General Education Assessment

What is General Education at UGA?

The focus of general education at the University of Georgia is the development of broad knowledge that can be brought to bear in novel and changing circumstances.  The curriculum provides the foundation for future studies by giving students a substantive introduction to broad and important areas of academic inquiry. General education engages the student’s intellect and curiosity. The University of Georgia’s general education curriculum empowers the student to participate in debate and advocacy of issues critical to community, state, and nation.

The General Education Core Curriculum is comprised of the following areas: 

  1. Foundation Courses (9 hours)
  2. Sciences (7-8 hours)
  3. Quantitative Reasoning (3-4 hours)
  4. World Languages and Global Culture, Humanities, and the Arts (12 hours)
  5. Social Sciences (9 hours)

Additionally, content and assignments in the courses must address one or more of the following five general education competencies: 

  1. Written Communication, 
  2. Oral Communication, 
  3. Critical Thinking,  
  4. Quantitative Reasoning, and  
  5. Moral Reasoning.  

Assessment of General Education

Assessing student learning within the general education curriculum has evolved over time (see Archives section).  UGA has a long history of focused evaluation of the undergraduate general education learning experience using a variety of methods.  In accordance with UGA's Academic Affairs Policy 2.04-4 Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes (PDF) and Academic Affairs Policy Statement No. 14, General Education Core Curriculum, UGA is committed to a robust direct assessment practice.  Directly assessing students’ authentic work from the classroom, using the trained expertise of faculty evaluators, provides important and actionable assessment evidence that can be used by faculty, department heads, Deans, and staff in the Office of Instruction to make meaningful improvements to student learning.  Assessment of general education competencies is overseen by the Curriculum Committee of the University Council and supported by the Office of the Vice President for Instruction.

Use the links on the left to find the policies and procedures governing general education assessment at UGA as well as previous institutional assessments.