General Studies

The general studies curriculum ensures that students possess a wide range of skills and knowledge to enhance their lives after graduation. The knowledge, skills, and abilities obtained through general studies transcend specific disciplines and are valued by employers at all levels and by society in general. Fairmont State supports a general studies curriculum so that our students appreciate the diversity of disciplines as they discover possibilities in their interdependence.

The skills and knowledge obtained by completing general studies courses provide students with the necessary tools to be productive employees, leaders, and citizens. The categories were designed to incorporate the foundational knowledge and skills that have enduring societal value and to prepare students to survive and thrive in a complex, diverse, and dramatically changing world. A large portion of the skills and knowledge Fairmont State expects its students to have when they graduate comes from general studies courses.

Students must complete at least one course in each of the following general studies categories:

1. Critical Analysis
    
2. Quantitative Literacy
    
3. Written Communication
    
4. Teamwork
    
5. Information Literacy
    
6. Technology Literacy
    
7. Oral Communication
    
8. Citizenship
    
9. Ethics
    
10. Health and Well-being
     
11. Interdisciplinary and Lifelong Learning
     
12. Fine Arts
     
13. Humanities
     
14. Social Sciences
     
15. Natural Sciences
     
16. Cultural Awareness and Human Dignity
     

• Students must complete at least 30 hours of coursework outside of their major as determined by the course prefix. Academic units may select courses for majors to fulfill certain categories as long as the 30 hours of coursework outside of the major is achievable.
• Students may use a single course to satisfy no more than 2 categories.
• Students must complete 6 hours of Written English (ENGL 1101  and either ENGL 1102  or ENGL 1103 , as determined by their academic program) with a grade of “C” or higher. These courses may also be used to fulfill any additional category for which they have been approved.
• Students must complete 3 hours (single course or multiple courses) to fulfill Outcome 12 - Fine Arts.

Students should choose courses to fulfill categories by using Fairmont State’s degree audit knowledge program DegreeWorks in concert with program requirements and course prerequisites.

Students are encouraged to ALWAYS check with their assigned advisor before registering for courses.