GENERAL EDUCATION, WRITING ACROSS THE
CURRICULUM, CULTURAL DIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS
All Penn State undergraduate students must complete a set of basic requirements in addition to course requirements for the major. These basic requirements are comprised of general education courses, writing across the curriculum courses, and cultural diversity courses, as listed below.
All students need to consult with an advisor to determine specific general education, cultural diversity, and writing across the curriculum requirements, based on his/her program and interest area. Students need to be aware of the importance of planning to meet these requirements prior to graduation. The Baccalaureate Degree and Associate Degree Program Bulletins (link to www.psu.edu/academic/bluebook) are guides to assist in the selection of these requirements.
The general education requirement is intended to introduce and integrate major areas of knowledge, presenting the most fundamental and universal concepts, issues, and achievements in that specific discipline or cluster of disciplines.
The general education program for Penn State baccalaureate degree students consists of 46-48 credits distributed among three core areas of study: communication and quantification skills (15 credits); health sciences and physical education (3 credits); and 27 credits distributed among humanities, natural sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and arts courses; and a freshmen seminar (1-3 credits).
The general education program for Penn State associate degree students consists of 21 credits among three core areas of study: communication and quantification skills (6 credits); 12 credits distributed among humanities, natural sciences, social and behavioral sciences, arts courses, and an additional 3 credits in a general education area.
Beginning with summer 1990, entering baccalaureate degree students are required to complete at least 3 credits of writing intensive courses prior to graduation. Beginning with summer 1992, entering associate degree students are required to complete at least 3 credits of writing intensive course prior to graduation.
Beginning with summer 1991, entering baccalaureate degree students are required to take 3 credits of intercultural and international courses prior to graduation. Beginning with summer 1992, entering associate degree students are required to take 3 credits of intercultural and international courses prior to graduation.