General Education Program and Requirements

Every course in the program will promote a common set of General Education objectives. The major components are Foundations and Breadth of Knowledge.

  • Most students will complete the General Education Program with 45 credit hours.
  • Many majors and degrees require specific General Education courses. Students should review specific major and/or degree requirements before enrolling in General Education courses.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to complete their Foundations before completing 75 credit hours.
  • All students are required to have a 2.00 cumulative grade point average (transfer and Missouri State combined) in their General Education Program in order to graduate.
  • General Education courses may not be taken on a Pass/Not Pass basis.
  • Excluding the Foundations area, students may count no more than three courses with the same course code towards the General Education requirements.

Learn more: General Education Goals

Contact

Administrator

Kelly S. Wood, PhD, Associate Provost for Student Success

Office

Meyer Library 116

Phone

417-836-8346

Fax

417-836-6372

Website

MissouriState.edu/
GeneralEducation/

Foundations (14-18 hours)

First-Year Seminar

Complete one course (2 hours). Must be taken during first semester on campus.

Course options:

  • GEP 101 First Year Foundations (2) OR
  • UHC 110 Freshman Honors Seminar (2) Note: required for Honors College students.

Focus on Written Communication and Information Literacy

Complete one course (3-5 hours). Should be taken during first year.

Course options:

Focus on Oral Communication

Complete one course (3 hours). Should be taken during first year.

Course option:

  • COM 115 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)

Focus on Quantitative Literacy

Complete one course (3-5 hours).

Course options:

  • MTH 130 Contemporary Mathematics (3)
  • MTH 134 Algebraic Reasoning and Modeling (3)
  • MTH 136 Pre-Calculus 1 (3)
  • MTH 137 Pre-Calculus 2 (3)
  • MTH 138 Pre-Calculus Mathematics (5)
  • MTH 261 Analytical Geometry and Calculus I (5)
  • MTH 287 Computational Calculus with Analytical Geometry I (3)

Focus on Written Communication and Integrative and Applied Learning

Complete one course (3 hours).

Course options:

  • AGR 320 Writing II: Writing in the Applied Sciences (3)
  • ENG 210 Writing II: Writing Across the Disciplines (3)
  • ENG 221 Writing II: Writing for the Professions (3)
  • ENG 310 Writing II: Writing for Graduate and Professional Schools (3)
  • ENG 321 Writing II: Beginning Technical Writing (3)
  • GLG 358 Writing II: Reporting Geological Information (3)
  • HST 210 Writing II: Historical Inquiry (3)

Breadth of Knowledge (31-33 hours)

Knowledge of Human Cultures

(12 hours, four different course codes)

Focus on Social and Behavioral Sciences

Complete two courses (6 hours).

Course options:

  • AGR 100 Food Security (3)
  • ANT 125 Exploring our Human Ancestry (3)
  • CFD 155 Principles of Human Development (3)
  • CFD 163 Relationships in Today's Families (3)
  • CRM 220 Criminology (3)
  • DTN 130 Social and Behavioral Applications of Human Nutrition (3)
  • ECO 155 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
  • ECO 165 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
  • GRY 108 Principles of Sustainability (3)
  • MED 120 Mass Media and Society (3)
  • PSY 121 Introductory Psychology (3)
  • REL 131 Religion in America (3)
  • SOC 150 Introduction to Society (3)

Focus on Humanities

Complete one course (3 hours).

Course options:

  • AAS 100 Introduction to African American Studies (3)
  • ART 271 History of Western Art I (3)
  • ART 272 History of Western Art II (3)
  • ART 273 Survey of the Art of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas (3)
  • ART 274 Survey of Asian Art (3)
  • ENG 200 Great Books and Instant Classics (3)
  • ENG 282 Literature by Women (3)
  • ENG 283 Folklore and Cultural Engagement (3)
  • HST 103 World History to Circa 1600 C.E. (3)
  • HST 104 World History Since 1600 C.E. (3)
  • LLT 121 Classical Mythology (3)
  • MED 274 Introduction to Film (3)
  • MUS 241 The Language of Music (3)
  • PHI 110 Introduction to Philosophy (3)
  • REL 101 Old Testament/Hebrew Bible (3)
  • REL 102 New Testament (3)

Focus on the Arts

Complete one course (3 hours).

Course options:

  • ART 200 Art in Context (3)
  • DAN 180 Dance Appreciation (3)
  • ENG 203 Creative Writing: Poetry (3)
  • ENG 205 Creative Writing: Nonfiction (3)
  • ENG 215 Creative Writing: Short Story (3)
  • MUS 239 Introduction to World Music (3)
  • THE 101 Introduction to Theatre and Drama Arts (3)

Knowledge of the Natural World

(7-9 hours with one course in each category (e.g., focus); with two different course codes; and at least one course must have a lab.)

Focus on Life Sciences

Complete one course (3-4 hours).

Course options:

  • BIO 100 Biological Sciences for Educators (4) (lab)
  • BIO 101 Biology in Your World (3)
  • BIO 111 Laboratory for Biology in Your World (1) (lab). Note: Student must have completed BIO 101 or be concurrently enrolled in both BIO 101 and BIO 111.
  • BIO 121 General Biology I (4) (lab)
  • BMS 100 Essentials in Human Biology (3)
  • BMS 101 Essentials in Human Biology Laboratory (1) (lab). Note: Student must have completed BMS 100 or be concurrently enrolled in both BMS 100 and BMS 101.
  • BMS 110 Introduction to Human Biology (3)
  • BMS 111 Introduction to Human Biology Laboratory (1) (lab). Note: Student must have completed BMS 110 or be concurrently enrolled in both BMS 110 and BSM 111.
  • GLG 115 Life of the Past (3)

Focus on Physical Sciences

Complete one course (3-5 hours).

Course options:

  • AST 113 Modern Astronomy (3)
  • AST 114 Survey of Astronomy (4)
  • AST 115 Basic Astronomy (4) (lab)
  • CHM 107 Chemistry for the Citizen (3)
  • CHM 108 Chemistry for the Citizen Laboratory (1) (lab). Note: Student must have completed CHM 107 with a grade of "C" or better or be concurrently enrolled in both CHM 107 and CHM 108.
  • CHM 116 Fundamentals of Chemistry (4)
  • CHM 117 Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory (1) (lab). Note: Student must have completed CHM 116 with a grade of "C" or better or be concurrently enrolled in both CHM 116 and CHM 117.
  • CHM 160 General Chemistry I (4)
  • CHM 161 General Chemistry I Laboratory (1) (lab). Note: Student must have completed CHM 160 or be concurrently enrolled in both CHM 160 and CHM 161.
  • GLG 110 Principles of Geology (4) (lab)
  • GLG 171 Environmental Geology (3)
  • GRY 135 Principles of Weather and Climate (4) (lab)
  • GRY 142 Introductory Physical Geography (4) (lab)
  • PHY 100 Survey of Physics with Laboratory (4) (lab)
  • PHY 101 Physics by Inquiry for Educators (4) (lab)
  • PHY 123 Introduction to Physics I (4) (lab)
  • PHY 203 Foundations of Physics I (5) (lab)

Public Affairs (12 hours; four different course codes)

Focus on Constitutions of U.S. and Missouri and American History and Institutions

Complete two courses (6 hours) with two different course codes.

Course options:

  • HST 121 Survey of the History of the United States to 1877 (3) OR
    HST 122 Survey of the History of the United States Since 1877 (3)
  • PLS 101 American Democracy and Citizenship (3)

Focus on Cultural Competence

Complete one course (3 hours).

Course options:

  • ANT 100 World Cultures (3)
  • COM 260 Communicating with Cultural Competence (3 hours)
  • ENG 289 Literature, Culture, and Conflict (3)
  • GER 180 Successful Aging (3)
  • GRY 100 World Regional Geography (3)
  • IDS 297 International Culture and Study Abroad (3)
  • LLT 180 From Hero to Superhero (3)
  • MCL 100 Language and Culture in Global Context (3)
  • MTH 121 Multicultural Views of History and Mathematics (3)
  • REL 100 Introduction to Religion (3)
  • REL 110 World Religions (3)
  • SWK 219 Human Diversity (3)

Focus on Public Issues

Complete one course (3 hours). Prerequisite: 12 completed hours.

Note: Students who successfully complete Basic Training in any of the United States Military branches will be awarded 3 hours of transfer credit which will satisfy the Focus on Public Issues requirement.

Course options:

  • CRM 210 Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System (3)
  • ECO 101 Economics of Social Issues (3)
  • EDC 249 Schooling in America (3)
  • ENG 201 Public Issues in Popular Culture (3)
  • ENG 222 Writing for Social Change (3)
  • GEO 200 Exploring Our Digital Earth (3)
  • ITC 200 Critical and Creative Thinking Using Information Technology (3)
  • KIN 210 Healthy Lifestyles: Preventive Approaches (3)
  • KIN 286 Ethics and Diversity in American Sport (3)
  • PHI 105 Critical Thinking (3)
  • PHI 115 Ethics and Contemporary Issues (3)
  • PLN 100 Introduction to Urban Studies (3)
  • SOC 152 Social Problems in the Community (3)

Appeals for exceptions

The General Education Program of the University is administered by the Associate Provost for Student Success. Appeals for exceptions to the General Education Program requirements should be made to the Associate Provost for Student Success. Students who are unsatisfied with the Associate Provost's decision may appeal to the Degrees Committee. Students who are unsatisfied with the Degrees Committee decision may appeal to the Provost.


42-hour general education transfer block

In accordance with the transfer policy of the Missouri Coordinating Board of Higher Education, Missouri State has identified the following 42-hour block of general education classes. Upon completion of this block, a student may submit a request through the Office of the Registrar for a 42-hour block notation to be entered on the student's transcript. If the student then transfers to another participating school in the state, the receiving institution should accept the Missouri State 42-hour block as equivalent to their own general education block. In a similar manner, if a student transfers to Missouri State with certification of a completed 42-hour general education block from another participating institution, the student will not be required to take any of the following classes at Missouri State unless they are needed to fulfill a requirement of the student’s major, minor or degree.

Foundations (14 hours):
  1. First Year Seminar (2)
  2. Focus on Written Communication and Information Literacy; ENG 110 (3)
  3. Focus on Oral Communication; COM 115 (3)
  4. Focus on Quantitative Literacy (3)
  5. Focus on Written Communication and Integrative and Applied Learning (3)
Breadth of Knowledge (28 hours):
  1. Knowledge of Human Cultures (12)
    1. Focus on Social and Behavioral Sciences (6)
    2. Focus on Humanities (3)
    3. Focus on the Arts (3)
  2. Knowledge of the Natural World (7)
    1. Focus on Life Sciences (3)
    2. Focus on Physical Sciences (3)
    3. Life or Physical Sciences Lab; separate or embedded (1)
  3. Public Affairs (9)
    1. Focus on Constitutions of U.S. and Missouri and American History and Institutions (3)
    2. Focus on Cultural Competence (3)
    3. Focus on Public Issues (3)

CORE 42 - Missouri Higher Education Core Transfer Curriculum

CORE 42 is a statewide transferable general education lower-division core curriculum of 42 semester credit hours among all Missouri’s public Institutions of Higher Education (IHE). The courses are designed to ensure that all graduates from Missouri IHE possess a common core of college-level competencies, skills, and knowledge. Completion of all 42 semester credit hours will result in completion of general education at any Missouri IHE. Upon completion of this CORE 42, a student may submit a request through the Office of the Registrar for a CORE 42 notation to be entered on the student's transcript. If the student then transfers to another participating school in the state, the receiving institution will accept the Missouri State CORE 42 as equivalent to their own general education block. In a similar manner, if a student transfers to Missouri State with certification of CORE 42 from another Missouri IHE, the student will not be required to take any of the Missouri State General Education requirements unless they are a requirement of the student’s major, minor, or degree.

View the list of approved MOTR courses offered at Missouri State University at: CORE 42 at MSU website. For approved MOTR courses at other Missouri public colleges and universities go to: Missouri Department of Higher Education CORE.

CORE 42 is comprised of at least 42 semester credit hours of courses distributed across five knowledge areas. Courses that are approved for CORE 42 contain a Missouri Transfer (MOTR) course number in the undergraduate catalog.

CORE 42 Knowledge Areas and Requirements:
  1. Communications (minimum of 9 MOTR credit hours)
    1. Written Communications (minimum of 6 MOTR credit hours)
    2. Oral Communications (minimum of 3 MOTR credit hours)
  2. Mathematical Sciences (minimum of 3 MOTR credit hours)
    *MTH courses that use one of the MOTR MATH courses as a prerequisite will meet requirement for this area (i.e. Trigonometry, Calculus, etc.).
  3. Social and Behavioral Sciences (minimum of 9 credit hours)
    1. Must include minimum of 3 credit hours Civics course (MOTR POSC 101, MOTR HIST 101, or MOTR HIST 102)
    2. Must include at least 2 disciplines (e.g., MOTR PSYC 100, MOTR HIST 101; discipline designation four letters after MOTR before the number)
  4. Natural Sciences (minimum of 7 credit hours from 2 disciplines; one MOTR course with a lab component)
  5. Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum of 9 credit hours; from at least 2 disciplines)
  6. Additional MOTR Courses (select from any knowledge area MOTR courses to make at least 42 MOTR credit hours; approximately 5 MOTR credits).
Eligibility for CORE 42 completion instead of Missouri State University General Education is determined using the following criteria:
  • Student has transferred to Missouri State University in the spring 2019 semester or later from a Missouri public college or university.
  • Student has earned 12 or more transferrable credit hours at a Missouri public college or university following graduation from high school (credits earned through dual credit do not count in eligibility).
Changing your General Education Placement
  • A transfer student that has been initially placed on CORE 42 because of meeting the eligibility requirements above may request to be placed instead on the Missouri State University General Education requirements. A student may submit a request through the Office of the Registrar for this change.
  • A student who initially enrolls at Missouri State as a degree-seeking student during or after the Fall 2018 semester and who has transfer credits from a Missouri public institution, but who does not meet the above criteria for eligibility (i.e., and is placed under Missouri State general education requirements) may appeal to be placed under Missouri CORE 42 requirements instead (appeals made to the Associate Provost for Student Development and Public Affairs).