General Education and University Requirements

The challenges of living in a multicultural, highly technological and information-based society are numerous. In order to prepare students for this society, Southern University at New Orleans provides a core curriculum which meets and exceeds the requirements of the Louisiana Board of Regents.

The Board of Regents requires that all public colleges and universities provide students with general courses that will equip them with broad-based common educational experiences. Each student should attain the following goals:

communicate effectively in oral and written English;
read with comprehension;
reason abstractly and think critically;
understand numerical data and statistics;
understand the scientific method;
be familiar with key technological and informational applications;
learn independently;
recognize and appreciate cultural diversity;
understand the nature and value of the fine and performing arts;
develop a personal value system while retaining a tolerance for others; and
understand the American political and economic system

Through the core curriculum, students at Southern University at New Orleans are introduced to the principal branches of learning, among which are English, natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. It also includes a foundation in computer literacy. This core is especially vital in providing students with knowledge of, and practice in, skills essential to successful academic performance.

The intent of the general education requirement, therefore, is to assist in accomplishing the overall goals and objectives of the University. The content of various core components is governed by the statement of purpose for general education in undergraduate programs of the state's public colleges and universities. The University is also committed to providing fundamental knowledge and skills and a broad cultural education. The curriculum provides courses which all students must complete successfully, and which should be substantially completed during the freshman and sophomore years.

General Education Requirements*

English Composition	6 Hours (2 Courses)
Mathematics/Analytical Reasoning	6 Hours (2 Courses)
Natural Sciences	9 Hours (3 Courses: 2 courses in a biological/physical science area sequence + 1 in the other area.)
Humanities	9 Hours (3 Courses; 1 in Literature)
Social Sciences	6 Hours (2 Courses; 1 ≥ sophomore level)
Arts	3 Hours (1 Course)

*Note: Developmental courses do not qualify for General Education or degree credit.

Component		Required Hours
English Composition	Courses designed to develop communicative skills sufficient to ensure access to information and ideas in the University's curriculum, as well as, in the society at large, and to introduce students to critical thinking and interpretation. This requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of: English 111, 112	6
Mathematics	Courses designed to develop mathematical skills that help students understand numerical data and heighten their awareness of the role that abstraction, inference, and precision play in reasoning. This requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of: Mathematics 151 and 232 or 250, 161¹, 162	6
Natural Sciences	Courses designed to introduce the goals, methods, and results of the natural sciences and to develop an appreciation for the rationales, protocols, and benefits of them. This requirement must include coursework in both biological and chemical or physical sciences. It may be satisfied by the completion of a two course sequence in biological or physical science and one in the other science plus one laboratory: Biology 105 and 106, 124 and 125 Chemistry 101 or 111, 112 Geology 131 Physical Science 101 or Physics 101, 103, 150 or Physics 211, 222	9
Arts	Courses designed to develop an appreciation for creative expressions and to expose students to a range of intellectual, cultural, and aesthetic experiences. This requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of: Art 101 Music 101 Dance Theater	3
Humanities	Courses designed to help students reason critically about ethical dimensions of society; develop basic knowledge of cultures other than those found in the United States; introduce students to ideas and events that have formed the intellectual foundations that influence daily life; and develop skills in cogent oral expression. At least one three-hour course must be in the area of literature. This requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of: History 210 or 220 required for all majors English 203 or 260 Foreign Languages 101, 102, 211, 222 Literature beyond English 260 History 103, 104, 351, 352 Humanities 310, 311, 312, 314 Philosophy 211, 212, 222 Religious Studies Communication 110, or 210	9
Social and Behavioral Sciences	Courses designed to introduce the study of human behavior, and social, political, and economic institutions, and help students understand the significance of the individual in terms of perceptual abilities, cognitive awareness and motivation. This requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of (Choose 2; Include 1 at Sophomore Level): Criminal Justice 110 Economics 200, 211, 212, 222 Geography 110 or 410 Political Science 110 Psychology 210 Sociology 210 Social Work 100 Addictive Behaviors Counseling & Prevention 215	6
TOTAL		39

NOTE: NO COURSE IN THE CORE/GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT CAN BE USED TO SATISFY ANY OTHER REQUIREMENT, SUCH AS MAJOR/MINOR/ELECTIVE, EXCEPT WHERE MANDATED BY AN OUTSIDE AGENCY.

Students may obtain equivalent credit for required or suggested course work in accordance with policies and procedures in other colleges or universities, e.g., for advanced-placement (AP) tests of the College Board or the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP).

¹Required for all College of Science majors and Elementary Education majors.