Aug 22, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

General Education Requirements


‭The General Education requirements are designed to provide students with a breadth of knowledge,‬‭ skill, and understanding that will prepare them to perform successfully as well-informed citizens and‬ professionals in their community, nation, and world. General Education courses also provide an‬ enriching context for the in-depth study required in every major. All students, regardless of their‬‭ major program of study, must complete the General Education requirements. The General Education‬ Curriculum is required of all Ferrum College graduates. It is composed of 30 credits divided into two‬ main parts: Common Competencies (100 and 200-level courses) and Discipline Competencies (first‬ year and beyond).‬‭ Students who enter Ferrum College‬‭ with an Associate’s Degree from an‬‭ accredited college or those‬‭ who have completed the‬‭ Virginia Community College System‬ (VCCS) Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) with grades of C or better in all‬ courses required for the certificate‬‭ are exempt from‬‭ the General Education requirements.‬

Common Competencies


The General Education Curriculum rests on a foundation of four “Common Competencies”: Written‬ Communication (WC), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Global and Social Responsibility (GSR), and‬‭ Oral Communication (OC). All students are required to take three (3) credits in each of these four‬ competency areas as well as ENG-112.‬‭ Additionally, all entering students with less than 24 credits are required to fulfill six (6) credits of‬ Professional Development. This includes FER-100 (or HON-101), FER-202, and FER-203.‬‭ Those‬ with more than 24 credits are not required to take FER-100.‬‭ Students entering with more than 56 credits meet the Professional Development‬ requirements.‬

Written Communication (WC)


Courses designated “Written Communication” (WC) introduce students to writing at the college level. WC courses are taught in various academic areas, and are aimed at introducing students to the subject matter of those areas through a guided process of research and writing. Students are required to complete two WC courses; one of these must be English 112.

Quantitative Reasoning (QR)


Courses that fulfill the “Quantitative Reasoning” (QR) common competency introduce students to the skills and methods involved in the collection, analysis, and application of quantitative data. These courses stress not only proficiency in basic computational skills, but also the ability to understand and interpret data in a variety of contexts. Students are required to complete one QR course.

Global and Social Responsibility (GSR)


Courses that fulfill the “Global and Social Responsibility” (GSR) common competency introduce students to issues of culture and environment locally, nationally, and globally. These courses promote an appreciation of diversity, encourage students to explore the particularities of their own identities in relation to their various contexts, and empower them to effect positive change in their communities, nation, and world. Students are required to complete one GSR course.

Oral Communication [OC]


Courses that fulfill the “Oral Communication” (OC) common competency are aimed at helping students acquire and practice oral communication skills that will help them succeed not only in college, but also after graduation. These courses are taught in a variety of academic disciplines and emphasize the development of effective presentation skills appropriate to the field and subject matter of the course.

Professional Development


Professional development courses play a vital role in helping students prepare for successful careers. These courses not only equip students with the skills needed to navigate the challenges of college but also help them develop career readiness competencies and expose them to potential career pathways through internships and work-based learning opportunities. These experiences allow students to explore whether a specific career aligns with their interests and goals. These professional development courses can enhance job performance, foster valuable networking connections, and boost students’ confidence as they prepare to enter an increasingly competitive job market.

All entering students with less than 24 credits are required to fulfill six (6) credits of Professional Development. 

This includes FER-100 (or HON-101), FER-200 and FER-202. 

Students with more than 24 credits are not required to take FER-100.  However, students who have never taken an in-person class in a higher education institution are encouraged to take FER-100.

Students transferring in with an Associate’s degree meet the Professional Development requirements. Students entering with more than 56 credits meet the Professional Development requirements. While these students are not required to take the Professional Development courses to satisfy the General Education requirements, these courses may be required as pre-requisites for other courses. These courses are also recommended because they help students acclimate to the campus and prepare for their professional careers.

Students who receive an F in FER-100, FER-200, or FER-202 must retake the course at the earliest opportunity, typically in the following semester or upon readmission to the college.

 

Discipline Competencies


Humanities, History & Fine Arts [HFA]


Social & Behavioral Sciences [SBS]


Natural Sciences & Mathematics [NSM]