Liberal Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees

An integral part of all UMC degree programs, liberal education is the set of common understanding and skills essential to successful living in a modern society and to functioning as a whole person integrated into that society. Specifically, there are three core component areas of liberal education (communication, critical thinking, and working with others) that are integrated throughout the curriculum for every degree. Bachelor of science degree programs require a minimum of 40 credits of liberal education; the bachelor's degree in an applied field and the associate degrees have separately established liberal education requirements. UMC's 40 credit liberal education requirement for all bachelor of science degrees also meets the ten goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, a collaborative effort among two- and four-year public colleges and universities in Minnesota to help students transfer their work in liberal education. The faculty of the University of Minnesota , Crookston, recognize the courses below as meeting the student competencies of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. Because courses may be added or deleted from the list check online or with an academic adviser for the most current updates.

Liberal Education Requirements—Associate Degrees

A.A.S. Degree

Communication —3 credits

Humanities/fine arts —3 credits

Math/science —3 credits

Social science —3 credits

Technology —3 credits

CA 1010—Introduction to Computer Technology (1 cr) required

Liberal education electives —6 credits

Major field of study —43 credits

Total —64 credits

A.S. Degree

Communication —6 credits

Humanities/fine arts —6 credits

Math/science —6 credits

Social science —6 credits

Technology —3 credits

CA 1010—Introduction to Computer Technology (1 cr) required

Liberal education electives —5 credits

Major field of study —32 credits

Total —64 credits

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum and Liberal Education Requirements for Bachelor of Science Degrees

UMC bachelor of science degree programs require a minimum of 40 credits of liberal education. This requirement also meets the ten goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. Courses in goal areas #7 through #10 may also count in other goal areas

Goal Area 1: Written and Oral Communication—9 credits minimum

*Comp 1011—Composition I

*Comp 1013—Composition II

*Spch 1101—Public Speaking

Comm 2002—Interpersonal and Group Processes

Comm 3431—Persuasion

*required for bachelor of science degrees

Goal Area 2: Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is taught throughout the liberal education curriculum at UMC. Upon completion of the other 9 Minnesota Transfer Curriculum goal areas, students will have met the critical thinking goal.

Goal Area 3: Biological and Physical Sciences (with labs)—3 credits each area minimum

+Biol 1009—General Biology (also Goal Area 10)

++Chem 1001—Introductory Chemistry

++Chem 1021—Chemical Principles I (also Goal Area 10)

++Chem 1401—Elementary Biochemistry (also Goal Area 10)

++Geol 1001—Introductory Geology (also Goal Area 10)

+NatR 3374—Ecology

++Phys 1012—Introductory Physics (also Goal Area 10)

++Phys 1101—Introductory College Physics I

++Phys 1102—Introductory College Physics II

+biological sciences course

++physical sciences course

Goal Area 4: Mathematical Thinking—3 credits minimum

Math 1031—College Algebra and Analytical Geometry

Math 1142—Survey of Calculus

Math 1150—Elementary Statistics

Math 1250—Precalculus

Math 1271—Calculus I

Goal Area 5: History and the Behavioral and Social Sciences—6 credits minimum

ECE 2100—Child Development and Learning

Econ 2101—Microeconomics

Econ 2102—Macroeconomics

Geog 1104—World Regional Geography (also Goal Area 8)

Hist 1301—American History I

Hist 1302—American History II

Psy 1001—General Psychology

Psy 1093—Lifespan Development

Soc 1001—Introduction to Sociology (also Goal Area 7)

Soc 1102—Cultural Anthropology (also Goal Area 8)

Goal Area 6: The Humanities (the arts, literature, and philosophy)—6 credits minimum

Art 1152—Drawing and Design

Art 1252—Color and Design

Art 1352—Art Design and Techniques

Art 2000—Elementary Art

Hum 1301—Introduction to Humanities

Hum 3310—Culture and Technology (also Goal Area 8)

Lit 1005—Introduction to Literature (also Goal Area 8)

Lit 1016— Readings in American Life (also Goal Area 7)

Lit 3001—World Literature (also Goal Area 8)

Mus 1011—University Singers (R)

Mus 1021—Introduction to Music (also Goal Area 7)

Mus 1041—Private Music Instruction (R)

Mus 1042—Private Instruction: Class Piano (R)

Mus 1051—Band/Pep Band (R)

Mus 1071—Musical Theatre (R)

Mus 1111—Music Theory I: Foundations of Tonal Music

Mus 3011—University Singers (choir) (R)

Mus 3029—Music of the 20th Century (also Goal Area 7)

Mus 3041—Private Music Instruction (R)

Phil 1001—Introduction to Philosophy (also Goal Area 9)

Th 1121—Theater Production (R)

(R) repeatable to 3 credits toward meeting Minnesota Transfer Curriculum and liberal education goal

Goal Area 7: Human Diversity—one course minimum

Lit 1016— Readings in American Life (also Goal Area 6)

Mus 1021—Introduction to Music (also Goal Area 6)

Mus 3029—Music of the 20th Century (also Goal Area 6)

Soc 1001—Introduction to Sociology (also Goal Area 5)

Comm 3001—Communication in Human Relationships

Goal Area 8: Global Perspective—one course minimum

Geog 1104—World Regional Geography (also Goal Area 5)

GnEd 3000 - Global Seminar

Hist 1021—World Civilization I

Hist 1022—World Civilization II

Hum 3310—Culture and Technology (also Goal Area 6)

Lit 1005—Introduction to Literature (also Goal Area 6)

Lit 3001—World Literature (also Goal Area 6)

Soc 1102—Cultural Anthropology (also Goal Area 5)

Goal Area 9: Ethical and Civic Responsibility—one course minimum

NatR 1226—Issues in Sustainability (also Goal Area 10)

Phil 1001—Introduction to Philosophy (also goal Area 6)

Pol 1001—American Government

Goal Area 10: People and the Environment—one course minimum

Biol 1009—General Biology (also Goal Area 3)

Chem 1021—Chemical Principles I (also Goal Area 3)

Chem 1401—Elementary Biochemistry (also Goal Area 3)

Geol 1001—Introductory Geology (also Goal Area 3)

NatR 1226—Issues in Sustainability (also Goal Area 9)

Phys 1012—Introductory Physics (also Goal Area 3)