General Education and Electives: Degree Completion Students

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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

FPU's general education course sequence provides a foundation for critical thinking, communication, content knowledge, reflection, moral reasoning, service, culture and global perspective, quantitative reasoning and information literacy. 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

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.

Semester 1

CP 150 - University Success 3 Units
Elective 3 Units
COM 109 - Critical Thinking and Composition 3 Units
PHYS 151 - Geology and Planet Earth 3 Units
HIST 122 - Western Civilization I 3 Units
Elective 3 Units
COM 111 - Academic Writing 3 Units
Elective 3 Units

Semester 2

PSY 121 - Human Learning 3 Units
Elective 3 Units
COM 121 - Speech Communication 3 Units
Elective 3 Units
ART 111 - Art Appreciation 3 Units online
BIB 314 - Jesus and the Christian Community 3 Units
MATH 121 - Mathematical Problem Solving 3 Units
Elective 3 Units

Semester 3

ENV 151 - The Environment and Humanity 3 Units
Elective 3 Units
MUS 104 - Music Appreciation 3 Units
Elective 3 Units
PS 121 - American Government 3 Units
Elective 3 Units
HIST 142 - Western Civilization II 3 Units
Elective 3 Units

Total Units: 72

Degree Completion Elective Courses

Elective courses are offered to help complete the total unit requirement.

ART 161 - Art Around the World 3 Units
COM 342 - Advanced Academic Research and Composition 3 Units
COM 434 - Communication Skills for Professionals 1 Unit
CP 150 - University Success 3 Units
CRIM 210 - Criminal Justice Administration 3 Units
CRIM 220 - Criminal Law 3 Units
CS 105 - Computer Literacy 3 Units
HIST 423 - Puritan Influence in America 1 Unit
HIST 428 - The American Presidency 1 Unit
KIN 121 - Concepts of Wellness 3 Units
LA 322 - Discovery Learning in the Mind, Brain and Body 3 Units
LA 324 - Memory Tools: Mind Maps 1 Unit
LA 325 - Emotional Intelligence 3 Units
LA 383 - Power of Optimism 1 Unit
LA 384 - The Art of Motivation 1 Unit
LA 386 - Increasing Personal Effectiveness 1 Unit
LA 405 - Pathways in Education 3 Units
LANG 170 - English for Academic Purposes 3 Units
LEAD 101 - Learning to Lead 1 Unit
MATH 136 - Mathematics Concepts I 3 Units
MATH 137 - Mathematics Concepts II 3 Units
PLA 201 - Prior Learning Theory 3 Units
PSY 381 - Psychology of Learning 3 Units
PSY 441 - Introduction to Counseling Theories 3 Units
SOC 351 - Marriage and the Family 3 Units
SPAN 201 - Spanish for the Professions 3 Units