GE Requirements
The MyCore program requirements are based on students’ achievement of the 10 General Education goals.
- Students must earn a total of 40 General Education Points (GEPs) in the 10 GE Goals. A student earns GEPs by successfully completing approved courses or Co-curricular Learning Experiences (CLEs).
- Any approved course or CLE can contribute toward one or more GE goals, but not all courses and CLEs participate in the general education program.
- Courses and CLEs that carry GEPs are listed on the GE Approved Course List with their respective general education goal and number of GEPs. Example: CHEM 100 Chemistry and the Citizen (3 credits; GEP Goal 5 - 3 General Education Points (GEPs).
- The 40 GEPs must be earned in different disciplines: Goal 1 requires 7 GEPs from at least 3 disciplines; Goals 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 require 5 GEPs from at least 2 disciplines; and Goals 2, 8, 9 and 10 require 2 GEPs from at least 1 discipline. A discipline has a unique Course code, e.g. CHEM, PSYCH, etc.
- Credits transferred as a BU course equivalent get the GEP distribution of the BU course. Other transfer course units follow the State System Board of Governors’ policies.
- The number of GEPs each student earns toward each GE goal will be tracked electronically and will be readily available to students and academic advisors.
Minimum # of GEPs required | Minimum # of disciplines required | |
---|---|---|
1. Communication - Communicate effectively in writing, oral presentation, and visual argument. (Goal also has Foundational Course Requirement) | 7 | 3 |
2. Information Literacy - Find, evaluate, and ethically use information using appropriate technology. | 2 | 1 |
3. Analytical and Quantitative Skills - Apply critical analysis, quantitative reasoning, and problem solving skills. (Goal also has Foundational Course Requirement) | 5 | 2 |
4. Cultures and Diversity - Apply knowledge from the humanities and other disciplines to analyze: the implications of diversity among human groups, their histories, cultures, and the plurality of human experiences. | 5 | 2 |
5. Natural Sciences - Demonstrate knowledge of natural sciences principles, concepts, and methods. | 5 | 2 |
6. Social Sciences - Demonstrate knowledge of social sciences principles, concepts, and methods. | 5 | 2 |
7. Arts and Humanities - Apply knowledge from the arts and humanities to analyze, evaluate, or participate in the artistic and literary traditions of our diverse world. | 5 | 2 |
8. Second Language - Demonstrate basic communication skills in a second language. | 2 | 1 |
9. Healthy Living - Participate in physical activity and evaluate the consequences of health decisions. | 2 | 1 |
10. Citizenship - Exhibit responsible citizenship. | 2 | 1 |
In addition to satisfying the GEP requirement, all students are required to complete foundational courses in English Composition and Mathematics in their first year of enrollment.
- For English Composition, the foundational course is ENGLISH 101 - Foundations of College Writing.
- For Mathematics, the appropriate foundational course will be determined by the student’s major, with approval of the Bloomsburg University Curriculum Committee. The course may be offered by departments other than the Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics Department. Students who are undeclared, or whose programs of study do not specify a foundational mathematics course, will be scheduled into MATH 101 - Math Thinking. Math courses equivalent to or higher level to foundational math fulfills this requirement. See the sample list placed near the GE approved course list.
- The approval process for academic courses and co-curricular learning experiences (CLEs) to contribute to the GE program is directed by the General Education Council (GEC), which recommends courses to the Bloomsburg University Curriculum Committee (BUCC) for final approval for MyCore.
- Assessment of the MyCore program is an essential part of the program and is guided by the GEC in conjunction with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.
- All courses and CLEs approved for GEPs include clearly written and assessable student learning objectives or outcomes.