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 wholistic 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

1. Students will demonstrate comprehension of the Christian story, beginning with the central story of Jesus and continuing with the story of the church, with particular attention to Anabaptists.
2. Students will demonstrate comprehension of their own and other people's stories in relation to personal, cultural and historical contexts.
3. Students will demonstrate comprehension of disciplinary narratives and methodologies and their interaction with Christian faith traditions.
4. Students will demonstrate competency in oral communication.
5. Students will demonstrate competency in written communication.
6. Students will demonstrate competency in mediated communication.
7. Students will demonstrate competency in quantitative communication.
8. Students will demonstrate the comprehensive exploration of issues, ideas, artifacts, events, contexts, ethical perspectives and ramifications, demonstrating inductive and deductive reasoning and disciplinary methodology, and using quantitative and qualitative information, before accepting or formulating an opinion or pursuing a course of action.
9. 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.
10. Students will demonstrate the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make a difference in the life of communities.

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, a California Community College AAT or AST degree fulfills all general education requirements except for the two biblical studies courses. Requirements follow the CSU subject pattern areas: Area A. English language communication and critical thinking, Area B. scientific inquiry and quantitative reasoning, Area C. arts and humanities, Area D. social sciences, and Area E. biblical studies.

General education transfer agreements list courses students may complete at community colleges in the San Joaquin Valley (California) to satisfy general education requirements. These transfer agreements, listed by institution, are found on the FPU website in the Registrar's Office section. 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, as well as at the regional campuses. Regional campuses are located in Merced, North Fresno, Visalia and Bakersfield.

Program Length/Semester Starts

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

English Placement Test

All admitted DC students, both general education and major cohort students, must take the English Placement Test by the end of their first semester, either as part of their CP 150 - University Success course or (for those not enrolled in CP 150) at the regional campus. Students enrolled in completely online programs will be given an online option. Students who score below the minimum threshold will be required to take an appropriate course during their first six months of attendance. A specific course will be chosen in consultation with the student's advisor, allowing consideration of the student's current transcript.

General Education Cohorts

Students who have not taken many college units may enroll in a pre-planned, 18-month cohort. Courses are pre-scheduled so that students may finish their general education requirements and 10 electives prior to entering a major. In addition to program advisors, a mentor assists students. Students may opt out of courses if particular requirements have already been fulfilled, moving into and out of the open cohort as needed. The schedule is flexible; students choose 10 electives. Students may expect 15 hours of instruction per week and 30 hours of homework assignments per week if they participate in the full schedule. Courses are guaranteed to be scheduled. Low enrollment courses may be scheduled online.

Highlights of Cohorts

• Pre-planned schedule of courses.
• Experienced, highly rated university faculty.
• Stimulating academic environment.
• Classes of 10-25 students to provide maximum interaction and support.
• Cohorts usually meet face-to-face for class one night per week in this efficient, accelerated program.
• Students from a variety of workplaces, ages and cultural backgrounds.

General Education Course Requirements: Degree Completion (45 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 E courses must be taken at Fresno Pacific University.

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Elective courses are offered to help complete the total unit requirement for a bachelor's degree.