1. New CWU General Education Program
Presented by:
Angelia Riveira
Associate Director of Running Start

2. What do the old and new gen education look like?

3. Major Changes
12 requirements for students to complete in the new general education
The old general education had 16 requirements
New general education includes three main components:
Engage: First Year Experience
Explore and Connect: Knowledge Areas & Pathways
Connect, Create, & Empathize: Culminating Experience
This replaces the basic and breadth skills in the old general education
Writing and lab-science courses are no longer required
Foreign language is now a graduation requirement instead of a general education requirement

4. I. Engage: First Year Experience
Students will take three classes to satisfy this requirement. These need to be completed within their first 60 credits as a matriculated student.
First Year Experience Seminar (184)
Academic Writing I (ENG 101 satisfies this)
Quantitative Reasoning (most math courses offered through CHS satisfy this)

5. II. Explore and Connect 8 Knowledge Areas 6 Pathways
Students must take one course in each knowledge area
Students must take at least 3 courses within the same pathway
Students who take 5 or more courses in the same pathway will receive a special designation on their transcript

6. Knowledge Areas Academic Writing II Community, Culture, & Citizenship
Creative Expression
Global Dynamics
Humanities
Individual & Society
Physical & Natural World
Science & Technology

7. Pathways Civic & Community Engagement Health & Well-Being
Perspectives on Current Issues
Social Justice
Sustainability
Ways of Knowing

8. CHS & the Knowledge Areas & Pathways
CHS offerings are available in each knowledge area and pathway
It may be easier for students to satisfy more general education requirements through CHS with the new general education program than it was with the old general education.
New courses have been created as part of the new general education. Talk with your liaison if you are interested in expanded offerings.

9. III. Connect, Create, & Empathize: Culminating Experience
Students will take this in their junior or senior year at CWU.
There will be multiple options for students to choose from.
At this time, students are not required to take the culminating experience course in their major.

10. New General Education & Transferring Credits
Students will still be able to transfer their credits to other institutions the same way they could with the old general education.
It is safe for students to take courses within the new general education program as they are more likely to transfer into general education requirements or associate degree requirements at other institutions.
Students should keep a copy of their syllabus in case questions come up at their new institution.

11. New General Education & Associate Degrees
CWU and other public baccalaureate institutions do not offer associate degrees in Washington State.
Students who want to earn an associate degree can transfer their CHS credits to a community college.
Following CWU’s general education program is a safe plan for these students, but it is still a good idea for them to review requirements for the community college they plan to attend.

12. New General Education & Associate Degrees
AA DTA Requirements (general)*
CWU General Education Requirements
ENG 101 (5 credits)
2nd composition course (5 credits)
Academic Writing II
Quantitative course (5 credits)
Quantitative Reasoning
Humanities (15 credits)
Creative Expression & Humanities
Social Science (15 credits)
Community, Culture, & Citizenship; Global Dynamics; Individual & Society
Natural Science (15 credits)
Physical & Natural World; Science & Technology
Transferable Electives (15)
General Electives (15)
Total Credits: 90
Total Credits: 46-66
*These are the “general” requirements for AA-DTAs offered at community colleges. Some colleges may have specific requirements unique to their institution. Students are safest looking at those requirements and, in general, taking 5 credit courses.

13. Other Transfer Reminders
Students must send official transcripts to their new institution.
Credits will generally only transfer if students earn a 2.0 or higher.
If they are participating in dual credit programs through multiple institutions, they need to request transcripts from all of those institutions.
Our office can help students with transfer questions.
Use a dual credit tracking sheet to keep track of credits from different institutions (example)

14. Advising Resources for CHS Students
Students have the option to request advising assistance on the High School Partnerships website:
Advisors will contact the student to work with them on their questions
Students can use the UConn Early College Experience Transfer Database to view the likelihood of colleges accepting dual credit:

15. The number one reason credits don’t transfer is because students don’t send their official transcripts to their new institution!!!

16. Questions?