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: 212, 221, 241, 322, 332 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: 125, 148 |
Communication Sciences and Disorders: 130, 171, 220 Information Media: 104, 204, 260 Mass Communication: 146, 220, 273, 274, 275 Reading: 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, 200, 268, 277 |
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 332 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 HIST 106, 109, 150 HURL 101, 102, 105, 201, 206, 497, 498 IM 204 JPN 101, 102 LAST 250, 350 MUSM 125 PESS 125 PHIL 111, 211 POL 337 PSY 225 REL 100 SOC 111, 200, 268 SOV 100 SPED 203 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
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.
This curriculum is designed primarily for students who wish to transfer from SCSU to another Minnesota institution which accepts the MTC. Any student who begins here and remains here to receive a degree (A.A. or Bachelor’s) must complete the standard SCSU program. 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. See the Office of Academic Affairs for the most current list.
Requirements:
GOAL 1: Communications (7 credits)
ENGL 191, 198, 291, ART 198 and 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)
ASTR 106, 205; BIOL 102, 103; CHEM 140, 141, 207, 210; EAS 104, 105, 109; PHYS 103, 231, 234
GOAL 4: Mathematical/Logical Reasoning (3 credits)
MATH/STAT 193 (MATH 111, 112, 113, 115, 196, 211, 221 also fulfill this goal.)
GOAL 5: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences (Minimum 3 credits)
ANTH 101, 140, 188, 198, 201 ;
CMTY 222, 266; CPSY/CEEP 101; ECON 201, 205, 206; GEOG 273, 275; HIST 101, 105, 106, 140, 141, 150,
210, 211; POL 101; PSY 115, 225, 240; SOC 160, 111,
277;
SSCI 104, 204
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; MUSM 100, 101, 123, 126; MUSP 101, 102, 103, private lessons, ensembles 151-164, 258; TH 125, 148; FS 175, 260
Humanities: CMST 212, 221, 241; ENGL 184, 201, 202, 203, 215, 216; FREN 110; GER 110; HUMS 250; PHIL 111, 112, 211, 212
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; 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; EAST 250; ETS 183; FORL 201, 202; FREN 201, 202; GEOG 101, 111; GER 201, 202; HIST 150; JPN 201, 202; LAST 250; MUSM 125; PHIL 111; POL 251; REL 100; RUSS 201, 202; SOC 268; SPAN 201, 202
GOAL 9: Ethical and Civic Responsibility (Minimum 3 credits)
CMTY 195, ECON 195, HIST 195, POL 195, SW 195, SOC 195
GOAL 10: People and the Environment (Minimum 3 credits)
BIOL 101, 105, 106; CHEM 105; ETS 260; EAS 106; PHIL 213; PHYS 208
Note: All programs must fulfill all ten goals and must total at least 40 credits.
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.
