General Education Requirements
Saginaw Valley State University envisions educational opportunities in which our graduates will rise to key positions in economic, political, cultural and civic leadership and will distinguish themselves and our University through their accomplishments and service. Therefore, we provide a general education program that is intended to help each student become more broadly knowledgeable, adaptable, and capable in their many life roles.
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. By graduation, students 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 discipline beyond their major field.
Source: SVSU Vision Statement and Overview, General Education Requirements
PLEASE NOTE: Following are requirements for students who started FALL 2004 to Present. If you DID NOT start Fall 2004 please refer to your catalog for requirements or visit the Academic Advising Center, Wickes 117.
The following degree requirements must be completed for a Bachelor's degree:
- Basic Skills Requirements
- General Education Requirements
- Major/Minor (if required)
- 124 credits (minimum) and 42 credits (minimum) 300-400 level course work
| University Basic Skills Requirements | ||
| Writing | Reading | Math Placement |
| ENGL 080 (3) ENGL 111 (3) | ENGL 082 (3) | MATH 081 (2) MATH 082 (4) |
Please note: Credits earned in courses numbered below the 100 level will not apply toward graduation and grades for these courses are not included in a student's overall grade point average. However, these credits may be applied when determining a "full load" for financial aid and/or freshmen athletic eligibility.
| General Education Requirements for New Students | ||
| Student Objectives | Content Area /Credit Hrs. | Select from: |
| 1.To read major literary works critically with appreciation and understanding. | Literature 3 cr. | ENGL 202, 203, 204, 205; MFL 205; PHIL 220 |
| 2.To appreciate the arts; to understand the arts as a vehicle for human expression. | Arts 3 cr. | ART 100, 130! (CI); MUS 117A, 117B, 117C, 117D, 117E; THEA 128A, 128B! (CI), 136, 137! (CI) |
| 3.To understand and manipulate numeric data; to respond to arguments and positions based on numbers and/or statistics. | Numerical Understanding 4 cr. | ECON 235; MATH 120A, 120B, 125, 132A, 132B, 140, 161; PS 225! (CI); PSYC 299; SOC 225, CS 280! (CI) |
| 4.To understand basic scientific concepts; to appreciate how these concepts are verified through experimentation and observation; and to become knowledgeable and responsible citizens in dealing with the challenges of a sophisticated technological society. | Natural Sciences 7 cr. | Minimum of two departments; must include at least one laboratory course.BIOL 104A, 104B, 105A, 105B, 105C, 111A, 111B, 111C; CHEM 102A, 102B, 111/111L; GEOG 101! (CI)PHYS 106A, 106B, 106C, 107, 111/111L, 211/211L |
| 5.To identify and analyze the significant ideas and events of human history by understanding cause and effect relationships through historical and philosophical investigation, narration, and synthesis. | Historical and Philosophical Understanding 3 cr. | HIST 100A,100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, 110! (CI); PHIL 123, 205A! (CI), 205B! (CI), 205C! (CI), 210A, 210B, 230, 280 |
| 6.To analyze and interpret social, economic, and political phenomena and human thought processes using techniques and procedures of the social sciences. | Social Sciences 3 cr. | ECON 125; PS 118! (CI); PSYC 100;SOC 112, GEOG202! (CI) |
| 7.To identify, describe, and understand the workings of important social, economic, and political institutions and the relationship of individuals to these institutions. | Social Institutions 3 cr. | ECON 221; LAW 208! (CI);PS 123; SOC 111 |
| 8.To understand the nature of significant international systems and to step outside of the constraints of one’s own society. | International Systems 3 cr. | ECON 200; GEOG 201; HIST 220, HIST/PHIL 213, 215; MGT 241; PS 130! (CI); SOC 280! (CI - Starting Fall 2002 formerly SOC 125) |
| 9.To develop greater proficiency in English or a foreign language in general and discipline-specific settings. | Oral Communication 3 cr. | COMM 105A, 105B, 105C; MFL 111, 112, 211 (FREN, GER, PLSH, SPAN); THEA 255 |
| 10.To develop greater proficiency in writing effective, researched academic texts in the English language. | Written Communication 3 cr. | ENGL 212; HIST 111; HUM 210;PHIL 114; PS 112 |
| C.I.When considering general education enrollment options, please note that students are required to complete two "CI" (communication intensive) courses from two different categories 2 thru 8. | Communication Intensive Requirement | Engl 111 is a prerequisite for all courses in categories 1 & 10 and for all CI courses |
NOTE: Requirements for Categories 3, 9, & 10 must be completed within a student’s first 75 credit hours or registration will be blocked.
Students admitted under a provisional or probationary status may be required to enroll in these courses during their first semester as a condition of their admission.