The University System of Georgia (USG) is a composite of diverse institutions that require System-wide coherence to facilitate a strong foundation in a liberal arts education and promote seamless transfer options for students. The USG provides general education learning goals, Areas A through E, that serve as guidelines for each institution to develop its own learning outcomes.
Institutional learning outcomes must be approved by the USG Council on General Education. All learning outcomes must be collegiate level, not skills-based, broadly focused, and consistent with the learning goals and the mission of the institution and USG.
Area A Credit – Essential Skills: Communication and Quantitative (Credit: 9 hours)
Required English Courses (Credit: 6 hours)
Math Elective (Credit: 3 hours)
Choose one of the following courses:
Note: Students must make a C or better in all Area A courses. Courses required for Area A must be completed within students first 30 hours of coursework.
Note: Math, Engineering Technology, Computer Science and Science Majors must take MATH 1112, MATH 1113, or MATH 1251. If students choose to take a four-hour course, then one hour of credit from this course will count in Area F where applicable.
Area B Credit – Institutional Options (Credit: 4 hours)
Choose one of the following courses:
Science and Health
| AVIA 1101 | Perspectives on Aviation | 4 credits |
| BIOL 1004 | Perspectives on the Human Body | 4 credits |
| BIOL 1005 | Perspectives on the Environment | 4 credits |
| BIOL 1006 | Perspectives on Mildews, Mushrooms, and Man | 4 credits |
| HS 1000 | Perspectives on Health Care Professions | 4 credits |
| HS 1002 | Perspectives on Death and Dying | 4 credits |
| HS 1003 | Perspectives on Wellness | 4 credits |
| HS 1004 | Perspectives on Women's Health | 4 credits |
| HS 1005 | Perspectives on Ethics in Health Care | 4 credits |
| SCIE 1001 | Perspectives on Scientific Literacy | 4 credits |
Humanities
| ARTS 1013 | Perspectives on Art | 4 credits |
| COMM 1012 | Perspectives on Persuasion | 4 credits |
| CRWR 1007 | Perspectives on Imaginative Writing | 4 credits |
| HUMN 1001 | Perspectives on Narrative | 4 credits |
| HUMN 1001H | Honors Perspective on Narrative | 4 credits |
| HUMN 1002 | Perspectives on Society and Film | 4 credits |
| HUMN 1003 | Perspectives on Humor, Romance, and War | 4 credits |
| HUMN 1004 | Perspectives on Ethics | 4 credits |
| HUMN 1005 | Perspectives on Prime-Time TV | 4 credits |
| HUMN 1011 | Perspectives on Genre Fiction | 4 credits |
| MUSC 1006 | Perspectives on Music and Society | 4 credits |
| THEA 1010 | Perspectives on Theatre | 4 credits |
Mathematics and Technology
| ITEC 1001 | Perspectives on the History of Computing | 4 credits |
| MATH 1003 | Perspectives on Mathematics | 4 credits |
Social Sciences
| PSYC 1001 | Perspectives on the Human Mind | 4 credits |
| HIST 1006 | Perspectives on America at War | 4 credits |
| HIST 1007 | Perspectives on Sinners and Saints | 4 credits |
Cultural Diversity
*Area B courses key competencies focus on oral communication and academic success through various topics in multiple disciplines. Area B courses offer opportunities for students to gain knowledge of and experience in developing and presenting arguments in oral forms, along with thinking resourcefully about scholarly activities.
Area C Credit – Humanities/Fine Arts (Credit: 6 hours)
Literature-based Elective (Credit: 3 hours)
Choose one of the following courses:
Area C Elective (Credit: 3 hours)
Choose a second literature-based elective from the courses listed above or choose one of the following courses:
Art
| ARTS 1100 | Art Appreciation | 3 credits |
| ARTS 2010 | Art History I: Prehistoric to Gothic | 3 credits |
| ARTS 2011 | Art History II: Renaissance to Present | 3 credits |
Korean
Communication
French
German
Humanities
Latin
Music
Philosophy
Spanish
Theatre
Area D Credit - Natural Science, Mathematics, and Technology (Credit: 11 hours)
Option I: Non-Science Majors
Lab-Science Electives (Credits: 8 hours)
Choose two of the following courses:
Astronomy
Biology
Chemistry
Geology
Physics
Note: The two courses selected from the list above do not have to be taken in sequence. However, students need to consult catalog course descriptions regarding restrictions on graduation credit. Students may only take courses for which they have the necessary prerequisites.
Area D Elective (Credit: 3 hours) (Non-Science Majors)
Choose one of the lab-science electives listed above or choose one of the following courses:
Biology
Computer Science
Geology
Math
Science
Note: If students choose to take a four-hour course, then one hour of credit from this course will count in Area F where applicable. Students must have the necessary prerequisite for any course they choose.
Option II: Science Majors
Lab-Science Electives (Credits: 8 hours)
Choose an 8 hour sequence from the following sets of classes:
Biology
Chemistry
Geology
Physics
Area D Elective Credit: 3 hours (Science Majors)
Choose one of the following courses:
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Geology
Math
Physics
Note: Students must have the necessary prerequisite for any course they choose. Students cannot take both major and non-major sequences for graduation. If students choose to take a four-hour course, then one hour of credit from this course will count in Area F where applicable.
Area E Credit – Social Sciences (Credit: 12 hours)
American History (Credit: 3 hours)
These courses will satisfy the state requirements in U.S. and Georgia History.
Choose one of the following courses:
| HIST 2111 | United States History to 1865 | 3 credits |
| HIST 2111H | Honors United States History to 1865 | 3 credits |
| HIST 2112 | United States History since 1865 | 3 credits |
| HIST 2112H | Honors United States History Since 1865 | 3 credits |
Political Science (Credit: 3 hours)
These courses will satisfy the state requirements in U.S. and Georgia Constitution.
Choose one of the following courses:
Area E Electives (Credit: 6 hours)
Choose two of the following courses:
Anthropology
| ANTH 1102 | Introduction to Anthropology | 3 credits |
Economics
| ECON 2105 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 credits |
| ECON 2105H | HONORS Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 credits |
| ECON 2106 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 credits |
| ECON 2106H | Honors Principles of Microeconomics | 3 credits |
Geography
| GEOG 1101 | Introduction to Human Geography | 3 credits |
History
| HIST 1111 | History of World Civilization to 1650 | 3 credits |
| HIST 1111H | Honors History of World Civilization to 1650 | 3 credits |
| HIST 1112 | History of World Civilization since 1650 | 3 credits |
| HIST 1112H | Honors History of World Civilization since 1650 | 3 credits |
| HIST 1190 | History of World Religions | 3 credits |
| HIST 2111 | United States History to 1865 | 3 credits |
| HIST 2111H | Honors United States History to 1865 | 3 credits |
| HIST 2112 | United States History since 1865 | 3 credits |
| HIST 2112H | Honors United States History Since 1865 | 3 credits |
Political Science
| POLS 2101 | Introduction to Political Science | 3 credits |
| POLS 2201 | State and Local Government | 3 credits |
| POLS 2301 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 credits |
| POLS 2401 | Global Issues | 3 credits |
Psychology
| PSYC 1101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 credits |
| PSYC 1101H | Honors Introduction to General Psychology | 3 credits |
Sociology
| SOCI 1101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 credits |
| SOCI 1101H | Honors Introduction to Sociology | 3 credits |
| SOCI 1160 | Introduction to Social Problems | 3 credits |
Area F Credit – Transfer Pathways, Major Requirements, or Prerequisite Courses for Baccalaureate Majors (Credit: 18 hours)
Students seeking to follow a transfer pathway program and earn an Associate of Arts, Core Curriculum or Associate of Science, Core Curriculum should consult with an advisor, review advising sheets, or contact the transfer institution for appropriate course choices in Area F. Any course eligible to fulfill Area C-F at the University are eligible for inclusion in Area F for the A.A. and A.S. Core Curriculum.
Students seeking associate degrees with majors other than the Core Curriculum and students seeking bachelor's degrees take pre-requisite or other course work appropriate to the major field. (See Area F curriculum within each Program description)
Total Academic Hours: 60
Associate of Arts, Core Curriculum and Associate of Science, Core Curriculum
Student may earn the Associate of Arts, Core Curriculum by completing areas A-F, including Area D for non-science majors. Students may earn the Associate of Science Core Curriculum by completing Areas A-F, including Area D for science majors.