General Education Program
The General Education program at Midway University supports the institutional mission: Midway University invests in our students, engaging them in personalized learning experiences and preparing them for fulfilling careers. The curriculum builds on foundational courses in traditional liberal arts disciplines while also placing a strong emphasis on career skills such as collaboration, problem solving, critical thinking, and communication.
The General Education Curriculum will prepare students for the demands of the modern job market. With courses organized across three broad skills-based categories – Communication, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, and Career and Self Development – students are encouraged to think about how their coursework in the general education curriculum will foster the skills employers are looking for in new employees. Understanding how to collaborate with people who hold different perspectives, being able to analyze a problem from multiple positions, and understanding how to use technology in responsible, ethical ways are all demands of the current job market, and these are skills that will be taught in the general education curriculum. The Midway University General Education Program offers students tools for thinking that are foundational to liberal arts education and essential for success in all academic programs, future graduate studies, professional careers, and engaged citizenship.
Some General Education requirements can be completed by courses in the major provided these courses fulfill the learning objectives under each area described in this document. These areas are marked with an asterisk below.
| Program Curriculum | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| I. Communication | 12 |
| Written Communication | 6 |
| Career Writing | 3 |
| Oral Communication Course | 3 |
| II. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving | 16 |
| Global Citizenship | 3 |
| Humanities and Arts | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Science and Lab | 4 |
| Social Sciences | 3 |
| III. Career and Self-Development | 12 |
| Pathways and Perspectives | 1 |
| Self and Others | 3 |
| Technology | 3 |
| Wellness | 5 |
| TOTAL | 40 |
Program Outcomes and Learning Objectives
Communication
Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with people inside and outside of an organization.
- Communicate effectively, shaping discourse to appropriate audience, purpose, and discipline.
- Read, interpret, and synthesize information from diverse texts to effectively articulate ideas and arguments in written, oral, and visual communication.
- Critically evaluate credibility, relevance, and accuracy of information from multiple sources.
Written Communication (6): ENG-101, ENG-102.
Career Writing (3): BUS-313, EDU-338, ENG-380, NSG-430.
Oral Communication (3): COM-205, BUS-313.
The programs requiring ENG 380, Writing in the Disciplines as a general education requirement are: Criminal Justice, English, Interdisciplinary Studies, Mathematics, and Marketing Communications.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information.
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Gather and analyze information from a diverse set of sources and individuals to fully understand a problem.
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Effectively communicate actions and rationale, recognizing the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of stakeholders.
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Analyze and solve problems by integrating evidence and reasoning from multiple disciplines.
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Evaluate global challenges/issues by considering cultural, economic, and/or environmental factors.
Global Citizenship (3): BIO-305, HIS-101, HIS-102, PHL-480, PSY-265, REL-285.
Humanities and Arts (3): ART-101, ART-107, ART-205, BIO-305, ENG-210, ENG-365, HIS-101, HIS-102, HIS-140, HIS-141, HIS-210, MUS-167, MUS-215, MUS-315, MUS-371, REL-285, THE-120, THE-280.
Quantitative Reasoning (3): MTH-139, MTH-140, MTH-141.
Science with Laboratory (4): any BIO, CHM, ENV, PSC with laboratory.
Social Sciences (3): CRJ-101, HIS-101, HIS-102, HIS-140, HIS-141, HIS-210, POL-101, PSY-180, PSY/EDU-260, PSY-312, SOC-112, SOC-120, SOC-220.
The programs requiring MTH 139, Introduction to Statistics or higher as a general education requirement are: Accounting, Business Administration, Coaching and Sport Leadership, Criminal Justice, Education Studies – English, Education Studies – Social Studies, English, Equine Business and Sales, Exercise Science, Health Care Administration, Interdisciplinary Studies, Marketing Communications, Public Health, Sport Management, and Sport Marketing.
The programs requiring MTH 140, College Algebra or higher as a general education requirement are: Biology, Computer Science, Education Studies – Mathematics, Education Studies – Science, Equine Science, Health Science, Mathematics, Middle School English Education, Middle School Social Studies Education, Middle School Science Education, Middle School Mathematics Education, Nursing, Psychology, Secondary Biology Education, Secondary English Education, and Secondary Mathematics Education.
Career and Self Development
Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization.
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Describe how individual choices and habits impact personal wellness including psychological, financial, physical.
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Identify and articulate how their academic experiences, co-curricular activities, and personal values align with their career goals.
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Demonstrate awareness, attitude, knowledge and skills required to equitably engage and value people from different cultures and backgrounds.
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Adapt to emerging technologies and demonstrate digital fluency across various platforms and applications.
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Apply ethical principles to the use of technology.
First Year Experience (1): MWY-101.
Self and Others (3): DVS-290 WST-200 PHIL-301.
Technology (3): CIS-225 CIS-235 EDU-201.
Wellness (6): BUS-123 and MWY-201.
Additional Considerations
Technological proficiency is to be determined by the major programs. Outcomes are to be fulfilled by (a) inclusion in the discipline-based writing course, or (b) by requiring a computer course as an elective.
Associate degree students will fulfill an abbreviated version of the general education requirements: humanities and arts, social sciences, mathematics, science, and communication. The specific courses will be determined by the major programs.
Students will be required to complete all the courses within the General Education curriculum as listed here. Writing in the Disciplines must be completed at Midway University with a grade of C or better.
General Education Math and English Completion Policy
The general education courses in Math and English provide an important foundation for college-level academic work. For this reason, all Midway University students are required to complete ENG 101, ENG 102, and the Math course recommended/required for their major by the time they earn 60 credit hours at Midway. Students who reach 60 institutional credit hours without completing these courses will have a hold placed on their academic record requiring them to enroll in the missing course(s) each subsequent term of enrollment until the requirement is fulfilled. Students transferring into the institution as well as students who begin their studies at Midway are equally subject to this policy.