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General Education Requirements at SUNY Potsdam

General Education is a framework of skills, knowledge and experiences for a liberal education, providing both broad training in a variety of areas and knowledge of a particular field of study or major. Through General Education, students become engaged global citizens, critical thinkers, good communicators, thoughtful problem-solvers, and effective analyzers. They learn to apply their knowledge and skills across disciplines and in real-world settings.

General Education prepares students for their next steps. A 2013 survey of 318 employers conducted by Hart Research Associates found that 93% of those surveyed agreed that "a [job] candidate's demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems is more important than their undergraduate major." For those students who will seek postsecondary or graduate degrees, General Education teaches students the knowledge, skills, and abilities they will need to continue their education.

General Education Foundations (GEF)

   

Courses

MInimum # of Credits

FW

First-Year Writing

1

4

FS

Speaking, Reasoning and Research

1

1

FM

First-Year Mathematics

1

3

FC

Critical Thinking

1

1

 

General Education Foundations

Subtotal

9

 

Modes of Inquiry

   

Courses

Minimum # of Credits

AC

Aesthetic-Critical

1

3

AE

Aesthetic-Experiential

1

2

SB

Scientific Inquiry -Biological Science

1

3

SP

Scientific Inquiry - Physical Science

1

3

LB

Laboratory

One science must include lab

0

SA

Social Analysis

1

3

PI

Philosophical Inquiry

1

3

AH or WC

American History or Western Civilization

1

3

XC

Cross-Cultural Perspective

1

3

 

 

Subtotal

26

Total General Education Credits = 35

College Requirements

ML

Modern Language

ML 103 (3 credits)

SI

Speaking-Intensive

1 course; Prerequisite: FS or equivalent

WI

Writing-Intensive

1 course; Prerequisite: FW or equivalent

PE/HW

Physical Education/Health and Wellness Experience

2 PE courses (same or different courses);
1 PE course and 1 HW course; or
2 different HW courses.
Two semesters of varsity sports fulfills the requirement

PE credits are counted within the 120 required academic credits