The General Education program at Ferris State University for bachelor degrees is composed of eight demonstrable student competencies organized into three tiers.
Tier 1: Foundation Competencies
Communication Competency
To meet the Communication competency, the bachelor degree student must prove proficiency through a 300-level Written communication and 1 Oral communication course. A student must meet all of the following:
- 3 courses, or the equivalent, with the Written communication attribute
- 1 of the 3 Written communication courses must be an upper division competency and
can be met in one of the following ways:
- 1 course at the 300-level or higher with the Written communication attribute
- 2 courses with the Communication Across the Curriculum attribute and 1 additional course with the Oral communication attribute
- 3 courses with the Communication Across the Curriculum attribute
- 1 course with the Oral communication attribute
Quantitative Literacy Competency
To meet the Quantitative Literacy competency, a student must meet one of the following:
- Complete or received credit for 1 course, MATH 114 or higher, with the Quantitative Literacy attribute
- Submission of an official Next Generation score of 250 or higher in Advanced Algebra and Functions.
- Satisfy the placement requirements for MATH 120 or higher:
- Current Placement Requirements (since Spring 2019)
- Previous Placement Requirements (Fall 2016 - Fall 2018)
If you enrolled prior to Fall 2016, or if you have questions about placement, please contact the Mathematics Department at (231) 591 - 2565.
If you are a transfer student, Ferris State University follows the Michigan Transfer Agreement (see policy letter), according to which any transfer student who has completed a course in college algebra, statistics, or quantitative reasoning with a grade of 2.0 (C) or better at their previous institution will not need further general education quantitative literacy courses.
Students should be aware that they may still need to take specific mathematics and statistics courses for their programs, and should consult their academic advisor for further information.
Tier 2: Distribution Competencies
Natural Sciences Competency
To meet the Natural Sciences competency, a student must meet all of the following:
- 2 courses, with a minimum of 6 credits, with the Natural Sciences attribute
- 1 of the 2 courses must have the Natural Sciences w/lab attribute
Culture Competency
To meet the Culture competency, a student must meet all of the following:
- 3 courses, with a minimum of 9 credits, with the Culture attribute
- The 3 courses must be from at least two different disciplines
- At least 1 of the 3 courses must be 200-level or higher
- A maximum of 5 of the 9 credits can have the Activities attribute
Self and Society Competency
To meet the Self and Society competency, a student must meet all of the following:
- 3 courses, with a minimum of 9 credits, with the Self and Society attribute
- The 3 courses must be from at least two different disciplines
- At least 1 of the 3 courses must be 200-level or higher
- At least 1 of the 3 courses must have the Self and Society Foundation attribute (the foundations course can be the 200+ level course)
Diversity Competency
If not met by courses taken for Culture, Self and Society, or MTA, a student must meet the following:
- 1 course with the Global Diversity attribute
- 1 course with the U.S. Diversity attribute
Note: Some courses include both Global Diversity and U.S. Diversity attributes. Courses with both attributes satisfies the entire Diversity competency.
Tier 3: Application Competencies
Collaboration Competency
If not met by courses taken in the bachelor degree program a student must meet the following:
- 2 courses with the Collaboration attribute
Note: Some courses include both Collaboration and Problem Solving attributes
Problem Solving Competency
If not met by courses taken in the bachelor degree program a student must meet the following:
- 2 courses with the Problem Solving attribute
Note: Some courses include both Collaboration and Problem Solving attributes
** Note: This competency may be partially met with Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA). Check the MTA policy.
NOTE: All Bachelor Degrees at Ferris also require 1 course with the Global Diversity and 1 course with the U.S. Diversity attribute. For students wishing to continue to a Bachelor Degree, completion of these requirements within the Associate Degree is recommended. These requirements can be met without additional coursework because many Culture and Self and Society courses also meet the needed Diversity requirements.
