General education requirements at Wichita State University have been designed for all students. Entering freshmen will satisfy the requirements as outlined in this Handbook (and in the University Catalog). Transfer students often satisfy some or all of these requirements with transfer credits. However, all students must complete a comparable program of general education as part of their studies.
Why is general education required for all students? The answer is simply that there are some things which no university graduate should be without. These include trained ability in written and oral communications and mathematics, as well as an appreciation of the whole range of human thought and experience. The latter have been grouped into four broad areas: fine arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and the natural sciences and mathematics. Knowledge of these subjects is the mark of a truly educated human being.
The University has minimum requirements in each of these areas, which each student must complete. However, to get the most out of your education, you will want to enrich it with additional studies from the many courses offered. Each college has added requirements above the university minimum, and some require specific courses. You should carefully review requirements for the college in which you expect to major. These requirements are summarized below. More complete information can be found in the University Catalog, the official statement of University rules, regulations, and requirements for students.
This Handbook is a tool. It provides basic information about general education requirements and courses. Using it, with the assistance of your academic advisor, will permit you to get the most out of your general education. Our program provides students with focus and choice in selecting courses. This Handbook can improve the quality of your choices and thus the value of your education.
In preparing this Handbook, we have attempted to collect the most up-to-date information on general education courses, based on the questions that students most frequently ask. However, there is no guarantee that the information provided here is complete and accurate in all details for all courses. It is just the best information available about typical course requirements. Many popular courses are taught by several different instructors, and there are bound to be variations in how each of them organizes and teaches the course. For precise information, contact your instructor. Nonetheless, the information provided here should give you a good idea of what to expect in each general education course.
How important are general education courses to success? You can get some measure of the answer simply by noting that only these courses are required for all students, regardless of their majors. Wise and informed choice is important, which is why we have prepared this Handbook. Use it, and when you have questions, ask your advisor.