General Education

Transfer Overview
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Area 1: English Communication
Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
Area 3: Arts and Humanities
Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Area 5: Physical and Biological Sciences
Area 6: Social Justice through Global, Ethnic, and Religious Studies
Area 7: Faith Engaging Life
Degree Completion

General Education is the breadth requirement of an undergraduate degree and is complemented by the depth requirement of a major. Breadth provides the opportunity to develop core competencies (i.e., oral and written communication, critical thinking, information literacy, and quantitative reasoning) needed for upper-division coursework and in the work place. In requiring study across and integration of multiple disciplines, General Education broadens student perceptions and understandings of themselves, their community, and the world. At Fresno Pacific, that study includes gaining familiarity with the university's distinctive Christian identity. Foundational as well as advanced courses from various majors contribute to the breadth of General Education's interdisciplinary offerings. Programs may require that students select specific general education courses. See program requirements for details.

A major provides learners with the opportunity to pursue mastery of special interests, to prepare for careers or to prepare for advanced study in graduate or professional schools.

A minor, which is optional for most majors, has two primary purposes. The first is to provide learners with the opportunity to deepen their understanding and experience of values central to the tradition of the university. The second is to provide learners with the opportunity to pursue secondary personal or career interests.

Together, general education, the major, and the minor are intended to stimulate learners to grow toward maturity centered in Jesus Christ, commitment to the church, virtue in character, faithfulness in vocation and service, active peacemaking, community building, and cultural transformation.

Transfer Overview

Fresno Pacific's undergraduate transfer standards for General Education and elective credits are consistent with the California State University transfer standard. Students may demonstrate completion of all lower-division General Education requirements (100-200 level courses) by submitting one of the following:

California General Education Transfer Curriculum Certification (Cal-GETC) at a California community college
Associate of Arts for transfer (ADT) at a public California community college
Associate of Science for transfer (ADT) at a public California community college

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Oral Communication: Students will exhibit clear, engaging and confident oral communication – in both individual and group settings – and will critically evaluate content and delivery components.
Written Communication: Students will demonstrate proficient written communication by articulating a clear focus, synthesizing arguments and using standard formats in order to inform and persuade others.
Critical Thinking: Students will apply critical thinking competencies by generating probing questions, recognizing underlying assumptions, interpreting and evaluating relevant information and applying their understandings to new situations.
Quantitative Reasoning: Students will accurately compute calculations and symbolic operations and explain their use in a field of study.
Information Literacy: Students will identify information needed in order to fully understand a topic or task, explain how that information is organized, identify the best sources of information for a given enquiry, locate and critically evaluate sources and accurately and effectively share that information.
Mission: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the Christian identity of the university: Christ-centered, biblically informed, service and justice oriented, and encouraging thoughtful reflection on the beliefs, values and practices contributing to personal and societal wholeness.