Mar 19, 2024  
2023-2024 General Catalog 
    
2023-2024 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

General Education Requirements


The General Education program, along with studying in the major, is designed to assist students in achieving the University Studies Depth Requirements . Students transferring to Utah State University should see the General Education Requirements for Transfer Students  section. All Utah State University students must complete the following (or approved equivalents):

General Education Requirements (30-34 credits)

USU’s General Education program consists of two sets of requirements: Competency and Breadth.


 

Competency Requirements (9-10 credits)

The University Studies Depth Requirements  propose that students should be able to communicate effectively, utilize quantitative methods, make appropriate use of technology, and function effectively in groups. The competency requirements are structured to develop these skills.


Communications Literacy (CL1 and CL2) (6 credits)


Communications Literacy (CL1)

One of the following CL1 courses:

ENGL 1010 - Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose (CL1) 3   

IELI 2420 - Writing from Academic Sources (CL1) 4   

LANG 2420 - Writing from Academic Sources (CL1) 4  

 
Or one of the following test scores:
  • ACT English Test: Score of 29 or higher
  • RSAT Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing Test (if taken after March 2016): Score of 640 or higher
  • SAT Critical Reading Test (if taken before March 2016): Score of 640 or higher
 
Please refer to the Credit by Exam tables on the Registrar’s Office website for transfer exam scores that may potentially fulfill general education requirements.

Communications Literacy (CL2)

One of the following CL2 courses:


ENGL 2010 - Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2) 3   

ENGL 2020 - Professional Communication (CL2)   

 

Quantitative Literacy (QL) (3-4 credits)


One of the following QL courses:

Or ACT Math Score of 26 or higher | SAT Math score equivalent .
Or one Mathematics or Statistics course requiring MATH 1050  as a prerequisite.
Please refer to the Credit by Exam tables on the Registrar’s Office website for transfer exam scores that may potentially fulfill general education requirements.
 

Breadth Requirements (18-20 credits)


General Education breadth requirements are intended to introduce students to the nature, history, and methods of different disciplines; and to help students understand the cultural, historical, and natural contexts shaping the human experience. Breadth courses also focus on the important cultural, socio-economic, scientific, and technological issues of today’s global community.

Students must take a minimum of 18 total credits, including at least one course from each of the six categories shown below.

Click here  to see exceptions to the Breadth Requirements.

Breadth American Institutions (BAI) (3 credits)


One of the following BAI courses:

Please refer to the Credit by Exam tables on the Registrar’s Office website for transfer exam scores that may potentially fulfill general education requirements.
 

Breadth Creative Arts (BCA) (3 credits)


One of the following BCA courses:

Please refer to the Credit by Exam tables on the Registrar’s Office website for transfer exam scores that may potentially fulfill general education requirements.
 

Breadth Humanities (BHU) (3 credits)


One of the following BHU courses:

Please refer to the Credit by Exam tables on the Registrar’s Office website for transfer exam scores that may potentially fulfill general education requirements.
 

Breadth Life Sciences (BLS) (3-4 credits)


One of the following BLS courses:

Please refer to the Credit by Exam tables on the Registrar’s Office website for transfer exam scores that may potentially fulfill general education requirements.
 

Breadth Physical Sciences (BPS) (3-4 credits)


One of the following BPS courses:

Please refer to the Credit by Exam tables on the Registrar’s Office website for transfer exam scores that may potentially fulfill general education requirements.
 

Breadth Social Sciences (BSS) (3 credits)


One of the following BSS courses:
Please refer to the Credit by Exam tables on the Registrar’s Office website for transfer exam scores that may potentially fulfill general education requirements.
 

Integrated Studies Requirement (3-4 credits)


Choose an additional class from one of the following General Education or Depth Education categories: QL, BAI, BCA, BHU, BLS, BPS, BSS, CI, QI, DHA, DSC, or DSS.

Note: Students may use an additional Quantitative Literacy (QL) course to satisfy the Integrated Studies Requirement only if they received college credits for the QL requirement. Students who had the QL requirement waived as a result of an ACT Math or SAT Math score do not receive any college credit for those exams. Therefore, these students may not take an additional QL course to satisfy the Integrated Studies Requirement unless they first earn QL credits through coursework or examination.

Note: The Integrated Studies Requirement is required only for students whose first semester enrolled at USU is Summer Semester 2008 or thereafter.

 

Designation of Courses that Satisfy General Education Requirements


All courses approved for the General Education Requirements are clearly designated in this catalog. The designations used for General Education courses are as follows:

Competency Courses


  • Communications Literacy, CL1 and CL2
  • Quantitative Literacy, QL

Breadth Courses


  • American Institutions, BAI
  • Creative Arts, BCA
  • Humanities, BHU
  • Life Sciences, BLS
  • Physical Sciences, BPS
  • Social Sciences, BSS

Interstate Passport


For additional information about the Interstate Passport, please see the Transfer Credit  page in the catalog.