Bachelor's degree requirements

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 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: 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.