General Education

General Education Requirements

The general education requirements for associate degrees at Florida Gateway College are consistent with the College philosophy which states that each student who attends the College shall be assisted in acquiring learning as a lifelong pattern.  Specifically, students in career-oriented areas should be able to communicate, calculate, and understand the social and scientific implications of the world around them.  Students seeking transfer to a baccalaureate program should fulfill general education requirements that are broad in scope and require an in-depth level of inquiry.  

The College recognizes that student learning goals may change during a lifetime; thus, the general education requirements for all degrees are collegiate in nature and, as such, should provide an academic foundation for lifelong learning.  General education coursework is designed to meet students at their levels of ability and assist them in attaining collegiate levels of performance.  Not all students come to the College prepared for this level of endeavor.  Developmental education courses, therefore, are provided to assist the student in gaining the skills necessary to be successful in a collegiate or work setting.

General Learning Outcomes

Listed below are the FGC General Learning Outcomes to be mastered by all students who complete an associate degree program.

1.     Communication

        Students will effectively communicate through oral and written skills.

2.     Critical Thinking

        Students will logically evaluate, analyze, and synthesize information.

3.     Quantitative Reasoning

        Students will apply mathematical concepts and reasoning to draw valid conclusions.

4.     Scientific Reasoning

        Students will apply empirical evidence to evaluate natural phenomena.

5.     Information Literacy

        Students will use information effectively and ethically.  

6.     Cultural Awareness

        Students will explain how aspects of culture relate to the human experience. 

General Education Courses

General education courses provide students with broad foundational knowledge in communications, mathematics, natural sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and humanities.  General education courses are intended to help students develop intellectual skills and habits that foster effective, lifelong learning.  A list of general education courses offered at Florida Gateway College may be found on the General Education Courses  section on the Catalog website or with an indicator of “GE” on the course description.   

General Education Core Course Options

In accordance with Rule 6A-14.0303, F.A.C., students entering an Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Applied Science (B.S./B.A.S.) degree program in the Fall 2015 term or thereafter must complete at least one state core course from each of the general education subject areas prior to the award of the degree.  Associate in Science (A.S.) and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) students must complete at least one state core course from each of the general education subject areas, if beginning in the Fall 2022 term or thereafter.  

Below is a list of the General Education Core Courses  options:

Communications:

Humanities:

Mathematics:

For courses taken at a Florida College System Institution in the Fall 2024 term and any term thereafter:

Note: To avoid excess credit hours, successful completion of MGF 1106  and MGF 1107  prior to the 2024-2025 academic year may be used to satisfy the mathematics core in lieu of MGF 1130 .

Natural Sciences

Note: Not all state natural science core courses are not offered at FGC, however if the course was taken at a Florida College System or State University System institution, the course will be recognized to meet the state core course requirement.

Social and Behavioral Sciences:

Note: Not all state social science core courses are not offered at FGC, however if the course was taken at a Florida College System or State University System institution, the course will be recognized to meet the state core course requirement.

Gordon Rule Courses

State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.030, better known as the “Gordon Rule,” requires Associate in Arts (A.A.) students to complete 12 credit hours of coursework in which they demonstrate college-level writing skills through multiple assignments.  Students must also complete six (6) credit hours of mathematics coursework designated for Gordon Rule credit.  (This requirement does not apply to students enrolled in associate in science (A.S.) or associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree programs.)  To graduate with an A.A. degree, students must complete all Gordon Rule courses with a grade of C or higher.  

A list of Gordon Rule courses offered at Florida Gateway College may be found on the Gordon Rule Courses section of the Catalog website or with an indicator of “GR” on the course description.  

For additional information, please see the Gordon Rule section of the Academic & Instructional Services  catalog page.  

General Education Digital Badge

House Bill 1507 (2021) requires public postsecondary institutions to award students a nationally recognized digital badge upon completion of general education core courses that demonstrate career readiness, beginning with students who initially enter a postsecondary institution in the 2022-2023 academic year. 

Effective Fall 2022 and thereafter, Florida public postsecondary institutions offer students a Fundamentals of Written Communication digital badge.  With this badge, students will be able to enhance their personal communication skills and convey to future employers that they have acquired vital skills needed for professional success.  The digital badge will automatically be awarded to students upon successful completion of ENC 1101 with a grade of C or better.  Visit the website for more information.