Everything you need to know about General Education ...

What is General Education?

Employers in Ontario value workers who have a broad-based education. Employees who understand subject areas beyond their primary areas of study can contribute to a constantly-changing workplace in a variety of ways.  For this reason, all Ontario Diploma and Advanced Diploma College Programs require students to complete three General Education courses.  The knowledge gained from these courses is intended to develop a good understanding of social responsibility and citizenship, and strengthen a student’s ability to participate actively and fully in society.

General education courses cover areas of general interest and are divided into five themes:

• Theme 1 - Arts in Society
• Theme 2 - Civic Life
• Theme 3 - Social and Cultural Understanding
• Theme 4 - Personal Understanding
• Theme 5 - Science and Technology

General Education Requirements

Students in two or three year college programs must complete a minimum of three general education electives. 

These courses may be required or selected via the electives process when you register; check your program's website to review required courses, such as SY066, PY199 and others. 

At Confederation College, General Education courses are offered in regular classes and also online. 

Current General Education Courses*

*Some General Education courses specific to only one or two programs are not listed below; check your program’s website for details, or contact your Program Coordinator.  Some courses may not be offered every semester.

**A variety courses are offered by alternative delivery (distance education/online); check Continuing Education for current offerings.

How do students select General Education courses?

1. Review your Program's course requirements to see if there are any required General Education courses in your program.
   Link to Postsecondary Programs ...

2. When you register in the Fall and Spring for your programs, select your General Education elective from the list that appears. Required courses for each program will be available in the Electives block for your program.
   Link to Registration Services ...

3. If you want to take a course that is not in the list provided on this page, or in your electives block, check Continuing Education course offerings.
   Link to Continuing Education ...
   You may contact your Program Coordinator, or the General Education Coordinator to see if the Continuing Education course meets the General Education requirements.

Applied & Vocational Courses (Non General Education)

Courses that provide essential employability skills, applied training or practical experience in a specific field of employment do not qualify as General Education: 

• language courses such as French, Spanish, Mandarin, Ojibwe
• hands-on computer or technology courses: Introduction to Computers, Advanced Spreadsheets, Photo Editing
• courses that relate directly to a specific workplace: Practical programming in social service courses, communications for early childhood educators or developmental service workers, sports coaching, health and safety training, fitness training, etc.
• Art or Music courses that provide hands-on techniques such as Introduction to Painting, Playing the Guitar, Cake-Decorating or Gardening
• Placement, practicum or laboratory courses
• Math, Physics, or Communications courses

Transfer Credits

If you have completed General Education courses at Confederation College in a different program, you may contact the General Education coordinator to confirm whether they meet the General Education requirements in your current program.

If you have completed courses at another college or university, they may meet the General Education requirement in a Confederation College program.  For example, if you have completed an Introduction to Sociology course at another College or University, it may meet the requirements of General Education at Confederation College.  Contact your Program Coordinator or the General Education Coordinator for more information.

• Link to Program Coordinator's Contact Info ...
• Link to Transfer Credits ...

Transfer Credit Process

1. Confirm that the completed courses fits within the Theme areas above or that it is similar to a required General Education course in your program. 
2. You may apply for a Transfer Credit by completing Transfer Credit Request form and submitting the form, an official transcript and a copy of the course outline to the Registrar's Department. A fee may be required.
   http://www.confederationc.on.ca/sites/default/files/Transfer-Credit-Request-Form.pdf

Courses must meet the following criteria:

• the course must be 45 hours long
• the course must fall within one of the five theme areas
• the final grade on the official transcript must be 60% or higher
• the course must be post-secondary
• the course must be from an accredited institution

1. Transfer Credits for required general education courses in a specific program will be reviewed by a professor who teaches the course and a recommendation will be made based on a comparison of the requested course and the Confederation course.
2. NOTE: Other courses may be considered to fulfill the general education requirements. Talk to your Program Coordinator for more information.

Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)

General Education courses are available for challenge or assessment through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). Please contact the General Education Coordinator for more information or read about Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR). You may be able to gain credits for learning acquired through study, work, volunteering and other life experiences that are not recognized through formal transfer credit mechanisms.

General Education Courses Count Towards The GPA

Your marks in your Confederation College General Education courses are included in the calculation of your Grade Point Average. 

More Information about General Education Courses at Confederation College

•  Information about General Education course requirements is included on the Ministry of college and Universities program standards: 
  www.tcu.gov.on.ca/pepg/audiences/colleges/progstan/index.html
• Each Confederation College Program webpage provides a list of required courses. 
  To postsecondary programs ...
• Contact your Program Coordinator,  or the General Education Coordinator. 

Noreen Bougeois
General Education Coordinator
Confederation College
nbourgeo@confederationc.on.ca