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Employers value staff who have a broad-based education. It makes them more adaptable in a workplace that is constantly changing. As a result, General Education and Degree Breadth courses are offered to help students gain a wider view of the world by enrolling in courses that are outside their chosen program.
What is a General Education Course?
The purpose of General Education courses in the Ontario college system is to develop educated citizens who are aware of the diversity, complexity, and richness of the human experience and who are able to contribute thoughtfully, creatively, and positively to the society in which they live and work. General Education courses are designed to align with at least one of the following five Theme Areas:
- Theme 1: Arts in Society
- Theme 2: Civic Life
- Theme 3: Social and Cultural Understanding
- Theme 4: Personal Understanding
- Theme 5: Science and Technology
Depending on the length of your program, there are up to three general education courses in your program of study. One or two General Education courses in your program are taken as online electives.
What is a Degree Breadth Course?
In degree programs, a breadth course is one that contributes to knowledge of fields outside of the main field(s) of study. These courses are intended to contribute to the achievement of critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, written, and oral communication skills and knowledge of society and culture, and skills relevant to civic engagement. The curriculum design ensures that students gain knowledge in at least two of the following areas, outside of the core field of study:
- Humanities
- Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Global Cultures (including Indigenous cultures)
- Mathematics
Degree programs are designed with a minimum of 20% of program hours dedicated to breadth courses, most of which are elective courses.