General education refers to that part of a student’s education that contributes to the breadth of knowledge needed to be a more effective citizen of a complex and culturally diverse world. It supports the student with the skills and perspectives that will not always be gained from a specialized program of study and provides a basis for a common educational experience all students and graduates of the University can share. It is intended to help students become more broadly knowledgeable, adaptable, and capable in their many life roles. By graduation, students will have been given opportunities to develop their insight, creativity and intellectual curiosity, as well as analytical and critical skills. The General Education Program is designed to develop in each student:
- Appreciation of a wide range of perspectives and experiences
- Acquaintance with the many ways of experiencing and acquiring knowledge
- Broad knowledge about the human and natural world
- Understanding of the structure and order of the natural world, including human thought processes
- Appreciation of the arts for aesthetic value and for their usefulness in exploring complex human truths
- Knowledge of the history of civilizations
- Competence in communication
- Exploration and development of individual values and ethics
The major goal of General Education, therefore, is to develop students’ capacity to think critically, reason logically, and communicate effectively in a wide range of disciplines beyond their major field. A general education program cannot satisfy all of an individual’s lifelong general education needs. SVSU’s General Education Program enhances the graduate’s ability to learn and function as an educated person in the many demanding roles of contemporary life.
The General Education program comprises 35 credit hours in 10 categories, each with a learning objective, a required number of credit hours, and an approved group of courses from which to choose. Two courses chosen from Categories 2 through 8 must be communication intensive (designated [CI]). Categories 3, 9, and 10 must be completed in the student’s first 75 credit hours.
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