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General Education & Honors

BYU-Hawaii offers an undergraduate education founded on the pillars of religious, general, and major education. Each pillar supports and contributes to the others and is integral to the education envisioned in the University's mission statement. A student's general education is developed in designated General Education, Major, and Religion courses, as well as cocurricular activities associated with student life at BYU-Hawaii. A general education helps a student develop breadth, flexibility, and an understanding of the world's cultural and intellectual heritage.

 

General Education Mission Statement

The General Education program helps students develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes that contribute to habits of life-long learning and wellness, and that prepare them to function in a world community as productive, responsible citizens and as faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

 

Qualities of a Generally Educated Student

The generally educated student will:
  1. Pursue truth. The student will seek to learn truth through a variety of discovery processes, search for knowledge, and be able to synthesize and analyze information.
  2. Communicate effectively. The student will be able to demonstrate throughout the curriculum the abilities to read and listen with understanding and express complex ideas in spoken and written forms.
  3. Solve problems. The student will think innovatively, and apply appropriate strategies for resolution of life's problems.
  4. Respond aesthetically. The student will be able to respond with sensitivity and discrimination to various creative forms.
  5. Behave ethically. The student will be able to purposefully define personal values, apply ethical and religious principles in making moral judgments, and accept the consequences of decisions.
  6. Integrate socially. The student will develop understanding of various perspectives, elicit the views of others and be able to integrate successfully in collaborative environments.
  7. Be globally responsible. The student will recognize the interdependence of global forces and local contexts, learning to act with an understanding of the social and environmental issues that shape the world.

 

General Education Philosophy

The three pillars of the university curriculum comprise our students' university education. The seven qualities built on these pillars provide a powerful starting point for continuous learning and living a full life. BYU-Hawaii has a singular commitment to education as a process of creating cross-disciplinary connections. We hold that exemplary learning occurs among those who are aware of what they are learning and how much more there is to know. The humility inherent among such learners is worthy of our greatest efforts. A BYU-Hawaii education exists because of prophetic visions in harmony with scriptural injunctions to study and learn and become acquainted with all good books, with languages, tongues and people, with things both in heaven and in the earth, and with countries and kingdoms (D&C 90: 15, D&C 88: 79).

The general education requirement at BYUH is divided into three areas: Area I-Basic Skills, Area II-Fundamental Knowledge, and Area III- Synthesis. Courses in Area I are designed to provide basic analytical, computational, and communication skills including quantitative methods, critical analysis, and reading and writing skills. These competencies will provide a foundation enabling the student to acquire the broader knowledge in Areas II and III. Area I courses will prepare the student for success in other university courses including those in his or her major, and will provide the skills needed to care for and maintain the body. With these tool skills, the student will be ready for a lifetime of learning.

Courses in Area II present the fundamental knowledge of humankind. These courses introduce students in a general rather than in a technical way to the ideas, orientations, theories, methodologies, contributions and cultural heritage of various disciplines and professions.

Courses in Area III are designed to come later in the college experience after most, if not all, of the Area I and II courses have been completed. They are intended to help students synthesize and evaluate their former learning and see themselves in the stream of history.


General Education Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree

Area I - Basic Skills

All students must meet the pre-college mathematics requirement by:
  1. Achieving a score of at least 22 on the ACT Mathematics Test, or
  2. Achieving a score of at least 500 on the SAT Test, or
  3. Achieving a total of at least 26 by combining the subscore for the Pre-Algebra and Elementary Algebra section with the subscore for the Intermediate Algebra and Coordinate Geometry section of the ACT Mathematics Test, or
  4. Passing the BYUH departmental exam, or
  5. Completing Math 106 (4 credit hours) or any higher-level mathematics course.

 

Quantitative and Logical Reasoning or Second Language Acquisition

A student may elect to take either the mathematics or the language track in sections A and B below:
  1. Mathematics Track-Quantitative and Logical Reasoning (3 - 5 credit hours)

    The math track can be completed by testing out of or taking one of the following:

  2. Language Track--Second Language Acquisition (0-12 credit hours)

    The requirement may be fulfilled in any one of the following ways:

    • Passing a language course at the 201 level.
    • Receiving credit by examination in language courses through the 201 level.
    • Test out of the 201 level without credit.
    • Certify English Competence (required for non-native speakers) by:
      • Completing EIL requirements.
      • Demonstrating English proficiency above the EIL level.
    • Completing music theory through MUSC 212 and 212L.

 

Basic Reading/Writing/Speaking (3 credit hours)

 

Exercise and Sport Science (2 credit hours)

*EXS 129 by itself does not fulfill the 2 required EXS GE credits - student must still complete a 100 series activity course.

NOTES:
The following courses are designed to help students sharpen their skills for success in college. Although they are not included as General Education requirements, nor can one obtain GE credit for taking them, students would be well advised to consider taking them as elective credits.


Area II - Fundamental Knowledge

Introduction to the Fundamental ideas and Philosophical Underpinnings of Civilization (6 credit hours)

  1. Literary Expression (3 credit hours)
  2. Artistic Expression (3 credit hours)

    Any course from the following list:

 

Introduction to the Natural World (6 credit hours)

  1. Biological Science (3 credit hours)

    Any course from the following list:

  2. Physical Science (3 credit hours)

    Any course from the following list:

 

Introduction to the Human Environment (3 credit hours)

Any course from the following list:

 

Area III - Synthesis

  1. History of Civilizations (6 credit hours)

    A two-semester sequence:

    Note: Various sections may be taught from different perspectives (politics, philosophy, literature, economics, etc.) but each will be history-based and address the same fundamental questions.

  2. Advanced Writing (3 credit hours)
  3. Interdisciplinary Studies (3 credit hours)

    Students will choose from a variety of courses that transcend the artificial divisions of scholarly disciplines. These interdisciplinary studies courses will frequently be team taught, using the expertise and resources of several academic areas. (Prerequisites are ENGL 101, ENGL 201, HIST 201 and HIST 202, and completion of 60 or more credits)

 

Summary of General Education and University Requirements

  • General Education Requirements

    • Area I: Basics Skills
      • Math Track (5-10)
      • Language Track (5-17)
    • Area II: Fundamental Knowledge (15)
    • Area III: Synthesis (12)
    • Total General Education Requirement
      • Math Track (32-37)
      • Language Track (32-44)

  • RELIGIOUS EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (14)

  • MAJOR REQUIREMENTS AND ELECTIVES (as needed, varies by major)

  • MINIMUM TOTAL HOURS FOR GRADUATION: 120 credit hours

 

University Honors Program

The University Honors Program is designed to enrich talented, motivated students through its small and highly interactive classes. Any interested student may enroll in an Honors course; however, Honors faculty members have the prerogative to screen students. Academically strong high school seniors (3.6+ GPA, 26+ ACT) admitted to BYUH are invited to participate in the Honors Program. Continuing students with a GPA of 3.5 or better are also encouraged to participate in Honors. Students graduating with the University Honors distinction meet the following requirements:
  • A BYUH 3.5 cumulative GPA
  • Seven honors sections of general education or elective classes (Note: Transfer students have reduced requirements.)
  • Four semesters of Honors Colloquia
  • An honors service project
  • An honors senior academic or creative project

Students are encouraged to contact the Director of the University Honors Program for details of the Program.