Starting college often means diving into a new world of courses, requirements and degree plans. While you may be excited to start learning about nursing, developing your skills in business, or getting some hands-on experience in an engineering lab, there’s one thing you must complete first – general education (gen ed) requirements.
These courses are required for nearly every degree program and cover broad subject areas like math, science, writing and the arts. They may seem like extras for your major, but choosing the right gen eds can help you save time, stay on track, or possibly spark new academic interests. Find out what gen eds are, how to identify them and tips for selecting the courses that best fit your goals and schedule.
What Are Gen Ed Classes?
Gen ed courses are the foundation of any degree program. They’re designed to give you a well-rounded education, build critical-thinking skills and expose you to a variety of disciplines outside your major.
Typical gen ed courses include:
- English and composition courses to develop writing, communication and literary analysis skills
- Math courses like algebra and statistics to develop quantitative reasoning and critical thinking
- Science courses like biology and chemistry to develop scientific literacy and lab experience
- Social sciences like psychology and history to develop research, problem-solving and communication skills
- Arts and humanities like philosophy or fine arts to develop empathy, cultural awareness and knowledge of the human experience
How Do You Know Which Classes Are General Education Classes?
It’s not always obvious which courses count toward your gen ed requirements. Here are few ways you can tell:
- Course catalog: Every college publishes a course catalog with degree requirements. The gen ed section lists which classes fulfill requirements like math, English or humanities.
- Course tags: Look for tags or abbreviations such as GEN, GE, CORE or Foundations in the registration system. These signals indicate that a course applies toward your general education requirements for your degree.
- Major requirements: Even though the catalog lists all possible gen eds, some majors may require specific courses to meet degree requirements. For example, an engineering degree may require a specific math course instead of letting you pick from multiple options.
- Academic advisors: Advisors are your best resource to ensure you’re not wasting your credits. They can confirm which gen eds fit your degree plan and suggest courses that align with your career goals, double as a gen ed and prerequisite or align with your interests.
Do Gen Eds Differ by Degree?
Yes, gen ed requirements can differ by degree program:
- By major: For example, nursing students might need anatomy and physiology as a prerequisite, while business majors can meet science requirements with environmental science or introductory life science courses.
- By degree type: An associate’s degree typically requires fewer gen ed credits than a bachelor’s degree.
- By institution: Public universities may have state-mandated requirements, while private colleges may select their own. Accreditation standards may also affect how many gen eds are required and in what subjects.
- By transfer agreements: Community colleges often align gen ed requirements with nearby universities to ensure smooth credit transfer.
Some gen eds are required for degree programs, but you can’t assume that your peer’s gen ed checklist applies to you. Always check your program requirements or meet with your academic advisor to avoid wasting time, money and effort.
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Can I Transfer My General Education Classes for Credit?
Generally, yes, you can transfer your gen ed classes for credit. Gen eds are foundational and similar across institutions. For example, an English 101 course at a community college is likely to offer similar content to one at a big, prestigious university, which is why many schools accept gen ed transfer credits.
That said, transfer scenarios can vary:
High School Credits
Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or dual-enrollment courses can help you to complete a few gen ed course requirements before you even start college.
Community College or Online Platforms
Many students want to save money on their gen eds and take them at a local community college, then transfer them to a university to save time and money. The same is true of online learning platforms like Sophia Learning that offer self-paced, online gen eds that are designed to transfer colleges and universities.
Between Universities
Some universities have agreements to accept each other’s gen eds, but the policies differ. For example, some schools will only accept transfer credits if you’ve earned a grade of C or higher, while others may accept Pass in a pass/fail course. Sophia has a list of partner colleges and universities that have agreed to accept Sophia courses for transfer credit.
Always check with your registrar or advisor before enrolling in gen ed courses to ensure that they’ll be eligible for transfer.
Tips for Choosing Gen Eds
Gen ed courses can be a fun way to explore your interests and knock out requirements with courses you enjoy, but too many choices can feel overwhelming. Here are some strategies to help you choose wisely and make the most of them:
Double-Dip Whenever Possible
If you want to approach your gen eds strategically, look for courses that can satisfy more than one requirement. For example, Introduction to Statistics may count toward your math gen ed but also fulfills prerequisites for business, psychology or nursing programs. Your advisor can help you discover these opportunities.
The same is true of interdisciplinary courses like cultural studies or environmental science. These types of courses may check boxes in both your science and humanities categories. For example, if you’re pursuing a business degree, taking a Business Ethics course may satisfy your humanities gen ed while also covering a major-specific requirement.
Balance Your Workload
While gen eds are a requirement for virtually every degree, that doesn’t mean they’re all equal in terms of reading, writing or study time. Some of your gen ed courses may challenge you significantly – such as biology with labs – while others are a breeze.
Try to balance the courses that demand a lot of time or may be challenging for you with ones that are a little lighter. For example, if you struggle with math, try to pair math courses with some subjects that you’ve enjoyed and come easily to you to keep your workload manageable.
Ask other students which professors or courses are known for heavy assignments and which have more flexible pacing with lighter study requirements. Your advisor may be able to help you determine the ideal balance that keeps you moving forward without overwhelming you.
Think About Your Daily Schedule
If you’re sharp in the morning, schedule your math or science labs for that time. If you’re more focused at night, see which gen eds are available in evening sessions – especially if you have discussion-heavy classes like sociology or history.
If time is at a premium, online gen eds can give you a lot of flexibility with your on-campus schedule. Online courses can be synchronous or asynchronous, and self-paced courses offer the highest degree of flexibility to ensure that you can keep up with your entire courseload.
Align with Your Interests and Passions
Gen eds are a requirement for your degree, but they can be so much more than that. You can use your gen eds as an opportunity to experiment and get some educational enrichment outside of your major. For example, if you love music as a hobby but are pursuing nursing, a music history course may satisfy a humanities requirement while giving you time to devote to your passion.
If you’re undecided on a major and potential career path, your gen eds give you a chance to explore broad areas like psychology, political science, law, economics and more. You never know when exposure to a new subject may spark interest and inspire you to look into career options.
Plan with the Future in Mind
Your gen eds can take a year or two to complete in a four-year degree program. It’s best to map them out early to avoid scrambling to fill your requirements later. For example, some degrees require a foreign language, which may take multiple semesters. Start early so you’re not rushing to finish them in your senior year – or delaying your graduation.
Advising sessions are an important part of planning. You can also check out your requirements and possible gen ed courses in the course catalog, find areas to double up or an ideal schedule to complete them, then review it with your advisor.
Consider Transferability
If you may transfer schools, focus on gen eds that are widely accepted, like English Composition, College Algebra and Intro to Biology. These courses are similar in content across schools and are more likely to transfer.
Before you start registering for gen eds intended to transfer, check with admissions or an advisor to find out if the credits are likely to transfer to your preferred school.
Build Skills Employers Value
Some gen eds can sharpen universally useful skills, such as communication, problem-solving, or cultural awareness. Whenever possible, choose gen ed courses in subjects like critical thinking, ethics, public speaking or written communication to build career-relevant skills while completing your degree requirements.
Don’t Forget About Fun!
College is demanding. Sprinkling in courses you enjoy can make your semester more balanced and enjoyable. For example, a creative writing, film, pop culture or art appreciation class may offer a refreshing break from heavier technical courses while keeping you on track with your degree program.
Get Started with Gen Eds
General education courses aren’t just boxes to check. They’re an important foundation for your academic and professional growth. If you want to explore gen eds and knock some out early, start your free trial with Sophia today!
