How BYU makes general education affordable, fulfilling – The Daily Universe

BYU’s General Education Requirements: A Sustainable Approach to Education

The Importance of General Education Requirements

Most colleges across the U.S. require some form of general education and Brigham Young University (BYU) is no exception. With a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), general education requirements play a crucial role in providing students with a well-rounded education that prepares them to address global challenges.

1. Number of Colleges with Open Curriculums

• Out of the 5,999 colleges in the U.S., less than 100 have open curriculums where students can follow their own educational path without meeting any general education requirements.

• Nathan Wilford, a BYU freshman majoring in biology, expressed his dissatisfaction with the number of classes unrelated to his major, especially since he aims for a future profession in the medical field.
• Wilford believes that while these requirements have their reasoning, they take away from focusing on his major.

• BYU requires students to take one class for each of its 13 learning areas, aligning with the university’s aim to equip students with essential academic skills.
• Additionally, undergraduates must complete a minimum of 14 religious credits to graduate, which surprisingly were not part of Wilford’s complaints.

The Benefits of BYU’s General Education Requirements

Despite the presence of general education requirements, BYU strives to make education affordable and fulfilling for its students, while also addressing the SDGs.

• Affordability
• According to a 2022 Education Data Initiative report, the average private 4-year university charges $1,365 per credit hour or $4,095 per course. In comparison, at BYU, the average full-time student only pays around $262 per credit hour or $786 per 3-credit course.
• This affordability allows students to explore a variety of courses without a high financial burden.
• The FlexGE Program
• BYU offers the FlexGE program, which allows students to enroll in general education classes and participate in campus life and activities even without being officially enrolled at BYU.
• This program provides young adults with an in-person experience to broaden their knowledge and skills in various subject areas.
• Positive Experiences
• Kynlee Walker, a sophomore at BYU, initially came to the university through the FlexGE program after not being admitted as a freshman. She found the opportunity to take general classes before being admitted to be a positive experience.
• Walker believes that these classes helped her develop good study and writing habits, benefiting her in her other classes at BYU.
• Value of General Education
• Clint Payne, the FlexGE program manager, emphasizes the value of general education classes in preparing students for their futures.
• He believes that branching out of one’s field of study and group is valuable in developing the skills needed to work with diverse individuals.

Additional Opportunities for BYU Students

BYU offers various resources and programs to help students fulfill their general education requirements and achieve their educational goals.

• Advisement Counselors
• BYU advisement counselors can assist students in completing their bachelor’s degree in three years, providing a way to fast-track their educational experience.
• Online Certificates and Degrees
• BYU-Idaho and Ensign College offer more than forty online certificates and degrees through BYU-Pathway, providing students with flexible options to further their education.
• Schedule Builder
• For help fulfilling the general education requirements, BYU students can access Schedule Builder, a tool that assists in planning and organizing their course schedules.