General Education Program - Academic Affairs

Undergraduate General Education Program at The Citadel

The undergraduate General Education Program at The Citadel consists of a core curriculum that is integrated across all four years. Students will choose a 6-credit hour pair of Freshman Seminars and take freshman lab science and freshman math courses determined by their major. All students will then take courses in Physical Fitness, Resiliency and Wellness, Professional Communication and American Government. During sophomore through senior years, classes in English, History, Natural Science and Social Science will be determined by a student’s declared strand. Finally juniors will take Leadership in Organizations and seniors will take a Capstone course embedded in their major.

General Education Outcomes

Over the four-year core curriculum, students will develop skills in Critical Thinking, Ethical Reasoning, Inquiry, & Analysis, Intercultural Knowledge & Competence, Quantitative Literacy, and Written Communication, while developing Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World.

Upcoming Training for Faculty Instructing General Education Classes

Gen Ed Instructor Technology Training – 17 Aug. 2022 (1430 to 1600 hrs)
Topics include setting up Taskstream assessments in Canvas

Zoom link: Request Link

Required Cadet and Day Program General Education Classes

FSEM 101: Freshman Seminar
FSWI 101: Freshman Seminar Writing Intensive
Freshman Math
Freshman Science
Foreign Language
Communication – Either COMM 216, 260, or alternate for some majors
RPED 260: Physical Fitness, Resiliency, & Wellness
LDRS 202: Principled Leadership in American Government
LDRS 371: Leadership in Organizations
Strand Courses: ENGS, NTSS, HISS, SCSS, ELES (some majors will have variations)

How and When to Choose a Strand

Cadets and day students should decide upon a strand by the end of their freshman year. Students will be able to declare a strand under the My Citadel Portal. Students should look for a strand theme that will complement their major. This is like choosing a second major. Students should look at past strands classes to see the diverse topics that are included. Students should ultimately pick a strand theme that interests them and will make them a well-rounded job candidate. Under most circumstances, students are not allowed to change strands once they have begun taking strand classes.

All classes within the same strand will have the same course number, but a different prefix:

Technology – ELES 301, ENGS 301, HISS 301, NTSS 301 & SCSS 301
Conflict – ELES 302, ENGS 302, HISS 302, NTSS 302 & SCSS 302
Citizenship – ELES 303, ENGS 303, HISS 303, NTSS 303 & SCSS 303
Wellness – ELES 304, ENGS 304, HISS 304, NTSS 304 & SCSS 304
Sustainability – ELES 305, ENGS 305, HISS 305, NTSS 305 & SCSS 305