General Education: Degree Completion Students

Program Student Learning Outcomes
Overview
General Education Cohorts
General Education Course Requirements
Elective Courses

The Degree Completion General Education (GE) courses at FPU provide adult students with an opportunity to develop a general knowledge base and be exposed to various fields of study. Today's complex community problems require integration of knowledge from multiple arenas rather than silos. General education gives students an opportunity to explore, to create, to think critically. Employers are looking for staff who are competent in oral and written communication skills, who know how to pursue holistic information, and who can reflect and reason. GE provides interactional experience in each of those areas. Society needs ethical leadership and FPU general education courses provide a foundation of Christian culture and faith integration in subject matter. Diversity of thought and intellectual imagination are encouraged. GE broadens student understanding of the world of ideas and the landscape of the human condition, preparing students to be involved community members.

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.

Overview

General education requirements for Degree Completion students generally follow the California State University (CSU) pattern and standards. Certified courses or even whole subject areas may be transferred in. In addition, students who complete an Associate of Arts for Transfer, an Associate of Science for Transfer (ADT), or a California General Education Transfer Curriculum Certificate (Cal-GETC) at a public California community college are considered to have fulfilled all lower-division general education requirements except for the two biblical studies courses. Requirements follow the CSU subject pattern areas: Area 1. English Communication, Area 2. Mathematics Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning, Area 3. Arts and Humanities, Area 4. Social Sciences, Area 5. Physical and Biological Sciences, and Area 7. Faith Engaging Life.

General education transfer agreements list courses students may complete at community colleges in the San Joaquin Valley (California) to satisfy general education requirements. Transfer agreements are found on ASSIT.org. The biblical studies requirements are considered FPU distinctive general education courses and may not be transferred in from other institutions. Information and guidance is available from admissions counselors at each FPU regional campus.

See transfer credit policy for additional information.

Locations Offered

General education and elective classes are offered online and may be offered at the regional campuses. Regional campuses are located in North Fresno and Visalia.

Program Length/Semester Starts

General education and elective classes begin six times during the year. Courses are six or eight weeks long.

General Education Course Requirements: Degree Completion (42 Units)

The general education requirements for a bachelor's degree may be met by successfully completing the courses listed here or equivalent transfer courses. Area 7 courses must be taken at Fresno Pacific University.