Advising Center : St. Cloud State University

What is the general education program?

SCSU, like most colleges and universities, has a general education program. General Education is a group of requirements designed to provide students with particular academic knowledge and skills appropriate for a college-educated person. The General Education program also introduces students to a broad range of academic disciplines. Students at SCSU must complete 40 credits in general education (and one in Wellness for a total of 41 credits) which is about one third of a student's total program.

The SCSU general education program is divided into two sections: The Core, which consists of 5 courses (16 credits) and Distribution, which consists of courses in three areas: A - Humanities and Fine Arts; B - Natural Sciences; and C - Social and Behavioral Sciences (24 credits). The following discussion will guide you through the details of the requirements and help you understand how to complete them.

Some Principles:

Students bear the ultimate responsibility for fulfilling general education requirements (and, in fact, all SCSU graduation requirements).
Get help. If you have questions, ASK!!! Talk with your academic advisor to make sure you are taking the right courses to fulfill the General Education requirements. The Advising Center will also be glad to help.
Some programs, like Education, prefer that students complete the general education program before venturing into the major; others, like Art, Music and various science majors, need students to begin completing the introductory major sequences right away.
Students who want to major in the College of Business should begin work on the pre-business core along with general education, and should go to the COB advising office (BB 122) or to the Advising Center (CH 229) for advice. Here is one example of why this is important:

Students who major in Business at SCSU will need only one class in Area C (Social and Behavioral Sciences) due to double-counting (Economics 205 is required for the pre-business core) and waivers (all business students take enough Management to waive a right column course in C).
Be aware that most major programs will allow students to blend general education and major courses during the student's whole degree program. Students who know what they plan to major in should contact the appropriate department as soon as possible for guidance:

Example: Mass Communications has a larger general education program that is required by their accrediting agency. If you plan on a Mass Comm major, see an advisor in that department or in the Advising Center.
Elementary Education majors will need only one course in Area C due to waivers for Education (Area C, right column) and Applied Psychology (Area C, left column).
Students in many science areas will be able to substitute a higher-level math course for Core 3, and will complete Area B through waivers. Do not take general education science courses you do not need! This will save you time. Make sure to check with a departmental advisor or with the Advising Center if you plan a major in the sciences.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR STUDENTS PLANNING TO MAJOR IN ENGINEERING:

ENGINEERING HAS ITS OWN GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU CHECK WITH AN ENGINEERING ADVISOR OR WITH THE ADVISING CENTER ABOUT YOUR GENERAL EDUCATION CLASSES. IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS AN ENGINEERING MAJOR TO BE SURE YOU GET THE CORRECT ADVICE.

General Education Requirements at SCSU

Diversity (MGM)

Students are required to take three Diversity (MGM) courses from three different departments. Courses that fulfill this requirement are marked in bold face and underlined on the General Education Check List. They are also listed at the end of that document by course, in alphabetical order. This is a university requirement, not a general education requirement. Students can take the Diversity (MGM) courses in general education, or in a major, minor, or as university elective. However, the Diversity (MGM) courses are all included in the general education program, and many students fulfill this requirement partly or completely through general education. One of the Diversity (MGM) courses must satisfy the Racial Issues requirement. At present, these courses have been designated as Racial Issues:

CMTY 111, 470; ETHS 210,205,210,215,220; HURL 102, 105; HIST 109; SOC 268.

The Core (16 credits)

Students must complete the five courses or categories listed below unless they can test out. Contact the English, Speech, Math and Philosophy departments for information on testing out of Core 1, 2, 3 and 4. Students wishing to test out of Core 5 should contact the office of Academic Affairs.

Core 1 - English 191 - Introduction to Rhetorical and Analytical Writing (4 credits). This is the only Core class that is 4 credits. English 191 provides the foundations for college level writing, with an emphasis on the research paper. All students must pass this course or test out.

Core 2 - CMST 192 - Introduction to Communication Studies (3 credits). This course combines small group, interpersonal and public communication, with an emphasis on critical thinking, organization and effective speaking and listening.

Core 3 - Math/Stat 193 - Mathematical/Statistical Thinking (3 credits). Students must receive a satisfactory score on the department test to be eligible for these courses, or they must take Math 070 or 072, a non-credit course as a prerequisite.

Note: Some majors require or prefer Math 193, some Stat 193. For example, Elementary Education majors must take Math 193. Some majors require courses that can substitute for Math/Stat 193. Those planning to major in Business should take Math 196 (Math 072 is the prerequisite for those who do not pass the math placement test). These courses can also substitute for Math/Stat 193: Math 111, 112, 115, 211 and 221. Be sure to get proper advising for your situation.

Core 4 - Philosophy 194 - Critical Reasoning (3 credits). This course introduces students to the process of reasoning about human values, human knowledge, and our place in the scheme of things.

Core 5 - Democratic Citizenship (3 credits). At present, the following six courses can be taken to satisfy Core 5: Community Studies 195, Economics 195, History 195, Political Science 195, Sociology 195, and Social Work 195 (MGM).

Note: Those planning to major in Business should not take Econ 195 as they are required to take a year of economics. Engineering majors are required to take Econ 195. Again, be sure to get proper advice for your particular situation.

Distribution (24 Credits)

There are three distribution areas:

Area A: Humanities and Fine Arts
Area B: Natural Sciences
Area C: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Taking courses from these three areas helps to provide students with a broad range of educational experiences. SCSU allows a considerable degree of choice for students, though some rules apply.

You must take twenty-four credits in the distribution part of the General Education Program.
In each of the three areas take six credits from the left column
You are limited to no more than four credits from any one department (except foreign languages; you may take a sequence of two courses e.g. 101 and 102; 102 and 201; 201 and 202 in the same language for a total of six to eight credits).
Students must take a total of twenty-four credits in the three distribution areas, six to nine in each area. In two of the areas students must take nine credits, at least six from departments in the left column and no more than four from the right column. Note that all nine credits may come from departments in the left column.
In one area, students take six credits, all from departments in the left column.

Confused? This explanation might help clarify the requirements:

You need to take at least six credits in departments from the left column in each of the three areas.
In Area B, three of those credits must be in a laboratory course (marked with an asterisk * on the checklist).
In two of the remaining areas (your choice) you need to take at least three more credits. These can be from departments either in the left or right column.
You need not take courses from the left column before you take any from the right column, but be aware that when you select a right column course you are also choosing to take nine credits from that area. The six credit or "short" area can only include courses from the left column. That is not a problem, but you should be aware of the implications of any choices you make.

Double Counting and Waivers:

Be aware that SCSU has both a double counting and a waiver policy that can reduce the number of credits you need in general education.

Double Counting:

If a course is required for a major or minor and is also a general education course, you may count it in both places. You only receive credit for it once. For example, if you major in English, you could use English 203 in the major and in general education. The same would be true for any department that has general education courses that also count toward the major. The Art department does not allow double counting.

You may not double count a course in Core 5 and in Area C

Waivers:

If you take six credits outside of the general education program from a department that has general education courses, you may waive three credits in general education.

This sounds more complicated than it is. Suppose you took two biology courses outside of the general education program, like Bio 151 and 152. You could then waive three credits in Area B. You didn't actually earn those three credits (you earned six credits from the two biology courses you took) but you reduce the number of credits needed in Area B by three.

The Psychology and Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sports Science departments do not allow waivers.
Nine Upper Division credits in Foreign Language may waive six credits in Area A

These policies are worth noting, as they can help you make wise choices about your general education courses. If you plan a major in a specific department, and that department has general education courses, you can probably either double count or waive a course in the area in which that department is listed. There are some exceptions, so make sure you get the proper advice.

Don't be intimidated by the general education program. Feel free to get help from the Advising Center.

If you plan on a major, go to that department as early as you can to get whatever handouts and information they have available to help guide you. Arrange to have an advisor in your major as soon as you have decided.

Undecided? Work on general education to help get an idea what you enjoy studying. But be aware that some majors, especially in science, business, and education, have large numbers of credits and important sequences. The earlier you decide on such majors the better in terms of finishing your degree in a timely fashion.

	A-Z Index \| News \| Library \| Technology \| Support St. Cloud State \| St. Cloud State University Home Admissions Academics Student Life About SCSU Athletics Alumni & Friends Who is My Advisor? Handbook Questions General Education Choosing a Major Graduation Checklist Services Advising Center Home What is the general education program? SCSU, like most colleges and universities, has a general education program. General Education is a group of requirements designed to provide students with particular academic knowledge and skills appropriate for a college-educated person. The General Education program also introduces students to a broad range of academic disciplines. Students at SCSU must complete 40 credits in general education (and one in Wellness for a total of 41 credits) which is about one third of a student's total program. The SCSU general education program is divided into two sections: The Core, which consists of 5 courses (16 credits) and Distribution, which consists of courses in three areas: A - Humanities and Fine Arts; B - Natural Sciences; and C - Social and Behavioral Sciences (24 credits). The following discussion will guide you through the details of the requirements and help you understand how to complete them. Some Principles: Students bear the ultimate responsibility for fulfilling general education requirements (and, in fact, all SCSU graduation requirements). Get help. If you have questions, ASK!!! Talk with your academic advisor to make sure you are taking the right courses to fulfill the General Education requirements. The Advising Center will also be glad to help. Some programs, like Education, prefer that students complete the general education program before venturing into the major; others, like Art, Music and various science majors, need students to begin completing the introductory major sequences right away. Students who want to major in the College of Business should begin work on the pre-business core along with general education, and should go to the COB advising office (BB 122) or to the Advising Center (CH 229) for advice. Here is one example of why this is important: Students who major in Business at SCSU will need only one class in Area C (Social and Behavioral Sciences) due to double-counting (Economics 205 is required for the pre-business core) and waivers (all business students take enough Management to waive a right column course in C). Be aware that most major programs will allow students to blend general education and major courses during the student's whole degree program. Students who know what they plan to major in should contact the appropriate department as soon as possible for guidance: Example: Mass Communications has a larger general education program that is required by their accrediting agency. If you plan on a Mass Comm major, see an advisor in that department or in the Advising Center. Elementary Education majors will need only one course in Area C due to waivers for Education (Area C, right column) and Applied Psychology (Area C, left column). Students in many science areas will be able to substitute a higher-level math course for Core 3, and will complete Area B through waivers. Do not take general education science courses you do not need! This will save you time. Make sure to check with a departmental advisor or with the Advising Center if you plan a major in the sciences. SPECIAL NOTE FOR STUDENTS PLANNING TO MAJOR IN ENGINEERING: ENGINEERING HAS ITS OWN GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU CHECK WITH AN ENGINEERING ADVISOR OR WITH THE ADVISING CENTER ABOUT YOUR GENERAL EDUCATION CLASSES. IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS AN ENGINEERING MAJOR TO BE SURE YOU GET THE CORRECT ADVICE. General Education Requirements at SCSU Diversity (MGM) Students are required to take three Diversity (MGM) courses from three different departments. Courses that fulfill this requirement are marked in bold face and underlined on the General Education Check List. They are also listed at the end of that document by course, in alphabetical order. This is a university requirement, not a general education requirement. Students can take the Diversity (MGM) courses in general education, or in a major, minor, or as university elective. However, the Diversity (MGM) courses are all included in the general education program, and many students fulfill this requirement partly or completely through general education. One of the Diversity (MGM) courses must satisfy the Racial Issues requirement. At present, these courses have been designated as Racial Issues: CMTY 111, 470; ETHS 210,205,210,215,220; HURL 102, 105; HIST 109; SOC 268. The Core (16 credits) Students must complete the five courses or categories listed below unless they can test out. Contact the English, Speech, Math and Philosophy departments for information on testing out of Core 1, 2, 3 and 4. Students wishing to test out of Core 5 should contact the office of Academic Affairs. Core 1 - English 191 - Introduction to Rhetorical and Analytical Writing (4 credits). This is the only Core class that is 4 credits. English 191 provides the foundations for college level writing, with an emphasis on the research paper. All students must pass this course or test out. Core 2 - CMST 192 - Introduction to Communication Studies (3 credits). This course combines small group, interpersonal and public communication, with an emphasis on critical thinking, organization and effective speaking and listening. Core 3 - Math/Stat 193 - Mathematical/Statistical Thinking (3 credits). Students must receive a satisfactory score on the department test to be eligible for these courses, or they must take Math 070 or 072, a non-credit course as a prerequisite. Note: Some majors require or prefer Math 193, some Stat 193. For example, Elementary Education majors must take Math 193. Some majors require courses that can substitute for Math/Stat 193. Those planning to major in Business should take Math 196 (Math 072 is the prerequisite for those who do not pass the math placement test). These courses can also substitute for Math/Stat 193: Math 111, 112, 115, 211 and 221. Be sure to get proper advising for your situation. Core 4 - Philosophy 194 - Critical Reasoning (3 credits). This course introduces students to the process of reasoning about human values, human knowledge, and our place in the scheme of things. Core 5 - Democratic Citizenship (3 credits). At present, the following six courses can be taken to satisfy Core 5: Community Studies 195, Economics 195, History 195, Political Science 195, Sociology 195, and Social Work 195 (MGM). Note: Those planning to major in Business should not take Econ 195 as they are required to take a year of economics. Engineering majors are required to take Econ 195. Again, be sure to get proper advice for your particular situation. Distribution (24 Credits) There are three distribution areas: Area A: Humanities and Fine Arts Area B: Natural Sciences Area C: Social and Behavioral Sciences Taking courses from these three areas helps to provide students with a broad range of educational experiences. SCSU allows a considerable degree of choice for students, though some rules apply. You must take twenty-four credits in the distribution part of the General Education Program. In each of the three areas take six credits from the left column You are limited to no more than four credits from any one department (except foreign languages; you may take a sequence of two courses e.g. 101 and 102; 102 and 201; 201 and 202 in the same language for a total of six to eight credits). Students must take a total of twenty-four credits in the three distribution areas, six to nine in each area. In two of the areas students must take nine credits, at least six from departments in the left column and no more than four from the right column. Note that all nine credits may come from departments in the left column. In one area, students take six credits, all from departments in the left column. Confused? This explanation might help clarify the requirements: You need to take at least six credits in departments from the left column in each of the three areas. In Area B, three of those credits must be in a laboratory course (marked with an asterisk * on the checklist). In two of the remaining areas (your choice) you need to take at least three more credits. These can be from departments either in the left or right column. You need not take courses from the left column before you take any from the right column, but be aware that when you select a right column course you are also choosing to take nine credits from that area. The six credit or "short" area can only include courses from the left column. That is not a problem, but you should be aware of the implications of any choices you make. Double Counting and Waivers: Be aware that SCSU has both a double counting and a waiver policy that can reduce the number of credits you need in general education. Double Counting: If a course is required for a major or minor and is also a general education course, you may count it in both places. You only receive credit for it once. For example, if you major in English, you could use English 203 in the major and in general education. The same would be true for any department that has general education courses that also count toward the major. The Art department does not allow double counting. You may not double count a course in Core 5 and in Area C Waivers: If you take six credits outside of the general education program from a department that has general education courses, you may waive three credits in general education. This sounds more complicated than it is. Suppose you took two biology courses outside of the general education program, like Bio 151 and 152. You could then waive three credits in Area B. You didn't actually earn those three credits (you earned six credits from the two biology courses you took) but you reduce the number of credits needed in Area B by three. The Psychology and Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sports Science departments do not allow waivers. Nine Upper Division credits in Foreign Language may waive six credits in Area A These policies are worth noting, as they can help you make wise choices about your general education courses. If you plan a major in a specific department, and that department has general education courses, you can probably either double count or waive a course in the area in which that department is listed. There are some exceptions, so make sure you get the proper advice. Don't be intimidated by the general education program. Feel free to get help from the Advising Center. If you plan on a major, go to that department as early as you can to get whatever handouts and information they have available to help guide you. Arrange to have an advisor in your major as soon as you have decided. Undecided? Work on general education to help get an idea what you enjoy studying. But be aware that some majors, especially in science, business, and education, have large numbers of credits and important sequences. The earlier you decide on such majors the better in terms of finishing your degree in a timely fashion. Advising Center (contact information) 720 4th Avenue South - St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301-4498 Page Revised: 7/18/2007 Phone: (320) 308-6075 © 2009 St. Cloud State University Site Map \| Map & Directions \| Contact SCSU \| Accreditations St. Cloud State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer. St. Cloud State University is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.