University Requirements: General Education

The General Education (GenEd) curriculum is the signature required curriculum for undergraduate students. Every Temple undergrad completes General Education requirements in order to graduate. General Education requirements:

  • provide students with an opportunity to explore areas of interest across the university, to dig into different perspectives on topics, and to take classes in a variety of departments opening the door to finding a major, minor or certificate;
  • add broad knowledge across a diversity of areas to a student's academic preparation;
  • develop essential skills including oral and written communication, scientific and quantitative reasoning, critical analysis and reasoning, technological competency, and information literacy;
  • prepare students for career success by developing the competencies a dynamic work place requires.

A recent survey of business executives and hiring managers conducted by the Association of American Colleges and Universities found that the best preparation for long-term career success includes a broad base of skills and abilities that cuts across disciplinary boundaries. The Temple General Education Program and Area goals prioritize and target the college outcomes most prized by employers: communication skills, critical thinking skills, the ability to apply abstract theories and ideas to concrete experiences and practices, and ethical judgment.

In this section:

Program Competencies

GenEd facilitates linkages by stressing the development of eight competencies rather than content knowledge. GenEd provides opportunities for students to engage in:

Critical Thinking

Think critically

Within GenEd, students who think critically recognize an object of investigation, frame questions about it, and interrogate assumptions—explicit or implicit. Critical thinking includes the evaluation of evidence, analysis and synthesis of multiple sources, and reflection on varied perspectives. Critical thinking generates a well-developed investigation that incorporates supporting and countering claims. A student engaged in critical thinking produces an informed account, a hypothesis for further study, or the solution to a problem.

Contextualized Learning

Understand historical and contemporary issues in context

Within GenEd, students who contextualize learning understand and integrate historical, contemporary, and cultural phenomena and their underlying principles in two broad applications. First, contextual learners recognize the interaction of complex forces that give rise to specific phenomena. Second, contextual learners understand and analyze related events, artifacts, practices and concepts across geographic, chronological and cultural boundaries.

Interdisciplinary Thinking

Understand and apply knowledge in and across disciplines

Within GenEd, students who use interdisciplinary thinking recognize the world presents problems, topics, or issues too complex to be satisfactorily addressed though a single lens. Thus, interdisciplinary thinkers apply multiple perspectives, paradigms, and frameworks to problems, topics, or issues.

Communication Skills

Communicate effectively orally and in writing

Within GenEd, students who communicate effectively use spoken and written language to construct a message that demonstrates the communicator has established clear goals and has considered their audience. Effective messages are organized and presented in a style appropriate to the context.

Scientific & Quantitative Reasoning

Identify and solve problems using scientific and quantitative reasoning

Within GenEd, students who exercise quantitative and scientific reasoning use and apply these reasoning processes to explain phenomena in the context of everyday life. Quantitative reasoning includes statistical and/or logical problem-solving, the relationships between quantities, and the use and misuse of quantitative data. Scientific reasoning introduces students to the evolution and interdependence of science and technology and includes problem identification, hypothesis evaluation, experimentation, interpretation of results and the use and misuse of scientific data.

Civic Engagement

Function as an engaged citizen in a diverse and globalized world

Within GenEd, students open to civic engagement view themselves as connected to local and global communities where they participate in activities that address issues of public concern. Critically engaged students define issues, pose, probe, and solve problems with an awareness of and an inclusion of diverse values and interests.

Information Literacy

Identify, access and evaluate sources of information

Within GenEd, information literacy encompasses a broad spectrum of abilities, including the ability to recognize and articulate information needs; to locate, critically evaluate, and organize information for a specific purpose; and to recognize and reflect on the ethical use of information.

Lifelong Learning

Promote a lasting curiosity

GenEd cultivates these skills and abilities throughout the required undergraduate curriculum, and students will experience these ways of being through readings, discussions, activities, and classes throughout GenEd.

Program Framework

The General Education curriculum introduces students to nine areas of learning and a total of eleven courses, divided into Foundation courses and Breadth courses.

Foundation Courses

General Education Attribute Area Requirement
GW Analytical Reading & Writing 1 course, 4 credit hours
GQ Quantitative Literacy 1 course, 4 credit hours
GY Intellectual Heritage I 1 course, 3 credit hours
GZ Intellectual Heritage II 1 course, 3 credit hours

Course Sequencing

Students are advised to take the three-semester sequence formed by Analytical Reading & Writing, Intellectual Heritage I and Intellectual Heritage II as soon as possible after entering Temple. Students normally complete their Intellectual Heritage requirements soon after completing Analytical Reading & Writing. Students may take Intellectual Heritage I and Intellectual Heritage II in any order.

GenEd also considers Quantitative Literacy a foundational course. Accordingly, students are advised to take one of the courses in the GenEd Quantitative Literacy area as soon as possible after entering Temple.

Breadth Courses

General Education Attribute Area Requirement
GA Arts 1 course, 3 or 4 credit hours
GB Human Behavior 1 course, 3 credit hours
GD Race & Diversity 1 course, 3 credit hours
GG World Society 1 course, 3 credit hours
GS Science & Technology 2 courses, 3 credit hours each
GU U.S. Society 1 course, 3 credit hours

Finding GenEd Courses

Each General Education area has a list of courses that satisfy the requirements for that area. Click on the GenEd area in this list to find a description of the area and the list of courses approved to fulfill that area requirement.

To find GenEd courses offered in a given semester or term, students may locate the information in two primary ways:

  • Go directly to the Class Schedule Search page on the university's web site. Select a semester and click Advanced Search. Use the Attribute filter to find GenEd courses that are available in each GenEd area. 
  • Go to the TUportal. Students must log onto the TUportal with their username and password. Select the Student tab. Select Browse Class Schedule in the Registration channel. Select a semester and click Advanced Search. Use the Attribute filter to find GenEd courses that are available in each GenEd area. 

Click here for a tutorial on searching for GenEds.

General Education Policies and Requirements

In general, students should be aware of the following:

Every Temple undergraduate fulfills the requirements of the General Education Curriculum in some way.

  • Students entering Temple with fewer than 45 transfer credits complete the full General Education Curriculum.
  • Students with an Associate degree approved for GenEd-to-GenEd, Core-to-GenEd, or Core-to-Core Transfer meet most GenEd requirements with the general education courses taken for the Associate degree. Associate degrees are approved for GenEd-to-GenEd, Core-to-GenEd, and Core-to-Core Transfer by two university-wide faculty committees. See Transfer Students and the University General Education Curriculum for information on the policy and a list of approved community college Associate degrees.

A GenEd course counts in one GenEd area only.

All GenEd courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher to satisfy a GenEd requirement.

All GenEd course numbers begin with "08XX." GenEd Honors course numbers begin with "09XX." Students may use only Temple University courses at the 0800- and 0900-levels or specified waiver courses to satisfy General Education requirements. See the Transfer Students and the University General Education Curriculum section of this Bulletin for information on completing GenEd requirements with transfer credits.

In GenEd, courses may be offered in multiple departments. These courses, regardless of the sponsoring department, are the same course and will have the same number and course title.

Repeat & Withdraw Policy

Students should be aware that opportunities are limited for repeating a course to replace a failing grade under University policy. Repeating a Course (#02.10.12) prohibits students from retaking a course more than twice unless the course is specifically designated as a course that may be taken for credit multiple times.

If in the allotted number of repeats, undergraduate students are unable to successfully complete the following university requirements (including their course equivalencies), they will be required to meet with their advisor prior to registering for any further classes:

  • GW Analytical Reading & Writing
  • GY Intellectual Heritage I
  • GZ Intellectual Heritage II

If a student drops a class after the official drop/add period, a "W" will appear on the student's transcript to indicate the student withdrew from the course. A course withdrawal or a "W" is counted as an attempted repeat.

Departments, Majors, Minors and GenEd

GenEd courses may not be required introductions to a specific major or minor. A GenEd course may be accepted by a major or minor to fulfill elective requirements.

Departments and colleges may not single out a specific GenEd course as a requirement.

A curriculum or degree program may identify a GenEd course as part of an array for its majors or minors. (An array is defined as a set of options from which the student may choose. The array must present at least three alternate options for any one GenEd course chosen.) Courses in an approved array may satisfy both the General Education requirement and the degree, minor or certificate requirement.

A student may use no more than two courses from a single department to satisfy GenEd requirements. (Foundation and transfer courses are excluded.)

Early Progress Reports

All GenEd course instructors will submit Academic Progress Reports.

Credit/No Credit

Students may not take GenEd courses for credit/no credit.

Limited Edition GenEd Courses

Beginning spring 2019 and thereafter, students may fulfill GenEd requirements by completing Limited Edition GenEd courses. Limited Edition GenEd courses are designed to encourage innovation in teaching, and to accommodate special topics such as guest lecture series or classes involving community partnerships. They are approved to be offered no more than three times. For this reason, there is no guarantee that a student will be able to repeat a GenEd Limited Edition course. In some cases, it may be possible for a student to repeat a Limited Edition course that is in its second or final semester of offering, however, students must be registered by an advisor.

General Education Waivers

Select waivers have been adopted in recognition of repetitive and substantial exposure to key habits of mind, skills, and/or bodies of knowledge and for which programs have submitted requests.

Once a student fulfills a GenEd requirement with an approved waiver—a placement test, course or series of courses—the waiver follows the student. Advisors will need to process DARS exceptions for students who complete a waiver identified with a particular major/school/college but are not in the identified major/school/college.

If a waiver for a GenEd requirement is comprised of a series of courses, students must successfully complete all courses to receive the waiver. Courses must be completed with a C- or better to satisfy GenEd waiver requirements. Departments, schools and/or colleges may stipulate a higher grade to satisfy its own requirements.

Quantitative Literacy (GQ)

Students considering undergraduate degrees with advanced mathematical or statistical requirements may satisfy the GenEd Quantitative Literacy requirement through alternative coursework.

This requirement may be satisfied by successfully completing one of the following:

Courses must be completed with a C- or better to satisfy GenEd waiver requirements.

Department/schools/colleges may stipulate a higher grade to satisfy department/school/college requirements. Consult an academic advisor for more information.

Arts (GA)

Students pursuing undergraduate degrees in the Boyer College of Music and Dance and the Tyler School of Art and Architecture may be exempted from the GenEd Arts requirement upon completion of collegiate requirements.

Boyer College of Music and Dance

Students may satisfy the GA requirement by completing one of the following four-course sequences:

Courses must be completed with a C- or better to satisfy GenEd waiver requirements.

Department/schools/colleges may stipulate a higher grade to satisfy department/school/college requirements. Consult an academic advisor for more information.

Tyler School of Art and Architecture

Students in the following degree programs at Tyler School of Art and Architecture may satisfy the GA requirement by successfully completing a specified multi-course sequence:

Bachelor of Arts in Art Therapy
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Studies
Bachelor of Science in Education in Art Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts

ARTH 1156, and FDPR 1511 or VS 1151. All courses must be completed with a C- or better to receive waiver.

TUJ students in the BA in Art degree program may satisfy the GA requirement by successfully completing the following set of courses:

ARTU 1201, ARTU 1401, ARTU 1402 and ARTU 1501. All courses must be completed with a C- or better to receive waiver. Note that this specific waiver is only for TUJ students in the BA in Art degree program.

Department/schools/colleges may stipulate a higher grade to satisfy department/school/college requirements. Consult an academic advisor for details.

School of Theater, Film and Media Arts

Students may satisfy the GA requirement by successfully completing the following three-course sequence:

Theater Majors:

THTR 1003, THTR 1096, and THTR 1231. All courses must be completed with a C- or better to receive the waiver.

Musical Theater Majors:

THTR 1096, THTR 1202, and THTR 1231. All courses must be completed with a C- or better to receive the waiver.

Human Behavior (GB)

Students pursuing undergraduate and/or professional degrees in education may be exempted from the GenEd Human Behavior requirement upon completion of collegiate and/or degree requirements.

A student successfully satisfies the GenEd Human Behavior requirement upon completion of one of the following multi-course sequences:

Consult an academic advisor for more information.

Science & Technology (GS)

Many majors and programs of study require substantive studies of science to develop the expertise necessary in their fields. The sciences include studies of anatomy and physiology in human health, chemistry as the basis of human health, matter and motion, and natural phenomena. General Education would like to accommodate those students interested in pursuing such studies and have developed, in conjunction with the College of Science & Technology, a number of two-semester course sequences that would exempt students from the GenEd Science & Technology requirement.

Therefore, students considering undergraduate degrees with scientific, engineering or technical components may satisfy the GenEd Science & Technology requirement through alternative coursework. (See waiver information below.)

A student successfully satisfies the GenEd Science & Technology requirement upon completion with a C- or better any of the following two-course sequences:

Students who change their course of study prior to completing the second course of any of the specified two-course sequences may complete their GenEd Science & Technology requirement by earning a C- or better with:

  • One GenEd GS course and one course from either List I or List II, or

  • One course from List I and one course from List II

​List I

List II

Consult an academic advisor for more information.

Global/World Society (GG)

The Global/World Society requirement may be waived if any of the following guidelines have been met:

  • a student enrolled at any Temple campus successfully completes (with a C- or better) credit-bearing coursework worth at least three semester hours in an approved summer or semester study abroad program with a minimum stay abroad of 28 days.
  • a student who has participated in a credit-bearing study abroad program with a minimum stay abroad of 28 days before matriculation to Temple provides a transcript with evidence of transferable college-level credit (with a C- or better).
  • a student enrolled at Temple Japan successfully completes (with a C- or better) credit-bearing coursework worth at least three semester hours at a Temple U.S. campus with a minimum stay abroad of 28 days.
  • a student enrolled at any campus provides a transcript with an international study abroad experience in which at least three semester hours of coursework (with a C- or better) transferred to Temple.
  • a U.S. campus admit is a Foreign National student whose permanent residence at the point of admission is outside of U.S. boundaries.
  • a Japan campus admit is a Foreign National student whose permanent residence at the point of admission is outside of Japanese boundaries.
  • a Temple Rome Entry Year student enrolls at Temple Japan or a Temple U.S. campus after having successfully completed (with a C- or better) credit-bearing coursework at Temple Rome worth at least three semester hours with a minimum stay abroad of 28 days.
  • a student successfully completes (with a C- or better) the Latin American Studies Semester (LASS).

Consult an academic advisor for details.

List of GenEd Courses by Area