General Education Curriculum

Goldey-Beacom College's general education curriculum is designed to provide students with the broader context of global, social, historical, and economic perspectives which complement the content knowledge of major studies.


All bachelor's degree programs follow the "60/40 rule" common in higher education that requires a balance of general education and major/related courses. Between 40 and 60 percent of any given bachelor degree program consists of general education courses, with the remaining 40 to 60 percent of the program consisting of major/related courses. The general education core broadens students horizons, enabling them to understand the implications their decisions have on themselves, their families, communities, and their working environment. These decisions involve ethical judgment, clear and analytical thinking, a sense of social responsibility, an understanding of people, and a notion of justice.

Courses in humanities, mathematics, technology, social sciences, and communication nurture and cultivate the following skills and capacities in our students:

  • Competence in writing for specific purposes, audiences, and genres
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct college-level research
  • Proficiency in using contemporary technologies for communication
  • Effective oral and interpersonal communication skills
  • Competence in mathematics and mathematical software applications
  • Awareness and sensitivity to interpersonal and cultural relations
  • High standards of professional, ethical, and academic behavior

The general education component is composed of the following courses for all bachelor degree programs at the College:

  • ECO 200 - Microeconomics
  • ECO 201 - Macroeconomics
  • ENG 175 - Critical Writing I
  • ENG 176 - Critical Writing II
  • ENG 485 - Presentation & Debate I
  • ENG 486 - Presentation & Debate II
  • HUM 103 - Humanities I
  • HUM 104 - Humanities II
  • ITG 148 - Desktop Apps - MS Word
  • ITG 149 - Desktop Apps - MS Excel
  • MAT 111 - College Algebra
  • MAT 136 - Precalculus
  • MAT 234 - Finite Math
  • PSY 160 - Intro to Psychology
  • SOC 161 - Intro to Sociology
  • STA 326 - Statistics*
  • Lower-level General Education Elective(s)** (GE, Hum, Soc Sci)
  • Upper-level General Education Elective(s)** (GE, Hum, Soc Sci)

* BA English does not require STA 326
** Varies by program