Why did the faculty decide to change the general education requirements?
The changes to the general education program are the result of more than two years of data collection, reflection, and deliberation. The faculty voted to streamline general education requirements to give you more flexibility in designing your educational program, while ensuring that you, and all Meredith students, “develop the knowledge, skills, values, and global awareness necessary to pursue careers, to assume leadership roles, to continue their education, and to lead responsible lives of work, citizenship, leisure, learning, and service” (Meredith Mission Statement). 

Do I have a choice of which general education program to follow?
You have a choice of the catalogue under which you want to graduate. The policy is as follows: “The catalogue for the year in which a student enters Meredith College governs the degree requirements during her period of enrollment. She may elect to follow degree requirements published in that or any subsequent catalogue in force during her period of residence” (page 35 of the 2008-09 Catalogue). This means that if you want to switch to the new general education requirements, you must change your entire catalogue. This is important, since there may be other changes in the catalogue that would affect you, such as changes in requirements within your major. If you are considering changing to the new general education program, you should consult with your academic advisor about any other changes that might affect your individual program of study.

Why would someone want to change catalogues?
The primary reason may be that the general education program approved for 2009-10 will have fewer hours required than the current program.   However, this will not change the number of hours required for graduation (still 124) and may not apply in your individual situation. If you think you want to change, talk with your academic advisor about your goals and the possible impact on your academic program.

If I adopt the 2009-10 catalogue could that change my major or minor requirements?
Yes.  If you change catalogues, you must accept ALL of the graduation requirements in the new catalogue. You should consult with your academic advisor about any changes in your major requirements and which catalogue is best for your individual situation. You are responsible for fulfilling all the requirements in the one catalogue you adopt. You cannot have major or minor requirements in one catalogue and general education in another. Again, this is an issue that you and your advisor need to think through carefully.

May I choose the requirements for my first major from one catalogue year and my second major or a minor from a different year?
No. Your entire program of study must be guided by the curricula as outlined in a single catalogue, including second majors or even minors.

If I want to adopt a new catalogue, what do I do?
Complete a new Declaration of Major form (online at http://www.meredith.edu/registrar/forms.htm). Be sure to fill in the blank that asks for Catalogue Year. Remember to have the form signed by your department head.

The complete new catalogue will be available on August 1, 2009, and should you decide to change catalogues, you can submit or resubmit your declaration of major form with a new catalogue year after this time.

Can I mix and match requirements from the old and new general education programs?
Good question, but NO. Whichever catalogue you choose, you are bound by the requirements of that entire catalogue.

Do I need to have all of this figured out before I register for next year? 
No. You do not need to have it all figured out before you register for next year. Do take some time to acquaint yourself with the new requirements and how a change might affect you. Then discuss your particular situation with your academic advisor. She or he is in the best position to help you make an informed choice. Remember, if you change your mind before fall semester, you can still drop/add classes.

What are the new requirements? 
Follow this link to see a check sheet list of the new general education requirements.  checklist

If I have already completed some requirements in general education, will they apply to the new 2009-10 gen ed?
You can plan on the following:

• If you completed CORE 100 it will count for your “US” requirement.
• If you have completed CORE 200 or 400, that will count for your “GP” requirement.
• If you have finished an ethics intensive course, it will count for your “EP” requirement.

Are some requirements the same in the current gen ed and the 2009-10 gen ed?
Yes.  ENG 111 & 200, 100 level HIS, 100 level REL, and a literature elective are the same. The lab science requirement, the 6 hours required in social and behavioral science, the arts and aesthetics requirement is the same and so is health and physical learning. The cultural elective fulfilled by the same courses as the cultural perspectives elective. 

There is no longer a science in society requirement or a quantitative requirement.

How has the Foreign Language requirement changed?
The old foreign language requirement was met by passing a competency test, OR completing 12 hours of foreign language with at least 9 of those hours in one language. The new foreign language requirement is met by completing through level 205 in one language. You can also meet the new requirement by passing the competency test or by being placed in the 206 or higher level with the placement test.

I took the foreign language placement test and placed at the 206 (or higher) level.  Have I completed my foreign language requirement?
Yes, if you change to the 2009-10 catalogue. You would need to supply the general education office with verification of your placement. Please remember that you must follow the catalogue you entered the college under or a subsequent one. However, the changes do not affect your program of study if you keep your current catalogue choice.

What is the new math requirement? Which math should I take?
The new general education requires you to complete either MAT 245: Statistics or MAT 211: Calculus. There are no prerequisites for MAT 245.  If you completed through Algebra II in high school, you should be prepared to take statistics. MAT 211 requires a background in pre-calculus. If you took pre-calculus or higher in high school, then you may be ready for MAT 211. If not, you will need to take one or two pre-requisite courses (depending upon your level of preparation). You advisor can help you determine which math is right for you and your intended major.

In the new program, do I still need to take Mat-245, Statistics I, if I have completed a statistics course within my major (e.g. PSY-200 or BUS-250)?
Yes, you must complete a course in mathematics (245 or Mat-211 Calculus I) to fulfill this requirement.

I’ve already taken CORE 100.  Does it count for anything in the new general education?
Yes.  CORE 100 fulfills the “US Perspectives” requirement.

I was planning to take CORE 100 next semester, will it still be offered?  How does it count?
CORE 100 fulfills requirements in both the old and the new gen ed. In the new general education, it counts as a “US Perspectives” course. A limited number of sections of CORE 100 will be offered both fall and spring of 2009-10.

I had planned to take one of the CORE 200 linked courses for the fall.  How do they count in the new gen ed?  Do I have to keep the link?
There are three 4-credit linked courses in the schedule for the fall 2009. Any of these will count as a “Global Perspectives” course in the new general education. During fall 09 you must take the link in order to fulfill the requirement, regardless of whether you are doing new or old gen ed.

I’ve already taken CORE 200.  How does it count in the new program?
If you have taken a linkage that counted as a CORE 200 or have fulfilled the CORE 200 requirement through study abroad in the old general education, it will count as the “Global Perspectives” requirement in the new general education.

I’ve already taken CORE 400.  How does it count in the new program?
All CORE 400 courses from the old general education program will fulfill the Global Perspectives requirement in the new general education.

Do “Ethics Intensive” courses fulfill the new “Ethical Perspectives requirement?
Yes.

What other courses fulfill US Perspectives, Global Perspectives, and Ethical Perspectives?
Eventually, all of these courses will appear in WebAdvisor with designations, just as you now see designations for Writing Intensive courses. During this transition, as new courses are being approved as “US” or “GP” or “EP”, they will be posted on the General Education website.

What are the new requirements related to threads, experiential learning, and cultural events?
You must complete one each of Writing Intensive, Oral Communication, and Information Literacy.  One course may carry up to two of these threads. The writing intensive requirement was reduced and the ethics intensive course will now be part of the Meredith Signature. The experiential learning requirement remains unchanged; one approved occurrence will be required. Cultural events attendance requirements will be reduced from 12 to 8. 

What happens if I am confused and make a mistake?
Be careful; consult with your adviser and with the academic advising office. The registrar’s office will continue to monitor progress toward graduation; many people will work together to advise and assist you, but as our 2008-09 catalogue states (p. 35), “Ultimate responsibility for fulfilling graduation requirements rests with the student.”

Do you have a Frequently Asked Question that is not answered here? Send it to the Office of General Education at winterhoff@meredith.edu, or at 919-760-8604 and we will try to answer it promptly. If it is of general interest, we may add it to the FAQ list.