E-mail this pageGeneral Education at SUNY Plattsburgh
What is General Education?
General Education courses are opportunities to gain skills and insights that will be useful in one's entire life, no matter what the choice of major or career objectives. SUNY Plattsburgh considers General Education courses an integral part of the total degree program--of equal importance to courses in the major field of study.
General Education Programs
Students who began their college education as freshmen in fall 2004 or later follow the new General Education Program (GE4). Students who began college between fall 2000 and fall 2004 follow the former General Education Program (GE3). All new transfer students and readmitted students who had 70 or fewer credits when they left the college follow the new program (GE4). Readmitted students who had completed more than 70 credits when they left the college may complete the general education program that was in effect when they left. If you are unsure as to which program you should follow, consult your academic advisor or the Office of Academic Advising, Feinberg 103, Ext. 2080, e-mail: advise@plattsburgh.edu.
General Education Program (GE4) Requirements
The General Education Program (GE4) is divided into the following categories: The Skills, The Knowledge and Understanding, and The Integration. The following list outlines the basic requirements. For descriptions of the categories and the list of courses approved for each category, see the college catalog. For courses available any semester, see the online Banner Master Schedule.
GE4 The Skills Requirements (9-14 credit hours)
- Written Expression (3 credit hours)
- Oral Expression (0-6 credit hours)
- Mathematics (3-4 credit hours)
- Information and Technology Literacy (0-1 credit hour)
GE4 The Knowledge and Understanding Requirements (23-29 credits hours)
- Natural Science and Technology (5-8 credit hours)
- Social Sciences (3 credit hours)
- Humanities (3 credit hours)
- The Arts (3 credit hours)
- Foreign Language (0-3 credit hours)
- Civilizations of the World
- U.S. Civilization (3 credit hours)
- Western Civilization (3 credit hours)
- World Systems (3 credit hours)
GE4 The Integration Requirements (6-7 credit hours)
- Global Issues (3-4 credit hours)
- Critical Perspectives on Society and the Arts (select one)
- Individual, Society and Responsibility (3 credit hours)
- Art, Literature and Interpretation (3 credit hours)
General Education (GE3) Program Requirements
The General Education Program (GE3) is divided into the following categories: Learning Skills, Distributive Requirements, and Perspectives. The following list outlines basic requirements for the GE3 program, For descriptions, the categories, and the list of courses approved for each category, see the college catalog. For courses available any semester, see the online Banner Master Schedule.
GE3 Learning Skills Requirements (9 - 14 credit hours)
- Written Expression (3 credit hours)
- Oral Expression (3-6 credit hours)
- Mathematics (3-4 credit hours)
- Library Research Skills (0-1 credit hours)
GE3 Distributive Requirements (28 - 32 credit hours)
- American History (3 credit hours)
- The Arts (3 credit hours)
- Foreign Language (0-3 credit hours)
- Literature or Philosophy/Humanities (3 credit hours)
- Natural Sciences (7-8 credit hours)
- Other World Civilizations (3 credit hours)
- The Social Sciences (6 credit hours)
- Western Civilization (3 credit hours)
GE3 Perspectives Requirement (3 - 4 credit hours)
- Global Issues (3-4 credit hours)
General Education Policies for All Students
Students should contact their academic advisor or the academic advising office at (518) 564-2080 if they have questions concerning General Education.
- Relationship to the Major: Courses completed to fulfill The Skills/Learning Skills and The Knowledge and Understanding/Distributive requirements may also fulfill a major requirement. To fulfill The Integration/Perspectives requirement, a course must be outside the major department and cognate requirements for the major. (Students with double majors may use courses within either major to complete The Integration/Perspectives requirement; education majors may use courses in their concentration to satisfy The Integration/Perspectives requirement.)
- Relationship to Minors and Second Majors: Courses taken to fulfill General Education requirements can also be applied to minor and/or second major requirements.
- Time Frame for Completing General Education Requirements: Students are expected to complete The Skills/Learning Skills requirement by the beginning of the sophomore year (except for the Oral Expression requirement, which students may complete with a designated upper-division course). Transfer students must complete The Skills/Learning Skills requirement by the end of their second semester at the college. The Knowledge and Understanding/Distributive requirements should be completed before the end of the sophomore year. The Integration/Perspectives courses should be taken after the learning The Skills/Learning Skills and The Knowledge and Understanding/Distribute requirements have been met.
- Transfer Students: The admissions office evaluates all transfer credits. Most transfer students will have completed many Learning Skills and Distributive requirements; approved substitutions may be transferred into the program (with the same exception noted above). Questions about transferring work from other colleges should be directed to the admissions office, which can be reached at (518) 564-2040.
- Study Abroad: Any semester-long, approved and satisfactorily completed course of study abroad will satisfy The Integration/Perspectives requirement.
Contact Information
For more information about the General Education Program at Plattsburgh State, please contact:
Academic Affairs
Pat Higgins, Associate Vice President
Office: Kehoe 807
Phone: (518) 564-2195
E-mail: higginpj@plattsburgh.edu