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The General Education Program is designed to foster critical skills by helping students develop the ability to solve problems, think analytically, and communicate clearly. The program provides a common connection among all NSU undergraduates through a rigorous set of writing; mathematics; arts and humanities; and social, biological, and physical science requirements. As a result of the General Education Program, students develop effective communication skills in speaking, listening, writing, reading, and critical interpretation. The program also helps students place ideas in their proper context and appreciate the role of different cultural traditions.

Mission Statement

The NSU undergraduate General Education Program prepares students to be responsible citizens in a dynamic, global environment with a commitment to independent and continuous learning.

Program Framework

All students are required to complete general education requirements. Students normally complete general education requirements by the end of their junior year through a series of courses in the areas of written communication (including written communication and oral communication); mathematics; arts and humanities (including literature, history, ethics, and general humanities the performing arts); social and behavioral sciences; and biological and physical sciences.

Using Credits for Major and Minor Requirements

Most courses may count toward both general education and major/minor requirements. Students should refer to their program curriculum and consult their academic advisor to determine which courses serve both sets of requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the General Education Program, students are expected to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for the various methods utilized in a variety of arts and humanities disciplines
2. Delineate the means by which different scholarly fields reflect, interact with, and influence human thought, culture, and values
3. Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental mathematical principles and concepts
4. Achieve basic quantitative literacy to interpret quantitative data into meaningful terms and understand relationships between sets of quantitative data
5. Apply methods of scientific inquiry
6. Achieve basic scientific literacy to make informed decisions on contemporary consumer or social issues
7. Understand and appreciate the role of the individual in a group
8. Understand the major concepts and methods used by social or behavioral scientists to investigate, analyze, or predict human or group behavior
9. Express ideas clearly and coherently
10. Use the English language effectively to construct logical and persuasive arguments

General Education Requirements

Nova Southeastern University requires that undergraduate students complete 30 credit hours as part of the General Education Program. Some majors have determined specific courses to be used to satisfy general education requirements. Students should consult the following curriculum requirements of their college or school and contact their academic advisor to determine their major's specific general education requirement list. Honors courses (with the HONR prefix) may be used to satisfy general education requirements of the appropriate general education section.

Students should refer to Course Descriptions for specific course prerequisites. Additionally, students should read the Academic Requirements—New Students section of the Undergraduate Student Catalog for information on eligibility to take college-level written composition and mathematics courses, which are required as part of the General Education Program.

Equivalent courses taken prior to NSU enrollment at an accredited community college or another university may be considered for a transfer of credit to fulfill a program's general education requirements.

This content reflects the General Education Program section of the Undergraduate Student Catalog.