General Education Mission Statement
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science General Education Requirements
CORE 42
CORE 42 Transfer Curriculum
Other Degrees
Associate Degrees

General Education Mission Statement

General Education at Central Methodist University provides a foundation of knowledge and skills that prepares graduates to be successful and reflective citizens and leaders, and to make a difference in local and global communities.  General Education incorporates core courses that focus on our University Learning Principles of Curiosity, Communication, and Community to build the groundwork for an educational experience that will empower students within a culture of engaged learning.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) Degrees General Education Requirements

All BA/BS degrees will be required to satisfy the following General Education requirements. 

1. All BA/BS degrees will be required to have the same 40-43 hour General Education curriculum (specified below).
   • Note:  Prerequisite coursework may increase the total hours, depending on student placement in courses.
2. Course requirements in a major may be fulfilled in the General Education curriculum.
3. Some degree programs designate which course(s) students must take to fulfill the requirements in the General Education curriculum. If no such designation exists, students must take courses from the topic areas as defined below.
4. Each course taught as part of General Education will contribute to the General Education Learning Outcomes (ULO, see General Education Assessment section below). Learning Outcomes met by each course will be listed on the course syllabus.

General Education: 40-43 hours

Written Communication

• 3 hours: EN110 – College Composition I
  • ACT English Subscore 24 or below
  • EN110 introduces students to writing as a process, exploring genres and rhetorical situations, and using strategies to compose effective texts. 
  • University Learning Outcomes:
    • Students are articulate, able to speak and write clearly and effectively. (Communication 1)
    • Students are multimodal, able to interpret and express ideas through multiple modes of communication. (Communication 2)
    • For transfer students, this requirement may be fulfilled by CORE 42 Written Communications credit.
• 3 hours: EN111 – College Composition II
  • Students may place into EN111 with ACT score 25 and above or by portfolio credit for EN110.
  • EN111 focuses on the development of inquiry and research methods, writing as a process, and the conventions of academic prose.
  • For transfer students, this requirement may be fulfilled by CORE 42 Written Communications credit.
  • University Learning Outcomes:
    • Students are articulate, able to speak and write clearly and effectively. (Communication 1)
    • Students are multimodal, able to interpret and express ideas through multiple modes of communication. (Communication 2)
    • Students can discover, explore, and seek solutions based on accumulated knowledge and current research. (Curiosity 1)

Oral Communication

• 3 hours: CT101 – Public Speaking
  • Students study the theory of speech communication to develop skills in public-speaking situations. Topics include the speech-communication process, ethics, listening, intercultural considerations, speech-topic selection, audience analysis, research, use of evidence in a speech, speech organization, language usage, speech delivery, presentation aids, and the types of public speaking. Students present introductory, impromptu, commemorative, informative, and persuasive speeches as well as group presentations to improve their public-speaking skills Required of all students and must be taken during the first three semesters of enrollment at CMU.
  • For transfer students, this requirement may be fulfilled by CORE 42 Oral Communications credit.
  • University Learning Outcomes:
    • Students are articulate, able to speak and write clearly and effectively. (Communication 1)

Natural Sciences

• 7-8 hours: Science (defined below in Science Requirement)
  • 4 hours: Science with Lab
  • 3-4 hours: Science with or without Lab
  • Science courses foreground scientific methods, analysis, and synthesis and help students use scientific theories/concepts to question and understand the natural world. Some courses in this section require a laboratory component, allowing students to experience applications of the scientific method.
  • For CORE 42 compatibility, it is recommended that students take courses from at least two (2) different disciplines.
  • For transfer students, this requirement may be fulfilled by CORE 42 Natural Sciences credit.
  • University Learning Outcomes:
    • Students can discover, explore, and seek solutions based on accumulated knowledge and current research. (Curiosity 1)
    • Students can analyze, evaluate, interpret, and summarize data. (Curiosity 2)

Mathematical Sciences

• 3-5 hours: Mathematics, MA103 or higher (defined below in Mathematics Requirement)
  • Only Early Childhood Education majors may use MA224 for the mathematics requirement in Foundations.
  • This category could require 5-8 credit hours if taking MA090 also.
  • Students with an ACT Math Subscore of 19 or lower are placed into MA090. Other students follow math placement guidelines.
  • Mathematics courses emphasize analytical and mathematical thinking and help students develop these skills through applications in a variety of areas.
  • For transfer students, this requirement may be fulfilled by CORE 42 Mathematical Sciences credit.
  • University Learning Outcomes:
    • Students can discover, explore, and seek solutions based on accumulated knowledge and current research. (Curiosity 1)
    • Students can analyze, evaluate, interpret, and summarize data. (Curiosity 2)

Civics

• 3 hours: HI117, HI118, or PS101 (Fulfills state civics requirement.)
  • Civics courses study the rights and duties of citizens through analysis of their political, legal, historical, social, and cultural contexts.
  • For transfer students, this requirement may be fulfilled by CORE 42 Social & Behavioral Sciences Civics credit.
  • Out of state students who have completed American History or Government must take HI103 Missouri Civics.
  • University Learning Outcomes:
    • Students can discover, explore, and seek solutions based on accumulated knowledge and current research. (Curiosity 1)
    • Students can analyze, evaluate, interpret, and summarize data. (Curiosity 2)
    • Students will serve others and be ethical, informed citizens. (Community 1)
    • Students will understand and respect diversity, including others' viewpoints, positions, and beliefs. (Community 2)

Social Sciences

• 3/6 hours: Social Science (defined below in Social Science Requirement)
  • • For a BA degree, the requirement is
      • 3 hours: Social Science
        • For CORE 42 compatibility, it is recommended this course is from a different discipline than the course fulfilling the Civics Requirement.
    • For a BS degree, the requirement is
      • 6 hours: Social Science
        • For CORE 42 compatibility, it is recommended at least one course is from a different discipline than the course fulfilling the Civics Requirement.
    • Social Science courses involve the analysis of society, culture and the people who live in them, with an emphasis on diversity and ethical decision making. 
  
  
  • For transfer students, this requirement may be fulfilled by CORE 42 Social & Behavioral Sciences credit.
    • University Learning Outcomes:
      • Students can discover, explore, and seek solutions based on accumulated knowledge and current research. (Curiosity 1)
      • Students can analyze, evaluate, interpret, and summarize data. (Curiosity 2)
      • Students will serve others and be ethical, informed citizens. (Community 1)
      • Students will understand and respect diversity, including others' viewpoints, positions, and beliefs. (Community 2)

Literature

• 3 hours: Literature Topics (defined below in Literature Topics Requirement)
  • Courses in this area introduce students to the study of literature, developing essential skills in critical thinking, textual analysis, and composing in multiple modalities. Through an investigation of literary genres and/or movements, student will also explore a variety of cultural and/or historical contexts, expanding students’ engagement with, understanding of, and respect for the diverse human experience.
  • For transfer students, this requirement may be fulfilled by CORE 42 Humanities & Fine Arts credit.
  • University Learning Outcomes:
    • Students are multimodal, able to interpret and express ideas through multiple modes of communication. (Communication 2)
    • Students will understand and respect diversity, including others' viewpoints, positions, and beliefs. (Community 2)

Humanities and Fine Arts

• 9/12 hours: Humanities and Fine Arts
  • 3 hours: RL122 – Religion and the Human Adventure
    • RL122 is an introduction to the ways in which religion provides meaning and purpose for human life. The course includes a study of variety of religious traditions, beliefs, and practices. 
  • For a BA degree, the additional requirement is
    • 9 hours: Humanities and Fine Arts (defined below in Humanities and Fine Arts Requirement)
  • For a BS degree, the additional requirement is
    • 6 hours: Humanities and Fine Arts (defined below in Humanities and Fine Arts Requirement)
  • For CORE 42 compatibility, it is recommended that students take courses from at least two (2) different disciplines.
  • For transfer students, this requirement may be fulfilled by CORE 42 Humanities & Fine Arts credit.
  • University Learning Outcomes:
    • Students are multimodal, able to interpret and express ideas through multiple modes of communication. (Communication 2)
    • Students can discover, explore, and seek solutions based on accumulated knowledge and current research. (Curiosity 1)
    • Students will serve others and be ethical, informed citizens. (Community 1)
    • Students will understand and respect diversity, including others' viewpoints, positions, and beliefs. (Community 2)

Science Requirement

Students must take one course with a lab and one course with or without a lab from courses with the AS (Astronomy), BI (Biology), CH (Chemistry), ES (Environmental Science), GL (Geology), PH (Physics) or SC (Science) prefix—excluding courses numbered 160/260/360/460.  Students must have met all prerequisites for these courses.  For CORE 42 compatibility, it is recommended that students take courses from at least two (2) different disciplines.

Transfer students may fulfill the Science requirement by taking CORE 42 approved Natural Sciences courses, one with a lab component and one with or without a lab component (see CORE 42 section below for more information).  Out-of-state courses equivalent to CORE 42 approved courses may also fulfill this requirement.  Other science courses may be considered on a case-by-case basis for approval by divisions.

Mathematics Requirement

Students must take courses with the MA (Mathematics) prefix, MA103 or higher.  Only Early Childhood Education majors may use MA224 for the mathematics requirement in Foundations.

Transfer students may fulfill the Mathematics requirement by taking a CORE 42 approved Mathematical Sciences course (see CORE 42 section below for more information).  Out-of-state courses equivalent to CORE 42 approved courses may also fulfill this requirement.  Other mathematics courses may be considered on a case-by-case basis for approval by divisions.

Social Science Requirement

Students must take courses with the CJ (Criminal Justice), CT (Communication), EC (Economics), HI (History), PS (Political Science), PY (Psychology), or SO (Sociology) prefix — excluding any Social Science 160/260/360/460 and 268/368/468.  For CORE 42 compatibility, it is recommended that students take courses from at least two (2) different disciplines.

Transfer students may fulfill the Social Science requirement by taking a CORE 42 approved Social & Behavioral Sciences course (see CORE 42 section below for more information).  Out-of-state courses equivalent to CORE 42 approved courses may also fulfill this requirement.  Other social science courses may be considered on a case-by-case basis for approval by divisions.

Literature Topics Requirement

Students will select a 200-level English literature course to fulfill the Literature Topics requirement in the General Education curriculum.  Students will choose from the following courses: EN222, EN224, EN236, or EN238.

Transfer students may fulfill the Literature Topics requirement by taking a CORE 42 approved Humanities and Finer Arts course (see CORE 42 section below for more information).  Out-of-state courses equivalent to CORE 42 approved courses may also fulfill this requirement.  Other literature courses may be considered on a case-by-case basis for approval by divisions.

Humanities and Fine Arts Requirement

In addition to RL122, students must take courses in Humanities or Fine Arts from the following lists.  For CORE 42 compatibility, it is recommended that students take courses from at least two (2) different disciplines. (Note: this requirement would be met by taking RL122 and a Literature Topics course.)

Fine Arts (excluding any Fine Arts 160/260/360/460 and 268/368/468)

• Courses with the AR (Art) prefix
• Courses (numbered TA101 and above) with the TA (Theatre Arts) prefix
• Courses with the MU (Music) or ML (Music Lesson) prefixes that don’t have a pre-requisite. This includes lessons and ensembles.
  • Courses taken for zero (0) credit hours will not count toward the Humanities and Fine Arts Requirement.
  • A maximum of three (3) credit hours from lessons and ensembles may be counted toward the Humanities and Fine Arts Requirement.
• EN212 – Introduction to Cinema (3)

Humanities (excluding any Humanities 160/260/360/460 and 268/368/468)

• Courses with the EN (English) prefix, numbered EN190 or higher.
  • Note EN212 can count as a Humanities or Fine Arts course.
• Courses with the PL (Philosophy) prefix
• Courses with the RL (Religion) prefix numbered RL190 or higher.
• Courses with the SP (Spanish) or FL (Foreign Language) prefix
• TA388

Transfer students may fulfill the Fine Arts requirement by taking a CORE 42 approved Humanities and Fine Arts course (see CORE 42 section below for more information).  Out-of-state courses equivalent to CORE 42 approved courses may also fulfill this requirement.  Other humanities or fine arts courses may be considered on a case-by-case basis for approval by divisions.

Additional University Requirements

• 3 hours: CMU 110 – FYE: Take Flight.
  • This course focuses on the transition of first-year students as they learn about CMU’s mission, student resources, their role as college students, and the joy of discovery of self in their CMU college experience.
  • All incoming students who have earned fewer than 12 credit hours from a college or university after high school will be required to take CMU110. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the First Year Experience Course Director.

• University Learning Outcomes:
• Students can discover, explore, and seek solutions based on accumulated knowledge and current research. (Curiosity 1)

• 3 hours: Upper-Level Writing Requirement.
  • Students must take courses from the following list:
    • Advanced Research Writing (EN305)
    • Technical Writing (EN306)
    • Topics in Writing (EN350)
  • Upper-level writing courses will be writing-intensive and will include many of the following elements:
    • Written and spoken feedback, including conferences between student and instructor
    • A minimum of 20 pages of original written work (revisions don’t double-count)
    • Foreground the writing process, including research, drafting, rethinking & revisioning, rewriting, and editing
    • Sequenced writing assignments, including low stakes and write-to-learn assignments, short writing assignments, and staged drafting assignments
    • Some class time should be dedicated to writing instruction
    • Limit of 15 students per class
    • Portfolio grading or labor-based grading contracts recommended
  • University Learning Outcomes:
    • Students are articulate, able to speak and write clearly and effectively. (Communication 1)
    • Students are multimodal, able to interpret and express ideas through multiple modes of communication. (Communication 2)
    • Students can discover, explore, and seek solutions based on accumulated knowledge and current research. (Curiosity 1)

• Students who are earning a second baccalaureate degree do not have to take the university requirements (e.g. CMU110 and EN305, 306 or 350).

Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) Core Requirements Summary

*CMU110 is not part of the CORE 42. Students who have a full-time semester (after high school) on another campus will not be required to take CMU110.

General Education Transfer Policies

Transfer credit will be accepted for courses generally equivalent to those in the CMU General Education program.

All incoming students who have earned fewer than 12 credit hours from a college or university after high school will be required to take CMU110.  Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the First Year Experience Course Director. 

Transfer students who have completed coursework from a non-Missouri institution in American Government, a survey of American History I, or an equivalent course which covers the U.S. Constitution are required to take one of the following courses to meet the Missouri State Civics requirement. 

• 1 hour: HI103 – Introduction to Missouri Civics
• 3 hours: HI117, HI118, or PS101
• 3 hours: HI307 – The History and Politics of Missouri

Students transferring in courses from Missouri institutions should verify the course satisfies the Missouri State Civics requirement.

CORE 42

CORE 42 was established to facilitate the transfer of academic credits among public and participating private institutions of higher education in the State of Missouri. Central Methodist University signed as an independent institution beginning in the 2019-2020 academic year. 

Students may transfer MOTR courses in one of three ways:

• Students who complete the Associate of Arts degree, the Associate of Arts in Teaching degree, or the CORE 42 Curriculum, and transfer to another public or participating private institution of higher education shall have completed all lower-division general education requirements at the receiving institution. Students shall receive full credit, including any prerequisites or requirements in the major or minor, for all MOTR courses transferred.  The receiving institution cannot require the student take additional lower-division general education courses.  A student may, however, have to take additional lower-division courses to fulfill program or institutional requirements, including prerequisites to other required courses.
• Students who complete the CORE 42, at any public or participating independent institution of higher education, shall be considered as having completed all lower-division general education requirements at a receiving institution. Students shall receive full credit, including any prerequisites or requirements in the major, for all MOTR courses transferred.  The receiving institution cannot require the student take additional lower-division general education courses.  A student may, however, have to take additional lower-division courses to fulfill program or institutional requirements, including prerequisites to other required courses.
• For students who complete individual courses in CORE 42 Knowledge areas, those courses are guaranteed to transfer among all public and participating independent colleges and universities in Missouri.  For a student transferring into CMU, any MOTR course (even if it is not offered at CMU) will count towards completion of the corresponding CORE 42 Knowledge area at CMU.

NOTE: Courses that do not have the CORE 42 designation may still transfer, but students are encouraged to check the transfer equivalency website of the institution to which they plan to transfer in order to be sure.

CORE 42 Transfer Curriculum

The CORE 42 Transfer Curriculum is a block of at least 42 credit hours that will transfer as a block and be considered to have met all General Education requirements at all Missouri public colleges and universities, as well as independent Missouri institutions that have signed onto the agreement via the Missouri Department of Higher Education (visit https://dhe.mo.gov/core42.php).  Central Methodist University signed as an independent institution beginning in the 2019-2020 academic year.

Students who complete the CORE 42 curriculum will meet the general education requirements. 

To complete the curriculum, students must earn a minimum number of credit hours in five knowledge areas. For students transferring in or out, at CMU the following satisfies the 42-hour block:

• • Mathematical sciences – three credit hours
    • MA105; MA109; MA109I; MA103; MA103I
  • Natural sciences – seven credit hours, including a course with a lab
    • AS101 w/ AS101L; BI105; BI105 w/ BI105L; BI101; BI101 w/ BI101L; CH111; CH111 w/ CH111L; GL105; GL105 w/ GL105L; BI106; BI106 w/ BI106L; SC101; SC101 w/ SC101L; PH111; PH111 w/ PH111L; PH205 w/ PH205l
  • Humanities and fine arts – nine credit hours from at least two disciplines
    • AR111; AR116; AR186; AR188; EN212; MU145; MU188; PL106; RL122; SP101; SP102
  • Social and behavioral sciences – nine credit hours, including a civics course*
    • CJ100; EC101; EC201; EC202; HI101; HI102; PY101; SO101; SO102; HI117*; HI118*; PS101
  • Written communication - six credit hours
    • EN110; EN111
  • Oral communications – three credit hours
    • CT101

  Credits earned beyond the minimum in each Knowledge area count toward the 42-hour minimum. 

MOTR Course Equivalencies

For courses designated with a Missouri Transfer (MOTR) course number, this number guarantees the transfer of these courses among all Missouri public institutions of higher education, as well as independent Missouri institutions that have signed onto the agreement. Students who have transferred to CMU or who plan to transfer to another Missouri institution may use the CMU CORE 42 worksheet as a guide.

Other Degree General Education Requirements

The following baccalaureate degrees have different General Education requirements from the BA/BS degrees. 

1. All courses and categories are defined the same as they are for BA/BS degrees (described above).
2. Course requirements in a major may be fulfilled in the General Education curriculum.
3. Some degree programs designate which course(s) students must take to fulfill the requirements in the General Education curriculum. If no such designation exists, students must take courses from the topic areas as defined below.
   • Note:  Prerequisite coursework may increase the total hours, depending on student placement in courses.
4. Each course taught as part of General Education will contribute to the General Education Learning Outcomes (see General Education Assessment section below). Learning Outcomes met by each course will be listed on the course syllabus.

Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BSN)

Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BSN) Core Requirements Summary

*CMU110 is not part of the CORE 42. All incoming students who have earned fewer than 12 credit hours from a college or university after high school will be required to take CMU110.

Bachelor of Music Education (BME)

 *CMU110 is not part of the CORE 42. All incoming students who have earned fewer than 12 credit hours from a college or university after high school will be required to take CMU110.

Bachelor of Music in Music Ministry (BMMM)

 *CMU110 is not part of the CORE 42. All incoming students who have earned fewer than 12 credit hours from a college or university after high school will be required to take CMU110.

Bachelor of Music – Piano, Organ or Vocal Performance (BM-P)

 *CMU110 is not part of the CORE 42. All incoming students who have earned fewer than 12 credit hours from a college or university after high school will be required to take CMU110.

Bachelor of Accountancy

 *CMU110 is not part of the CORE 42. All incoming students who have earned fewer than 12 credit hours from a college or university after high school will be required to take CMU110.

Bachelor of Applied Science in Management

 *CMU110 is not part of the CORE 42. All incoming students who have earned fewer than 12 credit hours from a college or university after high school will be required to take CMU110.

Bachelor of Science in Education: Early Childhood Education, Physical Education, Elementary Education, Special Education, and Middle School Education

 *CMU110 is not part of the CORE 42. All incoming students who have earned fewer than 12 credit hours from a college or university after high school will be required to take CMU110.

Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) Degrees General Education Requirements

All AA/AS degrees will be required to satisfy the same General Education requirements. 

1. All AA/AS degrees will be required to have the General Education curricula described below.
   • Note:  The Associate of Applied Science, Physical Therapist Assistant degree has a different General Education curriculum (described below).
2. All courses and categories are defined the same as they are for BA/BS degrees (described above).
   • Note:  Prerequisite coursework may increase the total hours, depending on student placement in courses.
3. Each course taught as part of General Education will contribute to the General Education Learning Outcomes (see General Education Assessment section below). Learning Outcomes met by each course will be listed on the course syllabus.

Associate of Arts

 *CMU110 is not part of the CORE 42. All incoming students who have earned fewer than 12 credit hours from a college or university after high school will be required to take CMU110.

Associate of Science

*CMU110 is not part of the CORE 42. Students who have a full-time semester (after high school) on another campus will not be required to take CMU110.

Associate of Applied Science, Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

General Education Assessment

General Education Assessment

General Education at Central Methodist University provides a foundation of knowledge and skills that prepares graduates to be successful and reflective citizens and leaders, and to make a difference in local and global communities.  General Education incorporates core courses that focus on our University Learning Principles of Curiosity, Communication, and Community to build the groundwork for an educational experience that will empower students within a culture of engaged learning (for more information, please see the General Education Assessment page).

Six of the nine University Learning Outcomes (ULOs) will be used to assess the general education program (the first two outcomes listed for each principle).

Communication (articulate, multimodal)

1. Students are articulate, able to speak and write clearly and effectively. (Communication 1)
2. Students are multimodal, able to interpret and express ideas through multiple modes of communication. (Communication 2)

Curiosity (discover, analyze)

4. Students can discover, explore, and seek solutions based on accumulated knowledge and current research. (Curiosity 1)
5. Students can analyze, evaluate, interpret, and summarize data. (Curiosity 2)

Community (serve, respect)

7. Students will serve others and be ethical, informed citizens. (Community 1)
8. Students will understand and respect diversity, including others' viewpoints, positions, and beliefs. (Community 2)

The ULOs can be assessed through a selection of courses, standardized measures, and student experiences analyzed together, to build a truer picture of student life and learning.

• Faculty will work together with the Assessment and General Education committees to complete the assessment process.
• In the General Education information above, ULOs are only used to identify possible sources of assessment data from courses. They do not limit the class outcomes, nor must a class fully assess a ULO.

The assessment tools used in the General Education program are diverse and address each of the academic goals. For information on the assessment of the General Education Program, please visit General Education Assessment.