Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

Basic to all bachelor’s degrees is the General Education Curriculum (GEC), to be completed by all degree candidates. Students also complete Major Requirements and Required Related Courses to qualify for a degree. Students completing a degree with secondary certification will also complete additional School of Education Requirements. Specific requirements are listed in this catalog.

General Education Curriculum and Competency Goals

Each Texas Wesleyan University graduate should demonstrate competencies and attainments in preparation to be an informed and effective citizen of the world. To prepare each student for this goal, the University strives to instill literacy in the four areas of Language Literacy, Analytic Literacy, Cultural Literacy, and Social Literacy, with “literacy” defined as college-level knowledge with the ability to read and write. The specific expected competencies within each of these areas include the following:

Language Literacy

1. Competency in a variety of communication skills
   1. This competency includes the ability to speak and write conventional English both clearly and correctly. The development of individual communicative style should also be encouraged.
   2. This competency also includes the ability to speak and write interactively. This includes elements of effective reading, listening, and analysis as well as the framing of appropriate and intelligible responses.
   3. Sufficient skills in information technology and information retrieval methods.
2. A summative experience regarding the total curriculum. The graduate should reflect an ability to integrate the broad scope of her/his learning in a meaningful manner.

   Analytic Literacy

3. Understanding of how, when, and in what fields the scientific method is used, including personal experience in the method in a laboratory setting and exposure to current scientific issues and knowledge.
4. Ability to formulate a precise, concise, logical argument concerning a wide variety of problems in politics, science, mathematics, psychology, sociology, etc. The graduate should be proficient in applying problem solving skills in her/his life.

   Cultural Literacy

5. An appreciation of and some direct experience with the creative arts as expressions of cultural and artistic values. This experience should include some combination of attendance at various art exhibits or performances, formal exposition of art works representative of various cultural periods, and personal participation.
6. An understanding of the history and defining character of Western culture and an appreciation of other cultures. Cultural differences may be expressed in terms of linguistic structures, the creative arts, religious traditions, political values, etc. 
7.  Knowledge of religious history and tradition from its written word, including an awareness of Judeo-Christian values and ethics and an understanding of questions of moral behavior as applied to home, professional, civic, and social life. The student should be encouraged to formulate a clearly thought-out philosophy of ethical and moral values.

   Social Literacy

8. An understanding of the social forces that influence individual and collective behavior, including economic, political, psychological, and sociological forces.
9. Awareness of the practices required and resources available to respond purposefully to social forces that affect one’s physical, mental, and emotional health.

Philosophy of General Education

The inclusion of specific general education requirements in all degree plans is an integral part of the overall purpose and philosophy of Texas Wesleyan University. The faculty, administration, Board of Trustees, and student body reaffirm the mission of the University to combine for the student the traditional liberal arts with preparation for a professional career in contemporary society. Thus, the curriculum followed by the student unites the general requirements outlined here and the specific offerings of the chosen major in order to provide an effective educational experience for each Texas Wesleyan University graduate.

As a private, comprehensive university with a tradition in the liberal arts stressing small classes and individual attention, Texas Wesleyan is committed to the liberal arts and general education as a means to the overall goal of a complete education for each student.

Departments may also recommend specific requirements within the General Education Curriculum for students planning to major in specific programs. The 3+2 Biology B.S. program with the UNTHSC may make additional modifications to the General Education Curriculum. The Bachelor of Science in Health Science also has a modified General Education Curriculum. Students should refer to the listings of major requirements for details.

All students, except transfer students for whom the General Education Curriculum has been waived following the policy below or those transfer students who have completed ENG 1301 or MAT 1302 or higher, are required to take the English and/or Mathematics Placement Exams prior to initial registration. All students with a verbal SAT score below 530 (or the ACT equivalent score) or transfer students with fewer than 31 hours must take the Reading Placement Exam. Students should refer to the Placement Exam section listed previously in this catalog for specific information regarding this requirement. College Board concordance tables are used to compare scores on the redesigned SAT with those that predate it.

Students who present with official TSI Assessment scores may be exempt from taking Wesleyan’s placement exam, and the TSI scores may be used to determine appropriate course level placement.

If a student successfully completes the state of Texas 42 semester credit hour baccalaureate core curriculum at any Texas public institution of higher education, that block of courses may be transferred to Texas Wesleyan University and will be substituted for Texas Wesleyan’s General Education Curriculum (GEC). For students pursing a Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BSHS), the General Education Curriculum in the BSHS program will be waived for those with an Associates of Applied Science in Nursing from a Texas public community college. A student who transfers from a private institution with a core curriculum equivalent to Texas Wesleyan University’s core curriculum may be able to transfer that block of courses as determined on a case-by-case basis. All students will still be required to take three hours of an approved religion course (unless already completed) as listed in the General Education Curriculum requirements. A student suspended or dismissed from a previous institution will not receive the waiver of the General Education Curriculum. Students should also note that although exempt from the General Education requirement, they may still be required to take specific prerequisites for required courses.

While not part of the General Education Curriculum, ASE 1111, Freshman Seminar, is required for all first semester freshmen and freshman transfer students with 11 or fewer completed credit hours. Students receive elective credit for this course. Students in the Linguistic Diversity Bridge Program are required to take ASE 1311, College Success and American Cultural Experience instead of ASE 1111. ASE 1112, Freshman Seminar Laboratory, is a mandatory course for all freshman students placed on academic probation following their first semester.

A student requesting to substitute or waive a General Education Curriculum degree requirement must obtain the approval of the dean in whose school the requirement resides. For more information please refer to the Course Substitution or Waiver policy.