General Education Requirements for Traditional Undergraduate Students

APU’s General Education program comprises five major outcome areas, and all of these requirements must be met by approved courses:

  • Intellectual and Practical Skills
  • Biblical, Theological, and Philosophical Formation
  • Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World
  • Personal and Social Responsibility
  • Integrative and Applied Learning

All courses approved to satisfy General Education requirements are identified in the class schedule and are included on the list of approved General Education courses; this list can be found below on this page, as well as at the Student Services Center and at the Academic Success Center. Additional courses may be approved in the future, or some current courses may be removed in the future. Students are encouraged to take their General Education courses throughout all their years at APU.

Even though students work closely with a faculty advisor in determining their General Education requirements, the responsibility for fulfilling these requirements is solely that of the student. For more information, contact the Academic Success Center.

All students are required to access their Web-based Academic Requirements Report (through home.apu.edu) under the Academics section for information regarding their major and General Education requirements and fulfillment of these requirements. Any questions about the application of transfer courses for course requirements should be directed to the Academic Success Center.

For additional information regarding the General Education program, visit either General Education for APU Students, or the General Education website tailored for faculty and staff.

Note: Bachelor of Music majors are not required to take the Fitness for Life, Oral Communication, Foreign Language, Math, or Humanities: Fine Arts requirements. This statement does NOT apply to Bachelor of Arts music majors.

Courses listed in 2 categories cannot satisfy both requirements; students must choose which category the course will fulfill. The sole exception to this rule is UNRS 386, a 6-unit course course that is a combination of two other GE courses that meets the Intercultural Competence and the Civic Knowledge and Engagement categories.

Intellectual and Practical Skills

Inquiry and Analysis, Critical and Creative Thinking, Written and Oral Communication, Personal Wellness, Quantitative Literacy, Information Literacy, and Teamwork and Problem Solving.

GE 100First-Year Seminar 13
WRIT 110Writing 1: The Art and Craft of Writing3
Writing 23
Select one of the following:
Writing 2: Writing for Christian Practice
Writing 2: Philosophy of Math, Logic, and Language
Writing 2: Philosophical Writing in C. S. Lewis
Writing 2: Writing in Religion, Cinema, and Popular Culture
Writing 2: Writing for the Humanities in Spanish
Writing 2: Writing in the Humanities
Writing 2: Film Analysis and Criticism
Writing 2: Writing for Visual Thinkers
Writing 2: Writing about Music
Writing 2: Scientific Writing
Writing 2: Physical Activity and Health Promotion
Writing 2: Entrepreneurial Tech Start-ups
Writing 2: Mathematical Careers and Callings
Writing 2: Psychology Subdisciplines and Career Trajectories
Writing 2: Writing in Business
Writing 2: Criminal Justice Research Methods
Writing 2: Writing Ethnography in the Social Sciences
Writing 2: Theoretical Frameworks in Nursing
Writing 33
Select one of the following:
Writing 3: Accounting Ethics
Writing 3: History of Modern Art and Architecture
Writing 3: Ethics and the Sciences
Writing 3: Business Ethics
Writing 3: Screenwriting
Writing 3: Nonfiction Writing for Visual Media
Writing 3: Criminal Justice Research Design
Writing 3: Senior Capstone in Criminal Justice
Writing 3: Writing for Communication
Writing 3: Ethics in Computing and Engineering
Writing 3: Visual Storytelling and Design Identity
Writing 3: Education and Professional Ethics
Writing 3: Advanced Composition
Writing 3: Engineering Management, Economics, and Ethics
Writing 3: Global Study Project
Writing 3: Historical Research and Writing
Writing 3: Research Methods in Kinesiology
Writing 3: Mathematical Reading, Writing, and Presentation
Writing 3: Culture and Ministry
Writing 3: Baroque, Classical, and Early Romantic Music Literature
Writing 3: Concepts of Human Nature
Writing 3: Advanced Laboratory
Writing 3: Research and Writing
Writing 3: Senior Seminar in Psychology and Christian Integration
Writing 3: Public Relations Writing for Campaigns
Writing 3: Qualitative Social Research Methods
Writing 3: Quantitative Social Research Methods
Writing 3: Social Work Research Project
Writing 3: Survey of the Literature of the Spanish-Speaking World
Writing 3: The Formation of Early Christianity
Writing 3: American Christianity
Writing 3: The History of Christian Spirituality
Global Christianity
Writing 3: Playwriting
Writing 3: Ethics in Theater, Film, and Television
Writing 3: Women in the Biblical Tradition
Writing 3: Ethics and Issues in Health Care
Writing 3: Writing Within and Between Disciplines
Oral Communication 23
Select one of the following:
Business Communications
Public Communication
Introduction to Computer Science I
and Database Management Systems
and Senior Capstone Project
Introduction to Computer Science I
and Digital Logic Systems
and Senior Design Project II
Public Speaking in Spanish
Beginning Voice for the Actor
and Intermediate Voice for the Actor
Personal Wellness 31
Select one of the following:
Varsity Baseball: Men
Varsity Basketball: Men
Varsity Track and Field: Men and Women
Varsity Cross Country: Men and Women
Varsity Tennis: Men and Women
Varsity Football: Men
Varsity Basketball: Women
Varsity Volleyball: Women
Varsity Soccer: Men
Varsity Soccer: Women
Varsity Softball: Women
Varsity Swimming and Diving: Women
Varsity Water Polo: Women
Varsity Acrobatics and Tumbling
Varsity Cheer
Fitness for Life: Walking/Jogging
Fitness for Life: Cycling
Fitness for Life: Basketball
Fitness for Life: Beginning Swimming and Conditioning
Fitness for Life: Ultimate Frisbee
Fitness for Life: Flag Football
Fitness for Life: Recreational Games
Fitness for Life: Weight Training
Fitness for Life: Cardio Strength Fusion
Fitness for Life: Triathlon
Fitness for Life: Dance for the Theater
Fitness for Life: Hiking
Fitness for Life: Yoga
Fitness for Life: Sand Volleyball
Fitness for Life: Soccer
Fitness for Life: 5K (Beginning)
Fitness for Life: 5k (Intermediate)
Fitness for Life: Zumba
Fitness for Life: Kinesiology
Quantitative Literacy3
Select one of the following:
Business Statistics
College Algebra
Mathematics in Society
Introduction to Statistics
Statistics and Data Management for Nursing and Health Care
Total Units19
1

Due to the first-year focus of GE 100 (First-Year Seminar), students who fail this course in their first semester will be required to repeat the course during their next semester at APU.

2

ENGR 120 may be taken in place of CS 120, as these are crosslisted courses.

CS 242 may be taken in place of ENGR 240, as these are crosslisted courses. 

3

The Personal Wellness General Education category is only required for traditional undergraduate students with less than 60 transfer units.

Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World

History3
Select one of the following:
World Civilizations to 1648
World Civilizations Since 1648
United States History to 1877
United States History Since 1877
Core Texts in History
Core Texts in History
Late Romantic and 20th-Century Music Literature (Bachelor of Music Majors only)
Literature3
Select one of the following:
Studies in Literature
English Literature to 1789
World Literature to the Renaissance
English Literature Since 1789
World Literature Since the Renaissance
American Literature to 1865
American Literature Since 1865
Core Texts in Literature
Core Texts in Literature
Literary Masters
Fine Arts3
Select one of the following:
Ceramics I
Drawing I
Introduction to Art
Photography I
Fundamental Art Experiences
History of Ancient Art and Architecture
History of Contemporary Art and Architecture
History of Early Christian and Medieval Art and Architecture
History of Renaissance to Rococo Art and Architecture
Multicultural Art
Christianity and the Creative Process
Introduction to Digital Filmmaking
History of Television and Digital Media
History of Film
Using Digital Media in a Visual World
Core Texts in Aesthetics
Core Texts in Aesthetics
Music Fundamentals
Music Theory I
History of Film Music
Christianity and the Creative Process
Introduction to Acting
Introduction to Theater
Acting Shakespeare
Social Sciences3
Select one of the following:
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Impact of Social Media
Survey of Economics
Principles of Macroeconomics
Globalization and Development
Organizational Leadership
Managing Diverse Teams and Groups
General Psychology
Human Growth and Development
Psychology of Child and Adolescent Development
Introduction to Sociology
Science of Teaching I: How Students Learn
Natural Sciences (with lab)4
Select one of the following:
Biology and Society
General Biology I
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
Humans and the Environment
Chemistry and Society
General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry for the Health Sciences
General Chemistry I
Science and Technology for Everyday Applications
Physics for Life Sciences I
and Physics Laboratory I
Physics for Science and Engineering: Mechanics
and Physics Laboratory I
Ancient and Modern Languages 1
American Sign Language I
and American Sign Language II
Elementary Chinese I
and Elementary Chinese II
Elementary French I
and Elementary French II
Elementary German I
and Elementary German II
Elementary Greek I
and Elementary Greek II
Elementary Classical Greek I
and Elementary Classical Greek II
Elementary Hebrew I
and Elementary Hebrew II
Elementary Japanese I
and Elementary Japanese II
Elementary Latin I
and Elementary Latin II
Modern Language I
and Modern Language II
Elementary Spanish I
and Elementary Spanish II
Elementary Spanish I for Healthcare Professionals
and Elementary Spanish II for Healthcare Professionals
English for Academic Purposes I
and English for Academic Purposes II
Total Units16

This course is available through one or more of the APU Study Away Semester programs. See full program options at: GE and Study Away.

1

Ancient and Modern Languages is a proficiency requirement that may be met by taking OPIc, SAT, AP, CLEP, or FLATS test score, or completion of an APU language course numbered 102 or higher. APU language courses are listed here for reference.

Biblical, Theological, and Philosophical Formation

Interpretation, analysis, and application of scriptural principles.

MIN 108Christian Life, Faith, and Ministry3
UBBL 100Introduction to Biblical Literature: Exodus/Deuteronomy3
UBBL 230Luke/Acts3
or UBBL 235 Luke/Acts through a Latinx Lens
Philosophy3
Select one of the following:
Core Texts in Philosophy
Core Texts in Philosophy
Introduction to Philosophy
Theology3
Select one of the following:
Core Texts in Christianity
Theology and the Christian Life
Faith and the Arts
Church History: Apostolic Era to the Eve of the Reformation
Church History from the Eve of the Reformation to the Present
Upper-Division Bible3
Select one of the following:
The Rise of the King: I and II Samuel
Old Testament Prophets
Ruth and Esther
Psalms and Wisdom
Life and Teachings of Jesus
The Gospel and Letters of John
Romans and Galatians
Thessalonian and Corinthian Epistles
Biblical Lands and Cultures
Total Units18

Personal and Social Responsibility

Civic Knowledge and Engagement (local and global), Intercultural Knowledge and Competence, Ethical Reasoning and Action, and Foundations and Skills for Lifelong Learning.

Civic Knowledge and Engagement3
Select one of the following: 1
Ecology
Personal Finance
Business and Entrepreneurship
Civic Engagement Through Media
Criminal Justice, Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility
Applied Design
Urban and Regional Economics
Introduction to Teaching as a Profession K-12
Introduction to Teaching as a Profession (7-12)
Introduction to Engineering and Computing
Civic Engagement Through Games
Contemporary Global Issues
Urban Society
Principles and Practice of Community Engagement
Civic Knowledge and Engagement
Press Theory and Democracy
Disability, Movement, and Inclusive Engagement
Organizational and Administrative Behavior
Consumer Behavior: An Applied Approach
MUS XXX - 4 Semesters of Musical Ensembles
Practical Ethics
Science and Technology for Everyday Applications
American Government
Political Psychology
Introduction to Social Work
Politics and Society in Latin America
Schools and Educational Systems
Theater for Social Change
Community Health Nursing
Population and Community Health Nursing 2
Exploring Vocation
Intercultural Competence3
Select one of the following:
International Business
Film and Social Issues
World Cinema
Intercultural Communication
STEM as Vocation
Diversity in the Classroom
American Ethnic Literature
STEM as Vocation
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
The Asian American Experience
The African American Experience
The Chicano(a)/Latino(a) Experience
Native American/Indigenous Experience
Anthropology for Everyday Life
Intercultural Communication
Immigration and Integration
Cultural History/Travel Study
History of American Immigration
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence
Intercultural Ministries
Race, Reconciliation, and Ministry
Principles of Marketing
Introduction to World Music
Soul Music
Classical Chinese Ethics
Race, Sex and Science
Classical Chinese Ethics
Multicultural Psychology
World Religions
Judaism: A Story of Hope
Islam: The Way of Submission
Hinduism: Karma, Dharma, and Yoga
East Asian Religions and Mindfulness
Race and Ethnicity
Human Diversity
Social Justice Foundations for Human Rights
Spanish Conversation and Community
The Soul of Teaching: Tapestry of American Education
Global Christianity
Theology from the Margins
History of Theater to the Nineteenth Century
Biblical Lands and Cultures
Global Biblical Interpretation
International Health Nursing
Urban/Rural Health Nursing
Population and Community Health Nursing 2
Total Units6
1

The Civic Engagement requirement may also be met with 4 semesters of music performing ensembles and a civic engagement paper to be completed during the fourth semester. See the Department of Music section of this catalog for a list of options.

2

UNRS 386 is a 6-unit course that combines content from UNRS 382 and UNRS 384. When completed, this course meets the General Education requirements for Civic Knowledge and Engagement, and for Intercultural Competence. 

This course is available through one or more of the APU Study Away Semester programs. See full program options at: GE and Study Away.

Integrative and Applied Learning*

Integrative and Applied Learning0-6 (3 average)
Select one of the following:
Portfolio
Genetics
Neurobiology
Practicum and Topics in Allied Health
Instrumental Analysis: Theory
and Instrumental Analysis - Lab
Capstone Project in Cinematic Arts
Production Capstone
Criminal Justice Internship
Senior Capstone in Criminal Justice
Communication Internship
Software Engineering
Computer Science Internship
Design Portfolio
Foundations of Education Capstone
Writing Internship
English and the Professions
Engineering Internship
Game Studio Capstone I
Game Studio Capstone II
Sustainable Societies
Senior Seminar in Faith and History
Internship in Exercise Science
Mathematics Senior Seminar
Principles of Management
Project Management
Business Management Internship
Strategic Management
Senior Seminar: Church and Society
Senior Recital
Senior Project in Commercial Music
Methods in Physical Education: 7-12
Senior Seminar
Physics Research Seminar
and Physics Thesis
Senior Seminar: Religion and Politics
Field Experience
Research Experience
Field Internships
Senior Practicum Seminar I
Spanish Capstone Seminar
Clinical Practice I: Mild to Moderate Support Needs
and Clinical Practice II: Mild to Moderate Support Needs
Clinical Practice I: Mild to Moderate Disabilities
and Clinical Practice II: Mild to Moderate Disabilities
Clinical Practice I: Extensive Support Needs
and Clinical Practice II: Extensive Support Needs
Clinical Practice I: Moderate to Severe Disabilities
and Clinical Practice II: Moderate to Severe Disabilities
Clinical Practice I: Multiple Subject Credential
and Clinical Practice II: Multiple Subject Credential
Clinical Practice I: Single Subject Credential
and Clinical Practice II: Single Subject Credential
Senior Seminar: Theology and Social Issues
Business of Acting/Hollywood Showcase
Capstone Project in Theater Arts
Senior Seminar: Biblical Theology and Ethics
Clinical Residency Nursing
Advanced Nursing Care of Adults
Interdisciplinary Internship
Total Units0-6

This course is available through one or more of the APU Study Away Semester programs. See full program options at: GE and Study Away.

*

Integrative and Applied Learning options vary by department and range from 0-6 units.

Intellectual and Practical Skills19
Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World16
Biblical, Theological, and Philosophical Formation18
Personal and Social Responsibility6
Integrative and Applied Learning3
Average Total Units:62