General Education Prior to Fall 2021

The General Education program GE5 requires completion of 33–34 credits, plus 0–10 credits in prerequisites. Students can see specific requirements and whether they have been met on their DegreeWorks audit. Questions regarding requirements should be directed to academic advisors or the Academic Advising Office.

Skills Requirements (6–12 credits plus 0–7 credits to meet prerequisites)

• Written Expression (3–4 credits plus 0-4 credits of ENG100 to meet prerequisites)
• Oral Expression (0–3 credits)
• Mathematics (3–4 credits plus 0-3 credits of MAT 101 to meet prerequisite)
• Information and Technology Literacy (0–1 credits)

Knowledge and Understanding Requirements (12-16 credits plus 0-3 credits to meet prerequisites)

• Natural Science (3-4 credits)
• Social Sciences (3 credits)
• Either U.S. Civilization (3 credits) OR Western Civilization (3 credits)
• Either World Systems (3 credits) OR Foreign Language (0–3 credits of second level foreign language plus 0-3 credits of first level foreign language to meet prerequisite)
• Either Humanities (3 credits) OR The Arts (3 credits)

Additional Approved General Education Courses (2-12 credits)

• Additional SUNY-approved courses from categories A and/or B above to bring total General Education course credits for sections A, B, and C to a minimum of 30. Credits received in the Information and Technology Literacy category do not count toward the minimum 30 credits of SUNY-approved General Education courses.

Integration Requirement (3 credits)

• Global Issues (3 credits)
• May be satisfied with any semester-long, approved and satisfactorily completed course of study abroad

Information & Technology Literacy (0–1 credit)

• LIB 190/LIB 200 (1 credit) or Information Literacy Competency Exam passing grade (0 credit)

The General Education Program at SUNY Plattsburgh is designed to prepare students for life in and beyond college, by providing the basic knowledge and skills necessary for a successful education and a satisfying professional and personal life. Areas of learning are outlined in the following categories which are reflective of the SUNY student learning outcomes incorporated in the SUNY General Education Requirements.

• GE and Majors/Minors — Courses completed to fulfill The Skills and The Knowledge and Understanding requirements may also fulfill a major requirement. To fulfill The Integration requirement, a course must be outside the major department and cognate requirements for the major (students with double majors may use courses within either major to complete The Integration requirement; some teacher education majors may use courses in their concentration to satisfy The Integration requirement.) All students, including B.A./M.S.T. adolescence education students, must complete an approved Oral Expression course. Courses taken to fulfill general education requirements can also be applied to minor and/or second major requirements.
• Timeframe for Completion — Students are expected to complete The Skills requirement by the beginning of the sophomore year (except for the Oral Expression requirement, which students may complete with a designated upper-division course). Transfer students should complete The Skills requirement by the end of their second semester at the college. The Knowledge and Understanding requirements should be completed before the end of the sophomore year. The Integration course should be taken after The Skills and The Knowledge and Understanding requirements have been met.
• Transfer Courses — Transfer credits are evaluated upon admission to determine if they meet general education requirements. Most transfer students will have completed many of the Skills and Knowledge and Understanding requirements; approved substitutions may be transferred into the program (with the same exception noted above). Questions about transferring work from other colleges should be directed to the Admissions Office.