General Education


It is the purpose of the General Education Program at Southwestern Adventist University to build a strong foundation for academic and professional programs, and to enrich the intellectual, spiritual, physical and cultural experiences of the student beyond the focus of the specific major.


As a result of a planned education process, the General Education Program will achieve the following student learning outcomes:

  1. Expose students to broad areas of knowledge
  2. Encourage the improvement and refinement of students' academic skills
  3. Foster the strengthening and broadening of students' spiritual lives
  4. Encourage the attitudes and practices of healthful living

To demonstrate achievement of those outcomes, students will be able to:

  1.  Expose students to broad areas of knowledge

    1. Evaluate algebraic and numerical expressions
    2. Solve equations and inequalities
    3. Read accurately and critically by asking pertinent questions about a text, by recognizing assumptions and implications, and by evaluating ideas
    4. Read literary texts analytically, seeing relationships between form and content
    5. Understand the various elements of the writing process, including collecting information and formulating ideas, determining relationships, arranging sentences and paragraphs, establishing transitions, and revising written text
    6. Use the conventions of standard written English
    7. Write an organized, coherent, and effective essay
    8. Recognize basic features and concepts of world geography
    9. Recognize basic features and concepts of the world's political and economic structures
    10. Recognize appropriate investigative and interpretive procedures in the social sciences
    11. Understand the fundamental concepts, principles, and theories of the natural sciences
    12. Demonstrate basic computer skills appropriate to information literacy
  2. Utilize interpretive reasoning, strategic reasoning, and adaptive reasoning in all academic subjects.
  3. Demonstrate a sense of harmonious interconnectedness between self, others, nature, and God, which exists throughout and beyond time and space
  4. Encourage the attitudes and practices of healthful living

    1. Acquire skills that enable participation in lifetime physical activity
    2. Understand how individual decision making and behavior impact personal health.


Degree completion includes the general education courses listed below. A bachelor's degree from a United States regionally accredited post-secondary institution fulfills, with the exception of the religion requirement, the general education requirements.

Bachelor's Degree

  1. Principles of Active Learning* (UNIV 110) (1 hour)
  2. English (12 hours)

    1. Speech (COMM 111, 113, or 115) (3 hours)
    2. Freshman Composition (ENGL 121) (3 hours)

      To be taken the freshman year.

    3. Research Writing (ENGL 220) (3 hours)

      Recommended to be taken the sophomore year.

    4. Literature (taught in English) (3 hours)

      Recommended to be taken the junior year.

    5. A required upper division course, with a writing component, in the student's major or minor area of specialization. To be taken the senior year.
  3. Health and Fitness (4-5 hours)

    Choose one of these options:

    1. Health and Wellness (KINT 111) and one KINA course (4 hours)
    2. Nutrition (KINT 216), Physical Fitness (KINA 111)
    3. Physical Fitness (KINA 111) and three different KINA courses
  4. Math/Natural and Computer Sciences (12-14 hours)

    1. Mathematics (3 hours)

      Students will complete at least three hours of mathematics. (MATH 110, MATH 121, MATH 181, or MATH 241) can satisfy this requirement.

    2. Lab Science (two classes) (8 hours)
    3. Computer Science (1-3 hours)  Choose one: (CSIS 102, CSIS 104, CSIS 110)
  5. Religion (12 hours)

    The religion courses provide students with a general orientation to Christian life, increase the student's knowledge of the Bible, and provide an avenue for the development of a maturing Christian faith.  It is strongly recommended that students enroll for a minimum of one course each school year in attendance.  Applied religion is not to exceed three credits; three of the religion credits must be upper division. Transfer students from non-SDA schools must have three hours of religion credit per 30 credits taken in residence, with a minimum of six hours. Religion classes taken prior to enrollment at the University will be considered for transfer.  Non-SDA religion classes taken after enrollment will not be transfered.

  6. Social/Behavioral Sciences (12 hours)

    1. History (6-12 hours)

      (Must include 3 hours U.S. history and 3 hours non-U.S. history)

    2. Choose from these (0-6 hours)

      Economics, History of Western Art, Geography, Modern Language, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Survey of Music.

  7. Foreign Language (0-6 hours)

    The Bachelor of Arts degree, and some other degrees, require six hours of an intermediate-level foreign language. (6 hours of Hebrew or 12 hours of Greek will count as meeting the intermediate language level requirement.)

Students seeking a degree in Elementary Education must see the Education section of the Bulletin for specific general education requirements.

\* All freshmen who have taken less than twelve previous college hours, which does not include credits taken while in high school or by examinations, must enroll in the Principles of Active Learning (UNIV 110) course.

Core Curriculum for an Associate in Science Degree

I.English Composition

Courses in English composition will emphasize the practice of critical reading

and effective writing.

                                Select two courses                                                                                                                          6

·ENGL 121             Freshman Composition

·ENGL 220             Research Writing


Courses in mathematics will emphasize quantitative and deductive reasoning,

problem solving and logical thinking, organizational and systematic thinking,

and the application of mathematics to various life situations.

                                Select one course                                                                                                                             3

·MATH 110           College Algebra

·MATH 121           Precalculus

·MATH 131           Applied Mathematics

·MATH 181           Calculus I

·MATH 241           Intro to Probability & Statistics

III.Whole-Person Wellness

Courses in fitness activity will emphasize practical knowledge and practices that will promote life-long whole-person wellness.

Select one course                                                                                                                             1


IV.Humanities                                                                                                                                                 3

Courses in the humanities will emphasize a reflection on the human

experience and human condition through literary texts and artistic forms.

                                Select one course

·ENGL 221, 222   World Masterpieces

·ENGL 224             Survey of English Literature

·ENGL 231, 232   American Literature I, II

·MUHL 221Survey of Music

·ENGL 272             Introduction to Drama

V.Life and Physical Science                                                                                                                       4

Courses in science will emphasize understanding and application of everyday

phenomena.  Laboratories will be discovery based and emphasize the

development and testing of hypotheses, or they may expose students to

observational experiences that enhance scientific understanding.

Select one course

§BIOL 101 or 102                 Anatomy and Physiology I or II

§BIOL 103                               Human Biology

§BIOL 111 or 112                 General Biology I or II

§BIOL 220                               Microbiology and Immunology

§BIOL 225                               Field Biology

§CHEM 105                            Survey of Chemistry

§CHEM 111                            General Chemistry I

§PHYS 101                              Introductory Physics

§PHYS 114                              Physical Science

§PHYS 121                              General Physics I

VI.History and Social Science                                                                                                                    3

Courses in history and social science are designed to give students a broad

understanding of the sweep of world historical, governmental, and cultural

events.  Through reading, lectures, discussions, and writing, these courses will

enhance the critical abilities of students by providing tools and practice that are

universal in application.  Ultimately, students should be better able to understand contemporary events by grasping how historical, political, and cultural events have combined to create the world in which they live.

                                Select one course

·HIST 111                       American History, 1492-1865

·HIST 112                       American History, 1866 to Present

·HIST 225                      World Civilizations I

·HIST 226                       World Civilizations II

·ECON 211                     Macroeconomics

·ECON 212                     Microeconomics

·PSYC 212                      General Psychology

·PSYC 220                      Human Growth and Development

·POLS 211                      National and Texas Constitutions

·SOCI 111                       Introduction to Sociology


Courses in biblical studies will introduce the student to practical methods of Bible study, critical evaluation of scholarship and interpretation, and the richness and depth of the biblical text. Courses in theology will engage the student in a systematic approach to biblical matters, will have students explore different perspectives and relevant issues, and guide students to formulate personal viewpoints and positions. Courses in historical studies trace the origin and development of the Bible, Christianity, Seventh-day Adventism, and other religions.

Select two courses.                                                                                                                   6

A.Biblical Studies

RELB 211              Life and Teachings of Jesus

B.Theological Studies

RELT 101              Christian Beliefs

RELT 212              Christian Ethics

C.Historical Studies

RELH230               History of the SDA Church

RELH 233              Biblical Archaeology

                                                                                                                Total 26