general education
Broad foundational coursework
General education refers to the broad coursework required of all students regardless of major or specialization—typically covering humanities, sciences, social sciences, and mathematics.
The purpose is to produce well-rounded graduates with foundational knowledge across disciplines: I still need to finish my general education requirements before I can focus on my major.
Often shortened to gen ed.
Mandatory foundational coursework
- liberal artsNon-vocational higher education
- humanitiesStudy of culture
- sciencesOrganized bodies of knowledge
- mathematicsScience of quantity and structure
literature · history · geography · languages · arts · health · civics · electives
Developed in many areas
- holisticAddressing interconnected wholes
- interdisciplinaryCombining distinct fields
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
- lifelong learningOngoing self-improvement through study
Objective evaluation of information
- communication skillsCapacity to exchange ideas
- problem-solvingAddressing challenges methodically
- teamworkJoint effort toward shared aim
- adaptabilityAbility to adjust readily
literacy · numeracy · analytical reasoning · written expression · research skills · information literacy · digital literacy · collaboration
Required by rule
- obligatoryRequired by rule
- required coursesClasses students must complete
- elementary schoolInstitution for young pupils
- high schoolUpper secondary institution
K-12 · universal access · attendance · state standards · graduation requirements · statutory · national curriculum · standardized
core curriculum
Mandatory foundational coursework
- liberal artsNon-vocational higher education
- humanitiesStudy of culture
- sciencesOrganized bodies of knowledge
mathematics · literature · history · geography · languages · arts · health · civics · electives · social studies
well-rounded
Developed in many areas
- holisticAddressing interconnected wholes
- interdisciplinaryCombining distinct fields
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
lifelong learning · polymathic · trivium · cultivation · character formation
critical thinking
Objective evaluation of information
- communication skillsCapacity to exchange ideas
- problem-solvingAddressing challenges methodically
- teamworkJoint effort toward shared aim
adaptability · literacy · numeracy · analytical reasoning · written expression · research skills · information literacy · digital literacy · collaboration · civic engagement
mandatory
Required by rule
- obligatoryRequired by rule
- required coursesClasses students must complete
- elementary schoolInstitution for young pupils
high school · K-12 · universal access · attendance · state standards · graduation requirements · statutory · national curriculum · standardized · accreditation
- academicsprofessor, course, university professors, math, professors
- collegecampus, courses, application, dorms, dorm room
- college termsuniversity, community college, fall semester, spring semester, liberal arts college
- College Policytuition caps, federal funding, state funding, financial aid, student aid
- Courseselective, required course, core course, introductory, advanced course
- prerequisitesprereqs, corequisite, degree requirement, corequisites, intro course
general educationspecialization
Concentrated expertise in one field
specialized training · major · concentration · area of expertise · niche expertise
general educationvocational training
Job-skill education
technical education · vocational education · trade school · career training · professional training
general educationelective courses
Voluntarily chosen classes
individualized education · honors program · gifted education · tracking · independent study
general, education, generally, generals, generality, generalize, generalized, generalization, generalist