University Studies FAQ
Read our most Frequently Answered Questions.
Frequently Asked Questions: General
What is University Studies?
University Studies is SOU’s name for “general education.” SOU faculty selected this name because all kinds of important studies lead to a degree at SOU: major studies, minor studies, certificate studies, elective studies and University Studies.
What are the University Studies’ learning goals and how do I meet them?
University Studies’ learning goals focus on developing and strengthening essential skills relevant to any undergraduate degree and to lifelong learning. Writing and speaking skills, thinking skills, and research skills are essential. Understanding perspectives and concepts in the humanities, in the social sciences, and in the sciences is essential. Lastly, being able to integrate ideas and understand interactions among science, technology, and human affairs, understand the needs of citizenship and civic engagement, and understanding what it means to have a diverse and inclusive perspective of the world are all valuable integrations of human knowledge.
How do I know which courses will count for University Studies?
Students can find the most up-to-date listing of courses that will fulfill their University Studies in several convenient places: the SOU online catalog, the Course Schedule (please use the Advanced Search drop-down menu when looking for specific courses offered in a specific term), and current students via DegreeWorks (when logged into inside.sou.edu, “Degree Works” under Online Services tab). Since University Studies courses are selected based on faculty proposals demonstrating the course meets specific learning outcomes, course listings evolve.
What does it mean when a University Studies course "double-dips"?
Some courses in SOU’s curriculum will “double dip.” This means that a course fulfills the University Studies learning objectives and it also fulfills a major, minor or certificate requirement. For example, Psychology 201 is a requirement of the Psychology major or minor, but it is also fulfills the learning outcomes of a University Studies Exploration course in the social sciences. For another example, Philosophy 201 fulfills both the University Studies Exploration outcomes in the humanities and it is required of the Philosophy minor. In another example, Environmental Science 101 (with lab) will fulfill major requirements, but it also fulfills University Studies Exploration course in the sciences. You can also find examples of University Studies Integration courses that will fulfill major elective options.
Why are some courses included in University Studies but not others?
Not all courses at SOU engage with the specific kinds of learning goals that University Studies prioritizes. Because University Studies’ courses are accountable to specific skills and well-defined learning goals, instructors must submit an application for any specific course to be included in the University Studies curriculum. Programs and individual instructors decide to submit courses for inclusion and their submissions are reviewed by representatives of the whole faculty of Southern Oregon University.
Will courses taken at other schools serve as course equivalents for University Studies?
Maybe. Sometimes courses taken at other institutions may qualify as part of our University Studies curriculum; other times, courses will not meet our learning outcomes. While we do our best to accommodate students’ as they work towards their SOU degrees and we do accept a wide variety of transfer and other credits, we also want to do our best to ensure that learners with a quality degree from SOU have the skills they need and that they can apply them confidently.
If learners transferred a course that was not recognized as counting for University Studies, they may want to consider filing a Petition for Substitution. Courses from institutions that are not listed on the transfer student website, may still be considered for University Studies credits with clear documentation of the work completed
Will courses taken while studying abroad serve as course equivalents for University Studies?
Yes! Learners should consult with an academic adviser, a major advisor or meet with the Division Director of Undergraduate Studies to discuss a plan before they travel.
Will 300-400 level courses fulfill 100-200 level equivalents for University Studies?
No. Typically courses that fulfill University Studies’ Foundation and Exploration learning goals are lower division courses (100 – 200 levels) that are taken at a community college or as part of advanced credits earned while in high school. For Integration courses, only upper division courses (300-400 levels) completed at a university will be considered.
University Studies Completion Options
Learners entering SOU with or without transfer credit from an accredited institution are expected to meet ONE of the following lower division general education requirement options below. In addition, all students must complete three upper division University Studies Integration courses at SOU.
University Studies Option 1
Completion of SOU’s University Studies requirements. See Catalog Here
University Studies Option 2
Completion of an Associate of Arts-Oregon Transfer (AAOT), Associate of Science-Oregon Transfer (ASOT) degree, Oregon Transfer Module (OTM) as certified by an Oregon community college, Direct Transfer Associate Degree (DTA) as certified by a Washington college, or an Associate Degree for Transfer (AA/AS Transfer) as certified by a California Community College.
University Studies Option 3
Completion of ALL general education requirements at an accredited four-year institution of higher education. Students must provide documentation from the institution stating that general education requirements were met.
University Studies Option 4
Completion of Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University (CSU) requirement, or an Articulated Program Agreement with Southern Oregon University. Students must provide documentation stating this curriculum was completed.
In addition, all learners will complete three upper division University Studies Integration courses at SOU.
University Studies Course Transfer Specifics
Lower Division (100-200 Level) Courses
Communication (Written and Oral)
Transfer student must complete courses equivalent to WR 121, 122, (Composition I and II) and COMM 125 (Interpersonal Communication), COMM 210 (Public Speaking), COMM 225 (Small Group Communication), or COMM 310 (Advanced Public Speaking) OR complete USEM 101, 102 & 103 with earning C- or better in each class.
*If a student transfers in with WR 121 only, then they will take USEM 102 and 103. If a student transfers in two of the three courses, requirements for the third class can be completed at SOU.
Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning)
Students must complete 4 credits of college-level math from courses that require intermediate algebra or two years of high school algebra as a prerequisite.
Humanities (Exploration E)
Transfer students must complete a minimum of 9 credits in this category. This is the equivalent of two or three (depending on credits coming from institutions with semesters or terms) lower division courses from Humanities, Art, Communication, English, Foreign Languages and Literature, Music, Philosophy, Theater Arts, or General Humanities. Typically these are non-studio courses.
Social Science (Exploration F)
Science (Exploration G)
Transfer students must complete a minimum 11 credits in this category. This is the equivalent of two or three (depending on credits coming from institutions with semesters or terms) lower division courses from Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Physical Geography, Geology, Physics, and General Science. Additionally, two of the three courses should have accompanying labs. One science course may be taken without a lab experience.
Upper Division (300-400 level) Courses
Students must complete one Upper Division course in each area listed below. Maximum of two may be in your major and/or per subject area. Selection must be an approved Upper Division Integration Course from the categories listed here.
Science, Technology and Society (Integration H)
The learning goal is to understand the interactions among science, technology, and human affairs.
Students select one eligible course in this category for earning 3-4 credits
Citizenship and Social Responsibility (Integration I)
Diversity and Global Awareness (Integration J)
The learning goal is to understand institutions, assumptions, and values using national and global perspectives.
Students select one eligible course in this category for earning 3-4 credits
University Studies Course Substitutions
Some courses may meet University Studies requirements but will require a petition for substitution.
What is included in a completed packet for Petition for Substitution?
A completed packet contains the following:
- A completed Petition for Substitution form
- Approval from your adviser
- A course description of the class you would like to have considered (whenever possible, a syllabus should be included)
- A copy of your DegreeWorks degree audit
- An essay describing how the proposed course meets the University Studies strand goal(s) specific to your petition
Petition for Substitution forms
Please carefully review the FAQs in the section above before selecting a form.
Depending on the type of course you would like reviewed, please download, print and complete the appropriate form:
Petition for Foundation Learning Goals A, B and C
Petition for Foundation Learning Goal D
Who receives my completed Petition for Substitution packet?
Completed packets can be submitted to:
Elizabeth Whitman, CS 216
Foundation Learning Goals A, B, C
whitmane@sou.edu
541.552.8406
Dr. Sherry Ettlich, SC 157
Foundation Learning Goal D (Quantitative Reasoning)
ettlich@sou.edu
541.552.6576
Dr. Lee Ayers, CS 211
Exploration and Integration Learning Goals E, F, G, H, I, J
ayersl@sou.edu
541.552.6505
Contact Undergraduate Studies
SOU Division of Undergraduate Studies
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6505
– Questions About Undergraduate Studies? –
Transfer students must complete a minimum 9 credits in this category. This is the equivalent of two or three (depending on credits coming from institutions with semesters or terms) lower division courses from Anthropology, Criminology, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Economics, Sociology, General Social Science, and Women’s Studies.