General University Requirements

At Western New England University, every student must take a minimum of 40 credit hours of coursework which satisfy the General University Requirements (GURs). GURs are satisfied by courses in two different categories: Foundations and Perspectives of Understanding.

Foundations

Fundamental to every student’s success in college and beyond is competency in six areas that provide the foundation for lifelong learning and for personal and professional effectiveness. These areas are Computer Competence, Critical Thinking, Information Literacy, Mathematical Analysis, Oral Communication, and Written Communication. The University recognizes the importance of these foundational areas not only in the first year, but also throughout all four years of undergraduate study. Continuing development in these areas in the context of the student’s major is expected in a manner consistent and appropriate with a given discipline.

Perspectives of Understanding

Western New England University is committed to developing in its students an appreciation of multiple perspectives of understanding. Perspectives are the systematic ways various academic disciplines view and interpret the world around us. Each perspective enhances the students’ understanding of the complexity of the environment in which we live and of the richness of human experience. Ultimately, these perspectives have the potential to expose students to a breadth of disciplines, deepen their judgments, and inform their responses to the opportunities and challenges of life and work in the 21st century.

The Perspectives of Understanding included in the GURs are Aesthetics, Ethics, Global Cultures, History, Natural Science, and Social & Behavioral Science.

GUR Learning Outcomes

Each course designated as satisfying one of the General University Requirements is required to meet the relevant learning outcomes for that GUR. A summary list of all of the GUR Learning Outcomes is provided here.

GUR Rubrics

FOUNDATIONS

• Computer Competence
• Critical Thinking
• Information Literacy
• Mathematical Analysis
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication
  

PERSPECTIVES OF UNDERSTANDING

• Aesthetic Perspective
• Ethical Perspective
• Global Cultures Perspective
• Historical Perspective
• Natural Science Perspective
• Social & Behavioral Science Perspective

GUR Assessment Schedule

The GURs are on a five year assessment cycle, according to the following schedule.
2021-2022 Critical Thinking, Information Literacy, Oral Communication, Written Communication
2022-2023 Mathematical Analysis, Natural Science Perspective
2023-2024 Historical Perspective, Social & Behavioral Sciences Perspective
2024-2025 Aesthetics Perspective, Global Cultures Perspective
2025-2026 Computer Competence, Ethical Perspective

GUR Assessment Highlights

Looking back on Cycle III of our GUR Assessment process from 2016 to 2021, we have the following Highlights and Success Stories to share.