General education program requirements

The faculty of Saint Martin's University believe that a sound education for all academic degree programs rests on a foundation of general education.

Students working at table The University's General Education Program provides students with a foundation in values, communication and critical thinking, as well as broad knowledge of many disciplines in the arts and sciences.

The courses are designed to expose students to different ways of thinking, enrich their lives, enhance their appreciation of cultural diversity and help them realize their potential as citizens in a technically complex and changing world.

The aims and objectives of general education may be summarized in terms of the following skill and content areas.

Saint Martin's University graduates will:

  • Have the ability to express themselves in clear, grammatically correct English.
  • Have the ability to conduct research.
  • Have the understanding of religious and philosophical concepts and principles, and of the moral and ethical questions they will face in society and the professions.
  • Gain an appreciation of the role that physical education plays in maintaining a healthy life.
  • Develop a sense of historical consciousness and understand the ideas and achievements of American civilization and the civilization of another culture.
  • Have an appreciation of aesthetic and intellectual influences in literature and the fine arts.
  • Have knowledge of a modern foreign language as an approach to understanding another culture.*
  • Have a mathematical foundation that includes modern mathematical concepts and applications.
  • Have the necessary knowledge and skills to use and understand applications and issues of computers and technology.
  • Have an understanding of the basic concepts, ideas and methods of a natural science.
  • Have a basic understanding of human behavior, the influences on human behavior and the process of change in social, political and economic institutions.

*Required of students studying for a bachelor of arts degree.

General education program requirements

I. General foundations

First-year Seminar
3 credits
Entering freshmen must take First-year Seminar (UNI 101) fall semester.

College writing
6 credits
Completion of six semester hours of college writing (ENG 101 and 102) should be taken in the first year of the student's attendance at Saint Martin's.

Philosophy
3 credits
Completion of three semester hours of philosophy from the courses listed below. It is recommended that the student wait until his or her sophomore year before taking philosophy courses. Select from: PHL 201, 301, 313, 314, 333, 341, 346.

Religion
3 credits
Completion of three semester hours in religious studies. Select from RLS 111, 201, 202, 301, 302, 303, 305, 320.

Physical education
2 credits
Completion of two semester hours in physical education (except military veterans, students older than 24 years of age and those exempted for medical reasons). Select from: any PE course numbered between PE 101 through 113, 151.

II. Historical and cultural foundations

History
6 credits
Completion of three semester hours of American history and three semester hours of European or non-Western history. Select one course in American history from HIS 141, 142, 358, 359. Select one course in European or non-Western history from HIS 101, 102, 211, 213, 215, 217, 344, 347, 415.

Literature
3 credits
Completion of three semester hours of literature. Select one course in literature from ENG 201, 202, 203, 321, 322, 331, 341, 351, 361, 363, 367, 373, 385.

Fine arts
3 credits
Completion of three semester hours of fine arts. Select one course in the fine arts from: ART 157, 158, 205, 357; MUS 108, THR 101, 305, 307.

Foreign language
6 credits
Study of a foreign language is required for all students completing the bachelor of arts degree at Saint Martin's University. Foreign language study also is highly recommended for all students, particularly those planning to attend graduate school. This requirement can be satisfied by two years of successful study (grade of "B" or better) of a modern foreign language in high school. Select from FRN 101, 102; JPN 101, 102; SPN 101, 102.

III. Scientific and technological foundations

Mathematics
3 credits
Completion of three semester hours of mathematics. Select from: MTH 110, 113, 121, 171, 201, 220.

Computer science
3 credits
Completion of three semester hours of computer science. Select from: CSC 140,150,160,180.

Natural sciences
4 credits
Completion of four semester hours of a natural science course that includes a laboratory component. Select from: BIO 105, 110, 141, 142 CHM 105, 141, 142, PHY 141, 142, 171, 172, 231.

IV. Social and behavioral foundations

6 credits
Completion of six semester hours outside student's major field. It is strongly advised that these six credits be in two different areas. Select from: ATH 103, CJ 101, ECN 101, 325; GPH 210; PLS 150, 151, 385; PSY 101, 205, 300; SOC 101, 102, 103, 302, 396.

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