Institutional Learning Outcomes

Southern University General Education Program of Excellence (GEPE)

Institutional Learning Outcomes

At the heart of the General Education Program of Excellence (GEPE) at Southern University and A & M College is the definition of its audience - an educated person who has knowledge, the ability to think, the ability to learn, and the ability to use language. A Southern University educated person is one who has undergone a process of learning that results in an enhanced mental capability to function effectively in familiar and novel situations in one's personal and intellectual life. Southern University's GEPE provides students with general knowledge and reasoning abilities that when integrated with the specialized knowledge and specific skills from their professional/technical study in academic majors comprise a quality undergraduate education.

The GEPE contains core and foundation courses that are consistent with the University's educational philosophy and are purposeful, coherent, engaging, and rigorous. The knowledge and reasoning abilities are taught as part of the core and foundation courses as well as part of courses in academic fields of specialization. The GEPE incorporates essential knowledge, cognitive abilities, an understanding of values and ethics, and the enhancement of students' intellectual growth to develop strong, competent graduates. Additionally, the GEPE draws students into new areas of intellectual experience, expands their cultural and global awareness and sensibilities, and prepares them to make enlightened and informed judgments outside of as well as within their academic specialty. Students must complete 60 credits of general education requirements contained within the core and foundation courses prior to graduation from Southern University-Baton Rouge.

College-level competencies and learning outcomes that characterize a Southern University-educated person are identified within the GEPE as standards with associated learning outcomes that address specific outcomes of every graduate in undergraduate programs, regardless of discipline. The GEPE learning outcomes shown are based on the knowledge base that each Southern University-educated student will develop prior to graduation. All students entering Southern University must complete a general education component in the following major areas:

General Education Program of Excellence (GEPE) Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

LO 1:         Critical Thinking          

Graduates will reason abstractly and think critically and integrate new information with previously acquired information to solve novel complex problems and learn independently.

LO 2:         Communication Skills 

Graduates will communicate effectively using skills that apply to English in general as well as to specific English language modalities at the college level of competence.

LO 3:         Cultural Literacy          

Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of various cultures by studying the past and present through language, literature, cultural artifacts, and social and political systems.

LO 4:         Mathematical and Science Reasoning     

Graduates will apply quantitative and qualitative approaches to mathematical and/or scientific concepts.

LO 5:         Wellness

Graduates will identify and demonstrate comprehension of human wellness and the importance of physical activities in developing a healthy mind and body.

LO 6:         Ethical Behavior and Values     

Graduates will identify and demonstrate appreciation of ethical issues implicit in their personal behavior and those underlying the operation of social and political systems as well as in the field of research.

LO 7:         Information Technology Literacy

Graduates will demonstrate information technology skills that enable them to use computers, software applications, databases, and other technologies to achieve a wide variety of academic, work-related, and personal goals.