Understanding General Education Requirements

The concept of 'general education requirements' is something I've come across quite a bit while researching colleges. Could someone explain to me what these requirements usually encapsulate at most colleges? Also, how much flexibility do students typically have in fulfilling these requirements?

Sure, happy to help clarify this topic for you!

General education requirements, often known as "gen eds," refer to a set of courses that a college or university requires all its students, regardless of their major, to take. While this concept can initially seem confusing, the goal of these requirements is to ensure that students receive a well-rounded education and are exposed to a wide range of academic disciplines, promoting intellectual growth.

Generally, these requirements fall into several broad categories, such as humanities, social sciences, natural or physical sciences, mathematics, and sometimes fine arts and physical education. Some colleges might also require courses on diversity, global awareness, or communication skills. You might find yourself taking courses in philosophy, psychology, history, literature, biology, statistics, and more.

Interestingly enough, each school approaches general education requirements uniquely. Some colleges have a very structured and in-depth set of general education courses also known as a Core Curriculum, like Columbia University, while others like Brown University have an open curriculum with no required general education courses at all.

Most colleges typically provide some flexibility in meeting these requirements. For instance, for a humanities requirement, you might be able to choose from courses in various departments such as English, History, or Philosophy. This allows you to choose courses that align with your interests, even while fulfilling these essential requirements.

Remember, these requirements are part of your total required credit to graduate, and they will spread out over your time in college, so you'll not be inundated by these courses alone. You'll take them alongside major courses and any electives you might choose. All the best with your college research!