Undergraduate Catalog

New Paltz General Education: GE3 and GE4
General Education III (GE3) -
for students who matriculated
Fall 2003 through Spring 2019

 

General Education IV (GE4) -
for students who matriculate
Fall 2019 and after
GE Category New Paltz Requirement

 

GE Category

New Paltz Requirement

Mathematics 1 course   Mathematics 

1 course

Basic Communication

1 course

(typically, ENG180 Composition II - prerequisite: ENG160 Composition I or by placement)

 

Basic Communication

1 course

(ENG170 Writing & Rhetoric - prerequisite: ENG160 Composition I or by placement)

Natural Sciences 2 courses

 

Natural Sciences

1 4-credit science lecture/laboratory course or
1 3-credit science lecture course + 1 1-credit science lab course or
2 3-credit science courses
(non-lab)

Social Sciences 1  course

 

Social Sciences

1  course

United States Studies 1 course

 

United States Studies

1 course

Western Civilization 1 course

 

Western Civilization

1 course

World Civilizations & Cultures 1 course

 

World Civilizations & Cultures

1 course

Humanities 1 course

 

Humanities

1 course

The Arts 1 course
(min. 3 credits)

 

The Arts

1 course
(min. 3 credits)

Foreign Language

1 or 2 courses, depending on
placement level

 

Foreign Language

1 or 2 courses, depending on
placement level

Diversity

1 course

 

see note below*

 



The critical thinking competencies of Effective Expression, Systematic Inquiry, Information Literacy, and Ethical Reflection are infused throughout the above categories of academic knowledge.

 

*1 Diversity course must be completed at New Paltz as a requirement for graduation. GE4 does not include an additional Diversity requirement.

Each major is designed to support students' progressive development of competency in Critical Thinking and Information Management.

Minimum total credits = 36

 

Minimum total credits = 32


New Paltz General Education requirements (under both GE3 and GE4) exceed SUNY's system-level requirements,
which are:

  • Minimum total credits = 30
  • Demonstrated knowledge and skills in Mathematics, Basic Communication, and at least five of the following categories: American History, The Arts, Foreign Language, Humanities, Natural Sciences, World Civilizations, Social Sciences, and Western Civilization
  • Competency in Information Management and Critical Thinking