General Education

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About Stanislaus State' General Education

Every undergraduate student at the University completes a degree program built on two essential components: major coursework and General Education (GE). Grounded in Stanislaus State’s Mission, Vision, and Values, the GE program is designed to cultivate both a broad foundation of knowledge and the ability to make meaningful connections across disciplines.

Although specific GE requirements (or “patterns”) have evolved over time, the program’s core purpose remains constant. Its enduring goals are to:

• Goal 1: Develop the intellectual skills and competencies needed to participate effectively in society and a global community.
• Goal 2: Build broad knowledge across the biological and physical sciences, the humanities and creative arts, and the social sciences.
• Goal 3: Foster the ability to integrate knowledge, make informed ethical decisions, and assume civic responsibility.

The program is further defined by sixteen learning outcomes (see the Goals and Outcomes page for details).

To fulfill GE requirements, students must complete 43 semester units, including nine upper-division units selected from courses across six broad categories. In addition to GE coursework, all undergraduate students must complete the full set of Baccalaureate Degree Requirements. These include Upper Division Writing Proficiency (WP), United States Constitution and California State and Local Government, Sociocultural Inquiry, Skills for Student Success, and Lifelong Learning.

For complete requirements and policies, students should refer to the University Catalog.

Side-by-Side GE Pattern Comparison