General Education

General Education, or learning in breadth, is achieved through completion of MSU’s Integrative Studies Program. It also includes Writing, Math, and in some cases, Language.

Writing

The writing requirement is met by the completion of one four-credit Tier I writing course during the first year. Select from Writing, Rhetoric and American Cultures: 101 or 195H.

Mathematics

Each student must complete the University mathematics requirement by fulfilling one of the three options below:

• Waiver through a proctored placement examination yielding a score which would result in placement in Mathematics 132 (calculus). For additional information, refer to the statement on the Mathematics placement test.
• Completion at MSU or transfer equivalent of either:
  • One of the following courses: Mathematics 110, 112, 116, 124, 132, 152H, 201; or Statistics and
  • Probability 200, 201.
• Completion of two of the following courses: 101, 102 or 103

The completion of Mathematics 103 and one of the courses referenced in item 2 may satisfy the University mathematics requirements.

Integrative Studies

Integrative Studies is MSU’s unique approach to general education, offering courses that integrate multiple ways of knowing into an enhanced appreciation of our humanity, creativity, knowledge, and responsibilities for ourselves and our world. Integrative Studies courses introduce students to college level work and important new ways of thinking.

The Integrative Studies Curriculum

Student must complete at least eight (8) credits in each of the three broad knowledge areas.

Many of the courses in the Arts and Humanities area and in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences area, emphasize national diversity (designated “N” at the end of the course title), or international and multicultural diversity (designated “I” at the end of the course title). Some courses emphasize both national diversity, and international and multicultural diversity (designated “D” at the end of the course title). Students must include at least one “N” course and one “I” course in their Integrative Studies programs. A “D” course may meet either an “N” or an “I” requirement, but not both.

• Arts and Humanities (IAH)
• Biological and Physical Sciences (ISB/ISP)
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (ISS)
• IAH Requirement 8 credits
• IAH “A” course 4 credits
• IAH “B” course 4 credits
• ISB/ISP Requirement 8 credits
• One ISB course 3 credits
• One ISP course 3 credits
• One ISB or ISP lab 2 credits
• ISS Requirement 8 credits
• One 200 level ISS course 4 credits
• One 300 level ISS course 4 credits