REGISTRAR

WConnect
 

General Education Curriculum

This information is presented for informational purposes. In the event of a discrepancy between this page and the Undergraduate Bulletin, the Bulletin should always be used.

General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees

Vision Statement: In keeping with the Mississippi University for Women Mission, the General Education Program provides students with the skills, knowledge, and values they need to become independent, productive members of society in our continually changing world.

Mission Statement: The Mississippi University for Women General Education Program provides a foundation in the liberal arts that includes knowledge in the historical, literary, aesthetic, scientific, and cultural traditions that shape the world, and fosters skills that allow students to become civically responsible life-long learners ready to adapt to new challenges.

Guiding Principles: All students who complete the Mississippi University for Women general education program will demonstrate:

  • Critical Thinking
  • Effective Communication
  • Cultural Literacy
  • Quantitative & Technology Skills
  • Understanding of Self, Global Societies, & the Natural World
  • Life-Long Learning

General Education Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Critical Thinking & Effective Communication: Students will demonstrate the ability to
    • Evaluate information for the purposes of making informed decisions
    • Analyze the arguments and points of view of others
    • Present information, arguments, and ideas in oral, written and visual forms appropriate to their contexts
  2. Cultural Literacy: Students will demonstrate the ability to
    • Analyze individual aesthetic and cultural works
    • Compare human endeavors across cultures and through history
    • Discuss global perspectives and cultures objectively
  3. Quantitative and Technology Skills: Students will demonstrate the ability to
    • Solve problems, draw conclusions, and make predictions using quantitative information
    • Analyze quantitative information presented in different formats
    • Adapt to emerging technologies
  4. Understanding of Self, Society, and The Natural World: Students will demonstrate the ability to
    • Analyze the interactions between the individual and society
    • Engage in activities that promote personal and civic well-being
    • Apply the scientific method to solve problems
  5. Life-Long Learning: Students will demonstrate the ability to
    • Transfer general education strands to their major fields of study and to make connections between disciplines

General Education Curriculum:

I. Written and Oral Communication:

The written and oral communication requirement can be met through the successful completion of the following three-hour courses: (Minimum grade of C or higher required.)

  • EN 101 – English Composition I 
  • EN 102 – English Composition II 
  • COM 101 – Oral Communication 

II. Quantifying Skills:

The mathematics requirement can be met through successful completion of one of the following three-hour courses:

  • MA 113 – College Algebra
    Or
  • Higher numbered mathematics, including 
    MA 123 – Statistics

III. Natural Sciences (8 semester hours)

The Natural sciences requirement can be met through successful completion of the following courses:

  • Two lab-based natural science courses 

IV. Humanities and Fine Arts: (12 semester hours)

The humanities and fine arts requirement can be met through successful completion of approved three-hour survey course(s) from the following areas:

  • One course in History 
  • One course in Literature 
  • One course in Fine Arts 
  • A second course in History, Literature, or Fine Arts 

V. Social Science: (3 semester hours)

The social science requirement can be met through successful completion of an approved three-hour course from one of the following areas:

  • Economics 
  • Family Science 
  • Geography 
  • Political Science 
  • Psychology 
  • Religion 
  • Sociology 
  • Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies 

VI. Critical Thinking: (3 semester hours)

The critical thinking requirement can be met through successful completion of an approved three-hour course from the following area:

  • Philosophy (non-religion) 
  • DEC 200 – Science of Decision Making
  • NU 204 – Healthcare Ethics Across the Lifespan

VII. Technology

Each major will specify opportunities for its students to work with and learn to adapt to emerging technologies. Please see the degree requirements for individual majors to learn about any additional requirements.

VIII. Breadth of Understanding:

To satisfy the requirements for any major, students are encouraged to complete courses addressing global* and historical perspectives.

In addition, students must complete at least six hours of general electives. those electives may include (but are not limited to) foreign language courses, courses for a minor, or courses for a second major.

*A global perspective is the understanding of environmental, social, cultural, political, and economic forces that shape the world.

IX. Meeting the Challenge of College Life: (0-1 semester hour)

Entering freshmen with fewer than 12 hours earned (excluding AP and CLEP credit, college credit earned while in high school, and college credit earned during the summer between high school graduation and fall enrollment) are required to successfully complete the following course:

  • UN 101 – Introduction to College Life 

X. Reinforcing and Extending the General Education Curriculum:

In meeting the mission of the general education curriculum and fulfilling its student learning outcomes, each major will specify courses or activities that reinforce each of the guiding principles for the general education curriculum.

Total: (38-39 Semester Hours)

Some Colleges maintain minimum standards for core requirements, demanding a minimum grade of C in all such classes. Students are encouraged to complete most of the core curriculum during the freshman and sophomore years. They should consult their academic advisors or Section 11 Programs of the Undergraduate Bulletin about the standards for specific majors.

One-Credit Courses

One-credit courses may be used toward elective hours for graduation requirements. However, no accumulation of one-credit elective courses may be used to satisfy a General Education requirement.

Proficiency in English

Proficiency in English, both written and spoken, is required of all students. Students deficient in English may be referred to the Department of Languages, Literature, and Philosophy or Academic Support Services for remediation to correct the deficiency.

The ACT score in English, required of all entering students, is used to determine the level at which each student should begin English composition. All entering freshmen with an ACT English subtest score of 16 or below will be required to take EN 100 during their first semester of enrollment and will be required to enroll in EN 100 until a passing grade is earned.

English Composition Requirement

All students must take EN 101 and EN 102 in their first year. A student must earn a grade of C or higher in EN 101 and EN 102 to satisfy the English composition requirement. These courses may not be fulfilled through correspondence courses.