Wichita State strives to offer the most complete college experience possible to produce
well-rounded, successful Shocker graduates. Through general education courses, students
explore subjects outside of their major, expanding their knowledge, perspective and
skills and making a positive impact on their career and life.
The 36-hour General Education Program at WSU consists of Foundation, Divisional, and
Additional Courses.
Foundation Courses
Complete these four courses within the first 48 hours of enrollment with a grade of
C- or better. Foundation courses cover the fundamental skills you’ll need throughout
your college career and should be taken at the very beginning of a student’s studies.
ENGL 100 or 101
ENGL 102
COMM 111
MATH 111, MATH 112 or 131*
*MATH 111 or any math course that requires MATH 111 or MATH 112 as a prerequisite.
MATH 131 does not fulfill the prerequisite for any further math course. MATH 131 does
not meet degree requirements in all colleges.
Divisional Courses
Complete an approved general education course from one subject area in each of the
following four divisions (at least 12 credit hours):
Fine Arts
Subject Area Art History Dance Musicology / Composition Studio Arts Theatre
Humanities
Subject Area Communication* English* History Modern and Classical Languages Linguistics Philosophy Religion Women's Studies
Social / Behavioral Sciences
Subject Area Anthropology Criminal Justice Economics Entrepreneurship Ethnic Studies Geography Political Science Psychology Sociology Social Work
Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Subject Area Anthropology Biological Sciences Chemistry Computer Science Geology Mathematics / Statistics* Physics Public Health
*Excluding foundation courses
Additional Courses
Complete four additional general education courses from at least two of the four divisions
(at least 12 credit hours). One course must be a first-year seminar (if required).
At least 9 credit hours of the 36-credit-hour general education coursework must be
numbered 300 or above. One course in the major can count toward general education.
The multilayered nature of general education opens doors for a student to discover
what they are truly passionate about, helping them to discover who they are and what
their unique role is in changing the world. The unplanned, unintended, accidental
bumping into unrelated concepts that comes from unrelated disciplines is what works
this special kind of magic.
Dr. Andrew Hippisley Dean of Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Additional General Education Requirements and Exceptions by College
Applied Studies
Applied Studies requires PSY 111. Teacher education students must take STAT 370 (Secondary Math majors
must take MATH 242 instead of STAT 370). MATH 111 is a prerequisite for STAT 370.
Business
Business requires MATH 144 or MATH 242 and ECON 201 and ECON 202. MATH 111 or MATH 112 meets the prerequisite
for MATH 144. Philosophy requirements: PHIL 105 and PHIL 306.
Engineering
Engineering requires PHIL 385 for engineering students or PHIL 354 for students in computer engineering,
computer science and applied computing.
Fine Arts
Fine Arts students majoring in art education, music education and special education music are required to take PSY
111 and STAT 370 (or a higher level MATH course).
Fine Arts Exceptions
The Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA) in media arts requires 30 credit hours of general
education courses. In addition to the foundation courses, students in the BAA in media
arts take one course each from humanities, social / behavioral science, and mathematics
/ natural sciences with an additional three courses selected from at least two divisions.
Of the 30 general education credit hours, at least 6 credit hours must be numbered
300 or above. Fine arts courses do not fulfill general education requirements for
the BAA in media arts.
Health Professions
Health Professions requirements are listed by major. General education requirements
vary.
Honors College
Honors College requires the following:
Honors students fulfill general education requirements set by their major college.
Honors students have dual advising: They should meet first with their major college
advisor and then as needed with an Honors advisor to choose Honors courses that meet
general education requirements.
Students working toward the Emory Lindquist Honors Scholar distinction or the Honors
Baccalaureate degree are required to fulfill any 3 of their general education credits
with an HNRS seminar.
Honors Baccalaureate students meet with an honors advisor to select additional courses
to fulfill the 36-credit-hour general education program
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Liberal Arts and Sciences requires the following:
English or foreign language literature (humanities)
HIST 131, HIST 132 (humanities) or POLS 121 (social science)
Three natural science courses: At least one biology course and one physical sciences
course; one must have a laboratory experience (does not include mathematics, personal
computing, statistics or computer science)
Foreign language in all BA degrees and the BS degree in criminal justice
Undecided students meet with an academic advisor in the Liberal Arts and Sciences
Advising Center. Students who have not declared a major may want to take a variety
of courses to help clarify interests, identify possible majors and remain academically
flexible.
Transfer Students with Associate Degrees
Community College Transfers
A student transferring to WSU having earned an AA or AS degree from a Kansas public
community college will be considered to have satisfied WSU’s general education curriculum
provided that they successfully complete at WSU (with a grade of C- or better) two
general education courses numbered 300 or above. The two courses must be in two separate
subject areas. Students must also complete the foundation skills courses of ENGL 101
and ENGL 102, COMM 111, and MATH 111 or equivalent
RN-to-BSN and Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Students
A student enrolled in WSU’s RN-to-BSN degree completion program having earned an associate
degree in nursing will be considered to have satisfied WSU’s general education curriculum
provided that they successfully complete (with a grade of C- or better) two general
education courses numbered 300 or above taken at WSU.
A student enrolled in WSU’s dental hygiene degree completion program having earned
an associate degree in dental hygiene will be considered to have satisfied WSU’s general
education curriculum provided that they successfully complete (with a grade of C-
or better) two general education courses numbered 300 or above taken at WSU.
The mission of general education is to provide a well-rounded education that enables
you to live the fullest most meaningful life possible, regardless of your particular
career preparation.
The goal of general education is to enable you to live a rich, meaningful life by
developing: an informed appreciation of the arts, humanities, and natural and social
sciences; an ability to intelligently follow and participate in current events; and
a sensitive and tutored appreciation of diverse cultures and ways of living.
Embedded throughout general education and furthered in the major are the skills that
enable graduates to contribute productively to society and the ongoing culture.
Therefore, upon graduation the faculty expects you to:
Have acquired knowledge in the arts, humanities, and natural and social sciences
Think critically and independently
Write and speak effectively
Employ analytical reasoning and problem solving techniques
Wichita State University currently uses the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) to
assess the outcomes gained through the students' educational experience. Each fall
and spring semester, a representative sample of entering and graduating students participate.
The assessment is used, in conjunction with Program Review, to verify the University's
impact on the outcomes as well as contribute to continuous improvement of the University's
programs.
The best way to stay on track toward graduation is to meet with an advisor each semester
before registering for classes. Advisors will help in selecting and sequencing classes
that meet particular degree requirements.
To schedule a meeting, contact your college advising office.
Applied Studies (316) 978-3300
Business (316) 978-3203
Engineering (316) 978-3400
Fine Arts(316) 978-6634
Health Professions (316) 978-3304
Honors College (316) 978-3375
Liberal Arts and Sciences(316) 978-3700
First-Year Advising (316) 978-3909
Revised and Approved by the Faculty Senate on 11-11-19, 5-12-14, 4-22-13, 3-26-12
