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What are general education classes and why are they a requirement in college?
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Kendall Ralph
Lead Infant Toddler Teacher
5
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Kendall’s Answer
General Education classes are courses that cover information that was taught throughout the schooling you had before college and expands on them. These courses include math, science, history, and more. They are required to create a well rounded education and build a foundation for students before going into major courses focusing on a specific domain.
Walter Martinez
Accounting
4
Answers
Bristol, Connecticut
Updated
Walter’s Answer
General education classes in college are your core classes that provide the foundation to everything else. These are classes that everyone is required to take regardless of your major. For example: english, math, science, history would be a couple of your general education classes. Depending on the school there may have additional Gen. Ed. classes that are required. The reason why these are required is because they give students the basic knowledge for their major. Let's say you decide to pursue a career in business, taking classes such as english will allow you to effectively communicate with your audience. Math will allow you to analyze problems and come up with a solution.
Christine Maloney
Experience Coach
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Christine’s Answer
Hi! To add to the great answers already included here, general education requirements helped me in three ways:
(1) I graduated feeling well-rounded: I could engage on a wide breadth of topics, and this helped me feel more confident. While so much of the work we do as professional is within our sphere of knowledge, there's always something to learn, feels unknown, and pushes us beyond what we know. Spending time across different disciplines outside of what I was most interested in meant that later on in life I had a that same muscle to draw from - it may not be immediately what sparked my interest but I knew that I could break it down and figure it out.
(2) I learned things I wouldn't have pursued on my own, a lot of which I really liked: I had a pretty dense amount of required classes, and it's worth noting that schools vary in the amount of required classes students need to take in order to graduate. I had to study across 7 different disciplines, and within that I had a range of choices of what to study. For art, I ended up learning a lot about Greek mythology in an art history class about ancient Greece; storytelling in art wasn't something that I otherwise would have studied, and now I can recognize the representation when I go to museums. For science, I chose environmental science, and I ended up learning a lot about climate that was super interesting and helps me think about climate change now.
(3) I've changed careers a few times, and it's good to know I have a foundation: I studied Anthropology in college, and I loved every minute of it. While at one time I thought I'd be a professor, life has carried me in some different directions. Today I work in HR, but I've also worked in museums, as a teacher, at a not-for-profit organization, and at a law firm. "Transferable skills" are commonly-discussed when changing jobs and what I've found is that the best thing I learned in college was how to think critically and figure out how I learn best. Content knowledge is important, but the ability to learn has been my most important skill.
Good luck with looking at schools! College is a really special time!
(1) I graduated feeling well-rounded: I could engage on a wide breadth of topics, and this helped me feel more confident. While so much of the work we do as professional is within our sphere of knowledge, there's always something to learn, feels unknown, and pushes us beyond what we know. Spending time across different disciplines outside of what I was most interested in meant that later on in life I had a that same muscle to draw from - it may not be immediately what sparked my interest but I knew that I could break it down and figure it out.
(2) I learned things I wouldn't have pursued on my own, a lot of which I really liked: I had a pretty dense amount of required classes, and it's worth noting that schools vary in the amount of required classes students need to take in order to graduate. I had to study across 7 different disciplines, and within that I had a range of choices of what to study. For art, I ended up learning a lot about Greek mythology in an art history class about ancient Greece; storytelling in art wasn't something that I otherwise would have studied, and now I can recognize the representation when I go to museums. For science, I chose environmental science, and I ended up learning a lot about climate that was super interesting and helps me think about climate change now.
(3) I've changed careers a few times, and it's good to know I have a foundation: I studied Anthropology in college, and I loved every minute of it. While at one time I thought I'd be a professor, life has carried me in some different directions. Today I work in HR, but I've also worked in museums, as a teacher, at a not-for-profit organization, and at a law firm. "Transferable skills" are commonly-discussed when changing jobs and what I've found is that the best thing I learned in college was how to think critically and figure out how I learn best. Content knowledge is important, but the ability to learn has been my most important skill.
Good luck with looking at schools! College is a really special time!
Hi Christine! As one of the "old-timers" here, just wanted to welcome you to CareerVillage and thank you for taking time out of your day to make a difference!
Kim Igleheart
Michael Torio
Consultant - Data Reporting & Analysis (HQ Finance)
240
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hello:
General Education classes are required for all 4 year colleges or universities. These classes include courses such as English, Math, Science and Physical Education which help one to perform in upper class levels, especially within one's major. They also act as a barometer to assist and guide one's educational pathway at the college or university. To save money on a college education, one can attend a Two Year Community College to complete the General Education classes.
Two Year Community Colleges are more affordable than the the first two years at a four year college or university. At the community college, one can complete most of the general elective courses that are required at a 4 year college or university. It will be less expensive and one can earn an Associates Degree. Please keep in mind to make sure that all of the general education courses are transferrable for credits at a 4 year college or university and will count towards the Bachelors Degree and graduation.
Hope this helps and good luck with your higher educational journey!
General Education classes are required for all 4 year colleges or universities. These classes include courses such as English, Math, Science and Physical Education which help one to perform in upper class levels, especially within one's major. They also act as a barometer to assist and guide one's educational pathway at the college or university. To save money on a college education, one can attend a Two Year Community College to complete the General Education classes.
Two Year Community Colleges are more affordable than the the first two years at a four year college or university. At the community college, one can complete most of the general elective courses that are required at a 4 year college or university. It will be less expensive and one can earn an Associates Degree. Please keep in mind to make sure that all of the general education courses are transferrable for credits at a 4 year college or university and will count towards the Bachelors Degree and graduation.
Hope this helps and good luck with your higher educational journey!
Chirayu Rupani
Data Analyst
295
Answers
Frisco, Texas
Updated
Chirayu’s Answer
General education classes, also known as liberal arts or core curriculum courses, are a required component of many college and university programs. They are designed to provide students with a broad-based education that goes beyond their major area of study. The purpose of general education classes is to help students develop essential skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and intercultural competence, that are necessary for success in both their personal and professional lives. They also expose students to a variety of disciplines, such as humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, which can broaden their perspectives and help them become well-rounded individuals. In addition, general education classes are often a requirement because they provide a foundation for further study in a specific major or area of interest. They also help ensure that graduates have a common body of knowledge and skills that are valued by employers across many different industries.