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General Education has different names at different institutions. Sometimes it is called the core, or shared experience, but at all colleges it is the foundational curriculum that all students complete. General education represents about one-third of a student’s college education and provides students with the basic skills they need for success in their major, as well as life after higher education. At Westfield State, our general education curriculum represents the values and mission of our University.
As the first co-educational college in America to offer an education without barrier to race, creed, or economic status, Westfield State has always been a leader in the field of education, and our approach to general education continues this tradition of innovation and leadership in education and commitment to social justice. Our curriculum is based on active learning approaches and has students tackle authentic problems early and often. The following General Education Statement describes the foundation of the entire general education curriculum, and the four broad learning goals provide a structure for our general education curriculum.