General Education Requirements

MTSU students complete 41 credit hours of coursework in six areas: Communication, History, Humanities  and Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral  Sciences. 

Communication

U.S. employers rank effective communication skills at the top of the list of important college learning outcomes-specifically written and oral communication skills. The three courses in the Communication  area of General Education prepare you to communicate with others in your college coursework and in your chosen profession. Expository Writing and Research and Argumentative Writing help you to become a thoughtful and critical reader as well as an articulate and persuasive writer. Fundamentals of Communication provides the support you need to develop the oral communication skills vital to your success in school and in the world. 

History

How did we get here? Why did that happen? These are questions we ask ourselves all the time, and studying history helps us get at the answers. In addition to increasing your understanding of how events today are responses to things that happened in the past, General Education History courses also help you understand other people and cultures, think critically, and understand the forces-large and small-that shape our lives and world. 

Humanities and Fine Arts

The exploration of global and cultural diversity is an important focus in society. Study in Humanities and Fine Arts introduces you to concepts that enhance your understanding and appreciation of your own human cultural heritage and how the present is informed by the past. Through General Education courses offered in anthropology, art, dance, literature, history, philosophy, music, and theatre, you will analyze works of art as forms of cultural and creative expression and explore how these art forms have contributed to the creation of the modern world. 

Mathematics

Basic mathematical literacy is required of all educated citizens. More than that, the study of mathematics improves your ability to think critically and analytically. The courses in the Mathematics area of General Education support the development of skills important to mathematical and statistical reasoning and problem solving. In the course you choose from the Mathematics area, you will develop the essential mathematical skills required to function as a knowledgeable consumer and citizen. 

Natural Sciences

The purpose of the Natural Sciences requirement is for you to have a better understanding of some relevant scientific facts, what science is, and how science works. Part of this experience involves learning basic information associated with science. Science is a way of thinking about the natural world. Part of the science requirement involves using scientific inquiry to answer questions that relate to everyday life. The goal is for you to learn a different way of thinking that can help you make informed decisions associated with scientific phenomena in the world around you.

Social/Behavioral Sciences

The Social and Behavioral Sciences assist you in understanding the relationships between individuals and society. This area of study is designed to enhance your knowledge of how various personal, interpersonal, and societal factors impact your ability to reach your full potential. These courses will help you think critically and examine key factors from cultural, economic, health, political, psychological, and social perspectives using methods of scientific inquiry.

Specific requirements and courses approved for each area can be found in the General Education section of the MTSU Undergraduate Catalog.