General Education

A general education program is a university curriculum shared by all undergraduate students that provides a framework for lifelong knowledge assimilation and skill development, which are necessary for career readiness and informed citizenship in a democratic society.

Many of our students are preparing for careers and pathways that do not yet exist, whether they are aware of this or not. Commonwealth University, our networks of campus alumni, and our regional employers expect that many traditional and emerging careers will require highly developed reading, listening, reasoning, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills. Such personal attributes cannot be turned on like a light switch or found using a search engine; rather, they must be carefully developed within us, practiced, and honed. General Education at Commonwealth University provides our students with opportunities to develop these skills.

Today’s students have already witnessed rapid changes in the technologies we use, the labor markets we compete in, the ways families and social networks form, and the ways people pursue happiness. Our students are also learning that we are living amidst demographic, economic, and political changes, which were set in motion decades ago, and climatic changes, which were set in motion a century ago. With change come disruptions - abrupt changes to the knowledge bases and skill sets that are prized in the marketplace. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect our students will rely increasingly on the core qualities they developed in general education to react to and move with the disruptive forces that create, expand, or shrink highly specialized labor markets. Moreover, our nation will hold together only to the degree to which we communicate respectfully, solve problems ethically, and place a premium on evidence, reasoned debate, and lifelong learning.

General Education Themes and Courses

Visit General Education Requirements for full details.