This document provides an overview of GEAR (General Education & All-university Requirements) at Humboldt State University. GEAR includes completing 120 total units, lower and upper division general education courses across areas A-E, and diversity & common ground and American institutions requirements. This presentation helps transfer students understand which GEAR requirements they have likely already fulfilled and which upper division courses they still need to complete, notably 9 units of upper division general education and 9 units of general education in residence at HSU. Resources for further information on GEAR requirements are provided.

1. GEAR at Humboldt

2. What does GEAR stand for?
General Education &
All-university Requirements
GEAR

3. GEAR includes:
The Bachelor’s Degree
120 units
1. General Education
2. Diversity &
Common Ground
(DCG)
3. American
Institutions (AI)

4. GEAR helps students:
 develop the ability to think and
communicate clearly and effectively
 acquire knowledge about the arts, humanities, science, and
society
 understand the methods, principles, and processes of human
inquiry
Why GEAR?

5.  This presentation is an OVERVIEW of all GEAR requirements, to
help you understand how GEAR fits into your overall degree
 Keep in mind that you are a transfer student and may have
already completed most or all of your lower division GEAR
 All students must complete 9 units of upper division GE
 All transfer students must complete 9 units of GE in residence,
which means at HSU
GEAR &Leadership Studies

6.  Lower Division General Education:
100-109
 Upper Division General Education:
300-309
 Area E (Human Integration):
400
GE course numbering system

7.  Area A (Basic Subjects): 9 units (3 courses)
 Area B (Science & Math): 9 units
 Area C (Arts & Humanities): 9 units
 Area D (Social Science): 9 units
Total units: 36
Note: You have probably completed most or all of these!
General Education
Lower Division Areas

8.  9 units, one course from each area unless specified:
 Written Communication: ENGL 102 & 103,
ENGL 104, ENGL 104S
 Oral Communication: COMM 100
 Critical Thinking: COMM 101, 102, 103, CS
100, ENGL 101, FOR 100, PHIL 100, PSYC 100
Note: You have probably completed most or all of these!
Lower Division GE
Area A: Basic Subjects

9.  9 units, one course from each area:
 Science majors: check your major requirements!
 Non-science majors:
 Life science: BIOL 102 & 102L or BIOL 104 (L)
 Physical science: GEOG 106 (no lab) or
GEOL 106 (no lab) or GEOL 108 (L) or PHYX 104 (L)
 Math: MATH 103 or STAT 108
Note: You have probably completed most or all of these!
Lower Division GE
Area B: Math & Science

10.  9 units, one course from each area:
 One course from arts
 One course from humanities
 Third course from either area
Note: You have probably completed most or all of these!
Lower Division GE
Area C: Arts & Humanities

11.  9 units, one course from at least 2 subareas:
 area D subareas: D1 – D9
 3 courses
 one American Institutions course may count:
HIST 110, HIST 111, PSCI 110, NAS 200*
* Double-counts with DCG domestic
Lower Division GE
Area D: Social Sciences

12.  One course from each area:
 Area B (Math & Science ): 3 units
 Area C (Arts & Humanities): 3 units
 Area D (Social Science): 3 units
Total units: 9
General Education
Upper Division Areas
Note: Transfer students must complete 9 units of GE in
residence. All students must complete 9 units of upper
division GE; these courses are numbered 300-309.

13.  Area E (Human Integration): 3 units
 must have junior standing if taken at HSU
 transfer students may have already
completed this requirement with a lower
division transfer course
General Education
Area E: Human Integration

14.  American Institutions
 One course can double-count with area D
 Diversity & Common Ground
 Double-counts with certain GE and major courses
Other All-university Requirements

15.  American Institutions:
1. US history: HIST 110 or HIST 111 or NAS 200* or ECON 323
2. US government &
3. California government:
 Note: One course can also count in lower division GE Area D,
regardless of the course number
American Institutions:
US History & Government
PSCI 110 or PSCI 359 or PSCI 410
* Also counts as DCG domestic
>

16. Expand your awareness and perceptions
of other cultures compared to your own
Two Courses:
1. One DCG course must be domestic,
focusing on issues within the US, such as NAS 104
2. The second DCG course may be either domestic or non-
domestic, with a focus beyond the US, such as RS 105
Certain DCG courses double-count for GE requirements:
check with your advisor!
Diversity & Common Ground (DCG)

17. Where can I find
more information
about GEAR?

18. HSU Online Catalog

19. Catalog continued…

20. Catalog continued…

21. GEAR Planning Guide
HSU Catalog, p. 63
As an incoming transfer
student, you will likely have
most of this completed!

22. Questions?
Check with you advisor!
And remember that your Degree Audit Report (DARS)
provides a record of all GEAR requirements, including
those you have completed and those you still need