General Education

General Education Program

General Education provides a common intellectual experience for all university students. The program develops strong communication and critical thinking skills, a broad understanding of disciplinary areas, and the knowledge and skills necessary for responsible citizenship in an interconnected world. General Education is the foundation of all undergraduate degree programs at The University of Akron.

Program Learning Outcomes

Academic Foundations
Students will gain a foundation of intellectual skills including oral and written communication, information literacy and logical or quantitative reasoning. Student will practice these skills in increasingly challenging contexts throughout the general education program and the major.

Breadth of Knowledge
Students will gain broad knowledge and practice disciplinary methods of inquiry in the Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences.

Breadth of Perspectives
Students will gain skills and knowledge required for responsible citizenship through the analysis of perspectives within domestic and global contexts.

Integrated and Applied Learning
Students will apply and integrate knowledge gained throughout the undergraduate curriculum. This will be demonstrated through completion of either a capstone in the major or an upper-level course applying interdisciplinary perspectives to a complex social issue.

General Education Elective
Credits may be selected from any approved General Education course to reach a total of 36 credits. 

Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings.

Integration with Major

The UA General Education program is designed to support and enhance the major course of study. Majors may require particular General Education coursework, and some major courses may fulfill General Education requirements. Students should consult their program curriculum guides and Stellic, as well as meet with an advisor, for the recommended General Education courses to take.

Transfer and Alternative Credit Options

Student may fulfill General Education requirements through appropriate transfer coursework from accredited institutions of higher education, external credit-conferring testing programs such as the College Board Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate Honors Diploma (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and other programs. For more information, see the transfer policies.

Students who plan to transfer to or from another Ohio public college or university should select coursework from the Ohio Transfer 36. This set of coursework will satisfy specified General Education requirements at any public institution. 

Requirements for Bachelor's Degrees

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Breadth of Perspectives courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major.

Academic Foundations - 12 credits

Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic - 3 credit hours

Students who successfully complete a mathematics or statistics course with a prerequisite on the list below satisfy the Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic requirement. 

Course Fulfills Requirements For Ohio Transfer 36
MATH 134 Mathematics for Everyday Life - Expanded Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
MATH 135 Mathematics for Everyday Life Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic YES
MATH 137 Finite Math - Supported Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
MATH 138 Finite Math - Expanded Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
MATH 139 Finite Math Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
MATH 140 Mathematics for Early/Middle Teachers 1 Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
MATH 143 Technical Algebra and Trigonometry 1 - Expanded Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
MATH 144 Technical Algebra and Trigonometry 1 Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
MATH 145 Algebra for Calculus Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic YES
MATH 149 Precalculus Mathematics Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic YES
MATH 153 Technical Mathematics III Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic YES
MATH 154 Technical Algebra and Trigonometry 2 Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
MATH 208 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
MATH 210 Calculus with Business Applications Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic YES
MATH 221 Analytic Geometry-Calculus I Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic YES
MATH 222 Analytic Geometry-Calculus II Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic YES
MATH 223 Analytic Geometry-Calculus III Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic YES
MATH 240 Mathematics for Early/Middle Teachers 2 Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
MATH 255 Technical Calculus I Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
MATH 261 Applied Finite Mathematics Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
MATH 312 Linear Algebra Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic YES
MATH 356 Technical Calculus II Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
PHIL 170 Introduction to Logic Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic YES
STAT 240 From Foundations to Statistics II Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
STAT 250 Statistics for Everyday Life Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic YES
STAT 260 Basic Statistics Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic YES
STAT 261 Introductory Statistics I Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic YES
STAT 262 Introductory Statistics II Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic YES
STAT 270 Introductory Statistics Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic

Speaking - 3 credit hours

Course Fulfills Requirements For Ohio Transfer 36
COMM 105 Introduction to Public Speaking Speaking YES
COMM 263 Professional Communications and Presentations Speaking YES

Writing - 6 credit hours

First Course
Course Fulfills Requirements For Ohio Transfer 36
ENGL 110 English Composition I + Workshop Writing First Course YES
ENGL 111 English Composition I Writing First Course YES

Second Course - Students who are placed in the second writing course and successfully complete it satisfy the Writing requirement. 

Course Fulfills Requirements For Ohio Transfer 36
ENGL 112 English Composition II Writing Second Course YES
ENGL 222 Technical Report Writing Writing Second Course YES

Breadth of Knowledge - 22 credits

Fine Arts - 3 credit hours

Students must take at least one Fine Arts course.

Note: MUSIC 155 Music Literature II must be completed sequentially with MUSIC 154 Music Literature I to satisfy the Fine Arts requirement. 

Course Fulfills Requirements For Ohio Transfer 36
ART 101 Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE Arts, Global Perspectives YES
ART 102 History of Global Art 2: 1250 CE - 1850 CE Arts YES
ART 210 Visual Arts Awareness Arts
DNCE 265 Viewing Dance Arts YES
ENGL 283 Film Appreciation Arts YES
MUSIC 155 Music Literature II Arts, U.S. Perspectives
MUSIC 201 Exploring Music: Bach to Rock Arts YES
THEA 100 Experiencing Theatre Arts
THEA 264 Playscript & Performance Analysis Arts

Humanities - 3 credit hours

Students must take at least one Humanities course. 

Course Fulfills Requirements For Ohio Transfer 36
ARAB 210 Arabic Culture through Film Humanities YES
CHIN 210 Chinese Culture Through Film Humanities
CLAS 230 Sports & Society in Ancient Greece and Rome Humanities YES
CLAS 289 Mythology of Ancient Greece Humanities YES
ENGL 252 Shakespeare & His World Humanities YES
ENGL 281 Fiction Appreciation Humanities YES
FREN 210 French and Francophone Cultures Through Film Global Perspectives, Humanities
HIST 200 Empires of the Ancient World Global Perspectives, Humanities YES
HIST 210 Humanities in the Western Tradition from Ancient Times to 1500 Humanities YES
HIST 221 Humanities in the World since 1300 Global Perspectives, Humanities YES
IHSC 100 Exploring Campus Arts & Culture Humanities
JAPN 210 Japanese Culture through Film Global Perspectives, Humanities YES
PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophy Humanities YES
PHIL 120 Introduction to Ethics Humanities YES
PHIL 125 Theory & Evidence Humanities YES
PHIL 150 Critical Thinking Humanities YES
PHIL 201 American Civics: Philosophical Foundations Civic Literacy, Humanities
PHIL 211 History of Ancient Philosophy Humanities YES
SPAN 210 Spanish Culture Through Film Global Perspectives, Humanities
SPAN 250 Hispanic Literature in Translation Humanities YES

 Natural Science - 7 credit hours, including one lab

A majors-track course in the natural sciences can substitute for a general education natural science course.

Students may fulfill the Natural Sciences requirement with any coursework that adds up to seven credit hours and includes a lab, using courses from the same department or different ones.

Course Fulfills Requirements For Ohio Transfer 36
ANAT 206 Applied Human Anatomy & Physiology I Natural Science YES
ANAT 207 Applied Human Anatomy & Physiology II Natural Science YES
BIOL 106 Exploring Biology Natural Science
BIOL 108 Introduction to Biological Aging Natural Science
BIOL 202 Human Anatomy & Physiology II Natural Science YES
CHEM 151 Principles of Chemistry I Natural Science YES
CHEM 153 Principles of Chemistry II Natural Science YES
GEOL 100 Earth Science Natural Science YES
GEOL 121 Dinosaurs Natural Science
GEOL 122 Mass Extinctions & Geology Natural Science
GEOL 130 Geologic Record of Climate Change Natural Science
GEOL 133 Caves Natural Science
GEOL 135 Geology of Energy Resources Natural Science
GEOL 137 Earth's Atmosphere & Weather Natural Science
GEOL 171 Introduction to the Oceans Natural Science YES
GEOL 200 Environmental Geology Natural Science YES
GEOL 211 Introduction to Environmental Science Natural Science YES
NUTR 133 Nutrition Fundamentals Natural Science YES
PHYS 132 Physics of Sound Natural Science
PHYS 164 Technical Physics: Heat & Light Natural Science YES
Course Fulfills Requirements For Ohio Transfer 36
ANAT 210 Applied Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab I Natural Science with Lab
ANAT 211 Applied Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab II Natural Science with Lab
ANTH 105 Human Evolution Natural Science with Lab YES
BIOL 103 Natural Science: Biology Natural Science with Lab YES
BIOL 111 Principles of Biology I Natural Science with Lab YES
BIOL 112 Principles of Biology II Natural Science with Lab YES
BIOL 130 Principles of Microbiology Natural Science with Lab YES
BIOL 265 Introductory Human Physiology Natural Science with Lab
CHEM 101 Chemistry for Everyone Natural Science with Lab YES
CHEM 113 Introduction to General, Organic & Biochemistry II (Laboratory) Natural Science with Lab YES
CHEM 152 Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory Natural Science with Lab YES
GEOL 101 Introductory Physical Geology Natural Science with Lab YES
GEOL 102 Introductory Historical Geology Natural Science with Lab
GEOL 201 Exercises in Environmental Geology I Natural Science with Lab YES
GEOL 203 Exercises in Environmental Geology II Natural Science with Lab YES
GEOL 230 Mineral Science Natural Science with Lab
PHYS 130 Descriptive Astronomy Natural Science with Lab YES
PHYS 133 Music, Sound & Physics Natural Science with Lab YES
PHYS 137 Light Natural Science with Lab YES
PHYS 261 College Physics I Natural Science with Lab
PHYS 262 College Physics II Natural Science with Lab
PHYS 291 Elementary Classical Physics I Natural Science with Lab YES
PHYS 292 Elementary Classical Physics II Natural Science with Lab YES

Social Science - 6 credit hours

Students may fulfill the Social Science area requirement using courses from the same department or different ones.

Course Fulfills Requirements For Ohio Transfer 36
ANTH 101 Human Cultures Global Perspectives, Social Science YES
ANTH 110 Introduction to Archaeology Social Science YES
ECON 100 Introduction to Economics Social Science YES
ECON 200 Principles of Microeconomics Social Science YES
ECON 244 Introduction to Economic Analysis Social Science YES
GEOG 100 Introduction to Geography Social Science YES
GEOG 250 World Regional Geography Global Perspectives, Social Science
HIST 241 U.S. History and Civics to 1877 Civic Literacy, Social Science
HIST 250 U.S. History to 1877 Social Science, U.S. Perspectives YES
HIST 251 U.S. History since 1877 Social Science, U.S. Perspectives YES
HIST 295 Global Societies: Japan Global Perspectives, Social Science
HIST 296 Global Societies: Latin America Global Perspectives, Social Science
HIST 297 Global Societies: Middle East Global Perspectives, Social Science
PAFS 252 The Black Experience 1619-1918 Social Science, U.S. Perspectives
PAFS 253 The Black Experience 1918-Present Social Science, U.S. Perspectives
PAFS 256 Diversity in American Society Social Science, U.S. Perspectives YES
POLIT 100 Government & Politics in the United States Social Science YES
POLIT 101 American Government & Civic Literacy Civic Literacy, Social Science
POLIT 150 World Politics & Government Social Science YES
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology Social Science YES
SOCIO 100 Introduction to Sociology Social Science, U.S. Perspectives YES
SOCIO 150 Civics in Society: The American Experiment Civic Literacy, Social Science
SOCIO 243 Contemporary Global Issues Global Perspectives, Social Science YES
SOWK 230 Human Relations Social Science YES
SOWK 244 Death & Dying Social Science, U.S. Perspectives YES
SOWK 344 Death & Dying Social Science, U.S. Perspectives

Breadth of Perspectives 

U.S. Perspectives - one course

Course Fulfills Requirements For
ANTH 358 Indians of North America U.S. Perspectives
COMM 325 Intercultural Communication U.S. Perspectives
ECON 487 Urban Economics:Theory & Policy U.S. Perspectives
ENGL 350 Black American Literature U.S. Perspectives
GEOG 350 Geography of the United States & Canada U.S. Perspectives
GEOG 443 Urban Applications in GIS U.S. Perspectives
HIST 250 U.S. History to 1877 Social Science, U.S. Perspectives
HIST 251 U.S. History since 1877 Social Science, U.S. Perspectives
HIST 350 U.S. Women's History U.S. Perspectives
MUSIC 155 Music Literature II Arts, U.S. Perspectives
PAFS 201 Introduction to Pan-African Studies U.S. Perspectives
PAFS 252 The Black Experience 1619-1918 Social Science, U.S. Perspectives
PAFS 253 The Black Experience 1918-Present Social Science, U.S. Perspectives
PAFS 256 Diversity in American Society Social Science, U.S. Perspectives
PHIL 455 Philosophy of Feminism U.S. Perspectives
PHIL 456 Philosophy of Race & Ethnicity U.S. Perspectives
PSYC 250 Psychology of Diversity U.S. Perspectives
PSYC 435 Cross-Cultural Psychology U.S. Perspectives
PSYC 474 Psychology of Women U.S. Perspectives
SOCIO 100 Introduction to Sociology Social Science, U.S. Perspectives
SOCIO 200 Social Justice U.S. Perspectives
SOWK 244 Death & Dying Social Science, U.S. Perspectives
SOWK 270 Diversity and Social Work U.S. Perspectives
SOWK 344 Death & Dying Social Science, U.S. Perspectives
THEA 467 Multi-Cultural Theatre U.S. Perspectives
WMST 200 Introduction to Women's Studies U.S. Perspectives

Global Perspectives - one course

Course Fulfills Requirements For
ANTH 101 Human Cultures Global Perspectives, Social Science
ANTH 416 Anthropology of Sex and Gender Global Perspectives
ART 101 Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE Arts, Global Perspectives
ECON 460 Economics of Developing Countries Global Perspectives
ENGL 362 World Literatures Global Perspectives
ENGL 367 The Rhetoric of God Global Perspectives
FREN 210 French and Francophone Cultures Through Film Global Perspectives, Humanities
GEOG 250 World Regional Geography Global Perspectives, Social Science
GEOG 275 Geography of Cultural Diversity Global Perspectives
HIST 200 Empires of the Ancient World Global Perspectives, Humanities
HIST 221 Humanities in the World since 1300 Global Perspectives, Humanities
HIST 292 Global Societies: Africa Global Perspectives
HIST 294 Global Societies: India Global Perspectives
HIST 295 Global Societies: Japan Global Perspectives, Social Science
HIST 296 Global Societies: Latin America Global Perspectives, Social Science
HIST 297 Global Societies: Middle East Global Perspectives, Social Science
HIST 324 Europe from World War I to the Present Global Perspectives
HIST 337 France from Napoleon to De Gaulle Global Perspectives
HIST 377 History of Women in Latin America Global Perspectives
HIST 378 Spanish Conquest and Colonization of the Americas Global Perspectives
HIST 395 Modern Iran Global Perspectives
HIST 489 Ottoman State and Society Global Perspectives
HIST 499 Women and Gender in Middle Eastern Societies Global Perspectives
JAPN 210 Japanese Culture through Film Global Perspectives, Humanities
NUTR 474 Cultural Dimensions of Food Global Perspectives
PHIL 200 Philosophy of World Religions Global Perspectives
PHIL 333 Philosophy of Science and Religion Global Perspectives
PHIL 340 Eastern Philosophy Global Perspectives
PHIL 350 Philosophy of Art Global Perspectives
POLIT 300 Comparative Politics Global Perspectives
SOCIO 243 Contemporary Global Issues Global Perspectives, Social Science
SOCIO 321 Population, Environment, and Health Global Perspectives
SPAN 210 Spanish Culture Through Film Global Perspectives, Humanities
SPAN 360 Hispanic Culture through Film Global Perspectives
THEA 335 History of Theatre and Dramatic Literature: Origins through 18th Century Global Perspectives
THEA 435 History of Theatre and Dramatic Literature: 1800 to Present Global Perspectives
WMST 460 Global Feminisms Global Perspectives

Civic Literacy - one course

Course Fulfills Requirements For Ohio Transfer 36
HIST 241 U.S. History and Civics to 1877 Civic Literacy, Social Science
PHIL 201 American Civics: Philosophical Foundations Civic Literacy, Humanities
POLIT 101 American Government & Civic Literacy Civic Literacy, Social Science
SOCIO 150 Civics in Society: The American Experiment Civic Literacy, Social Science

Integrated and Applied Learning - 1 course

Select one course from either of the following categories, Capstone or Complex Issues Facing Society.

Capstone

Course Fulfills Requirements For
AESE 491 Aerospace Design Project I Capstone
ART 412 Student Teaching Colloquium Capstone
ART 483 Graphic Design Presentation Capstone
BAHA 402 Quality Management in Health Care Capstone
BMEN 491 Biomedical Engineering Design I Capstone
CHEE 442 Process Design II Capstone
CISS 451 CIS Senior Design Projects I Capstone
CISS 490 CIS Senior Networking Projects Capstone
CISS 491 CIS Senior Cybersecurity Project Capstone
CIVE 490 Senior Design in Civil Engineering Capstone
COET 468 Construction Management Capstone
CORE 441 Corrosion Engineering Design II Capstone
CPEN 401 Senior Design Project I - Computer Engineering Capstone
CPSC 490 Senior Seminar in Computer Science Capstone
DGFR 485 Cyber Forensics Capstone Capstone
ECON 496 Capstone Project in Economics Capstone
EEET 455 Senior Project Capstone
ELEN 401 Senior Design Project I - Electrical Engineering Capstone
EMHS 480 Emergency Management & Homeland Security Capstone Capstone
GNST 400 Senior Capstone Capstone
MCET 401 Mechanical Engineering Technology Senior Design Project I Capstone
MECE 461 ME Senior Design Project I Capstone
MGMT 490 Strategic Management Capstone
MUSIC 492 Student Teaching Colloquium Capstone
PHYS 491 Capstone Project in Physics A Capstone
PLYE 499 Senior Design Project II Capstone
SOWK 422 Field Experience Seminar II Capstone
SURV 430 Surveying Project Capstone

 Complex Issues Facing Society

Course Fulfills Requirements For
ANTH 320 The Anthropology of Food Complex Issues Facing Society
ANTH 370 Globalization and Culture Complex Issues Facing Society
ANTH 457 Medical Anthropology Complex Issues Facing Society
ANTH 460 Field Methods in Cultural Anthropology Complex Issues Facing Society
CHFD 401 American Families in Poverty Complex Issues Facing Society
ECON 385 Economics of Natural Resources & the Environment Complex Issues Facing Society
ECON 430 Labor Market and Social Policy Complex Issues Facing Society
EDCI 223 Urban Youth Mentoring Complex Issues Facing Society
GEOL 421 Coastal Geology Complex Issues Facing Society
GEOL 443 Rivers Complex Issues Facing Society
GEOL 452 Geology and Environmental Science Service Learning Complex Issues Facing Society
HIST 463 United States Constitutional History Complex Issues Facing Society
HIST 472 Empire, Genocide, and Mass Violence Complex Issues Facing Society
NURS 440 Nursing of Communities Complex Issues Facing Society
NURS 445 Nursing of Communities - RN Only Complex Issues Facing Society
PHIL 207 Food Ethics Complex Issues Facing Society
PHIL 241 Technology & Human Values Complex Issues Facing Society
PHIL 361 Biomedical Ethics Complex Issues Facing Society
PHIL 365 Environmental Ethics Complex Issues Facing Society
PHIL 366 Engineering Ethics Complex Issues Facing Society
PLYS 350 Sustainable Polymers Complex Issues Facing Society
PSPE 310 Impacts of Polymers on Modern Life Complex Issues Facing Society
PSYC 425 Psychology of Hate Complex Issues Facing Society
SOCIO 320 Social Inequalities Complex Issues Facing Society
SOCIO 342 Sociology of Health & Illness Complex Issues Facing Society
SOCIO 433 Sociology of Deviant Behavior Complex Issues Facing Society
SPAN 308 Spanish Composition: Health Professions & First Responders Complex Issues Facing Society
SPRT 210 Navigating Social Issues in Sport Complex Issues Facing Society
WMST 450 Gender and Popular Culture Complex Issues Facing Society
Printable General Education Curriculum Guide

Requirements for Associate Degrees

Students in the Associate of Arts and Associate of Sciences degree programs must complete the following 36 credit-hour set of General Education coursework. Specific courses can be found from the dropdown menus above.

Academic Foundations
Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
Speaking
Writing
Breadth of Knowledge
Arts
Humanities
Natural Science (including one lab)
Social Science
Additional General Education credits to equal 36 credit hours 5
Students should meet this requirement by taking a Civic Literacy, Global Perspectives, U.S. Perspectives or Integrated and Applied Learning course if they have not already taken a course that satisfies these requirements.
Total Hours5

Students in applied associate degree programs must complete the following 15 credit-hour set  of General Education coursework.

Academic Foundations
Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
Speaking
Writing
Breadth of Knowledge
Natural Science
Social Science
Total Hours0