General education classes are foundational courses that cover a wide range of subjects outside an intended major field of study. Often, these “gen ed” courses are among the requirements of a college degree and are designed to help develop essential skills and knowledge in various disciplines.
Many universities encourage taking gen eds early (on-campus or via remote learning) to make the process of earning a college degree easier and more convenient. (Learn more about what general education requirements are here.)
General education classes are considered integral to a comprehensive college education for four reasons.
1. To Learn Broad-based Knowledge
General education courses expose you to different academic disciplines such as humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics. This exposure helps you gain a broad understanding of various subjects, opening up intellectual curiosity and sharpening critical thinking skills.
2. To Develop Transferable Skills
General education classes often emphasize communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical reasoning. These skills are valuable in almost any career or academic pursuit, providing a solid foundation for success beyond college.
3. To Experience Exploration and Discovery
Taking general education courses allows the exploration of different fields of study before committing to a specific major. For many college students, these opportunities lead to new interests, passions, and career paths.
4. To Encourage Interdisciplinary Learning
Finally, general education classes encourage applying knowledge and methods from multiple fields. This interdisciplinary approach promotes a deeper understanding of complex real-world issues and enhances the ability to tackle problems from various perspectives.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a chiropractic and health science degree-focused university. Many of the University’s “gen ed” classes – those needed before being accepted into the A.A.S. (2-year) degree programs and required as part of the CUKC bachelor’s degree programs – are available in an online format.
CUKC uses instructors with proven online teaching experience to ensure the knowledge gained in a student’s online class learning is equal to that of an on-campus class. Continual checks with online instructors are part of the online delivery evaluation process.
New college students should remember that online courses are, by design, just as rigorous as on-ground courses. Online class instructors use the same standard learning outcomes documents and textbooks as on-campus class instructors.
Before the online classes are placed on the schedule at CUKC, the content is reviewed to make sure it meets CUKC expectations and complies with those of the Higher Learning Commission, the regional accrediting agency for CUKC.
Cleveland University-Kansas City also is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). That organization oversees the delivery of postsecondary distance education across the U.S.
Curious about the CUKC degree options? Click on this link to request information and be connected to an academic advisor. As a bonus, you’ll have access to this free eBook: Your Complete Guide to Navigating College Financial Aid.
