In support of its mission, Johnson College provides all students with industry-focused educational experiences grounded in a general education curriculum that supports critical thinking, makes connections across disciplines, and fosters engagement in the world around them.
The mission of the General Education program and its curriculum at Johnson College is to provide students with skills needed in the real world to develop professional competency through critical thinking and problem solving, written and oral communication, scientific and quantitative reasoning, technological competency and information literacy, and equity and inclusion.
Johnson College is required to provide general education coursework as part of its associate degree program curricular content. General education requirements are completed as part of core career coursework, which may include courses in the student’s major program of study.
Johnson College has identified ten areas for general education curricular content that must be completed as part of all associate degree programs.
- Arts (ART)
- Critical analysis and reasoning (CAR)
- Humanities (HUM)
- Information literacy (IL)
- Mathematics (MAT)
- Oral and written communication (COM)
- Science & scientific and quantitative reasoning (SCI, SQR)
- Social sciences (SOC)
- Technology & technological competency (TECH, TC)
- Values, ethics, and diverse perspectives (VED)
General Education Curriculum Overview
The General Education program aims to develop students’ abilities to lead ethical lives and contribute meaningfully to society. As a key component of the overall college experience, it equips students with essential skills, knowledge, and cultural awareness that support their success in both their academic courses and future careers.
General Education Curriculum Learning Goals
Learning Goal #1: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving – Graduates will think logically and critically by employing reasoning and analysis.
- Graduates will be able to evaluate ideas, products, solutions, and/or perspectives in order to come to informed, supported conclusions.
- Graduates will be able to develop and justify solutions to problems based on evidence.
Learning Goal #2: Written and Oral Communication – Graduates will develop effective written and oral communication skills.
- Graduates will be able to develop appropriate forms of correspondence using correct grammar, syntax, and mechanics.
- Graduates will be able to explain information with organized, well-supported, and respectful thoughts.
Learning Goal #3: Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning – Graduates will be able to understand and apply fundamental scientific and mathematical principles.
- Graduates will be able to employ the processes of inquiry to explore and explain natural phenomena and general scientific principles.
- Graduates will be able to apply quantitative principles, concepts, models, and/or formulas to extract, calculate, and interpret pertinent information.
Learning Goal #4: Technological Competency and Information Literacy – Graduates will be able to utilize information technologies to gather information.
- Graduates will be able to employ appropriate forms of technology to access, identify, and collect information.
- Graduates will be able to evaluate the credibility, relevance, and applicability of information for informed and ethical use.
- Graduates will be able to produce finished work that effectively demonstrates appropriate use of software and digital tools.
Learning Goal #5: Prosessional Values and Broad Perspectives – Graduates will demonstrate the ability to engage professionally and respectfully with people and ideas representing varied backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.
- Graduates will be able to analyze and compare multiple perspectives and explain how these perspectives influence decision making or problem solving.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate professional judgment that reflects honesty, fairness, and respect for others.