Current Students

Students who began their studies at WSU prior to fall semester 2011 can choose to remain under the former WSU University Studies Program (USP) curriculum or move to the WSU General Education Program (GEP).

Students who began their studies at WSU in fall 2011 or later must complete the WSU General Education Program. 

Transfer students who enrolled spring 2012 or later must complete the General Education Program.

Goal Area and Additional Graduation Requirements

Students should check their Degree Audit Report (DARS) to ensure completion of the following credits in each Goal Area:

The General Education Program (GEP) at Winona State University is designed to provide students with a broad base of learning in ten goal areas, coordinated with the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC):

Goal 1: Communication (7 credits)
Goal 2: Critical Thinking (fulfilled when all other goal areas are completed)
Goal 3: Natural Sciences (7 credits; *requires one course with lab, encourages courses from at least two different subject areas)
Goal 4: Mathematics/Logical Reasoning (3-4 credits)
Goal 5: History & the Social/Behavioral Sciences (9 credits; *requires courses from at least two different subject areas)
Goal 6: The Humanities & Fine Arts (9 credits; *requires a minimum of 3 credits from Humanities and 3 credits from Fine Arts)
Goal 7: Human Diversity (3 credits)
Goal 8: Global Perspectives (3 credits)
Goal 9: Ethical & Civic Responsibility (3 credits)
Goal 10: People & the Environment (3 credits)

A minimum of 40 credits must be completed to fulfill the MnTC ten goal areas.

Students graduating from WSU also complete two additional categories of general education requirements, including intensive courses in writing (6 credits), oral communication (3 credits), and mathematics/statistics OR critical analysis (3 credits), as well as courses in physical development & wellness (2 credits).

Additional Requirements* -- Completion of Intensive Courses, 12 credits (previously referred to as 'Flags' or 'Flagged Courses' in the USP):

Writing Intensives (6 credits)
Oral Communication Intensive (3 credits)
Mathematics/Statistics OR Critical Analysis Intensive (3 credits)

*Often, but not always, writing, oral communication, and mathematics-statistics or critical analysis intensive courses are included in a student's major program of study.

Additional Requirements - Physical Development & Wellness, 2 credits 

Applying for Course Equivalency in the GEP

Students who wish to apply to the General Education Program Subcommittee (GEPS) should contact the GEPS chair after they have completed the following:

1. Obtain a course syllabus from the course for which equivalency is sought
2. Determine which Goal Area and/or course for which equivalency is sought
3. Write a brief rationale for the course equivalency request
4. Complete the Course Substitution Request Form
5. Submit these materials to the GEPS chair for review by the subcommittee (see 'Contact Us' on the GEP main page to find out how to contact the GEPS chair)

Forms for course equivalency/substitution requests can be found on the Program Forms under Forms for Faculty Advisors and Students.