Academic Catalog 2016-2018 > Undergraduate Education General Degree & Admissions Information > Undergraduate Education General Degree Information > General Education Program Statement of Purpose and Goals

General Education Program Statement of Purpose and Goals

The General Education Program fosters the development of the skills, knowledge, and moral character essential to lifelong learning and a rich, satisfying life by:

1. Providing students with essential foundations in the main areas of human knowledge
2. Engaging students in the persistent practice of critical thinking, persuasive writing, quantitative reasoning, creative expression, effective research, and speaking
3. Enhancing self-understanding as citizens of diverse communities in an ecologically imperiled world
4. In light of Dominican’s Catholic heritage, offering guidance—and freedom—needed for developing awareness of the moral and spiritual dimensions of existence

General Education Goals

Students will demonstrate:

1. Learning in the essential foundations in the main areas of human knowledge (ie., sciences, arts and humanities)
2. Persistent practice of critical thinking, persuasive writing, quantitative reasoning, creative expression, effective research, and speaking
3. Understanding of themselves as citizens of diverse communities in an ecologically imperiled world
4. Development of their awareness of the moral and spiritual dimensions of existence

All students must complete a minimum of 45 units of General Education courses to qualify for a degree. General Education courses need to be taken for a letter grade.