About General Education

General education courses are the foundation of knowledge upon which all University of Missouri-Columbia degrees are built.

As an MU graduate, you must be able to understand complex problems that go beyond your academic field and accept the responsibilities given to you as a well-educated leader of society. Through your studies, you will acquire:

• Skills, knowledge and attitudes expected of informed and responsible citizens.

• Proficiency in writing, speaking, mathematics, computer use and information management.

• Increased understanding of the nature of knowledge and the ways of thinking in the social and behavioral sciences, in the physical and biological sciences, and in the humanities and fine arts.

Students must complete the general education requirements. With careful planning, some courses may be chosen to meet both University general education requirements and one or more of the divisional, degree and major requirements.

Students are also strongly encouraged (and in some divisions required) to meet with an academic adviser in his/her field to ensure adequate progress towards the selected degree and major.