A baccalaureate degree includes a broad-based education that prepares students for the more focused study of the academic major. The general education component of the degree equips each student with crucial intellectual skills in analysis, research, and communication, in addition to foundational skills. General education coursework offers an introduction to a broad range of studies in the natural sciences, the human condition, aesthetic experience, and global and cultural diversity.
General Studies Mission
The General Studies program will encourage the habits of mind of an educated person that promote life-long learning. Students will acquire the essential knowledge and develop the critical skills that are of fundamental significance in a free society.
Structure of General Studies
The General Studies program is structured around the following three goals:
- Develop intellectual and practical skills
- Explore essential knowledge, perspectives, and methods in Arts and Humanities, History, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Natural and Physical Sciences
- Understand the global interconnectedness of diverse individuals, communities and societies
Each goal is supported by a set of Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) that are addressed by the courses in one or more of eight different categories.
Written Communication Student Learning Outcomes (6 credits)
1. Demonstrate effective use of technologies appropriate to the task and discipline.
2. Demonstrate the ability to locate sources when information is needed, and to evaluate the authenticity, validity, and reliability of resources applied to a specific purpose.
3. Create persuasive and well-reasoned arguments that are appropriate to topic and purpose.
5. Communicate in writing with an awareness of audience, by using language conventions appropriate to the occasion and task.
6. Analyze texts, sources, and argumentation, identify cause and effect relationships and recognize fallacies of argument.
7. Use and document sources and evidence in an ethical manner.
Oral Communication Student Learning Outcomes (3 credits)
1. Demonstrate effective use of technologies appropriate to the task and discipline.
2. Demonstrate the ability to locate sources when information is needed, and to evaluate the authenticity, validity, and reliability of resources applied to a specific purpose.
3. Create persuasive and well-reasoned arguments that are appropriate to topic and purpose.
4. Communicate in speech with an awareness of audience, by using language conventions appropriate to the occasion and task.
6. Analyze texts, sources, and argumentation, identify cause and effect relationships and recognize fallacies of argument.
7. Use and document sources and evidence in an ethical manner.
Quantitative Literacy Student Learning Outcomes (3 credits)
1. Demonstrate effective use of technologies appropriate to the task and discipline.
8. Apply mathematical techniques to the analysis of quantitative problems.
9. Communicate the mathematical process and results in text, graphics, and symbols.
Arts and Humanities Student Learning Outcomes (6 credits)
2. Demonstrate the ability to locate sources when information is needed, and to evaluate the authenticity, validity, and reliability of resources applied to a specific purpose.
3. Create persuasive and well-reasoned arguments that are appropriate to topic and purpose.
5. Communicate in writing with an awareness of audience, by using language conventions appropriate to the occasion and task.
12. Identify important examples of texts, creative works, artifacts, or problems in the discipline including the cultural context.
13. Analyze texts(s), artifact(s), or problem(s) using a point of view informed by the critical or aesthetic perspectives appropriate to the discipline.
Historical Student Learning Outcomes (3 credits)
Course selection criterion – must cover a century or more.
2. Demonstrate the ability to locate sources when information is needed, and to evaluate the authenticity, validity, and reliability of resources applied to a specific purpose.
5. Communicate in writing with an awareness of audience, by using language conventions appropriate to the occasion and task.
14. Demonstrate knowledge of one or more of the following areas: U.S. History, World History, Western Civilization, Regional History, State and Local History, History of a Culture, People or Group.
15. Illustrate the historical continuum either graphically or in narrative form through, for example, the use of time lines.
16. Differentiate between historical facts and historical interpretations, and explain that historical interpretations may vary.
Natural and Physical Sciences Student Learning Outcomes (6 credits)
1. Demonstrate effective use of technologies appropriate to the task and discipline
2. Demonstrate the ability to locate sources when information is needed, and to evaluate the authenticity, validity, and reliability of resources applied to a specific purpose
10. Describe how the methods of science are used to generate new knowledge
11. Use graphical, symbolic and statistical methods to organize, analyze and interpret data in a manner appropriate to the discipline
19. Describe the foundational knowledge and impacts of a field of science using analytical tools appropriate to the field
20. Use knowledge and observations to formulate hypotheses, identify relevant variables and design experiments to test hypotheses
21. Develop concepts of accuracy, precision, and the role of repeatability in the acquisition of scientific data
Social and Behavioral Sciences I Student Learning Outcomes (3 credits)
2. Demonstrate the ability to locate sources when information is needed, and to evaluate the authenticity, validity, and reliability of resources applied to a specific purpose.
6. Analyze texts, sources, and argumentation, identify cause and effect relationships and recognize fallacies of argument.
7. Use and document sources and evidence in an ethical manner.
10. Describe how the methods of science are used to generate new knowledge.
17. Describe the forms and impacts of geographical conditions or social, economic, financial, or political practices on the human experience using analytical methods appropriate to the field. (SBS I)
Social and Behavioral Sciences II Student Learning Outcomes (3 credits)
2. Demonstrate the ability to locate sources when information is needed, and to evaluate the authenticity, validity, and reliability of resources applied to a specific purpose.
6. Analyze texts, sources, and argumentation, identify cause and effect relationships and recognize fallacies of argument.
7. Use and document sources and evidence in an ethical manner.
18. Describe human behavior and the scope of human diversity using analytical methods appropriate to the field. (SBS II)
Global Diversity Student Learning Outcomes
Students must select one course from an approved category that meets these Student Learning Outcomes, too. This course will count in both categories.
22. Exhibit knowledge of one or more regions or countries outside the U.S. including aspects such as the historical, political, social, cultural, legal, or business contexts of these regions or countries.
23. Describe the implications of global interdependence, including its impact on societies from a governmental, technological, institutional, organizational, or individual context.
Distribution and Credit Requirements
To complete the General Studies Program, students must take approved courses that fulfill the following distribution and credit requirements:
| CATEGORY |
Credits |
| Written Communication |
6 |
| Oral Communication |
3 |
| Quantitative Literacy |
3 |
| Arts and Humanities |
6 |
| Historical |
3 |
| Natural and Physical Sciences |
6 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences I |
3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences II |
3 |
| Global Diversity |
0-3* |
| TOTAL |
33-36 |
| |
|
| *The Global Diversity requirement may be fulfilled by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: Arts and Humanities; Historical; Natural and Physical Sciences; Social and Behavioral Sciences I; or Social and Behavioral Sciences II. |
The following course categories must be completed within the first 30, college-level credits (including credits completed at MSU Denver and those transferred from other institutions):
- Written Communication (first 3 credits of coursework)
- Oral Communication (3 credits of coursework)
- Quantitative Literacy (3 credits of coursework)
The following course category must be completed within the first 45, college-level credits (including credits completed at MSU Denver and those transferred from other institutions):
- Written Communication (remaining 3 credits of coursework)
The following course categories must be completed within the first 90, college-level credits (including credits completed at MSU Denver and those transferred from other institutions):
- Arts and Humanities (6 credits of coursework)
- Historical (3 credits of coursework)
- Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits of coursework)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences I (3 credits of coursework)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences II (3 credits of coursework)
- Global Diversity (one course designated “global” from any category will fulfill both the global diversity requirement and the appropriate credits in that category)
General Policy Related to Timing of Completion
Students who have not completed the Quantitative Literacy, Oral Communication, and the first three credits of the Written Communication requirements within the first 30 credits will receive a registration hold and will be required to meet with an advisor to review the policy and register for the required course(s). This registration hold will continue to be placed on students who complete between 30 and 45 credits and have not met these requirements. Students who have completed 45 credits and have not completed the Written Communication, Oral Communication, and Quantitative Literacy requirements may only enroll in courses that fulfill these requirements.
Exception for Transfer Students: New transfer students with 45 credits or more must complete the Written Communication, Oral Communication, and Quantitative Literacy requirements within their first two semesters at MSU Denver. Students who have not completed these requirements within their first semester at MSU Denver will receive a registration hold and will be required to meet with an advisor to review the policy and register for the required course(s). Students who have not completed these requirements within their first two semesters at MSU Denver may only enroll in courses that fulfill these requirements.
Rules for the General Studies Program
To satisfy a particular General Studies requirement, a course must appear on the list of approved General Studies courses at the time of enrollment in the course.
- General Studies courses need not be counted toward General Studies requirements. They may be taken as electives or to satisfy requirements in the major or degree program.
- Departments or programs may specify, by prefix and number, some General Studies courses in addition to courses required for the major or a professional credential. Students should consult with a departmental advisor regarding these courses.
- Students may NOT use courses having the same prefix as their major discipline or crosslisted with their major discipline to satisfy General Studies Arts and Humanities, Historical, Natural and Physical Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences I, Social and Behavioral Sciences II, or Global Diversity requirements.
- Students may use courses having the same prefix as their minor discipline or crosslisted with their minor discipline to satisfy General Studies requirements; however, a minimum of 18 credits must be used only in the minor and not for General Studies. Deviations from the Catalog requirements require approval of the minor department, and some departments require that more than 18 credits be used only in the minor. Please contact the minor department for additional information. Students may not apply more than eight credits of coursework with the same course prefix to the General Studies requirements.
- One hour deviations in the General Studies course categories may be allowed for transfer students only, provided the student completes at least 33 credits of General Studies coursework.
- Courses taken for a pass/fail grade cannot be counted for General Studies.
- Students may use the Multicultural course to satisfy two requirements: (1) Multicultural and (2) General Studies or major or minor requirements.
- Students seeking a second baccalaureate degree will be considered to have fulfilled the MSU Denver General Studies requirements. However, departments may require that these students take additional coursework outside of the major.
Rules for Specific Categories
Written Communication Requirement
- Students must complete a placement test to assess their writing skills. Those students whose scores fall below the minimum benchmark must complete developmental coursework in composition before enrolling in Written Communication courses.
- Students shall satisfy the Written Communication course requirement and credit will be granted if they:
- pass 6 hours of approved Written Communication courses,
- pass a CLEP or AP test approved by a Department offering an approved Written Communication course and the remaining Written Communication course, or
- transfer equivalent courses.
- To receive credit for Written Communication, the student must receive a grade of “C-” or better in each course.
- To receive transfer credit for Written Communication, the course must have been taken within the past 10 years.
Quantitative Literacy Requirement
- Students must complete a placement test to determine their quantitative abilities. Those students whose scores fall below the minimum benchmark must complete developmental coursework in mathematics before enrolling in any Quantitative Literacy course.
- Students satisfy the Quantitative Literacy course requirement and credit will be granted if they:
- pass a course that has been approved for General Studies Quantitative Literacy credit,
- pass a CLEP, AP, or IB test approved by a department offering an approved Quantitative Literacy course,
- successfully complete a math course for which a Quantitative Literacy course is a prerequisite, or
- transfer an equivalent course
Additional Rules for General Studies for Specific Majors
- History Majors: In lieu of the three credits in the Historical category, History majors must substitute three semester hours in the Arts and Humanities, Natural and Physical Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences I, or Social and Behavioral Sciences II categories. Thus, History majors must complete a total of 33 credits in General Studies. History majors may not use courses that are crosslisted with history courses for General Studies.
- Nursing Majors: Credit for biology courses of anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, in which the student earned a grade of “C” or better, may be substituted for the Natural and Physical Sciences General Studies requirement for all students with a nursing major.
- Human Performance and Sport and Athletic Training Majors: Students will use BIO 2310-4 to satisfy a portion of the General Studies Natural and Physical Sciences requirement.
- Teacher Education Licensure Programs: Students in programs currently requiring MUS 3060/ARTE 3060 may receive General Studies credit in the Arts and Humanities category for the 2012-2013 academic year. Students in programs requiring SCI 2620 may receive General Studies credit in the Natural and Physical Sciences category for the 2012-2013 academic year.
State-guaranteed General Education Courses
Certain MSU Denver General Studies courses are approved as state-guaranteed general education courses. For further details, consult an advisor within your major department or go to: highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Transfers/gtPathways/curriculum.html.
Transfer Credit Rules
The following rules apply to transfer students from two-year colleges in Colorado.
Metropolitan State University of Denver will:
- Accept courses that are part of the state’s guaranteed transfer curriculum (gtPathways) as fulfilling MSU Denver’s General Studies requirements. However, many majors at MSU Denver have specific General Studies requirements; please check with a departmental advisor and/or transfer coordinator for more information.
- Review and accept on a course-by-course basis for General Studies credit courses that do not appear on the gtPathways list. General Studies equivalency will be determined by prefix, course title, category, and catalog description.
- If no transfer course satisfies the Global Diversity requirement, the student must take an approved Global Diversity course.
Multicultural and Senior Experience Course Requirements
In addition to completing the General Studies requirements, a student must complete a 3-credit Multicultural course and a 3-credit Senior Experience course, or selection of courses, to be awarded a bachelor’s degree from MSU Denver. The Multicultural course does not require 3 credits as a separate category and can be taken in the major, minor, or as an elective. The rules pertaining to those requirements and the courses that will satisfy those requirements are described under Degree Requirements .
