Program: General Education Curriculum - McNeese State University

Jul 26, 2025

2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Mission

The General Education curriculum at McNeese State University provides students with a broad foundation of knowledge and skills essential for academic success, personal growth, and civic responsibility. Through diverse disciplines, students develop critical thinking, effective communication, and analytical reasoning abilities that prepare them to adapt to an evolving world.

Institutional Mission Reference

The General Education curriculum supports McNeese State University’s mission by fostering a dynamic teaching and learning environment committed to excellence with a personal touch. Rooted in the University’s core values, the curriculum equips students with essential skills and knowledge that enhance student success and prepare graduates to excel in their careers and communities.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the General Education curriculum, students will be able to:

Write effectively to communicate ideas clearly and appropriately for different purposes and audiences. (Area A: English Composition)
Use mathematical and analytical reasoning to solve problems and draw conclusions. (Area B: Mathematics/Analytical Reasoning)
Apply scientific principles to explain natural phenomena. (Area C: Natural Sciences)
Examine the human experience through cultural, historical, and philosophical perspectives. (Area D: Humanities)
Interpret and analyze artistic works as expressions of the human experience. (Area E: Fine Arts)
Explain human behavior and social structures using concepts from the social and behavioral sciences. (Area F: Social/Behavioral Sciences)

General Education Curriculum Guide

Area A: English Composition (6 credit hours)

To fulfill this requirement, students must complete both courses.

ENGL 101 - English Composition I Cr: 3
ENGL 102 - English Composition II Cr: 3

Area B: Mathematics/Analytical Reasoning (6 credit hours)

To fulfill this requirement, students must complete two courses as specified by individual degree programs.

MATH 105 - Contemporary Mathematics Cr: 3
MATH 113 - College Algebra Cr: 3
MATH 130 - Finite Mathematics Cr: 3
MATH 175 - Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry Cr: 3
MATH 177 - Precalculus Cr: 5
MATH 190 - Calculus I Cr: 4
MATH 291 - Calculus II Cr: 4
PHIL 102 - Critical Thinking Cr: 3
STAT 231 - Elementary Probability and Statistical Inference Cr: 3

Area C: Natural Sciences (9 credit hours)

To fulfill this requirement, students must complete three courses (9 credit hours) as specified by individual degree programs. Six credit hours shall be earned in a single life or physical science; the remaining 3 credit hours must be earned in a natural science area other than that previously selected (both life and physical sciences must be taken to fulfill this requirement).

Category: Life Sciences

BIOL 101 - Introduction to Biology I Cr: 3
BIOL 102 - Introduction to Biology II Cr: 3
BIOL 105 - Living World I Cr: 3
BIOL 106 - Living World II Cr: 3
BIOL 201 - Microbiology for Nursing and Allied Health Cr: 4
BIOL 225 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Cr: 4
BIOL 226 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Cr: 4
ENSC 101 - General Environmental Science I Cr: 3
ENSC 102 - General Environmental Science II Cr: 3

Area D: Humanities (9 credit hours)

To fulfill this requirement, students must complete three courses as specified by individual degree programs. All students must complete one English literature course, one history course, and one broad humanities or additional history course.

Category: English Literature (3 credit hours)

ENGL 201 - Survey of British Literature I Cr: 3
ENGL 202 - Survey of British Literature II Cr: 3
ENGL 203 - Introduction to Literature I Cr: 3
ENGL 204 - Introduction to Literature II Cr: 3
ENGL 221 - Classical Mythology Cr: 3

Category: History (3 credit hours)

HIST 101 - European History to 1648 Cr: 3
HIST 102 - European History since 1648 Cr: 3
HIST 121 - World Civilization to 1500 Cr: 3
HIST 122 - World Civilization since 1500 Cr: 3
HIST 201 - American History to 1877 Cr: 3
HIST 202 - American History since 1877 Cr: 3

Category: Broad Humanities or Additional History (3 credit hours)

Sub-Category: Broad Humanities

COMM 105 - Introduction to Communication Strategies Cr: 3
COMM 201 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking Cr: 3
COMM 205 - Interpersonal Communication Cr: 3
PHIL 201 - Introduction to Philosophy Cr: 3
PHIL 251 - Biomedical Ethics and Decision Making Cr: 3
PHIL 252 - Ethics in the Sciences Cr: 3
PHIL 254 - Professional Ethics Cr: 3
PHIL 255 - Environmental Ethics Cr: 3
PHIL 299 - Interdisciplinary Issues in Philosophy Cr: 3
WMST 201 - Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies Cr: 3

Sub-Category: Additional History

HIST 101 - European History to 1648 Cr: 3
HIST 102 - European History since 1648 Cr: 3
HIST 121 - World Civilization to 1500 Cr: 3
HIST 122 - World Civilization since 1500 Cr: 3
HIST 201 - American History to 1877 Cr: 3
HIST 202 - American History since 1877 Cr: 3

Area E: Fine Arts (3 credit hours)

To fulfill this requirement, students must complete one course as specified by individual degree programs.

ART 101 - Basic Design I Cr: 3
ART 102 - Basic Design II Cr: 3
ART 105 - Art and the Computer Cr: 3
ART 228 - Photography, an Introduction Cr: 3
ART 245 - Clay and Form, An Introduction Cr: 3
ART 251 - Creative Arts, Culture, and Community Cr: 3
ART 261 - Art History: Ancient through Medieval Cr: 3
ART 262 - Art History: Renaissance to Modern Cr: 3
MUSC 215 - Music Appreciation Cr: 3
MUSC 253 - The History of Rock and Roll Cr: 3
THEA 161 - Theatre Arts Appreciation Cr: 3

Area F: Social/Behavioral Sciences (6 credit hours)

To fulfill this requirement, students must complete two courses as specified by individual degree programs.

CJUS 111 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Cr: 3
FMSC 241 - Family Relations Cr: 3
FMSC 252 - Family Sexuality Cr: 3
GEOG 111 - Introduction to Geography Cr: 3
GEOG 231 - Geographic Information Systems I: Spatial Analysis Cr: 3
POLS 201 - American Government Cr: 3
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology Cr: 3
PSYC 233 - Psychology of Human Development Cr: 3
PSYC 260 - Child Psychology Cr: 3
PSYC 261 - Adolescent Psychology Cr: 3
SOCL 201 - Introductory Sociology Cr: 3
SOCL 211 - Social Problems Cr: 3

Notes

General Education curriculum requirements for associate degree programs include:

English Composition (6 credit hours)
Mathematics/Analytical Reasoning (3 credit hours)
Natural Sciences (6 credit hours)
Humanities (3 credit hours)
Fine Arts (3 credit hours)
Social/Behavioral Sciences (6 credit hours)

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