3.36.2 General Education Policy

Components of General Education
The Central Lakes College Learning Outcomes document defines General Education and unites learning experiences across all programs and services at CLC. You, as a student at Central Lakes College, will gain added general and specialized competence in work, community, and family life to:

1) Communicate effectively—understand and communicate effectively with others using a variety of contexts and formats, including writing, speaking, reading, listening, and interpersonal skills.

2) Solve problems – identify, evaluate, and apply critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills using multiple perspectives and appropriate technologies.

3) Demonstrate personal and social responsibility – develop and demonstrate personal and social responsibility and teamwork skills.

Determination of General Education Credits in Academic Programs
General Education courses, which are part of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC), are required for all associate degrees. The minimum number of General Education credits required in each degree are as follows:

Associate of Arts, or AA – 40 credits of MnTC General Education and must contain all 10 MnTC Goal Areas.
Associate of Science, or AS – 30 credits of MnTC General Education. Courses will be selected from at least six of the 10 MnTC goals.
Associate of Applied Science, or AAS – A minimum of 15 credits must be General Education. Courses will be selected from at least three of the 10 MnTC Goal Areas.
For stackable diplomas (programs that also offer certificates and/or associate degrees) of substantial length (46 to 72 credits), a minimum of six General Education credits must be included in the program. A minimum of three General Education credits are required for standalone diplomas (non-stackable) of the same length. General Education credits in diploma programs are not required to be a part of the MnTC, but they must meet The Higher Learning Commission of NCA General Education guidelines and be recognized as CLC courses. Additionally, CLC courses within a program must indicate alignment with all three campus-wide outcomes.
For diplomas and certificates of 45 credits or less, the curriculum will include an understanding of communications, problem-solving, human & cultural diversity, creativity, and teamwork. General education credits in diploma programs are not required to be a part of the MnTC, but they must meet The Higher Learning Commission of NCA General Education guidelines and be recognized as CLC courses.

Identification of General Education Credits in Career and Technical Programs
Courses from the following disciplines can fulfill General Education needs in a technical program:

Career and Personal Development
Computer Literacy
Communications
Health and Wellness
Mathematics
Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
History and Social Sciences
Natural Sciences
Humanities and Fine Arts

Recommendations from the program faculty and advisory committees will determine the type and distribution of General Education courses. Two options are available for identifying General Education components within a program:

Option One: Select a set number of credits and/or courses from the MnTC that meet specific program needs.

Option Two: Select General Education courses that are not exclusively related to a student’s technical, vocational, or professional field but are included in the program because they prepare students to meet personal, social, and lifelong learning needs. New courses must be developed collaboratively with the technical program and liberal arts faculty.

Date of implementation/Presidential Approval: 7/1/2016

Date of last review: 10/29/2024