We are often asked for clarification of policies and procedures related to the operation of the General Education Program.  Whenever possible, we turn those conversations into a “frequently asked question” with an answer.  To assist in focusing your search, we have categorized the FAQs around broad topics.  If you cannot find what you are looking for in this section of the website, please explore other sections of this site.  If you still cannot find what you are looking for please don’t hesitate to contact our office.  We appreciate you assisting us to expand the website by identifying any gaps.

Student Participation

• Which students are enrolled in the General Education Program?
• Can you count major courses as general education courses?
• How much double counting is allowed?
• Do transfer students have to take First Year Seminar?
• Does the General Education Program include a PE requirement?
• If a student happens to finish all four perspectives but did not complete the designations, how can the student complete their designation requirement?
• If a student chooses to move to a newer catalog year and the General Education themes he/she took are not being offered in the new catalog, will those courses already taken count for that student?

Departmental Participation

• What are the incentives for teaching general education courses?
• What are the incentives for departments to offer general education courses?
• Will all courses be team taught?
• Do all general education courses have to be small courses?
• How long can a course be taught before it comes up for review?
• Can departments require their majors to take courses tied to a specific theme within a perspective?
• What kind of department/program/college/school check sheet changes need to be approved through AP&P?
• What suggestions do you have for calculating the numbers of sections/seats that will be needed for General Education?
• How can I appeal a decision by the General Education Council?
• What procedure for evaluating credits should be used if a current student who has been following the Core Curriculum  wants to switch to a new degree program?
• Are second degree students required to complete a new general education?

Course Approval Process

• What is the approval process for a new course to be included in general education?
• What is the approval process for an existing course to be included in general education?
• Can a course be approved for multiple components within general education?

Themes

• What is the process for developing themes for the perspectives?
• What is the approval process for a theme or a course designation?
• Examples of course integration within themes.
• Will themes have "gateway" or "anchor" courses?
• SInce courses/themes will be offered on 3 year cycles, will new cycles be starting each year so that each incoming freshman class will have the opportunity to finish a theme?
• How do I find partners to develop themes for the perspectives?

Assessment

• How will General Education be assessed?
• What is a Student Learning Outcome?