General Education Program

General Education requirements apply to all University of Michigan-Flint students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree. Most courses in the General Education program are meant to be taken early in a student’s career. General Education courses are open to all students. Students should elect courses in consultation with their advisors to assure progress toward degree requirements and alignment with their academic goals. 

The General Education courses delineated in the catalog are accepted in all schools and colleges at UM-Flint. Note that any school or college may have additional degree requirements beyond those specified by General Education or within your major, minor, or certificate programs. Consult the appropriate section of the Catalog for your school or college.

Program Mission 

The General Education Program at the University of Michigan-Flint fulfills an important academic role in the student’s total educational experience. The Program is designed to provide students the opportunity to explore topics and ideas beyond their chosen degree. General Education allows students to develop and demonstrate their reasoning and critical thinking abilities , and introduces the fundamental disciplines through which people seek to understand themselves, their surroundings, and cultures different from their own. In accordance with the University’s mission, the General Education Program aims to educate all students in an environment that emphasizes literacy, critical thinking, and humanistic and scientific inquiry.

Program Requirements 

The General Education Program consists of the following requirements. To see all degree requirements, map out a course plan, and track your progress to graduation, log into MyDegreePlan and meet with your advisor. 

Students transferring in with a completed Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) stamp will have completed the University of Michigan-Flint General Education program.

To find your advisor, consult this list of Professional Advisors for Undergraduates.

General Education Designations 

Credits across the General Education designations foster breadth of knowledge and encourage critical thinking about the interconnectedness of knowledge. Courses across the General Education Designations help students to gain an understanding of the world around them, to make informed decisions and engage in informed actions, to effectively communicate reasoning to a wide audience, and to practice skills and dispositions of flexible and meaningful life-long learning that make one a valuable contributor on the job and in our local and global communities. 

Students will select courses that fulfill requirements of the following seven designations: 

English Composition (ENG 111) 

Completion of ENG 111 for three credits.Through this required course in English Composition you will study and practice rhetorical strategies for increased sophistication in your writing for work at the college level. Based on writing placement, some students will be required to complete ENG 109 or LIN 102 before taking ENG 111. The University strongly recommends that students take English Composition credits in their first semester. 

Composition/Communication (COMP) 

Completion of ENG 112 - Critical Writing and Reading, COM 210 - Introduction to Public Speaking, or COM 210 - Introduction to Human Communication for three credits. These Composition and Communication courses help students further develop written and oral communication skills. COM 210 and ENG 112 both encourage further study of critical communication skills including writing, speaking, research, organization, delivery, argumentation, and evaluating the communication of others. COM 210 places a heavier emphasis on oral communication. ENG 112 places a heavier emphasis on written communication. COM 200 introduces theory and tools of the discipline of Human Communication. Note that some majors may require a specific Composition/Communication option. Based on reading placement, some students will need to complete ENG 100 to be eligible to take courses marked with a COMP designation. Information on placement testing is available. The University strongly recommends that students required to complete ENG 100 take that course in their first semester to avoid any delays in progressing through General Education requirements. 

Mathematics/Quantitative Literacy (FQ)  

Mathematics and Quantitative Literacy courses develop quantitative reasoning skills that can be applied effectively in life and work across multiple domains. A minimum of three credits in courses designated as part of the General Education Program and as applicable to the Mathematics/Quantitative Literacy requirement. The letters FQ immediately following the credit parentheses of a course indicate that the credit applies to this requirement. Note: Even if a mathematics prerequisite is waived based on placement testing, all students must complete FQ credits in General Education. 

Fine Arts (F)  

Fine arts courses focus on the study of, and appreciation for, creative processes in producing aesthetic expression. They may include creation or re-creation of works in the visual and performing arts that reflect cultural development and growth or current and historical trends of global cultures through aesthetic concepts. A minimum of three credits in courses designated as part of the General Education Program and as applicable to the Fine Arts requirement. The letter F immediately following the credit parentheses of a course indicates that the credit applies to this requirement. 

Humanities (H)  

Humanities courses explore multiple understandings of the human condition. These courses use ideas, stories, and words to help us make sense of our lives by addressing dilemmas and acknowledging

ambiguity and paradox. A minimum of six credits in courses designated as part of the General Education Program and applicable to the Humanities requirement. The letter H immediately following the credit parentheses of a course indicates that the credit applies to this requirement. 

Natural Sciences (N/NL)  

Natural Science courses focus on the scientific method(s), principles, concepts, models and experimentation, as well as the limitations of such endeavors, to explore natural phenomena to advance a better understanding of the natural world. These courses include laboratory experiences to further develop a student’s understanding of the scientific method, observation skills, and experimental methods and techniques. A minimum of four credits in laboratory science courses designated as part of the General Education Program and as part of the General Education Program and as applicable to the Natural Sciences requirement. The letters N and/or NL immediately following the credit parentheses of a course indicates that the credit applies to this requirement. Note: Applicable credits must include at least one credit with N/NL designation, indicating laboratory experience. 

Social Science (S)  

Social science courses focus on people and the institutions within which they interact as individuals, and in groups, societies, nations, and states. These courses analyze social structures and processes or cultural meanings associated with collective human interactions. A minimum of six credits in courses designated as part of the General Education Program and as applicable to the Social Science requirement. The letter S immediately following the credit parentheses of a course indicate that the credit applies to this requirement. 

Additional Credits in COMP, FQ, F, H, N/NL and/or S 

Additional credit hours within General Education may be required to meet a minimum of 30 hours in General Education designated courses. 

General Education Goals and Assessment 

The General Education Program is designed to provide a broad base for learning both at the University of Michigan-Flint and after graduation. While General Education offers students considerable flexibility in selecting courses, the program has a set of common educational objectives for all students. Our General Education Learning Outcomes highlight qualities that prepare a liberally educated person for a successful and satisfying life. Learning outcomes focus on four areas as outlined below: Integration into the Learning Community of the University of Michigan-Flint; Enhanced Communication Skills (written, verbal and non-verbal); Enhanced Breadth and Interconnectedness of Knowledge; and Engaged Citizenship (local to global). Outcomes are informed by employer priorities confirmed in research of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and career readiness competencies outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), as well as the expertise and experience of our faculty leadership in supporting the success of graduates. Students can expect any undergraduate course carrying General Education credit to include at least three General Education Learning Outcomes among other content and discipline-based goals of the course. 

Integration into the Learning Community of the University of Michigan-Flint 

1. Reflect on one’s own learning processes 

2. Demonstrate facility with research methods 

3. Demonstrate the ability to think critically 

4. Demonstrate the ability to think creatively 

Enhanced Communication Skills: Written, Verbal and Non-Verbal 

5. Produce competent written work 

6. Participate in dialogue that involves respectful and careful listening 

7. Use visual or non-verbal tools to enhance and decode messages 

Enhanced Breadth and Interconnectedness of Knowledge 

8. Demonstrate knowledge of concepts and ways of thinking specific to the humanities and fine arts 

9. Demonstrate knowledge of concepts and ways of thinking specific to social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics 

10. Use multiple perspectives and methodologies to analyze real or hypothetical problems 

Engaged Citizenship: Local to Global 

11. Investigate the nature of citizenship 

12. Apply knowledge to complex issues in increasingly broad spheres of influence 

The General Education Program participates in the University-wide effort to assess its academic programs. Information on assessment is available at www.umflint.edu/assessment.