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General Education at PFW offers you the opportunity to tailor your path with courses outside of your major that will excite your interests and enable you to make meaningful contributions to the world around you. It complements the in-depth knowledge and skills in your chosen field that you will attain through your major. Your general education experience will give you the foundation in broad intellectual skills and different ways of knowing that will continue to have relevance and meaning in your life long after you have graduated. General Education courses will guide you to:
• Think Creatively
• Communicate Effectively
• Reason Scientifically
• Understand the Human Experience
• Appreciate Artistic Expression
• Embrace Multiculturality and/or Adopt Global Perspectives
Students who entered Purdue Fort Wayne for the first time in fall 2025 or a subsequent term in a bachelor’s degree program, or transferred into a new bachelor’s degree program, are required to satisfy Purdue Fort Wayne’s general education program as part of their degree requirements. The information on this page provides information to help you satisfy these requirements. See the General Education website or Senate document SD 23-5: Revision of General Education Program for futher information.
The General Education program requires that each student complete 3 credits in each of the following categories:
Category A: Foundational Intellectual Skills
1. Written Communication - 3 credits minimum
2. Speaking and Listening - 3 credits minimum
3. Quantitative Reasoning - 3 credits minimum
Category B: Ways of Knowing
4. Scientific Ways of Knowing - 3 credits minimum
5. Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing - 3 credits minimum
6. Humanistic Ways of Knowing - 3 credits minimum
7. Artistic Ways of Knowing - 3 credits minimum
8. Interdisciplinary Ways of Knowing - 3 credits minimum
Additional General Education Regulations:
A. To reach the 30 credits required in the General Education program, students will select six additional credits from any Foundational Skills or Ways of Knowing categories.
B. To ensure a well-rounded education, students shall not take more than three courses from the same prefix across the General Education program, including both Foundational Skills and Ways of Knowing courses.
C. Students are required to take at least one Ways of Knowing course used to satisfy General Education requirements that is designated as having a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or global awareness.
D. Students must earn a grade point average (GPA) no lower than 2.0 across courses used to satisfy General Education requirements, with a grade of C- or better in each of those courses.
E. Transfer students who have previously completed the state requirements will have met all requirements of the General Education program at PFW. To facilitate completion of general education at PFW for transfer students who have not yet completed the state requirements will receive transfer credits from courses equivalent to PFW courses as fulfilling the same General Education requirements. Transfer students who have not completed the state-mandated General Education requirements at their previous institution will have to meet the requirements of the General Education program at PFW.
Thematic Clusters (to begin in Fall 2026)
Thematic clusters provide students a mechanism to connect general education courses around a common theme. The purpose of the clusters is to give students the sense of coherence and meaning to general education coursework that is perceived to be lacking in the current program. To be listed in a thematic cluster, a course need not be wholly focused on the theme in question but should meaningfully engage with the theme in such a way that students will come away knowing more about matters related to the theme than they did going into the course.
Learning Outcomes and Approved Courses for Categories A and B
All Foundational Intellectual Skills and Ways of Knowing courses must meet all learning outcomes for their category. Ways of Knowing courses cannot have any prerequisites other than Foundational Skills courses.
Category A: Foundational Intellectual Skills
Linguistic and numerical foundations are requisite to thinking and communicating critically and creatively. Foundational skills help students to speak and write precisely, clearly, and persuasively; read and listen actively and with comprehension; and reason quantitatively as a means of drawing reliable conclusions. These skills are fundamental, and courses in category A are best completed in each student’s first 30 credits of enrollment.
Written Communication - Upon completion of the Written Communication competency, students will be able to:
1.1. Produce texts that use appropriate formats, genre conventions, and documentation styles while controlling tone, syntax, grammar, and spelling.
1.2. Demonstrate an understanding of writing as a social process that includes multiple drafts, collaboration, and reflection.
1.3. Read critically, summarize, apply, analyze, and synthesize information and concepts in written and visual texts as the basis for developing original ideas and claims.
1.4. Demonstrate an understanding of writing assignments as a series of tasks, including identifying and evaluating useful and reliable outside sources.
1.5. Develop, assert, and support a focused thesis with appropriate reasoning and adequate evidence.
1.6. Compose texts that exhibit appropriate rhetorical choices, which include attention to audience, purpose, context, genre, and convention.
1.7. Demonstrate proficiency in reading, evaluating, analyzing, and using material collected from electronic sources (such as visual, electronic, library databases, Internet sources, other official databases, federal government databases, reputable blogs, wikis, etc.).
Category A.1 Written Communication courses
Speaking and Listening - Upon completion of the Speaking and Listening competency, students will be able to:
2.1. Use appropriate organization or logical sequencing to deliver an oral message.
2.2. Adapt an oral message for diverse audiences, contexts, and communication channels.
2.3. Identify and demonstrate appropriate oral and nonverbal communication practices.
2.4. Advance an oral argument using logical reasoning.
2.5. Provide credible and relevant evidence to support an oral argument.
2.6. Demonstrate the ethical responsibilities of sending and receiving oral messages.
2.7. Summarize or paraphrase an oral message to demonstrate comprehension.
Category A.2 Speaking and Listening courses
Quantitative Reasoning - Upon completion of the Quantitative Reasoning competency, students will be able to:
3.1. Interpret information that has been presented in mathematical form (e.g. with functions, equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, words, geometric figures).
3.2. Represent information/data in mathematical form as appropriate (e.g. with functions, equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, words, geometric figures).
3.3. Demonstrate skill in carrying out mathematical (e.g. algebraic, geometric, logical, statistical) procedures flexibly, accurately, and efficiently to solve problems.
3.4. Analyze mathematical arguments, determining whether stated conclusions can be inferred.
3.5. Communicate which assumptions have been made in the solution process.
3.6. Analyze mathematical results in order to determine the reasonableness of the solution.
3.7. Cite the limitations of the process where applicable.
3.8. Clearly explain the representation, solution, and interpretation of the math problem.
Category A.3 Quantitative Reasoning Courses
Category B: Ways of Knowing
Scientific Ways of Knowing - Natural science is a knowledge domain transcending the human experience. Students should understand the role of observation and inference in investigations; how natural science theories are formed, tested, and validated; the limitations inherent to natural scientific inquiry; and the impact of science and mathematics upon intellectual history. Courses in this way of knowing foster scientific thinking; knowledge of the physical and natural world; and relativize humanity’s position within the universe. Upon completion of the Scientific competency, students will be able to:
4.1. Explain how scientific explanations are formulated, tested, and modified or validated.
4.2 Distinguish between scientific and non‐scientific evidence and explanations.
4.3 Apply foundational knowledge and discipline‐specific concepts to address issues or solve problems
4.4 Apply basic observational, quantitative, or technological methods to gather data and generate evidence-based conclusions.
4.5 Use current models and theories to describe, explain, or predict natural phenomena.
4.6 Locate reliable sources of scientific evidence to construct arguments related to real-world issues.
Category B.4 Scientific Ways of Knowing courses
Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing - Students must understand the nature and diversity of individuals, cultures and societies around the world. An exploration of behavioral, societal, and cultural processes utilizing the application of scientific methodologies forms the basis for that understanding. This understanding of diverse systems assists the student in overcoming provincialism; developing the willingness, confidence, and sense of responsibility for making informed decisions; and acquiring the ability to assess personal behavior and that of others. Such learning requires a historical consciousness; familiarity with components of social structure and social institutions; knowledge of basic behavioral processes; comprehension of the interplay among ideas, technology, and social organization; and appreciation of the complex dimensions of personal and institutional rules. Upon completion of the Social and Behavioral competency, students will be able to:
5.1 Demonstrate knowledge of major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical patterns, or historical contexts within a given social or behavioral domain.
5.2 Identify the strengths and weaknesses of contending explanations or interpretations for social, behavioral, or historical phenomena.
5.3 Demonstrate basic literacy in social, behavioral, or historical research methods and analyses.
5.4 Evaluate evidence supporting conclusions about the behavior of individuals, groups, institutions, or organizations.
5.5 Recognize the extent and impact of diversity among individuals, cultures, or societies in contemporary or historical contexts.
5.6 Identify examples of how social, behavioral, or historical knowledge informs and can shape personal, ethical, civic, or global decisions and responsibilities.
Category B.5 Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing courses
Humanistic Ways of Knowing (adaptation of state learning outcomes) - Humanistic thought is the attempt to resolve such abiding issues as the meaning of life and the limits of knowledge. Humanistic inquiry assesses-across temporal, cultural, disciplinary, and theoretical divisions-how humans view themselves in relation to other humans, to nature, and to the divine. Studies in the humanities offer students the intellectual resources to develop mature self-concepts and heightened social consciousness. Upon completion of the Humanistic competency, students will be able to:
6.1 Recognize and describe humanistic or historical works or problems and patterns of the human experience.
6.2 Apply disciplinary methodologies, epistemologies, and traditions of the humanities, including the ability to distinguish primary and secondary sources.
6.3 Analyze and evaluate texts, objects, events, or ideas in their cultural, intellectual, or historical contexts.
6.4 Analyze the concepts and principles of various types of humanistic expression.
6.5 Create, interpret, reinterpret, or critique humanistic works.
6.6 Develop arguments about forms of human agency or expression grounded in rational analysis and in an understanding of and respect for spatial, temporal, or cultural contexts.
6.7 Analyze diverse narratives and evidence in order to explore the complexity of human experience across space and time.
Category B.6 Humanistic Ways of Knowing courses
Artistic Ways of Knowing (adaptation of state learning outcomes) - Artistic thought is the attempt to resolve such abiding issues as the meaning of life and the role of the arts in our understanding of what it is to be human. Artistic inquiry assesses-across temporal, cultural, disciplinary, and theoretical divisions-how humans view themselves in relation to other humans, to nature, and to the divine. Artistic studies such as arts appreciation and creative courses offer students the intellectual resources to develop mature self-concepts and heightened social consciousness. Upon completion of the Artistic competency, students will be able to:
7.1 Recognize and describe artistic works.
7.2 Apply disciplinary methodologies, epistemologies, and traditions of the visual and performative arts.
7.3 Analyze and evaluate artistic works in their cultural, intellectual, or historical contexts.
7.4 Analyze the concepts and principles of various types of artistic expression.
7.5 Create, interpret, or reinterpret artistic works through performance or criticism.
7.6 Develop arguments about forms of human agency or expression grounded in rational analysis and in an understanding of and respect for spatial, temporal, or cultural contexts.
7.7 Analyze diverse artistic expressions in order to explore the complexity of human experience across space and time.
Category B.7 Artistic Ways of Knowing courses
Interdisciplinary Ways of Knowing - True scholarship necessarily involves the creation of a deeper understanding about nature and/or the human experience. This understanding is sometimes achieved through a traditional academic approach and sometimes through performance and art. Scholarship cannot always be compartmentalized into a single way of knowing, and performance is inherently based upon a broad experience of life and the world around us., defined by each approved course meeting the following learning outcomes - 3 credits minimum
8.1 Demonstrate broad understanding across multiple distinct disciplines emphasizing how these fields both influence and pose challenges to each other.
8.2 Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate diverse perspectives to effectively address complex problems.
8.3 Integrate and communicate ideas, arguments, solutions, and narratives derived from a variety of perspectives and disciplines.
8.4 Explore the ethical and global dimensions of interdisciplinary issues, such as socio-cultural context, responsibility, accountability, sustainability, privacy, and research integrity.
8.5 At least three additional learning outcomes selected from two different areas (1-4) of Category B, “Ways of Knowing.”
Category B.8 Interdisciplinary Ways of Knowing courses
Category C: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and/or Global Awareness Requirement
All students are required to take at least one Ways of Knowing course used to satisfy General Education requirements that is designated as having a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or global awareness.
Courses designated as having a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or global awareness must meet one or both of the following learning goals:
- Develop students’ understanding of and appreciation for a) diversity - the ways that differences among individuals and groups of people (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, age, nationality, disability, culture, religion) shape lived experiences and perspectives; and/or, b) inclusion - how deliberate attention to diversity creates a community where all members are respected, feel a sense of belonging, and feel that differences are valued; and/or c) equity - how a commitment to addressing inequalities for the purpose of achieving fairness and justice is a prerequisite for equal opportunity.
- Develop students’ understanding of and appreciation for how social, cultural, political, economic, and/or technological processes in societies outside the United States, present or past, or in North America before the arrival of Europeans, shape (or shaped) the human experience in those societies; and/or how globalization processes impact the United States or societies more broadly.
- Discrete learning outcomes for courses designated as DEI/Global Awareness will be developed based on the above learning goals.
General Education Courses
Students must earn a grade of C- or better in each course used to satisfy the Purdue Fort Wayne general education requirements.
Category A: Foundational Intellectual Skills
Category A.1 Written Communication courses
Category A.2 Speaking and Listening courses
Category A.3 Quantitative Reasoning Courses
Category B: Ways of Knowing
Category B.4 Scientific Ways of Knowing courses
Category B.5 Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing courses
Category B.6 Humanistic Ways of Knowing courses
Category B.7 Artistic Ways of Knowing courses
Category B.8 Interdisciplinary Ways of Knowing courses
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