University General Education (UGE)

Kansas State University implemented a University General Education program beginning Fall Semester 1997.

Provost James Coffman stated that the goal of University General Education is to prepare students with more than specialized competence for a career by encouraging

• critical and analytical thinking
• careful and thoughtful reading, writing and speech
• an inclination to wonder, a penchant for questioning and a desire to solve puzzles and problems.

Further, University General Education should inspire students to

• appreciate differing viewpoints.
• consider openly new and divergent thinking.
• weigh ideas with careful skepticism.
• challenge conventional wisdom.
• explore for more accurate and useful knowledge.

Each College has an approved University General Education program. The College of Human Ecology program requirements are listed in the K-State Undergraduate Catalog. The verification form (Adobe Acrobat) summarizes the requirements.

Courses proposed for University General Education designation are submitted through the customary channels with the additional step of being submitted to the General Education Implementation Task Force for review before being sent to the Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee and the Faculty Senate for approval.

Courses approved for University General Education are identified in the following ways:

• Listed on University General Education Courses
• Marked with a in the K-State Undergraduate Catalog
• Marked with a in the Course Schedule

Students who completed a college course (at K-State or elsewhere) prior to the start of Fall Semester 1997 do not have to complete the University General Education program. However, if the degree program specifies completion of one or more university general education courses, those courses must be completed to meet degree requirements.

Only approved courses completed at Kansas State University can be used to meet University General Education requirements.