Core Curriculum Advising

Rooted in the liberal arts and PLU’s Lutheran tradition, the General Education Core provides an opportunity to develop the tools you’ll need to explore diverse perspectives and tackle big questions about the world around you. You’ll grow your skills for critical thinking and creative communication, you’ll examine your values and think about diverse perspectives, and you’ll learn to ask and answer questions using a range of methods and practices from many disciplines. The core curriculum is your chance to build deep knowledge about the world and to develop a personal, professional, and intellectual profile that will set you apart in community and professional contexts after graduation. 

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Important Notes for Planning Your Core Curriculum Experience

  • All students must complete the General Education program. There is no way to “test out” of this requirement; however, transfer coursework and AP scores can meet some of the core requirements. 
  • The Academic Study of Religion (RL) and Global Engagement (GE) elements must be completed at PLU using two different courses (even if the course carries both RL and GE). They may NOT be transferred from another institution. These two requirements reflect mission-aligned priorities; we want students to have at least two opportunities to participate in these two long-standing campus conversations during their time at PLU
  • A class taken to meet one General Education Program element may not be used to also meet a second element, except for Global Engagement. For example, ANTH 102 can be taken to meet both ES and GE requirements. 
  • Students must meet the six Ways of Being and Knowing via coursework from six different programs (based on course prefix). This limitation ensures students encounter a broad range of disciplinary perspectives. For example, if you complete an ENGL course for your IT requirement, you may not use an additional ENGL course to meet another Ways of Being and Knowing requirement (e.g., CX). 
  • The PLU Diversity Requirement includes two courses: FYEP 102 and Global Engagement (GE).

First Year Experience (FYEP)

  • FYEP is required of all students entering PLU as first-year students with fewer than 30 semester hours. If you are a transfer student or if you have 30+ credits from another college or university (including via Running Start), you are not required to complete FYEP. 
  • FYEP courses are restricted to first-year students. Once you have 30 or more credits, you may not take FYEP. 
  • PLUS 100 is taken in the student’s first semester. Failing or withdrawing from PLUS 100 will result in the student retaking the course.
  • Students who do not successfully complete FYEP 101 must take an alternative approved writing course. Contact the Associate Provost of Core Curriculum for a list of current courses.
  • Students who do not successfully complete FYEP 102 must take an approved diversity course in order to meet the two-course PLU Diversity Education requirement. The two diversity courses must be from different program prefixes.
  • An FYEP 102 course may not count for any other general education requirement when taken for FYEP 102 credit, but it may count for a requirement in a major or minor. Check program requirements for more information.

The Academic Study of Religion (RL)

  • All students, regardless of transfer status, must take four semester hours focused on the Academic Study of Religion (RL). 
  • The course used to satisfy the RL requirement may not also count for any other general education requirement.

Fitness and Wellness (FT)

  • Two different fitness and wellness courses are required, one must be FTWL 100. FTWL 250 may not be used to meet the general education fitness and wellness requirement.
  • The courses used to satisfy the FT requirement may not also count for any other general education requirement.

Global Engagement (GE)

  • All students, including transfer students, must complete four semester hours from Global Engagement. 
  • Some Global Engagement courses may also count toward Ways of Being and Knowing. See the course schedule to know which courses meet both requirements. 
  • Only approved study away courses will meet the Global Engagement requirement. Approval is indicated by the Global Engagement attribute listed on the course.

Ways of Being and Knowing: The Distributional Core

  • All students will take one course in the Academic Study for Religion (RL). An additional Religion course may be used to satisfy one of the Ways of Being and Knowing if the course is marked with a general education attribute.
  • Engaging the Natural World (NW) courses include a lab or field experience. 
  • If the student scores a 70 or higher on the Mathematics Placement Evaluation, that student will have their Quantitative Reasoning (QR) requirement met.

The Senior Culminating Experience (SR)

  • All students are required to complete at least one senior culminating experience course (SR) counting for at least one credit.