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General Education

Arizona State University

Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)

www.asu.edu


Defining Statements:

The New American University is ASU's vision for a university that is responsible for the economic, social, and cultural vitality of our region.  As a New American University, we seek to:

A baccalaureate education should not only prepare students for a particular profession or advanced study, but for constructive and satisfying personal, social, and civic lives as well. In addition to depth of knowledge in a particular academic or professional discipline, students should also be broadly educated and develop the general intellectual skills they need to continue learning throughout their lives. Thus, the General Studies requirement complements the undergraduate major by helping students gain mastery of critical learning skills, investigate the traditional branches of knowledge, and develop the broad perspective that frees one to appreciate diversity and change across time, culture, and national boundaries.

The five core areas help students acquire critical lifelong learning skills and guide their exploration of the traditional branches of knowledge:

  1. literacy and critical inquiry
  2. mathematics studies
  3. humanities, fine arts, and design
  4. social and behavioral sciences
  5. natural sciences

The three awareness areas promote appreciation of cultural diversity within the contemporary United States, develop an international perspective, and foster an understanding of current human events through study of the past:

  1. cultural diversity in the United States
  2. global awareness
  3. historical awareness

Requirements for Graduation:

Core Number of Credits
Literacy and critical inquiry   
6
Mathematic studies and computer science  
6
Humanities, fine arts, and design
Social and behavioral sciences  

15
Natural sciences (with labs)  
8
Total Core
35
Awareness Areas

Cultural diversity
Global awareness
Historical awareness
Total Awareness Areas
3
3
3
9
Concurrent courses allowed
General Requirements
(6)
38 to 44
Minimum credits required for graduation
GUR
Upper division courses required
120
30% - 37%
45

   

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