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Credit Courses

General Education Policy

Mercer County Community College is committed to providing each student with an educational experience that is shaped by the best traditions of higher learning as it addresses the demands of the modern world. For all graduates of degree and credit-bearing certificate programs, this experience includes general education.

The extent to which approved general education courses are required in the various degree and certificate programs is specified in the chart entitled Academic Program Requirements for General Education. These requirements may be met through general education courses specified in the design of the program, or through elective choices (from the approved list) afforded to the student in consultation with his or her advisor. These are the minimum requirements; as appropriate to the program, more general education courses may be required. Exceptions may be approved by the President when these requirements are inconsistent with external requirements for program accreditation or student transfer.

The faculty and administration share responsibility for assessing the General Education Institutional Learning Goals and Objectives. Based on the assessment outcomes, courses, programs and this policy should be modified in response.


Academic Program Requirements for General Education

General Education Goals
(by category)
A.A. Degree A.S. Degree A.A.S. Degree
A.F.A. Degree
A.S. Nursing
Certificate
Goal 1:  Communication --
Written and Oral Communication
9 credits
(must be 6 credits of Composition)
6 credits
(must be 6 credits of Composition)
6 credits
(must be 3 credits of Composition)
3 credits
(must be 3 credits of Composition)
Goal 2:  Mathematics --
Quantitative Knowledge and Skills  (3-8 credits)
6 credits 9 credits 3 credits 3 credits
Goal 3:  Science --
Scientific Knowledge and Reasoning  (3-8 credits)
Goal 4:  Technology --
Technological Competency  (3-8 credits)
Goal 5:  Social Science -- Society and Human Behavior 6 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits
Goal 6:  Humanities -- Humanistic Perspective 6 credits 3 credits
Goal 7:  History -- Historical Perspective 3 credits - - - - - -
Goal 8:  Diversity courses --
Diversity and Cultural Awareness
3 credits
Unassigned General Education - - 6 credits 8 credits
Note 1
TOTAL CREDITS 33 30 20 6

Note 1 – The 8 credits of Unassigned General Education must not exceed the category limits for the A.S. degree.


Institutional Learning Goals and Objectives

GOAL 1:  Written and Oral Communication in English
Students will communicate effectively in both speech and writing.

GOAL 2:  Mathematics
Students will use appropriate mathematical and statistical concepts and operations to interpret data and to solve problems.

GOAL 3:  Science
Students will use the scientific method of inquiry, through the acquisition of scientific knowledge.

GOAL 4:  Technology
Students will use computer systems or other appropriate forms of technology to achieve educational and personal goals.

GOAL 5:  Social Science
Students will use social science theories and concepts to analyze human behavior and social and political institutions and to act as responsible citizens.

GOAL 6:  Humanities
Students will analyze works in the fields of art, music, or theater; literature; philosophy and/or religious studies; and/or will gain competence in the use of a foreign language.

GOAL 7:  History
Students will understand historical events and movements in World, Western, non-Western or American societies and assess their subsequent significance.

GOAL 8:  Diversity and Global Perspective
Students will understand the importance of a global perspective and culturally diverse peoples.

GOAL 9:  Ethical Reasoning and Action
Students will understand ethical frameworks, issues, and situations.

GOAL 10:  Information Literacy
Students will recognize when information is needed and have the knowledge and skills to locate, evaluate, and effectively use information for college-level work.

GOAL 11:  Critical Thinking
Students will use critical thinking skills to understand, analyze, or apply information or solve problems.

Board of Trustees approval: 12/17/98
Revised: 4/27/05, 10/16/08, 7/20/09, 9/19/19