Beginning in Fall 2015, students at NIU will be able to take advantage of a new general education program which is part of a larger curricular transformation called PLUS: Progressive Learning in Undergraduate Studies.
PLUS brings together a course curriculum with academic experiences to create an integrated learning environment, connect students to their peers across campus and encourage cross-disciplinary thinking and intellectual advancement.
When it is fully implemented, PLUS will offer a unique baccalaureate program, one that will help students meet the challenges of the future by preparing them to be nimble and flexible thinkers.
The first phase of PLUS implementation begins with the general education program. The changes will include:
- reduction of total general education credit requirements from 39 hours to 33 hours;
- two major studies, approved general education courses (up to six hours) may be used to satisfy both major requirements and general education requirements;
- replacement of existing distributional categories with new knowledge domains: creativity and critical analysis; nature and technology; society and culture;
- assignment of current general education courses into one of the three new knowledge domains;
- a new 200-level rhetoric and composition course that focuses on writing within the knowledge domains; and
- the introduction of General Education Pathways.
Pathways are a signature element of PLUS. Faculty and students alike are invited to participate in their development. Faculty may apply for General Education Pathway Development Grants.
For more information, contact Acting Associate Vice Provost Ed Klonoski at (815) 753-7037 or eklonoski@niu.edu.
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