As a liberal arts institution, Milligan University requires all undergraduate students to complete a core curriculum, also known as general education requirements (GER), regardless of their major area of study. The core curriculum is designed to provide students with a broad foundation for life-long learning and for further study in specific disciplines.
Our unique Humanities Program—incorporating history, literature, philosophy, and fine arts—is central to the Milligan liberal arts education. We think it’s important for tomorrow’s leaders to be individuals who can think for themselves, analyze information and ideas, and explore the nature and meaning of the world.
Our Core Curriculum is Preparation for Life
By the time you complete a Milligan degree, you will have demonstrated achievement of the following outcomes:
Intellectual and Practical Skills
- exhibited fundamental critical and creative thinking skills, having posed and investigated a question, assessed and/or evaluated information, and formulated conclusions
- synthesized and integrated a variety of information into a coherent whole
- demonstrated the capacity to learn for a lifetime by locating, accessing, evaluating, and utilizing information
- demonstrated effective communication skills
- demonstrated mathematical literacy: the ability to think logically and reason effectively utilizing mathematical methodologies to solve problems
- demonstrated scientific literacy
- evaluated Christian responses to the challenges of living in contemporary culture according to the Scriptures
- demonstrated a fundamental understanding of their own and other cultures and how they affect human interaction.
Experiential Learning
- significantly engaged another culture either academically or experientially
- participated in an experience that requires creative expression
- actively engaged in their own spiritual formation through corporate worship and service experiences
Knowledge and Content of
- significant persons, ideas, and movements in history that have shaped the present world
- literary forms and of literature as an expression of culture and individual human experience and creativity
- contributions of significant individuals and movements in the arts and music
- concepts, methods, and theories that explain human social behavior
- the Bible: its content, context, and impact on faith and life
- major concepts, principles, and theories of a natural science
- the importance of lifelong health and wellness
Core General Education Requirements
In order for students to meet the desired general education outcomes, the following courses and/or experiences are required for all Milligan students. They are divided into three categories representing a Christian liberal arts education.
Called to Relationship with God |
11 hrs |
| BIBL 123 Old Testament Survey | 3 hrs |
| BIBL 124 New Testament Survey | 3 hrs |
| BIBL 471 Christ and Culture | 3 hrs |
| SFP (see Spiritual Formation Program in Catalog) | 150 programs |
| MLGN 100 Introduction to College and Service | 0.5 hrs |
| MLGN 200 Introduction to Calling and Career | 0.5 hrs |
| EXSC 101 Fitness for Life OR acceptable alternative | 1 hour |
Called to Relationship with Others |
28 – 43 hrs |
| Humanities Program: HUMN 101 Ancient and Medieval Cultures | 4 hrs |
| Humanities Program: HUMN 102 Renaissance and Early Modern Cultures | 4 hrs |
| Humanities Program: HUMN 201 18th and 19th Century Cultures | 4 hrs |
| Humanities Program: HUMN 202 Cultures of the 20th & Early 21st Centuries | 4 hrs |
| Three credit hours of social learning | 3 hrs |
| For bachelor of arts students, foreign language competency through the intermediate level | 3-12 hrs |
| Ethnic Studies course OR Cross-Cultural Awareness Learning Experience | 3 hrs |
| Composition Program: COMP 111 Rhetorical Composition | 3 hrs |
| Composition Program: COMP 211 Inquiring Minds: Foundational Analytical Composition | 3 hrs |
| COMM 102 Speech Communication OR acceptable alternative | 3 hrs |
Called to Relationship with Creation |
9 – 11 hrs |
| Any 2 or 3 hour science course in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics (including GNSC 101 and 350) | 2-3 hrs |
| Lab Science in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics | 4 hrs |
| OR Two Lab Sciences in Biology, Chemistry, Physics | 8 hrs |
| Three credit hours of mathematics | 3 hrs |
Total number of hours in the GER |
48-65 hrs |
Composition
The composition requirements of the University ensure that all graduates will be able to write effectively, utilizing the conventions of standard written English, and will be able to undertake basic academic research, employing a variety of learning resources and technologies. These courses are specifically designed to undergird the Milligan curriculum and to fit the major field of each student.
Effective writing is an essential skill for college students and graduates. The composition courses offered by the University enable students to reach the outcomes of the general education requirement, ensuring that all graduates will have:
- exhibited fundamental critical and creative thinking skills
- having posed and investigated a question, assessed and/or evaluated information, and formulated conclusions
- synthesized and integrated a variety of information into a coherent whole
- demonstrated the capacity to learn for a lifetime by locating, accessing, evaluating, and utilizing information
- demonstrated effective communication skills
See the detailed description in the Catalog.
TRANSFERS should submit their transcripts to the Admissions Office for a transcript evaluation to determine which GER requirements may have already been met and what is still required.