General Education & Experiential Education
General Education Requirements
Please read the general education and the experiential sections of the catalog carefully. Students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor (435) 586-5420 for assistance in academic planning.
General Education Mission
The mission of general education at Southern Utah University is to foster in students the intellectual and practical skills necessary as a foundation for successful life-long learning.
Learning Outcomes
The following proficiencies form the core of general education:
- Inquiry and analysis
- Critical and creative thinking
- Written and oral communication
- Quantitative literacy
- Information literacy
- Teamwork and problem solving
Knowledge Areas
Students prepare for an enlightened, professional, and productive life in a dynamic, complex world through study in the following general education knowledge areas:
- Fine Arts
- Humanities
- Life Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
The SUU General Education Program
General Associate or Bachelors Degree
For a general associates or bachelor’s degree, the General Education (GE) program requires 32-33 credit hours of course work.
- Two courses in the English core, and a minimum of one course in each of the following core categories: Quantitative Literacy (Mathematics), Information Literacy, Computer Literacy, and American Institutions
- A minimum of 3 credit hours in each of the five knowledge area. (4 in Physical Science)
Associate of Applied Science Degree
For an Associate of Applied Science degree, 20-21 credit hours are required in the following areas:
- One course in the English core, and a minimum of one course in each of the following core categories: Quantitative Literacy (Mathematics), Information Literacy, Computer Literacy, and American Institutions
- Two courses from among two of five knowledge areas
- Students should check the department AAS requirements to determine if specific general education classes are recommended
Optional Methods for Satisfying GE Requirement
The University provides alternate means of satisfying requirements in the general education program. Students may complete general education requirements through Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school or by taking a series of tests under the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Students interested in alternate means of satisfying general education requirements should refer to the “Credit by Examination and Individual Study” section of this catalog or contact the Testing Center at (435) 865-8071 or their college advisor.
AA/AS Transfer Policy of Utah System
An Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree earned at any institution within the Utah System of Higher Education, or at other non-Utah institutions with articulation agreements, will be considered as meeting the General Education requirement of any institution in the system. When the General Education requirements of an institution not offering the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree have been met in earning a 60 to 63 credit hour diploma, a Registrar’s certification that the transferring student has completed baccalaureate-level General Education requirements at the sending institution will be accepted by SUU in lieu of the AA/AS degree. In the latter case, the Registrar at the sending institution will forward to SUU an up-to-date description of the General Education requirements.
Transfer of General Education Course Credits
Students transferring to SUU from another institution are required to forward an official transcript for each college or university attended. Credits earned in general education from a campus in the Utah System of Higher Education are transferable to SUU. Credits earned at a community college or at a university outside of the state of Utah will be evaluated before acceptance for transfer to SUU by the Registrar’s Office.
Core Requirements*
The core requirements for General Education encompass 16 credit hours of course work in English, Quantitative Literacy, Information Literacy, Computer Literacy, and American Institutions. These courses are intended to give students knowledge and skills necessary to effectively communicate, be able to demonstrate basic mathematical competency, perform information research and searches, effectively use integrated software tools, and have an understanding of history of the United States and its economic and political systems.
*Core course requirements: Students are strongly urged to complete the English and Quantitative Literacy Requirements before they have earned 60 credit hours at SUU.
Knowledge Areas
Fine Arts
Goal: To develop students’ understanding of the ways in which humans have addressed their condition through imaginative work; to deepen their understanding of how that imaginative process is informed and limited by social, cultural, linguistic, and historical circumstances; and to appreciate the world of the creative imagination as a form of knowledge and a link between the arts and society.
Learning outcomes: General education courses in this knowledge area enable students to:
- Describe the scope and variety of works in the fine arts (e.g., art, music, theatre arts, and dance)
- Identify the aesthetic standards used to make critical judgments in various artistic fields
- Develop a plausible understanding of the differences and relationships among multi-cultural, classical, and popular cultures as expressed through the fine arts
- Articulate critical oral and written responses based upon aesthetic standards through observance of works in the fine arts
- Participate in practical applications of creative artistic endeavors including being an informed observer and audience member of performing and visual arts
Humanities
Goal: To develop students’ understanding of human thought through works of literature, theology and philosophy; to deepen their understanding of how human processes are informed and limited by social, cultural, linguistic and historical circumstances; and to appreciate the ideas of others and in cultures and countries not their own.
Learning outcomes: General education courses in this knowledge area enable students to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of global human experience, including moral, ethical and aesthetic questions, both verbally and in writing
- Analyze the expression of human thought and experience by reading and studying works of literature and philosophy
- Employ critical thinking, and oral and written communication skills to analyze and articulate human concerns and aesthetic judgments
- Integrate knowledge of other cultures and their own, as informed by social, linguistic and historical circumstances, through exposure to literary, artistic and philosophical works from a broad range of sources and cultures
Social and Behavioral Science
Goal: To develop students’ understanding of themselves and the world through the study of methods and theories used by historians, social and behavioral scientists. Courses in this knowledge area seek to, describe, explain, and analyze individual and collective human behavior and relationships. These courses prepare students to grasp the diversities and complexities of the human life, past and present, and come to an informed sense of self and others.
Learning outcomes: General education courses in this knowledge area enable students to:
- Identify and explain features of social institutions, groups, processes and inter-relationships across a range of historical periods and cultures
- Compare cultures, societies, political structures, economies, and ways of life across the globe, from the past and present
- Analyze individual and group human behavior
- Use the social-scientific method to test research questions and draw conclusions
- Draw on history and the social sciences to evaluate contemporary problems
Life & Physical Sciences
Goal: To develop students’ understanding of the principles and procedures of science and to cultivate their abilities to apply the empirical methods of scientific inquiry. Students should understand how scientific discovery changes theoretical views of the world, informs our imaginations, and shapes human history. Students should also understand that science is shaped by historical and social contexts.
Learning outcomes: General education courses in this knowledge area enable students to:
- Explain how to use the scientific methods and how to develop and test hypothesis in order to draw defensible conclusions
- Evaluate scientific evidence and argument
- Describe concepts of the nature, organization and evolution of natural systems
- Explain how humans interact with natural systems
- Understand the relationships between science and the application of scientific knowledge
- Apply quantitative reasoning to real life situations
General Education
English Requirements (C)
Complete six credit hours with a grade of C- or above Note
ENGL 1010 may be waived for students with ACT English subscores of 29 or above. Students with an ACT English sub-score below 17 must take ENGL 0990 as a co-requisite to ENGL 1010 .
Quantitative Literacy Requirements (C)
(Mathematics)
Complete at least 3 credit hours with a grade of C- or above Information Literacy Requirement (C)
Complete one credit hour with a grade of C- or above Computer Literacy Requirement (C)
Complete three credit hours with a grade of C- or above American Institutions Requirement (I)
Complete three credit hours in this category Note
If a transfer student has not completed the American Institutions requirement in his or her general education program, this must be completed at SUU. By prior approval of your department chair, more advanced classes may be counted toward general education. (Indication on Transcript. C: Core, F: Fine Arts, H: Humanities, I: American Institutions, L: Life Science, P: Physical Science, S: Social and Behavioral Sciences) Knowledge Areas Requirement
Complete 16 credit hours with a minimum of 3 credit hours in each knowledge area. (4 in Physical Science). Courses with the same academic prefix cannot be counted in more than one knowledge area. Knowledge Area: Fine Arts (F):
Knowledge Area: Humanities (H):
Knowledge Area: Social and Behavioral Sciences: (S)
Knowledge Area: Life Science*** (L):
Note
*** Labs in some Life Science courses are required to be taken concurrently with the lecture. Consult an advisor for more information. Student pursuing a major in a science related field are strongly encouraged to take a lab with their life science courses. Knowledge Area: Physical Science**** (P)
Note
**** Labs in all Physical Science courses are required to be taken concurrently with the lecture. Consult an advisor for more information. Experiential Education Requirements
Complete 3 credit hours - required of all students
Note
Students will choose one of five Experiential Engagement Tracks to work in to complete this requirement. These include Global, Community, Leadership, Outdoor, and Creativity and Innovation
Experiential Education Phases
- Phase 1 - Exploration and Fact Finding -
- Phase 2 - Organizing and Preparing -
- Phase 3 - Formal Engagement - Credit or non-credit bearing depending on proposal. No universal course.
- Phase 4 - Culmination -
Experiential Education Mission
The Experiential Education program is a student-centered process that is relevant, authentic, and potentially transformative. Experiential learning enhances personal, academic, and professional growth by promoting opportunities for engaged and active learning.
Learning Outcomes
The Experiential Education requirement provides academic fidelity to the Liberal Education and America’s Promise (LEAP) “Essential Learning Outcomes” as articulated by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Many students completing the Experiential Education requirement will engage with human cultures and/or the physical and natural world. All students should demonstrate:
- Personal and social responsibility
- Integrative and applied learning
The SUU Experiential Education Program
SUU’s Experiential Education (EE) requirement is based on established experiential education pedagogy and best practices. The design and execution of the requirement affords students hands-on opportunities to gain practical experience while achieving a deep and rich understanding of the process of researching, planning, proposing, completing, and reflecting on a rigorous academic experience. These are skills transferable to any professional life.
The EE is designed to adopt the recommended experiential learning standards proposed by the National Society for Experiential Education, including:
- Experiential learning experience must be intentional on the part of the learner and the facilitator
- Students must plan and prepare their experiences to reach a higher level
- Experiences must be authentic, meaning a real world context
- Time must be taken to reflect which transforms simple experience into a learning experience
- Students and facilitators must be prepared for the experience and must have the training and skills to be successful in the experience’s context
- Feedback is necessary for the student and their facilitator to ensure the experience provides a rich learning opportunity
- Outcomes and processes should be systematically documented with regard to initial intentions and quality outcomes
There should be culminating documentation and celebration of the learning to help provide closure and sustainability to the experience.
Experiential Education and Transfer Students
All students must complete the Experiential Education requirements to graduate. An accelerated version of the program is available for transfer students. Transferring of credits from other schools to fulfill EE requirements must be approved by the Dean of University College.
SUU’s Engagement Centers
SUU’s academic mission is to provide students with a unique experiential learning opportunity designed to broaden social and cultural perspectives through civic, creative, global, leadership, and outdoor engagement opportunities. Students may utilize learning methods and programs such as undergraduate research, service learning, internships, honors, or other individualized learning processes. Students have many options in choosing at least one program and one engagement center to complete their “Experiential Education Requirement” (EER).
Community Engagement Center
The Community Engagement Center promotes learning through meaningful service and active engagement with local, regional, national, and global communities. It upholds the University’s core values of academic excellence, social responsibility, involvement, and personal growth. If helping people and making a difference is a student’s passion, they will fit right in at the Community Engagement Center.
Creative & Innovative Engagement Center
The Creativity & Innovation Engagement Center promotes the idea that creativity is a crucial feature of any education that promises to prepare students for a future that defies prediction. The Center exists to support students in developing their aptitude for creativity and divergent thinking. It promotes the idea that creative thinking is critical in the lives of educated people and welcomes students who want to learn creativity and enrich their lives and the lives of others through innovative thinking.
Sargon Heinrich Global Engagement Center
The Global Engagement Center fosters cultural understanding and personal enrichment for students to pursue intellectually stimulating programs in a variety of locations worldwide. The Center helps students gain practical and informed awareness of their global citizenship. Students interested in global engagement can study abroad with year-long, semester-long, or short and intensive programs.
Leadership Engagement Center
The Leadership Engagement Center helps foster leadership behaviors that enable students to learn and practice critical thinking, clear communication, empathy for others, and personal integrity. It helps students become conscientious and accountable leaders within their chosen organization or community. It encourages leaders who act for the well-being of others and welcomes students interested in any type of leadership experience.
Harry Reid Center for Outdoor Engagement
The Outdoor Engagement Center helps students appreciate the uniqueness of studying at a University within a half-day’s drive of 11 national parks, national monuments, and recreational areas. It not only promotes engaging with the natural splendor of the outdoors, but also learning about and connecting with the environment and environmental issues that impact everyone. Outdoor work and study are inherently experiential in nature, and students working with the Center can pursue a vast array of opportunities regionally and beyond. The Center works closely with multiple park, recreation, tourism, and wilderness organizations to facilitate rich opportunities for SUU students.
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