Goals for Competencies, Areas of Thought and Expression, Values and Cultures

The general education program at Wilmington College is designed to give students a broad understanding of the world in which they live. Through successful completion of the general education program each graduate is expected to acquire competence in the use of standard English and Mathematics, knowledge of the world outside the United States, knowledge of the basic areas of human thought and expression, and institutional mission and values.

  1. ENGLISH COMPETENCE:  
    EN101 OR EN103H (for the Honors Program student) with a grade of “C-“ or better. Students are strongly encouraged to take EN101 or EN103H during their freshman year. Placement in EN100, EN101, or EN103H is based on ACT/SAT scores and high school GPAs. A writing sample is used to confirm placement the first week of classes.

    Students earning a grade lower than “C-“ [including drops after the drop/add period noted with the grade of “W” (Withdrawal)] in EN100, EN101, or EN103H will be required to retake the course for a better grade. 

    Students earning lower than a “C-“ in EN100, EN101, or EN103H following the second attempt* [including drops after the drop/add period noted with grade of “W” (Withdrawal)] are placed on academic probation and will be required to repeat the course. Students will work with the Student Success team and advisor to determine when the class(es) will be repeated.

    Students earning a grade lower than “C-“ following the third attempt (including drops after the drop/add period noted with grade of “W” (Withdrawal)] are subject to immediate academic suspension.

    *Withdrawals are considered attempted credits
  2. MATHEMATICS COMPETENCE: 
    MT106 (or MT102 and MT103) or higher numbered mathematics course: a minimum of 3 semester hours required.
    Students are strongly encouraged to begin the math requirement during the freshman year. Placement in MT099, MT100, MT106 or MT107 (or MT102 and MT103), MT109, or MT140 is based on ACT/SAT scores and high school GPAs. Tests will confirm placement the first week of class. MT099 does not count toward the 124 hours required for graduation; however, it does count for the purpose of determining academic standing, financial aid completion rate, and student classification. Students failing MT099 will be required to repeat the course. Students will work with the Student Success team and advisor to determine when the class(es) will be repeated.
  3. GLOBAL AWARENESS: 
    8 hours of Global (G) courses.
    A student may not satisfy the Global Awareness requirement by passing a CLEP, AP, IB (international baccalaureate), or proficiency exam in a language.
  4. BASIC AREAS OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION:  8 hours in each Basic Area of Thought and Expression OUTSIDE of the Major Area of Study (A., B., C., and D.), fine arts, humanities, natural science, and social science, must be completed.
    1. Fine Arts: 8 hours of designated fine arts credits from Art, Music, Theatre or Communication Arts unless students major resides in the Fine Arts Area or are required by major or concentration.
      AR – Any course in Art
      CA230, 337
      EN236
      MU – Any course in Music
      TH – Any course in Theatre
    2. Humanities: 8 hours of designated humanities credits from English, History, Religion & Philosophy or Spanish unless students major resides in the Humanities Area or are required by major or concentration.
      ED160, 161, 162, 163
      EN150, 232, 233, 235, 239, 242, 244G,245G,250G, 251, 330, 331, 334, 338, 350, 430G
      HI130, 131, 150, 160G, 161G, 170, 250G, 342, 350, 351G, 352, 353G, 381
      ID134G
      PC233, 332
      RP – Any course in Religion and Philosophy, except RP495
      SP – Any course in Spanish, except SP285, 385
    3. Natural Science: 8 hours of designated natural science credits, with a minimum of one (1) laboratory course, from Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Health Sciences, Physical Science or Sport Sciences unless students major resides in the Natural or Sport Sciences Area or are required by major or concentration.
      AG130G, 133, 250
      BI100/100G, 131, 203, 230, 231
      CH101G, 230, 231
      EQ240, 349
      ES101G
      HS344, 345
      PH – Any course in Physics
    4. Social Sciences: 8 hours for designated social science credits from Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology or Social Work unless student’s major resides in the Social Science Area or are required by major or concentration.
      EC130, 131, 430G
      ED230 and SE230
      PS130, 231G, 234G, 330, 333G, 337G, 343, 348G, 350, 350G
      PY130, 231, 331, 334, 336, 350, 350G
      SW230
      SY130, 230, 333G, 335, 340, 350

 *Self-Designed Majors must propose and be approved on how they will fulfill the four Basic Areas of Thought and Expression requirement.