A broad liberal arts education is central to the Wesleyan experience. To foster intellectual breadth, the faculty has organized the curriculum into three areas: 

• Humanities and the Arts (HA)

• Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)

• Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM)

Courses are designated as fulfilling general education expectations for one of these areas when appropriate. The general education designation does not always correlate with the same division as the host department. In consultation with their faculty advisors, students are encouraged and expected to explore courses from each area to ensure a well-rounded liberal arts education.

The General Education Expectations are divided into two stages:

• Stage 1 (first and second year): By the end of the fourth semester, students should complete at least 2.0 credits in each of the three areas (HA, SBS, NSM), with each credit earned from a different subject code.

• Stage 2 (junior and senior year): Before graduation, students should complete an additional 1.0 credit in each area, for a total of nine general education credits.

Additional Guidelines

• Prematriculation Credits: 

  • Credits earned before matriculating as a first-year student at Wesleyan cannot apply toward these expectations. 

  • Transfer students’ previous coursework is considered for equivalency credit as part of the transfer evaluation process.

• Study Abroad:

  • Courses from Wesleyan-administered or approved study-abroad or domestic study-away programs are coded for equivalency when appropriate.

• Instances that Require General Education Fulfillment:

  • Some majors require Stage 1 completion by the end of the fourth semester to declare the major. 

  • Some majors require fulfillment of Stage 2. 

  • Some majors also require completion of Stage 2 to receive honors.

  • Some University-wide honors (such as University Honors or Phi Beta Kappa) require completion of Stage 2 to be eligible for those distinctions

  • Students pursuing three programs (majors, minors, or certificates) must complete Stage 2 by the end of their final semester or they will be required to drop one.

• Cross-Listed Courses 

  • If a course is cross-listed, the general education subject code for stage 1 fulfillment will be based on the student’s chosen subject code. The student must select the preferred subject code cross-listing before the withdrawal deadline; cross-listings cannot be changed later. 

• Dual General Education Designations:

  • If a course is assigned to more than one general education area (HA, SBS, NSM), the degree audit system will assign the designation that best satisfies the student’s general education compliance.

• Tutorials, including student forums, never fulfill general education expectations.