General Education

General Education

The Ohio State University's General Education (GE) program allows students to steer their education, offering unparalleled freedom in shaping an educational journey that aligns with individual aspirations and goals. The GE empowers students to take control of their unique and intentional academic experience, allowing them to choose courses that not only serve their interests but also support their future ambitions.

With a focus on simplicity and customization, the GE outlines a streamlined yet flexible pathway to degree, enabling students to craft an education that is as distinctive as they are.

General Education Pathway

Most Buckeyes start and finish with Bookend courses, a "Launch" seminar to prepare for success and a "Reflection" seminar to review academic and personal growth. Transfer students experience a "Connection" seminar to ease transition into the Scarlet and Gray life. Between Point A (Launch/Connection) and Point B (Reflection), the pathway is tailored by each student to best serve their personal passions.

A graphic laying out the General Education Pathway which reads: 1) Launch Seminar Introduces first-year students to the broad goals of the GE and the skills needed to succeed; Connection Seminar A customized course for transfer students to connect prior experiences with current and future goals and plans. 2) Foundation Courses Introduce you to a variety of academic disciplines to better understand different ways of analyzing and understanding the world. Students will take one course in each of seven distinct categories. 3) Theme Courses Develop a deep understanding of complex topics that are vital to addressing major 21st-century questions. All students are required to take Citizenship for a Diverse and Just World plus one additional course in a theme of their choosing. 4) Helps you document and reflect on your academic and personal growth. It also prepares you to explain to potential employers what skills and knowledge you gained from college.

1) Opening Bookends

Launch Seminar (GenEd 1201) for first-year students
Introduces students to the broad goals of the GE and the skills needed to succeed.

Connection Seminar (GenEd 2601) for transfer students
Connects prior experiences with current and future goals and plans in a customized course for transfer students.

2) Foundation Courses

Introduce students to a variety of academic disciplines to better understand different ways of analyzing and understanding the world.

Students take one course in each of the seven distinct categories.

3) Themes Coures

Helps students develop a deeper understanding of complex topics that are vital to addressing major 21st-century questions.

All students are required to take Citizenship for a Diverse and Just World plus additional coursework in a theme of their choosing.

4) Closing Bookend

Reflection Seminar (GenEd 3001)
Students document and reflect on their academic and personal growth. Also prepares students to explain to potential employers what skills and knowledge they gained from college.

General Education at Glance

Bookends (more details)

The GE begins and ends with a 1-credit Bookend course for most Buckeyes. New, first-year students start with the "Launch" seminar for an introduction to the GE and the skills needed to succeed, and cap the program with a "Reflection" seminar that helps with documenting and reflecting on their academic and personal growth. Transfer students enter a customized "Connection" seminar to link prior experiences with current and future goals and plans. These Bookend courses support students in developing a cohesive, meaningful GE pathway and prepare them to explain to potential employers what skills and knowledge they gained from college.

Foundations (more details)

Introduce students to a variety of academic disciplines to better understand different ways of analyzing and understanding the world. Students take one course in each of seven distinct categories:

  • Race, Ethnicity and Gender Diversity
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Historical or Cultural Studies
  • Writing and Information Literacy
  • Literary, Visual and Performing Arts
  • Natural Sciences
  • Mathematical and Quantative Reasoning
  • World Languages (required only for students in specific colleges and programs)

Themes (more details)

Develop a deeper understanding of complex topics that are vital to addressing major 21st-century questions. All students are required to take Citizenship for a Diverse and Just World plus additional coursework (1-2 classes) in a theme of their choosing:

  • Lived Environments
  • Sustainability
  • Health and Well-being
  • Migration, Mobility and Immobility
  • Number, Nature and Mind
  • Origins and Evolution
  • Traditions, Cultures and Transformations

Structure of a degree and General Education

Contact

Meg Daly
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education
daly.66@osu.edu