Program Education Requirements

Learning Intentions

  • Students will learn the definitions of different types of courses and credits
  • Students will identify the program education requirements for a specific program of study 

Key Vocabulary

  • Lecture
  • Discussion
  • Lab
  • Program Education Requirements
  • Technical Credit
  • General Education Credit
  • Elective Credit

 

 Activity

You have your school and program of study in mind. What is it going to take to reach your goal? In this lesson we will take a look at the required educational pieces of your educational experience. When doing so, it is important that you understand  the language for your program of study. 

Types of Courses

Let's take a broad look a the types of course you may experience during your studies

Lecture

  • Lectures are often what people think of for the college experience. Big rooms, lots of seats, an instructor teaching, and students listening and taking notes. This setting is where students spend the majority of the time listening. 

Discussion (Section/Recitation)

  • Since it is difficult to answer everyone's questions during a large lecture, schools have discussion sections which are made up from a smaller group of students in the lecture. These discussions, which are often led by graduate students of a program, provide opportunities for students to review materials covered in lectures.

Lab

Labs also go along with a lecture but in these classes, students will have the opportunity to actually apply what they have learned in the lecture. Labs are designed to be a hands-on experience for students. Labs are often part of science courses (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, etc). 

Types of Credit

Now that we know what types of classes are available. Let's talk about the courses you will actually need to take, your program education requirements. During your time in school you will earn credits for each class you successfully complete. All schools will require a specific number of credits before you can graduate. Example, you may need a total of 120 credits in order to graduate.  However, not all programs are created the same nor require the same amount of credits. It is critical that you understand what will be required of you so you can plan your educational path. See examples: Hennepin Tech and University of Minnesota

Technical (Compulsories/Mandatory) Credits

  • Technical credits are specific courses that are required for your program of study. EXAMPLE: A Culinary Arts student would be required to take "CULA1000 Food Service Math". However, a student in Autobody would not take this course. 

General Education Credit

  • General education credits are courses required for all students, regardless of their program of study. EXAMPLE: Both the Culinary Arts and Autobody student would be required to take "COMM2050 Interpersonal Communication"
  • Check out the video below to learn more about the purpose of a general education credit

Elective Credit

  • Elective credits are courses that you can choose from, not required for everyone, and are not required for you program of study. However, they may be used for credit towards your degree. 
  • Check out the following to learn more about elective credits: Getting the Most Mileage From Your Free Electives

(Always copy the info below and add to your assignment)

 Assignment:

  1. In this assignment, you will take a look at all three of your options from your Choosing a College - Based on Your Career Goals (MnSCU) assignment and identify the specific program education requirements for each. 
  2. Click here for the Program Education Requirements assignment
  3. You will complete a separate document for ALL 3 options. 
  4. When you are done, submit your three assignments here.  

Remember: if you submit anything from Google, be sure that it has been shared with your instructor. 

Choosing a College - Based on Your Career Goals (MnSCU) assignment.