GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS.
When a student matriculates, the academic Catalog in effect at that time will contain the General Education course requirements that the student must satisfy in order to complete a degree and graduate. However, those students who interrupt the pursuit of the degree by more than three semesters for any reason must complete the General Education course requirements in effect at the time of re-enrollment.
For the current General Education course requirements, see below. Reference the appropriate appendix for previous General Education course requirements.
General Education Course Policies For B.A./B.S. Students Matriculating After Fall 2008
No General Education coursework, except for the Experiential Learning Requirement, may be completed on a Pass/Fail basis. With the exception of courses marked as Writing Intensive or Speaking Intensive (WI or SI), one course taken fulfills only one general education requirement, even if the class is listed as an option in more than one category. A course that is listed as an option for both Global Inquiry and Human Experience and Society, for example, will be counted as satisfying only one of these categories. But a course that is an option in Global Inquiry and is also marked as writing intensive would be counted in both of those categories. Many of the courses that will satisfy general education requirements are upper-level courses that one might think about taking after selecting a major. In this way, the selected general education courses will connect well with the intended major course of study.
A complete listing of the currently approved General Education courses (meeting both the General Education and the Across-the-Curriculum categories) can be found each semester in the official Guide to Registration available through the Office of the Registrar.
Many General Education requirements may be satisfied by UMW-determined equivalent AP (or IB) test scores. For specific equivalencies, students should refer to the AP/IB Transfer Credit Guide in effect at the time official scores were received by the University. For specific information, consult the Office of the Registrar.
General Education Course Requirements For B.A./B.S. Students mariculating after fall 2008 (REFERENCE APPENDIX A)
First Year Seminar. One course designated as a first year seminar. Transfer students who enter the University with more than 30 credits do not have to meet this requirement.
Quantitative Reasoning. Two courses focusing on the role of quantitative information in various settings and on the ability to reason abstractly.
Natural Science. One two-course sequence, one course which must include a laboratory, focusing on the scientific mode of inquiry and the ways in which the natural sciences affect students’ everyday experiences and choices as citizens.
Global Inquiry. One course focusing on global interconnections related to economic, political, cultural, social, public health, or environmental issues.
Language. Intermediate competency in a second language.
Arts, Literature, and Performance. Two courses focusing on art, literature, or performance. One course provides an opportunity for exploring the process of creating artistic work while the other course encourages the appreciation and the interpretation of artistic expressions.
Human Experience and Society. Two courses from two different disciplines that explore the forces shaping human activity, relationships, social structures, institutions, and intellectual systems.
Experiential Learning. One faculty supervised experience involving a significant experiential learning component designed to challenge students to go outside of the bounds of the typical classroom.
ACROSS-THE-CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS FOR B.A./B.S. STUDENTS
Writing Intensive Requirement. Four courses designated writing intensive (WI). Any course designated WI, whether taken for general education, for the major, or as electives will satisfy this requirement.
Speaking Intensive Requirement. Two courses designated speaking intensive (SI). Any course designated SI, whether taken for general education, for the major, or as electives will satisfy this requirement.
GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR B.L.S. STUDENTS (ALSO REFERENCE APPENDIX C)
Quantitative Reasoning. One course (three credits) focusing on the role of quantitative information in various settings and the ability to reason abstractly.
Natural Science: One course (four credits) focusing on the natural sciences including a laboratory component.
Quantitative Reasoning or Natural Science. One course (three credits) focusing on the role of quantitative information and the ability to reason abstractly, or natural science, or mathematical applications such as computer science, logic or music theory.
Human Experience & Society. Two courses (six credits) from two different disciplines that explore the forces shaping human activity, relationships, social structures, institutions, and intellectual systems.
Global Inquiry. One course (three credits) focusing on global interconnections related to economic, political, cultural, social, public health, or environmental issues. An approved study abroad or other field program can fulfill this requirement if it includes a satisfactory evaluation of written reflection of a student’s experience in that program by a University of Mary Washington faculty member.
Arts, Literature & Performance. Two courses (six credits) focusing on art, literature or performance. At least one course focusing on the appreciation and interpretation of artistic expressions. The other course may provide an opportunity for exploring the process of creating artistic work, by pursuing a course in the “process” sub-category, or provide an opportunity for further work (a second course) within the sub-category of “appreciation.”
ACROSS-THE-CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS FOR B.L.S. STUDENTS
Writing Intensive. Three courses (nine credits) designated writing intensive (WI), which may include English Composition (English 101) or its equivalent.
Speaking Intensive. One course (three credits) designated speaking intensive (SI).