
ART 130, 131
FS 175, 260
MUSM 100, 101, 123, 126
MUSP 101, 102, 103, private lessons (110-410 to 148-448), ensembles 151-164, 166, 167, 258, 360
TH 125, 148, 270
Humanities:
CMST 210, 220, 229, 318, 330
COMM 146, 220, 273, 274, 275
CSD 171, 220
ED 374
ENGL 184, 201, 202, 203, 215, 305
FREN 110
GER 110
HUMS 250
IM 204, 260
PHIL 112, 211, 212
RUSS 110
SPAN 110
GOAL 7: Human Diversity (Minimum 3 credits)
The Racial Issues course which must be taken in the first year of enrollment also satisfies the Human Diversity competency of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. Since this is also a university requirement, students who have completed the diversity competency at another college or university may be required to take a Racial Issues course in addition to having met the diversity requirement of the MTC. See note 2 below.
CMTY 111, 470
ENGL 216
ETHS 201, 205, 210, 215, 220
HIST 109
HURL 102, 105
SOC 268
GOAL 8: Global Perspectives (Minimum 3 credits)
AFST 250
ANTH 101
ASTR 120
BIOL 106
DANC 142, 341
EAST 250, 363, 364
ECON 350
ETS 183
FORL 101, 102, 201, 202
FREN 101, 102, 201, 202
GER 101, 102, 201, 202
GEOG 101, 111
HIST 150
JPN 101, 102, 201, 202
LAST 250, 350
MUSM 125
PESS 125
PHIL 111
POL 251, 335, 337
REL 100
RUSS 101, 102, 201, 202
SOV 100
SPAN 101, 102, 201, 202
SSCI 470
TH 130
GOAL 9: Ethical and Civic Responsibility (Minimum 3 credits)
CMTY 195
ECON 195
GLST 195
HIST 195
PHIL 484
POL 195
SW 195
SOC 195
GOAL 10: People and the Environment (Minimum 3 credits)
BIOL 101, 105, 106
CHEM 105
EAS 106
ETS 185, 260
GEOG 372
PHIL 213
PHYS 208
SOC 200
Note: All programs must fulfill all ten goals and must total at least 40 credits.
Note: Please see the section of this catalog on the University Honors Program for Honors courses that also are applicable to the MTC.
For students who have completed part of the MTC and then transfer to SCSU:
- Students are not required to repeat any goals they have already fulfilled, and will be allowed to select from the list above courses to complete the ten MTC competencies. Transfer students may also elect to complete the broader SCSU General Education program. See the Advising Center for assistance in deciding which program to complete.
- Students must have completed or must complete at SCSU the equivalent of all university requirements. These currently include three Diversity courses, one of which must be a Racial Issues course taken during the first year of enrollment, and a one-credit physical education course (PESS 122) based on concepts of wellness and/or fitness and the upper division writing requirement. Completion of the MTC at SCSU does not exempt students from these requirements. NOTE: Students who transfer to SCSU with the MTC completed are not subject to the Racial Issues/Diversity requirement, though they remain subject to the Wellness/Fitness requirement.
- Students’ combined transfer and SCSU general education/MTC courses must equal at least 40 credits.
