General Education Student Learning Outcomes
NPU has determined that the first five institutional learning outcomes will also serve as general education outcomes, with one modification: The general education outcome for critical thinking has been modified to include an introductory phrase, “Using various disciplinary perspectives, explore and analyze issues, ideas, artifacts, and/or events to formalize an opinion or conclusion.” This inclusion allows for a clear mapping between general education courses in natural sciences, social sciences, communications, and humanities.
All undergraduate students are expected to demonstrate the following general education student learning outcomes:
- Written Communication - Write sustained, coherent arguments or explanations.
- Oral Communication - Utilize effective oral communication strategies.
- Quantitative Reasoning - Utilize mathematical concepts and methods to analyze, and explain issues in quantitative terms.
- Information Literacy - Identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively and responsibly use and share information in support of academic, personal, and professional needs.
- Critical Thinking - Utilizing various disciplinary perspectives, explore and analyze issues, ideas, artifacts, and/or events to formalize an opinion or conclusion.
Examples of courses that fall under each area of general education are as follows:
- English and Communications: Expository Writing, Critical Thinking, Public Speaking, Small Group Communication, Intercultural Communication, American Literature.
- Humanities: Philosophy, Art/Music Appreciation, Principle of Ethics.
- Mathematics and Natural Sciences: Calculus, Linear Algebra, Probability & Statistics, Physical Sciences, Physics.
- Social Sciences: American Experience, American/California History, Emotional Intelligence, Health Psychology, Multiculturalism, Public Administration, Sociology.