Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Academic Catalog

General Education Requirements


General Education

The General Education Curriculum (GEC) supports the mission of the AdventHealth University by providing undergraduate students with common collective knowledge about the world in which we live. The curriculum enables students to think creatively, reason critically, communicate effectively, and make informed decisions that affect all aspects of our lives.

The GEC offers students instruction in interdisciplinary as well as single-discipline courses. GEC credits may be fulfilled through course transferring according to AHU transfer of credit policy. The General Education Curriculum permits students to select courses depending upon their program of interest. Courses may satisfy the general education requirement and/or the program (degree major) requirement.

General Education Requirement

All undergraduate students are required to complete the general education requirement to graduate. The general education courses and credits requirements are the following:

  • Associate degree programs (AS) require 15 general education credits.

  • Bachelor’s degree programs (BS) require 30 general education credits.

Students are required to complete at least 3 credits in each subject area:

  • English and Composition

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences

  • Mathematics

  • Natural Sciences

  • Religion & Humanities

A minimum grade of C is required to satisfy the general education course requirement. Some programs require specific general education courses. Successful completion of these requirements will result in the student learning outcomes for collegiate-level general education competencies of its undergraduate degree programs.

Selecting General Education Courses to Complete the General Education Requirement

Students can take general education courses at the 100-200 levels, as indicated in the list of courses below. First-year students generally take introductory (100-level) courses. If a student has the academic background and the interest, they may take more advanced courses (300-400-level), but they should first check the course prerequisites and/or consult an academic advisor. To select the most appropriate courses for your major or transfer plan, complete an education plan through our degree audit system or meeting with your advisor. Any student who successfully completes a course for which one of the general education course options is an immediate prerequisite shall be considered to have completed the general education credit requirement for its specific area.

General Education Courses  

English and Composition

The study of English and Composition must include a minimum of 3 credits for AS or BS degrees. The credits in English and Composition can be completed from the following content areas below coded ENGL, SPCH, or courses that have the main purpose of achieving proficiency in the English and communication skills.

  • ENGL 101  - English Composition I (3)

  • ENGL 102  - English Composition II (3)

  • ENGL 144  - Medical Terminology (2)

  • SPCH 145  - Introduction to Public Speaking (3)

  • ENGL 250  - Technical Writing (3)

  • Additionally, any other course that achieves competency for English can be taken at AHU or transferred from another institution.

Social and Behavioral Science

The study of social and behavioral science must include a minimum of 3 credits for AS or BS degrees.  The credits in social and behavioral science can be completed from the following content areas below coded SOCI, PYSC, or courses that have the main purpose of achieving proficiency social and psychological complexities.

  • SOCI 125  - Introduction to Sociology (3)

  • PSYC 124  - General Psychology (3)

  • PSYC 128  - Developmental Psychology (3)

  • Additionally, any other course that achieves the competency for Social & Psychological Complexities can be taken at AHU or transferred from another institution.

Mathematics

The study of Mathematics must include a minimum of 3 credits for AS or BS degrees. The credits in Mathematics can be completed from the following content areas below coded MATH, STAT, or courses that have the main purpose of achieving proficiency in the mathematics and quantitative skills.

  • MATH 103  - Survey of Mathematics (3)

  • MATH 105  - Intermediate Algebra (3)

  • MATH 120  - College Algebra (3) 

  • MATH 130  - Pre-Calculus (3) or

  • MATH 181  - Calculus I with Analytical Geometry (4)

  • STAT 205  - Introduction to Applied Statistics (3)

  • STAT 215   - Elementary Statistics (3)

  • Additionally, any other course that achieves competency for Mathematics can be taken at AHU or transferred from another institution.

Natural Sciences

The study of natural science must include a minimum of 3 credits for AS or BS degrees. The credits in health and natural science can be completed from the following content areas below coded BIOL, CHEM, PHYS, or courses that have the main purpose of achieving proficiency in the biological, physical, environmental, and health sciences.

  • BIOL 101  - Anatomy and Physiology I (3)

  • BIOL 102  - Anatomy and Physiology II (3)

  • BIOL 125   - Concepts of Pathophysiology (3)

  • BIOL 144  - Sectional Anatomy (3)

  • BIOL 151  - General Biology I (3)

  • BIOL 152  - General Biology II (3)

  • BIOL 225  - Principles of Microbiology (3)

  • CHEM 101  - Principles of Chemistry (3)

  • CHEM 151  - General Chemistry I (3)

  • CHEM 152  - General Chemistry II (3)

  • PHYS 121  - Survey of Physics (4)

  • PHYS 151  - General Physics I (3)

  • PHYS 152  - General Physics II (3)

  • Additionally, any other course that achieves competency for Natural Sciences can be taken at AHU or transferred from another institution. 

Humanities and Religion

The study of Humanities and Religion must include a minimum of 3 credits for AS or BS degrees. The credits in Humanities and Religion can be completed from the courses that have the main purpose of achieving proficiency in the Humanities and Religion, given the following considerations:

  • At least three semester credits of a religion course (REL_ course code) are required for each year of residency or full-time equivalent of study at AHU. 
  • For students who attended or are enrolled in an Adventist college three course credits of religion are required per year of residency or full-time equivalent of study attended.  See religion requirement policy for more information.

  • Students coming from other institutions can transfer courses that have achieved the objectives and skills related to the study of human culture including language, literature, philosophy, or history, in place of the religion credits required for the full-time equivalent. See religion requirement policy for more information.