General Education Requirements Overview

Core General Education

Basic Skills of an Educated Person

These courses build key skills for learning - communication and critical thinking. An educated person communicates ideas effectively both verbally and in writing. Being able to organize and express ideas is a key part of learning. An educated person must also have strong reasoning powers in order to analyze critically all types of information. The skills courses within General Education provide an opportunity for students to gain and enhance critical communication and analytical skills.

Basic Knowledge of an Educated Person

In these courses, students gain the fundamental knowledge of an educated person. Students have opportunities to demonstrate an appreciation of the fundamentals of science, arts and letters, and the forces that shape the individual and modern society throughout the lifespan. This fundamental knowledge is crucial to understanding more advanced topics, including a major field of study.

SJSU Studies

Upper Division General Education (R, S, and V) and Written Communication II (Z)

Integrated Knowledge of an Educated Person

In these courses, students become integrated thinkers who see connections between and among a variety of concepts and ideas. An educated person applies concepts and foundations learned in one area to other areas as part of a lifelong learning process. These courses help students to live and work intelligently, responsibly, and cooperatively in a multicultural society and to develop abilities to address complex issues and problems using disciplined analytical skills and creative techniques.

Graduation Requirements

Total General Education Units