General Education Requirements

Rationale / It is the philosophy of Oakland Community College to ensure that each student pursuing and completing an associate degree has experienced the General Education component as embodied in the requirements of each associate degree program at OCC.
   General Education is the foundation of every student’s program when attaining a degree, regardless of area of emphasis. It is intended to impart common knowledge, intellectual concepts and attitudes. General Education for OCC students exists to expand their abilities and skills and to develop ideas and values. It will also prepare them to address the issues, problems and technology across the fields of studies.

Attributes / Oakland Community College has identified 10 General Education Attributes. These attributes will introduce educational experiences that will encourage students to:

1. Communicate effectively
2. Think critically and creatively
3. Solve problems analytically, systematically and insightfully
4. Develop an aesthetic awareness
5. Acquire interpersonal and personal development skills
6. Learn independently and collaboratively
7. Be technologically and scientifically literate
8. Appreciate diversity and commonality
9. Develop a strong commitment to social responsibility
10. Understand the global environment

   This list was derived from the College faculty’s rigorous research reviews in the following areas:

• attributes desired by employers for college graduates
• attributes necessary for success in the most common adult roles of citizen, worker and family member to trends in other colleges and universities.

   The General Education Distribution requirements will provide the student with an in-depth focus on the 10 attributes through exposure to a breadth of disciplines.