www.mcc.edu
General Education Requirements for all Degrees
Higher education organizations such as the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU), the Association of American Community Colleges (AACC), and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) have all conducted research asking both employers and educators “What does a college graduate need to know?”
While the reports vary in the specificity of answers, the general consensus is that students should acquire versatile knowledge and skills beyond that of their specific area of study. In education terms, this translates into general education requirements. These requirements are developed and reviewed on a periodic basis. The last review at Mott Community College took place in 2007-2008. The committee working on these revisions was charged to look at not only what provides the well rounded education, but also develop requirements that would easily transfer to other institutions.
The result of this committee work is the development of general education requirements delineated below. Your requirements will vary depending on your program of study. It is also highly recommended that you look not only at the general education requirements at MCC but also at colleges you might attend in the future.
MCC is committed to three overarching general education goals for students. These goals are not tied to any one specific course, but are rather infused throughout the college curriculum.
Through the specific area requirements (see degree plans below), an associate’s degree from MCC will include a strong knowledge base in each of the following areas:
| Essential Learning Outcomes |
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Courses taken to meet general education requirements, along with all programs and courses at the college, share responsibility to provide for the following essential outcomes to insure that students are prepared for academic and professional success and for participation as citizens of their communities and the world.
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| Critical Thinking |
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Courses should require and students should demonstrate a range of abilities from tangible problem-solving to higher order processes of analysis, inference, reasoning, synthesis, and judgment. Students should evaluate information, analyze claims and arguments in their own and others’ work, consider multiple perspectives, apply knowledge in new contexts, understand processes of reasoning in various disciplines, and should regularly reflect on their own learning.
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| Global Awareness |
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Courses should require and students should demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of culture, race, ethnicity, nations, religions, and political and social systems. This includes an understanding of these concepts themselves and an understanding of their roles in forming identities and values-our own and those of others. Students should be able to identify and explain the influence of historical and cultural factors on past and current events.
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| Citizenship |
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Courses should require and students should demonstrate personal and social responsibility through collaboration with others in diverse group settings, and through civic knowledge and participation. A commitment to academic integrity, ethical reasoning and action, and preparation for lifelong learning should be central to all coursework.
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Additionally, students entering the college on or after July 1, 2009, will be required to complete specific courses distributed in divisions across the college to meet the general education requirements for graduation.
For students planning to graduate with an Associate in Arts (AA) or an Associate in Science (AS) degree:
A minimum of 32 general education credits are required. All classes must be 100 level or higher. The following distribution of courses is required for all students:
For students planning to graduate with an Associate in General Studies (AGS) or an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree
A minimum of 18 general education credits are required. All classes must be 100 level or higher. The following courses are required for all students earning these degrees:
Additional general education credits may be selected from Humanities, Social Sciences, Math, Natural Science, and Information Technology. Please check your specific degree program to determine which courses to take.
NOTE: Students who enrolled prior to July 1, 2009, may now complete their degree under the new general education requirements or under the previous requirements. Please meet with an advisor or your program coordinator to determine which option is best for you.
