General Education

Shenandoah University's General Education Program

General Education Curriculum

The General Education Program is required of all students entering Shenandoah University as a first-year freshman. This requirement is in addition to the college/school requirements and the major/program of study requirements. Transfer students should consult with their advisor and/or the director of general education concerning their general education requirements.

Students should direct all questions regarding General Education to their college/school/program dean or director, and/or the director of general education, Amy Sarch, at asarch@su.edu.

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of general education at Shenandoah University is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and opportunities to be active, ethical and productive citizens in a changing and diverse world.

Program Objectives

Shenandoah University's General Education program targets three primary areas that the faculty and students have identified as essential to productive citizenry:

  1. critical thinking
  2. effective communication and
  3. creative performance

The General Education requirements are designed to enhance the skills of our students within all of these areas.

Domains of Knowledge and Intensities

Seven domains of learning form the foundation of the General Education program at Shenandoah University. Each domain fosters at least one element of the program's primary goals. As a result, the General Education program at Shenandoah University exposes students to multiple methods of thinking, questioning and knowing. Through an exploration of the seven domains students develop an awareness of the world around them and the ability to perform effectively in the communities in which they engage:

  • Communication in Multiple Contexts
  • The Arts and Society
  • Quantitative Literacy
  • The Scientific World
  • Moral Reasoning
  • Foundations of Human Behavior
  • Historical and Cultural Perspectives

In addition to the domain requirements, students must also complete the intensity requirements. These courses are skill-directed proficiency courses that will assist students in becoming productive citizens. These courses may overlap with the domain courses and/or other intensity courses. These courses do not require a specific number of credits. It is anticipated, but not mandated, that students will fulfill the majority of these credits within their major. The intensity areas are as follows:

  • Information Literacy
  • Intensive
  • Writing Intensive
  • Oral Communication Intensive
  • Technology Intensive.