General Education Requirements: A Comparative Analysis

Overview & Synopsis

While "general education" is a phrase heavily used in higher education, Leskes and Wright note that it has multiple meanings: it can refer to those courses that a college or university requires all of its students must pass as a condition for graduation, a common curriculum, a distribution requirement, or even core texts. This analysis of general education requirements will focus on a blending of these definitions. General education will refer to courses within a distribution schema that all students must pass as a requirement for graduation. Additionally, Leskes and Miller define three "anchoring concepts" related to general education: (1) Clear programmatic purpose for general education; (2) Resonance with the institution's distinctive mission; and (3) Transparent, powerful goals and outcomes of learning. These anchors relate to more than a curriculum or set of core texts. Leskes and Miller further suggest that general education may be "the most important manifestation of an institution's educational mission." The general education curriculum, shared by all students, demonstrates the institution's mission, philosophy, values, and culture. (Contains 5 tables.)