Submission of New or Altered University Graduation Requirements
Inclusion of Courses Into General Education
Principles of General Education Assessment

Submission of New or Altered University Graduation Requirements or Courses

The General Education Council is tasked with oversight of the University Graduation Requirement program which includes the following requirements:

  • Lab Science
  • World Cultures
  • Mathematics Competency
  • Written English Competency

The current University Bulletin contains guidelines for the content of University Graduation Requirement courses.

Departments wishing to submit proposals for new or amended University Graduation Requirements or for inclusion of courses in the program should submit proposals via email to the General Education Council Chair.

For Amendments to Existing or New University Graduation Requirements: 

  1. Current University Requirement bulletin language and proposed new University Requirement bulletin language
  2. Documentation that the proposal has already been sent to all departments and colleges on campus to allow input of interested parties.
  3. The rationale for the new requirement/change.  Note that the rationale should be detailed and include any needed supportive data, including comments from interested parties.
  4. Any other additional materials that will help the General Education Council and Academic Senate understand the potential impact of the change to the program.

For Additions of Courses to Existing University Graduation Requirements:

  1. A narrative description of the proposed course that addresses each of the University Bulletin requirements for such courses.
  2. A syllabus of the course.
  3. Any other relevant materials such as a letter of support from the relevant natural science departments on a course proposed for the Lab Sciences requirement which is not housed in a traditional natural sciences department.

Upon receipt of the proposal, the General Education Council will review the proposal and, if warranted, seek additional information from the requesting department.

Inclusion of Courses Into General Education

In order to be included in the General Education Program courses must be open to students from all majors. This does not preclude prerequisites requiring other courses or placement exams but courses must be open to students from all majors and colleges.

In keeping with the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), studio and performing arts courses will not be considered for inclusion within the General Education Program.  As defined by the MTA, studio and performing arts courses include classes that are more applied and pragmatic in nature, as opposed to courses devoted to a broad survey of the arts designed to sensitize students to the variety of art forms and their importance in contemporary civilization. Examples of studio and performing arts courses include drawing, sculpture, acting, etc.

General Education Program Assessment Plan

View the Assessment Plan here

Principles of General Education Assessment and Attainment of the Program Learning Outcomes

  1. A significant portion of the class must be dedicated to the two learning outcomes for its respective component. Since each component of the program will have two learning outcomes, they both must be represented in a reasonable manner. All dimensions of a learning outcome must be substantively addressed by a course, with the understanding that some dimensions of a learning outcome may be more fully explored than others. Departments must use the standard rubrics, artifact cover sheets, and summary assessment data tables developed by the General Education Council to assess dimensions that are associated with the course.  It is understood that these standards may not be met in every case, but that they will provide a reasonable benchmark for the course.
  2. The General Education Program will undergo a process of continual assessment.  During each year other than those designated for an overall program review, one group of participating courses will undergo review so that over three years all courses in the program will be assessed (see groups below).  This cycle will be conducted twice and then the entire program will be reviewed. This process will ensure continual evaluation.
    1. Assessment Group A: Effective Communication and Scientific Inquiry – Assessment fall 2019, 2023.
    2. Assessment Group B: Quantitative Reasoning and Perspectives in Society – Assessment fall 2021, 2024.
    3. Assessment Group C: Social Responsibility in a Diverse World, Integrative Thinking, Human Expression – Assessment fall 2022, 2025.
    4. Overall program assessment: Assessment fall 2026.
  3. For each course, the home department must, at the very least, submit a report based on materials from all sections offered in the most recent semester that the course was taught (excluding summer sessions unless that is the only time a course is taught), including all students who completed the course.
  4. For courses enrolling more than 30 students or for multi-section courses, departments have the option of using a random sample of students for assessment as long as the sample has at least 30 cases or 10% of students across multi-section courses, whichever is higher.
  5. The General Education Council allows concurrent review by CUP and the General Education Council for courses seeking to be added to the General Education Program; however, complete CUP, Senate, and Academic Affairs approvals must be acquired prior to the official addition of a course to the General Education program.
  6. The General Education Council will accept courses for review and possible inclusion into the General Education Program on an ongoing basis.
  7. The assessment process will follow a series of events where the Department will complete an assessment template (provided by General Education Council ) and collect appropriate documentation of student achievement in the most recent offering(s) of the course prior to the Assessment Call that is related to the learning outcomes for the components.  The form and supporting materials will constitute the assessment report which will be submitted electronically to the General Education Council (through a Qualtrics link and email). This assessment report will serve as the application for the course to remain in the General Education Program.  Only courses for which materials are submitted will be considered for retention in the program. The General Education Council will review these materials based on the original approved application for the course to the General Education Program and the rubrics for the learning outcomes.
  8. The General Education Council reviews COURSES for inclusion to the General Education Program, not specific instructors.  If different sections cover different content, they still must meet the same component standards (and associated learning outcomes) and be included in the same assessment plan.
  9. If an assessment report is woefully deficient (i.e., not submitted or missing one or more key elements), the General Education Council may require the department to submit a remediation plan by fall of the following year, submit a new assessment report the year after that, and another assessment report at the next regularly scheduled date.

 

Standard timetable for assessment of General Education Courses and Program

  • Assessment reminders in the fall of the previous year and spring of the assessment year.
  • Assessment Reports due to the General Education Council on or before October 15. Upon receipt, the Chair of the General Education Council will check a report for completeness and ask that the department email her/him a course syllabus, a summary tabulation for all students assessed, and sample artifacts with detailed coversheets for at least 4 non-proficient and proficient examples of student work.
  • Assessment review sent from the General Education Council to the department as soon as reviews are completed following a first-received, first-reviewed basis.
  • Department response to review sent to the General Education Council as specified in the feedback provided.
  • Approved courses selected for inclusion in program for the next bulletin by June.