Explanation of General
Education Requirements
Short Course in MU’s
General Education
Requirements
“A genius is a talented person
who does his homework.”
Thomas Edison
Disclaimer: This Web-based tutorial should not be viewed as
a complete description of all the precise requirements for
Gen Ed. It does not replace the Catalog, Curriculum
Guide, or DARS, but is intended to aid in understanding
those sources.
Your Major is Built on a Foundation
of General Education Courses
30 to 50+
Credits
54 Credits
Courses in
Major & Other
Required
Courses
1 Advanced Writing & 1 Perspectives Course
G1 Block
Arts &
Humanities
G2 Block
Science &
Mathematics
G3 Block
Social
Sciences
English Composition, Speech, & Wellness
ARTS & HUMANITIES
G1 BLOCK
Art
Communications
English
Foreign Languages
Humanities
Music
Philosophy
Theater
Pick 4 courses total, including 2 courses from 1 department (but
no more than 2 courses from 1 dept. can count in this block!)
Science & Mathematics
G2 Block
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Earth Sciences
Mathematics
Nursing
Physics
Pick 4 courses total, including 2 courses from 1 department (but
no more than 2 AND with the restrictions that follow!)
Physical/Life Science Requirement
G2 Block
Must take at least 2 courses
from among these departments
(including at least 1 lab):
Biology
Chemistry
Earth science
Physics
Mathematics Requirement
G2 Block
All students must take at least one approved
math course
Math 100 or higher (not including Math 101)
Some majors (e.g., El Ed, OSEH, Biology, etc.) require
one or more specific math courses.
Math 101 (College Algebra) does not count in this
block!
Computer Science courses don’t count
as math or a physical/life science 
Social Sciences
G3 Block
African-Amer Studies
Anthropology
Business
Economics
Geography
Gerontology
History
International Studies
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Social Work
Women’s Studies
Pick 4 courses total, including 2 courses from 1 department (but
no more than 2 courses from 1 dept. can count in this block!)
Additional Gen Ed
Requirements (G4)
Fundamentals
Composition (ENGL 110)
Speech (COMM 100)
A Perspectives (P) course
A 2nd Perspectives course or
other Gen Ed Elective
4 Writing Intensive (W) courses
An Upper Level Writing (AW)
course
Wellness (WELL 175)
Now that we’ve enumerated
the requirements, let’s
review some general
principles that guide the
program and tools to help
you along the way.
At MU Writing is Central
to the Academic Process
Gen Ed Writing Requirements:
English Comp [ENGL 110]
4 Writing Intensive
(W) Courses
1 Advanced Writing
(AW) Course [ENGL 311,
312, 313, or 316]
General Education
Rules of Thumb
Courses must be approved for Gen Ed
2 courses in same dept. in each block
3 courses at 200 level or above
4 “W” courses Anywhere
“AW” is NOT “W”
Some courses can count twice (e.g.,
major required related and Gen Ed;
200-level G1 and W )
Other Sources of
Help
Adviser
MU Web Sites
DARS
Degree
Audit
Reporting
System
Hidden Door
to MAX !
Go Back to Our Home
Page & Click Here For
Your Transcript & DARS
Looking for a
Open
Major? Need
Sections
Study Help? Go
to “Advisement”.
What or Who Is DARS
and How Can It Help Me?
A Long, Long Time Ago, in a
Universe(ity) Far, Far Away...
An Administrator determined
that neither faculty nor students were
capable of understanding curriculum
requirements. Only the Great DARS
with the help of his disciple MAX, was
able to decipher the general education
curriculum and ultimately determine
if and when you will ever graduate.
Work With Your Adviser To
Select the Right Courses
Your Adviser Wants to Help You
Check Out His/Her Office Hours
Set an Introductory Appointment
See Adviser Before Registering
Develop a 4 Year Plan
Begin a 4 Year Plan With Your
Adviser
Fall (Fresh yr.)
ENGL 110
ESCI 104/105
PSYC 100
HIST 106
MUSI 100
Fall (Soph. yr.)
Consider W Courses
Pre-Requisites
Major/Minor Exploration
Completion of G Blocks
Spring (Fresh yr.)
MATH 100
WELL 175
ENGL 230
COMM 100
BIOL 100
Spring (Soph. yr.)
Consider W Courses
Pre-Requisites
Major/Minor Exploration
Completion of G Blocks
[The example given above might represent the first two years of study for someone
entering MU as an undecided major. Other sample plans are available for majors at
Departmental Websites.]
Don’t Be Timid
Your Adviser’s
Job is to Advise!
Course Advice
• Selection
• Exceptions
Career Decisions
Academic Policies
Graduate School 
But the ultimate
responsibility lies with you
Keep track of your progress with DARS
and gold (GenEd), blue (major), and gray
(minor) sheets
http://muweb.millersville.edu/~forms/student/
Keep your records current – file forms
promptly with Registrar for change of
major, minor, transfer courses, etc.
http://muweb.millersville.edu/~advisemt/
Keep in touch with your advisor
Use all the support available to get the
job done right!
If You Still Have Questions:
See Your Adviser
Visit or Call the Office of
Academic Advisement
(717-872-3257)
Springtime on Campus
“It is better to know some of
the questions than all of the
answers.” James Thurber