General Education

IMPACT Vision Statement

Education is not just about what you learn—it’s about what you do with it and who you become because of it. The IMPACT Curriculum invites students to consider themselves citizen-scholars preparing to turn their knowledge into action, skills into service, and passion into purpose. Designed for those who seek to make a difference, this curriculum empowers students to lead, serve, and create lasting change in their communities and professions.

• IMPACT is hands-on. Whether behind the microscope in lab, between the pages of a book, or beside a team in clinicals, the IMPACT curriculum invites students to practice and apply the versatile skills that both employers desire and our world needs to build competent workforces and resourceful communities.
• IMPACT is about transformation. Our students don’t just graduate with knowledge; they leave with the ability to shape lives, solve problems, and create meaningful change. They are agents of their own self-discovery and visionaries for the world we will share—lifelong learners making ripples and riding waves.
• IMPACT is mission-driven. Grounded in the values of mercy, this curriculum prepares students to be just, compassionate leaders in an evolving world. Values-based education encourages students to both make meaning of what they are learning and to make meaningful their experience.

Why IMPACT?

Today’s students need more than a degree—they want an education that matters. The IMPACT Curriculum is committed to competency-based learning, equipping students with the tools they need to address complex, real-world challenges. Whether in healthcare, education, social work, or business, graduates of this curriculum leave not just prepared, but empowered to serve.

Your Impact: What are the “wicked problems” of the world – the ones that require collaboration, creativity, and analysis to solve – and how can my education position me to not only understand their complexity but to participate in their resolution? The Sisters of Mercy demonstrate the power of contemplation in action with their particular emphasis on these critical concerns: Anti-Racism, Immigration & Migration, Women and Minoritized Genders, Environment, and Nonviolence and Peace. What will you study and who will you serve? What skills will you need to develop to navigate complex problems and thrive in an interconnected world?

The IMPACT Curriculum

The IMPACT Curriculum couples competency-based learning with values-driven education to help students develop the mindset and skills necessary to thrive in our changing world. By aligning our selection of competencies with what employers want and our core courses with what this world needs, we are positioning graduates to be agents of change fortified with skills that are versatile and transferrable and values that are durable and resilient. They will do well and do good.

A skills-centered curriculum invites students to choose the subjects in which they are most interested in learning, applying, and building their competencies. Students will take one course in each of the following competencies:1.  Academic Writing, Information Literacy, & AI Proficiency, 2. Creative Thinking and Expression, 3. Critical Reading and Analysis, 4. Mathematical Reasoning, 5. Intercultural Understanding and Intercultural Communication, 6. Understanding Human Behavior and Social Systems, and 7. Scientific Thinking. Additionally, students will participate in the MERCY CORE courses which include an orientation to college course (Pathways to the Bridge), cornerstone seminar (Discovering the Self in the Universe), and capstone experience (Visioning a Future) as well as Religious Studies, Ethics, and Power & Society Requirements. To support our hands-on, transformational, and mission-driven approach, students will also be required to participate in two Experiential Requirements and our Writing Intensive Program.

In 39 credits, students will learn, apply, and demonstrate the knowledge, mindset, and skills of the IMPACT Curriculum. Through integrative, collaborative, and experiential learning, graduates of the program will be able to articulate and transfer the skills and experiences from the classroom to the real-world.

IMPACT Curriculum Competencies

Academic Writing, Information Literacy, & AI Proficiency (3 CR)

Mastering the Art of Influence

Why it Matters: The ability to communicate clearly, think critically, and engage ethically with information is more essential than ever. Whether advocating for social change, crafting persuasive arguments, or analyzing complex global issues, strong writing and research skills empower students to be credible, influential voices in their fields.

Your Impact: In this course, you’ll hone the power of words, learning to research, analyze, and write with clarity and purpose. With foundational AI literacy, you’ll explore ethical ways technology can enhance your writing and critical thinking—skills that will serve you in every career and cause you pursue.

Creative Thinking & Expression (3 CR)

Turning Imagination into Action

Why it Matters: Creativity is about innovation, problem-solving, and bold thinking. From designing solutions to global challenges to expressing ideas in new and transformative ways, creativity fuels progress. Experiencing creativity through personal practice and art appreciation connects us to one another—recognizing the beauty in our difference and the power in our articulation.

Your Impact: In these courses, you’ll cultivate the courage to think differently, the skills to bring ideas to life, and the confidence to make your mark. Whether through artistic expression or creative problem-solving, you’ll develop the mindset to turn imagination into action.

Critical Reading & Analysis (3 CR)

Decoding the World, One Text at a Time

Why it Matters: Every movement, every revolution, and every breakthrough begins with someone challenging the status quo. Reading critically means seeing beyond the surface, questioning narratives, and engaging deeply with ideas.

Your Impact: In these courses, you won’t just read—you’ll interrogate, interpret, and synthesize. You’ll sharpen your ability to analyze arguments, detect bias, and shape your own informed perspective, preparing you to navigate a world of competing ideas and complex challenges.

Mathematical Reasoning (3 CR)

Reading Numbers, Writing Change

Why it Matters: Mathematics is the language of patterns, logic, and problem-solving—the tools behind some of the most important discoveries, innovations, and policies shaping our world today.

Your Impact: Whether calculating risk, analyzing data, or building models for real-world challenges, these courses will give you the mathematical mindset to break down complexity, find solutions, and make informed decisions in any field, from health sciences to humanities.

Intercultural Understanding & Intercultural Communication (3 CR)

Bridging Worlds, Building Change

Why it Matters: In an interconnected world, the ability to listen, understand, and communicate across cultures is not just a skill—it’s a necessity. Cultural awareness fosters empathy, dismantles bias, and creates leaders who can work toward equity and justice.

Your Impact: These courses invite you to step beyond your own experience, engage in dialogue, and learn how culture shapes perspectives, identities, and interactions. You’ll develop the skills to build bridges by appreciating difference, fostering meaningful relationships, and advocating for a more just and inclusive world.

Understanding Human Behavior & Social Systems (3 CR)

Unraveling Systems, Creating Solutions

Why it Matters: Social structures shape our lives—from laws and economies to cultures and communities. Understanding how societies function is key to creating solutions for systemic challenges in fields like public health, education, criminal justice, and social work.

Your Impact: These courses will help you decode human behavior and social structures, empowering you to ask big questions, challenge injustices, and use data to advocate for change. You’ll gain the skills to turn insight into action, whether in policy, leadership, or community engagement.

Scientific Thinking (4 CR)

Curiosity That Drives Discovery

Why it Matters: Science isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about questioning the world, seeking truth, and solving the problems that shape our future. From climate change to medical breakthroughs, scientific thinking fuels innovation and progress.

Your Impact: In these courses, you’ll think like a scientist, using evidence, experimentation, and critical analysis to understand the natural world. Whether in the lab or in real-world applications, you’ll develop the skills to challenge assumptions, explore possibilities, and contribute to discoveries that shape our world.

IMPACT Curriculum MERCY CORE Courses

The Mercy Core and BRIDGE Program were developed by Sister Mary Paula Cancienne, Sister Mary Bilderback, and the General Education Curriculum Committee, including Director Dr. Paul Cappucci. In the launch of the IMPACT curriculum, these core courses serve as the bridge-builders not only between our previous program and our current curriculum, but also between the mission of our university and our promise to teach the whole student. These courses are the Bridge – the core strength – of our GCU liberal arts education, that give us the courage and curiosity to explore new pathways and possibilities and the confidence to make our mark.

The MERCY CORE courses offer students a coherent and integrated learning experience in the Catholic intellectual tradition. This program aims to cultivate passion for intellectual growth and to foster informed, responsible, and creative citizenship for a complex 21st-century world. Students who complete the MERCY CORE courses will sharpen the intellectual and practical skills essential to their chosen field of study and necessary to their pursuit of personal, professional, civic and social goals. In addition, completion of the MERCY CORE courses enable students to discover pathways to lifelong learning and to envision a future shaped by their engagement with the university’s mission and Mercy charism.

MERCY CORE: The BRIDGE

The BRIDGE program encourages students to develop self-knowledge within a broader understanding of others and the world. It emphasizes the importance of critical inquiry that leads to knowledge across fields of study and provides a means for students to think critically and creatively, connecting and building upon what they learn in their general education courses. Students examine conditions necessary for peace, justice, and sustainability, as well as the ways mercy and justice are integral for how we confront the present and vision the future.

The cornerstone of the BRIDGE program is Discovering Self in the Universe, an introductory course that invites students to examine their particular sense of self and place within their local situations, as well as within the broader scope of the universe. This course provides students with a framework for learning by demonstrating the inter-connectedness of all life, fostering respect for creation and the integrity of life systems. The BRIDGE program culminates with Visioning a Future: Justice, Compassion, and Service, a capstone course that asks students to synthesize their learning experiences and envision their roles in shaping a just, compassionate world.

GEN101: Pathway to the BRIDGE (2 CR)

Why It Matters: The transition to college isn’t just about academics—it’s about discovering who you are, where you’re headed, who is on this journey with you, and how you can make an impact together. Your college journey is an opportunity to develop the skills, mindset, and values that will shape your future success, both in and beyond the classroom.

Your Impact: In this course, you’ll gain the tools to thrive in college and beyond. Through collaborative service projects, weekly workshops for personal and professional development, and engagement with the university’s mission, you’ll build the habits of a curious, resilient, and purpose-driven citizen scholar. You won’t just learn about your education—you’ll shape it.

GEN101  Pathway to the Bridge  (2.0 Credits)  This course, required of all first time in college students, will develop the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for success at Georgian Court University. Students will gain an understanding of the university’s mission, charism, and heritage. Through a collaborative project, students will execute and reflect on the practices associated with a successful college experience. Enrollment restricted to first time in college students.

GEN199: Discovering Self in the Universe (3 CR)

Why It Matters: Understanding who we are means understanding the world we are part of. In an era of rapid change, interconnected cultures, and social transformation, exploring identity, diversity, and our place in the universe is essential to becoming an informed, ethical, and engaged global citizen.

Your Impact: In this writing-intensive course, you’ll explore what it means to be human in a complex, dynamic, and fragile world. Through philosophy, science, history, and culture, you’ll examine how we are all connected and how we can act with respect and integrity in an evolving global society. You’ll leave with a deeper sense of self and a clearer vision for the kind of impact you want to have in the world.

GEN400: Visioning a Future—Justice, Service, and Compassion (3 CR)

Why It Matters: As you prepare to step beyond the university, it’s time to reflect on your journey, refine your vision, and define the mark you want to leave on the world. In the face of social, environmental, and ethical challenges, today’s leaders must be bold thinkers and compassionate changemakers.

Your Impact: This capstone experience challenges you to synthesize your learning, engage in service, and explore pressing global issues through readings, discussions, and guest speakers. You’ll reflect on how your education has shaped your worldview and envision the future you want to help create. Whether you’re drawn to advocacy, innovation, sustainability, or justice, this course will help you step forward with purpose, prepared to contribute to a more compassionate and just world.

MERCY CORE: Common Intellectual Experiences

Religious Studies (3 CR)

Contemplation and Action

Why it Matters: Faith traditions are more than rituals—they are blueprints for meaning, morality, and social change. Understanding religion, particularly the Catholic Intellectual tradition, offers insight into the values that have shaped history, justice movements, and the pursuit of human dignity.

Your Impact: In these courses, you’ll engage with foundational texts, moral teachings, and global perspectives, learning how faith traditions, especially Catholic Social Teaching, challenge and inspire people to build a more just and compassionate world. Whether or not you identify with a specific faith, you’ll explore how religious traditions call us to action, justice, and mercy.

Ethics (3 CR)

Building a World We Can Stand Behind
Why it Matters: Ethical decisions shape everything—from personal choices to global policies. In a world facing climate crises, systemic injustice, and rapid technological change, understanding how to think critically about ethics and justice is essential for leadership in any field.
Your Impact: These courses will equip you with the tools to analyze ethical dilemmas, challenge assumptions, and develop arguments grounded in philosophical and theological traditions of justice and moral reasoning. You won’t just learn about ethics—you’ll practice it, gaining the wisdom and courage to make choices that matter.

Power & Society (3 CR)

Dismantling Injustice, Reimagining the Future
Why it Matters: Power is everywhere—in laws, institutions, media, and culture. To create a more just world, we must understand how power operates, whose voices are amplified, and whose are silenced.
Your Impact: These courses challenge you to examine systemic oppression, analyze movements for social justice, and explore the intersections of gender, race, class, sexuality, and ability in identity. Through foundational texts and real-world connections, you’ll learn how to transform awareness into action, embodying the university’s mission of mercy and justice in your own leadership and advocacy.

Goal 1: Foundational Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World

Learning Outcome:

a. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply foundational knowledge in the arts, humanities, languages, mathematics, natural sciences and social sciences.

Goal 2: Intellectual and Practical Skills

Learning Outcomes: Students will demonstrate competence in

a. Critical and creative thinking, grounded in inquiry, analysis, and synthesis of information

b. Written and oral communication

c. Quantitative literacy

d. Information literacy

e. Teamwork and problem solving

Goal 3: Personal and Social Responsibility

Learning Outcomes: Students will demonstrate

a. Ethical reasoning

b. Global awareness and respect for diverse cultural perspectives

c. Knowledge of the university’s mission and Mercy charism

d. Civic knowledge–local/global

Goal 4: Integrative Learning

Learning Outcome:

a. Students will demonstrate the ability to make connections among courses in multiple disciplines, as well as between their experiences inside and outside the classroom.

The IMPACT General Education Program (34–39 credits):

Note 1: No course can satisfy more than one IMPACT / general education requirement.

Note 2: A student cannot fulfill more than three IMPACT categories with courses from the same discipline.  Example:  There is at least one CM course in at least five categories.  Students cannot use a CM course to fulfill more than three of the IMPACT categories.  

Note 3: Each academic department can limit or restrict double-counting of courses for its program requirements and for the IMPACT curriculum.  Consult individual program requirement pages for any policies that may be in place.

¹

Requirement only for first time in college students (see definition of first time in college student in admissions section of catalog).

²

Students entering GCU with 45 or more credits will be waived from GEN199 WI:Discovering Self in the Universe but may take the course as an elective.

³

In a course other than GEN101 Pathway to the Bridge or GEN400 WI:Visioning a Future

Students will fulfill the Georgian Court University Writing Requirement by completing a combination of College Composition courses and Writing Intensive courses offered in a variety of disciplines. Options for fulfilling this requirement are detailed below.

College Composition courses are offered by the Department of English and focus in depth on writing process, research, academic writing conventions, rhetorical skills, audience awareness, and other core elements of writing. College Composition courses include EN111 Academic Writing and Research I or EN221 Honors Argument: Rhetoric & Research (honors placement only), or their equivalents.

Some students may not be placed directly in EN111 Academic Writing and Research I and will be required to take EN105 Essentials of Academic Writing I and/or EN106 Essentials of Academic Writing II. While these are credit-bearing courses, they do not count toward the Georgian Court University Writing Requirement.

Writing Intensive (WI) courses are offered in a number of different disciplines, reflecting the value of writing and communication skills across areas. Faculty teach content knowledge in the discipline while also providing instruction in writing and the writing process as they relate to the discipline. Students write extensively in the content area. In Writing Intensive courses, students not only learn the subject, but they also strengthen the writing and critical thinking skills that are so important for their academic courses and their future careers.

All sections of both GEN199 WI:Discovering Self in the Universe and GEN400 WI:Visioning a Future are WI courses. Other WI courses may fulfill general education, major, or minor requirements, or may be taken as general electives. Either EN111 Academic Writing and Research I or EN221 Honors Argument: Rhetoric & Research must be taken as a pre- or corequisite for all WI courses.

Course sections designated as WI will appear on the schedule for registration with the letter “WI.” For example, if EN114-04 is being offered as a Writing Intensive, it will be listed as EN114-04 WI: The American Imagination: American Literature Since 1865.

Fulfilling the Georgian Court University Writing Requirement

First-time, full-time students will complete EN111 Academic Writing and Research I or EN221 Honors Argument: Rhetoric & Research with a grade of C or better AND four Writing Intensive courses, including GEN199 WI:Discovering Self in the Universe and GEN400 WI:Visioning a Future.

Advanced College Composition Courses

For students who take or transfer in a second qualifying College Composition course above the EN111 Academic Writing and Research I level, the second College Composition course will count as one WI course. Students entering GCU with an associate degree and two approved English composition courses are required to complete GEN400 WI:Visioning a Future and NO additional WI courses. Students transferring with less than 75 credits (with or without an associate degree) and including only one approved English composition course are required to complete four WI courses including GEN400 WI:Visioning a Future. They may take GEN199 WI:Discovering Self in the Universe, which will count as one WI course. Students who transfer with 75 or more credits including two approved English composition courses are required to complete GEN400 WI:Visioning a Future and NO additional WI courses. Students with 75 or more transferred credits who transfer only one approved English composition course must pursue one of the following two options to complete the WI requirement:

Option 1: The first semester the student is at GCU, submit a portfolio of writing samples from the transferred courses to the director of the Writing Program for evaluation of writing skills. If accepted, the student would be required to complete GEN400 WI:Visioning a Future and no other WI courses. If the portfolio is not accepted, the student should pursue Option 2.

Option 2: Complete a 300-level or higher WI course and GEN400 WI:Visioning a Future.