The General Education program at Springfield College is informed by its century-old Humanics tradition of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body, for leadership in service to humanity. These requirements have the goal of developing literate, thoughtful, socially responsible students, and instilling in them a spirit of inquiry into the nature of humankind and the universe. Towards those ends, the requirements emphasize and encourage: the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, and competency essential for the improvement of the human condition in a diverse society; a search for personal and spiritual values; and the development of an understanding and appreciation of physical well-being.  Recognizing that our students will specialize in a variety of specific majors, the General Education requirements ensure that all students will achieve a common set of learning objectives as part of their Springfield College experience. These common objectives embody the college’s definition of an educated person and ensure that our graduates will be able to demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and understanding needed to achieve the mission of the college to educate students for leadership and lifelong service to humanity. The common learning outcomes for all baccalaureate graduates include:

• The ability to provide leadership in service to humanity;
• The ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral form;
• The ability to think critically within and across disciplines, to interpret information, and to develop well-reasoned conclusions;
• The ability to read critically, interpretatively, and empathetically;
• The ability to reason quantitatively and to use mathematical and technological tools for problem solving and analysis;
• An understanding and appreciation of aesthetic, imaginative and creative expression;
• An understanding and appreciation of the scientific process of discovery, critical thinking, and analysis;
• An understanding and appreciation of the social sciences and historical perspective in comprehending the modern world;
• The ability to reflect critically on personal, spiritual, and cultural values in order to live an effective and fulfilling life;
• An understanding and appreciation of the importance of personal wellness and lifelong physical activity in the enrichment of human life;
• An understanding and appreciation of the opportunities and challenges inherent in a world that is increasingly diverse, multicultural, and international.

The following curricular requirements have been established in support of these outcomes. However, none can be fully achieved solely by taking a given course. Therefore, these outcomes will be reinforced across the General Education curriculum and within program majors and minors.