Empire State College office announces changes to the General Education Policy and its Implementation

Empire State College has approved a revision to the college’s general education requirement for its bachelor’s degree students.  Students must still complete a minimum of 30 credits in general education, however these credits are to be distributed among at least seven of the ten content areas in the existing guidelines,(no longer 10) which must include both mathematics and basic communication. Students will select five different content areas from the remaining eight content areas.

The revised, more flexible general education policy will be implemented effective July 1, 2010.  All Empire State College, SUNY bachelor’s degree students may take advantage of the new policy.  Students who will be completing their studies beyond July 2010 may design their programs in light of this more flexible requirements.  This will include current as well as students expecting to enroll in the fall of 2010 with ESC.      

Students will be required to plan a bachelor’s degree program from the ten general education areas but may replace up to three of the general education areas so long as the program still meets the follow requirements:

1.        The program includes basic communication (English Composition 1,2) and mathematics (Algebra and/or Calculus).
2.        The program includes a minimum of 30-33 credits in general education.
3.        The program continues to meet credit hour requirements as set forth by SUNY and Empire State College (advanced level study  
       and liberal arts credits).
4.        The program continues to meet area of study and concentration/major guidelines.
5.        The program continues to have a total of 128 credits.   (minimum of 32 ESC credits)

These changed in the degree requirements will allow you to select courses within the General Education 10 areas with more flexibility.   You may want to stop by the ESC office if you have questions.