General Education Mission
The General Education program has been designed to facilitate students’ acquisition and application of knowledge through intellectual stimulation, scientific methodology, information and computer literacy, and communication competencies. Students master the problem-solving abilities necessary for success in the core curriculum and with application to personal and professional growth and well-being beyond the curriculum.
This is achieved through the successful completion of courses in seven general education competency areas:
Area A | Written Communications |
Area B | Oral and Interpersonal Communications |
Area C | Critical Thinking & Ethical Reasoning |
Area D | Quantitative Literacy |
Area E | Social and Behavioral Sciences Awareness |
Area F | Historical, Cultural, and Aesthetic Recognition |
Area G | Scientific Reasoning |
WCYou Experience Requirement (course or course)
The WCYou Experience (course or course) is designed to support students as they transition to West Coast University by introducing and connecting them to the culture and expectations of the University through curricular and co-curricular topics created to build a foundation for student success. Within the FHE course, students will be provided information about campus services, resources, academic support, student life, and the WCU culture.
Students are required to successfully complete WCYou Experience course or course in the first term at West Coast University. If a student does not successfully complete (course or course)due to course withdrawal or failure, the student will be enrolled in the course in their second term and must successfully complete the course at that time. Students who do not successfully pass (course or course) after two attempts will be subject to dismissed from WCU.
All courses a student takes within General Education are considered when determining academic standing and potential dismissal as the number of failed courses and cumulative GPA is calculated based on all completed courses.
General Education Philosophy
Courses in the General Education program provide an academic foundation to prepare students for higher level inquiry in their chosen disciplines and prepare them to be responsible, ethical citizens in a global society. Content is constructed to build academic and analytical skills to further enhance educational, professional, and personal development. The program is designed to advance student’s knowledge and skills in reading comprehension, professional writing, and the development of appropriate comportment that is expected in work settings.
General Education Program Learning Outcomes
All undergraduate programs include a general education component. The learning outcomes for general education are:
Demonstrate competent written communication skills
Demonstrate effective oral communication skills
Interpret quantitative data using mathematical principles to effectively identify core issues and solve problems
Locate disparate information through multiple sources demonstrating technological and informational literacy
Demonstrate critical thinking skills by analyzing complex issues and interpreting diverse perspectives in order to make conclusive, ethical and defensible decisions
Competency Areas | Courses |
Area A: Written Communications | |
Written communications skills are applicable in both the workplace and society. Proficiency in written communication helps students write effectively to ensure strong communication with a variety of audiences, using critical thinking skills, evaluation of sources, and appropriate syntax, mechanics, organization, and style. WCU students completing Written Communications competency requirement courses will:
| Online Program Course Offerings: Ground Program Course Offerings: |
Area B: Oral and Interpersonal Communications | |
Oral and interpersonal communication skills are necessary to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and in collaboration with teams. Proficiency in communication and teamwork allows students to critically evaluate communication to have knowledge and awareness of individuals’ perspectives in various contexts. WCU students completing Oral and Interpersonal Communications competency requirement courses will:
| Online Program Course Offerings: Ground Program Course Offerings: |
Area C: Critical Thinking & Ethical Reasoning | |
Critical thinking skills allow students to rationally analyze the decision-making process and understand ethical issues. Students evaluate evidence, arguments, and theories to reason inductively and deductively and reach factual conclusions though the use of digital and or information literacy skills. WCU students completing Critical Thinking and Ethical Reasoning competency requirement courses will:
| Online Program Course Offerings: Ground Program Course Offerings: |
Area D: Quantitative Literacy | |
Quantitative literacy and reasoning skills are necessary to apply mathematical reasoning skills to interpret the world around us. Quantitative reasoning skills help students understand data and mathematical information, solve applied mathematical problems, and function in a mathematical world. WCU students completing Quantitative literacy competency requirement courses will:
| Online Program Course Offerings: Ground Program Course Offerings: |
Area E: Social and Behavioral Sciences Awareness | |
The scientific study of societal relations and human behavior provides students the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the world, people, and relationships around them with an awareness of the impact human behavior has on relationships. WCU students completing social and behavioral sciences awareness competency requirement courses will:
| Online Program Course Offerings course Introduction to Psychology Ground Program Course Offerings: |
Area F: Historical, Cultural, and Aesthetic Recognition | |
Cultural recognition, historical knowledge, and aesthetic awareness provides students an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the world, people, and relationships around them with a respect for diversity, and an understanding of equity, bias, norms and inclusion. WCU students completing social responsibility, cultural recognition, and aesthetic awareness competency requirement courses will:
| Online Program Course Offerings: Ground Program Course Offerings: |
Area G: Scientific Reasoning | |
Proficiency in life and physical sciences allows students to solve problems using critical thinking in a scientific framework. This allows students to have a deeper understanding of the problems in front of them to develop a justifiable solution grounded in science. WCU students completing Life and Physical Science competency requirement courses will:
| Online Program Course Offerings: Ground Program Course Offerings: |