Bloomsburg University Academic Programs
Academic Catalog

Distribution Requirements

Thirty six (36) credits are required with 12 credits required from each of the three general academic areas of humanities, social sciences and natural sciences and mathematics. No more than six credits from a given academic major may count toward this distribution requirement.


At most one course which an individual uses to satisfy the specific requirements in communication, quantitative/analytical reasoning, values/ethics and fitness and recreation requirements may be used to satisfy distribution requirements in Humanities (A), Social Sciences (B), or Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Bloomsburg University Curriculum Committee (BUCC) or an individual academic department, with the approval of the BUCC, may exclude any of its courses from being counted as a distribution requirement.

Bloomsburg University Curriculum Committee (BUCC) or an individual academic department, with the approval of the BUCC, may exclude any of its courses from being counted as a distribution requirement.

In some cases, qualifications exist in the form of prerequisites, two semester continuity, etc. Consult the class schedule, the university catalog or the student information system for prerequisites and other qualifications. Not every general education course is offered each semester.

The courses appearing here are approved for general education as of June 15, 2003 If a course was previously listed for general education and does not appear in this class schedule, that course will still fulfill general education credit for the student, provided the student enrolled in the course during the time the course was approved for general education. However, students scheduling the course after the course no longer is approved may not receive general education credit for the course.

Questions regarding courses listed as general education should be directed to the academic department which offers the course.

Courses selected to fulfill the distribution requirements must be from at least three different departments within each of the three groups with two or more credits required from each department selected. One course which a student uses to satisfy the specific course requirements in the categories of communication, quantitative/analytical reasoning and values/ethics may be used to satisfy the distribution requirements.

Students who otherwise meet the prerequisites are permitted to take any course offered by the departments listed below, unless the course is expressly excluded for general education by the university curriculum committee or the department with the approval of the curriculum committee.

No more than six credits from a given academic major may count toward the distribution requirement. Students with a double major must adhere to this policy for one of the majors.

Group A - Humanities

Select 12 credits from courses developing an understanding of approaches to gain knowledge in the humanities, creative interests in and appreciation of art, literature, music and theatre, knowledge of major contributions in the humanities, and global awareness. At least three different humanities departments must be represented in these 12 credits with two or more credits taken from each department selected.

Art and Art History (course prefixes 30, 31, 32)

Communications and Theatre Arts (course prefixes 25, 26)

English (course prefix 20)

History (course prefix 42)

Languages and Cultures (course prefixes 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19)

Mass Communications (course prefix 27)

Music (course prefix 35)

Philosophy (course prefix 28)

In addition, these courses are eligible:

08.101 Honors Humanities I

08.201 Honors Humanities II

09.171 Scholars Seminar Humanities

09.491 Honors Independent Study Humanities I

09.492 Honors Seminar Humanities

09.493 Honors Independent Study Humanities II

Group B - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Select courses totaling 12 credits from these departments:

40 - Economics

41 - Geography

43 - Criminal Justice

44 - Political Science

45 - Sociology

46 - Anthropology

48 - Psychology

49- Social Work

In addition, these courses are eligible:

08.130 Honors Social Science I

08.230 Honors Social Science II

09.172 Sch Sem Soc Sci

09.496 Honors Independent Study Soc Sci I

09.497 Honors Sem Soc Sci

09.498 Honors Independent Study Soc Sci II

70.101 Introduction to Exceptional Individuals

72.152 Introduction to Communications Disorders

90.101 Introduction to Business

The following courses are not eligible for group B credit:

40.156 Business and Economics Mathematics

40.180 Special Topics

40.256 Business and Economics Statistics I

40.356 Business and Economics Statistics II

40.456 Introduction to Econometrics

40.470 Senior Seminar

40.480 Advanced Special Topics

40.490 Independent Study

41.350 Advance Planning

Group C - Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Select courses totaling 12 credits from these departments:

50 - Biological and Allied Health Sciences

51 - Geography and Geosciences

52 - Chemistry

53 - Mathematics (but not computer science courses)

54 - Physics

In addition, these courses are eligible:

08.110 Honors Math and Science I

08.210 Honors Math and Science II

09.173 Seminar Natural Sciences and Mathematics

09.495 Honors Seminar Natural Sciences and Mathematics

The following courses are not eligible for Group C credit:

50.205 Intro to Nutrition

50.230 Human Sexuality

50.254 Social Implications Biology

58.180 CAD Engineering Graphics