Undergraduate Graduation Requirements

General Education Requirements — Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Philosophy

The General Education requirements at the University of La Verne prepare students to live responsible, productive, and creative lives in a continually changing world and communicate to them the central values of the University as expressed in its Mission Statement.

Through General Education courses, students:

  • Expand their breadth of knowledge about human cultures and the natural and physical world.
  • Sharpen their intellectual and practical skills in writing, oral communication, numeracy, critical and creative thinking, problem solving, and information literacy.
  • Reflect on individual and social responsibilities by gaining competence in intercultural knowledge, community engagement, and ethical reasoning and action.
  • Develop the capacity for integrative thinking, exploring connections between knowledge, practical skills and social responsibility and applying them to a variety of settings and questions.

La Verne's General Education program provides students with knowledge, skills, and attitudes from the traditional liberal arts fields of study crucial to their success in the 21st century world and workplace and to pursue satisfying and successful lives.

For each General Education requirement, acceptable courses are marked with a GE attribute in the La Verne Course Catalog, located on the LaVerne Portal, and shown below in parenthesis. One “course” is defined as a minimum of two semester hours, and no course can be used to meet more than one General Education requirement. Students may take a maximum of two (2) courses in their major and a maximum of one (1) course in their minor to also fulfill their General Education requirement.

The University of La Verne is dedicated to broad integrated knowledge and appreciation of the liberal arts. Students satisfy this requirement by taking:

  1. Critical Skills
    1. Written Communication A (LVWA)1 1 course
    2. Written Communication B (LVWB)1 1 course
    3. Oral Communication (LVOC) 1 course
    4. Quantitative Reasoning (LVQR) 1 course
    5. Lifelong Wellness (LVLW) 1 course
  2. Areas of Knowledge
    1. Humanities (LVHU) 2 courses
      The following are examples of areas that may fulfill the LVHU requirement:
      Art History/Appreciation, Communications, English/Literature, History, 2nd Semester of College Level Foreign Language (required for selected majors), Music History/Appreciation, Philosophy/Religion, Theatre History/Appreciation, Humanities, General Studies
    2. Social Sciences (LVSS) 2 courses
      The following are examples of areas that may fulfill the LVSS requirement:
      Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology
    3. The Natural World
      Life Science (LVLS) 1 course
      Physical Science (LVPS) 1 course
    4. Creative Expression (LVCE) 1 course
      The following are examples of areas that may fulfill the LVCE requirement:
      Art, Music, Photography, Theatre, Creative Writing, Communication (Video)
  3. The La Verne Experience: The La Verne Experience is centered on integrating the curriculum through learning communities, connecting classroom theory to real-world practices, and infusing Community Engagement throughout the educational experience. Students satisfy this requirement by taking:
    1. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (LVDI) 1 course
    2. University Values (LVUV) 1 course
    3. Community Engagement (LVCS) 1 course
    4. University Reflection (LVUR) 1 course
1

Minimum grade of C- fulfills the requirements for College Writing A and College Writing B.

Some majors require foreign language as part of the Humanities requirement. Students meet this requirement by completing, transferring in, or testing out of second semester college-level foreign language as one of their two Humanities requirements.

The following majors require foreign language: Anthropology, Art History, Communications, Creative Writing, Criminology, Digital Media, French, History, International Business and Language, International Studies, Journalism, Liberal Arts, Political Science, Rhetoric and Communication Studies, Social Science, Sociology, Spanish, and Studio Art. Students whose first language is not English and who successfully pass (C- or better) RCS 110 College Writing A or RCS 111 College Writing and Research will have their Foreign Language requirement waived.

The following general education areas can be fulfilled through certification: Written Communication, Quantitative Reasoning, Foreign Language, Creative and Artistic Expression, Community Service, and Lifelong Wellness. Certifications do not carry course credit. However, students certified in Written Communication or Community Service have the option of paying the course challenge fee and receiving course credit. Students who wish to meet a requirement through certification should contact the appropriate department for information.

Writing Requirement for Undergraduate International Students: An International student who has been accepted into an undergraduate program by demonstrating English competency as described in the Admissions section of this catalog, but who has not passed a transferable course in written composition equivalent to RCS 110 College Writing A, Written Communication A, must have scores on file in the Admissions Office from one of the following proficiency tests before registration for his or her first semester at La Verne: the iBT (TOEFL), the SAT, the IELTS or ELS Language Centers level 112. This includes students who are transferring from other institutions in the United States. Fall admitted freshmen are expected to register in Written Communication A (RCS 110 College Writing A) as part of FLEX Learning Communities; spring admitted freshmen should register in Written Communication A (RCS 110 College Writing A) based on placement. Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate scores will earn elective credit. Freshmen who transfer a college course that earns Written Communication credit should consult with the Office of Academic Advising for appropriate placement.

La Verne Experience

The La Verne Experience (LVE) is a holistic approach designed to introduce students to the University of La Verne core values. In addition, LVE integrates curricular, co-curricular, and community engagement activities that promote best practices in higher education. All students are expected to complete the Bachelor’s Degree within four years.

First-Year La Verne Experience (FLEX): FLEX introduces students to the university values of lifelong learning and community engagement. Furthermore, particular emphasis is placed on creating a sense of belonging for students. These outcomes are fostered by asking students to participate in a learning community consisting of two courses linked through a common academic theme. This is a requirement for all non-transfer first-years at the university.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (LVDI)
Introducing students to the university values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This course is typically taken during the first- or second- year. Furthermore, this requirement may be satisfied by passing a GE or major-specific course designated with the LVDI attribute. 

University Values (LVUV)
Equipping students with the skills that are necessary for success in their future careers. This requirement focuses on career development as well as the University value of ethical reasoning. This requirement is usually taken during the second year and may be satisfied by completing a standalone LVE 200 Career Development & Ethical Reasoning course or passing a major-specific course designated with the LVUV attribute.

Community Engagement (LVCS)
The Community Engagement requirement is typically taken during the third-year and may be satisfied by completing the stand-alone LVE 305 Learning Through Community Service or passing a major-specific course designated with the LVCS attribute. LVE 305 Learning Through Community Service furthers student mastery of the university value of civic and community engagement. All LVE 305 Learning Through Community Service courses are offered for 2 semester hours, with the exception of specially approved January Interterm and Summer Service courses. Please note that 1 and 2 semester hour LVE 305 Learning Through Community Service courses all have the same 20 hours of unpaid community service requirement. 

University Reflection (LVUR)
The University Reflection requirement reflects upon a student's experience at the University of La Verne, including the other LVE courses, as well as connecting with the University value of lifelong learning.  This course is typically taken during the fourth year and may be satisfied by completing a standalone LVE 400 Senior GE Capstone course or by passing a major-specific course designated with the LVUR attribute.