Goals of General Education
East Tennessee State University’s faculty and staff believe every student should experience certain benefits of an undergraduate education, regardless of his or her chosen field of study. ETSU’s general education program aims to enable and encourage students to:
- apply the standards of reasoned argument to what they read and hear, write and say;
- engage in lifelong learning and personal growth;
- gain greater insight into their lives and the world in which they live;
- resolve conflicts nonviolently and solve problems creatively, often in collaboration with others;
- appreciate cultural diversity and respect people with viewpoints different from their own;
- be responsible, enlightened, active citizens in their communities and the world beyond their communities;
- find joy, meaning, and fulfillment in their lives and help others do the same.
To gain these benefits, students need a foundation of skills and knowledge which they can apply at work, in their personal lives, and in their communities. By successfully completing ETSU’s general education requirements and other graduation requirements, students enhance their proficiency in reading, writing, oral communication, mathematics, and using information technology. They become acquainted with ideas, information, and modes of inquiry which they can draw upon in every area of their lives. In addition, students learn how to perceive relationships between different fields of study.
General Education Course Requirements
ETSU’s general education requirements are described below. These requirements apply to all undergraduate students pursuing a baccalaureate degree. Many majors and degree programs require students to take specific courses to fulfill general education requirements. Students should consult the catalog and their advisors regarding specific general education requirements applicable to their majors and degree programs.