Sample COSC General Education Requirements Roadmap
This page is a work in progress. If you have questions, please ask on the forum
This is meant to apply to the General Education Requirements for Charter Oak State College. You may need additional planning or modification for specific degrees.
In addition to the general education requirements, you can find sample degree plans for the following degrees:
- Criminal Justice
- General Studies (Also known as BALS at other schools.)
- General Studies with History conentration
- Psychology
- Sociology
Business:
Information[edit]
As of 2020, COSC limits students to 90 credits from their approved list of partner institutions. You are allowed to bring in additional credits but they must come from RA sources. TECEPs and UExcel exams are counted as RA credit.
Students are also required to take at least one science class that has a lab component. Additional science classes may be brought in without labs once the lab requirement has been met.
COSC degrees also require 30 UL credits to be complete. Unlike degrees from TESU, this requirement is not restricted solely to the AOS/concentration. The UL credits may be placed anywhere within the degree, including the electives, with a couple of rules to consider. 3 UL credits will come from the capstone. 15 UL credits need to be in the area of study. The remaining 12 UL credits can go anywhere, including into the electives.
In order to make use of this roadmap, students must keep these requirements in mind. In general, it will be less expensive to meet the RA credit requirement in the General Education requirements instead of in the area of study and students should bear that in mind when planning out which courses to take.
Course Suggestions[edit]
For TECEP, UExcel, DSST, and CLEP exams, the information provided below has been taken directly from COSC's website. As a result, except in the case of typos, you can be reasonably sure that these exams will fit into the indicated areas.
For Study.com, Sophia.org, and the various RA credit options, there is less available information and educated guesses may have been made. For instance, any accepted Microeconomics credit should substitute for any other Microeconomics credit. Other substitutions are not as certain. Because of this, please check on the forum or with your advisor before taking your preferred courses.
General Education Requirements[edit]
Including the cornerstone, there are a total of 40 or 41 credits in the General Education requirements. If you do 2 science courses with 2 labs, you need 41 credits. If you do 2 science courses and 1 lab, you need 40 credits.
COSC allows you to complete multiple requirements with a single class/exam. For instance, the DSST exam "Intro (Human) Geography" will fill your requirements for Behavioral/Social Science, Global Understanding, and Non-US History/Culture at the same time. Because of this, a student may be able to fill the basic general education requirements with fewer than 40 credits. The deficit may be made up by what some other schools would call GE electives.
In general, by the time the Liberal Arts credit requirements are met, a student should have more than enough general education credits to graduate. But this is still something to keep in mind, just in case, when planning to obtain a degree at COSC.
Communication[edit]
9 credits total: 6 written and 3 oral.
Alternate Credit Options[edit]
Written Communication
Recommended Course to take | Recommended Provider | Credits | UL? | Lib Arts? |
---|---|---|---|---|
English Composition I | Sophia.org | 3 | Y | |
English 104: College Composition 1 | Study.com | 3 | Y | |
English Composition II | Sophia.org | 3 | Y | |
English 105: College Composition 2 | Study.com | 3 | Y | |
College Composition (6 credits) | CLEP | 3 | Y | |
Principles of Advanced English Composition Fulfills 2nd half of requirement |
DSST | 3 | Y |
Oral Communication
Recommended Course to take | Recommended Provider | Credits | UL? | Lib Arts? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Public Speaking | Sophia.org | 3 | Y | |
Principles of Public Speaking | DSST | 3 | Y |
RA Credit options[edit]
Written Communication
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider/Info |
---|---|---|
Written Communication | ENG 109 College Writing I | Olivet Nazarene University |
Written Communication | English Composition I | TECEP |
Written Communication | College Composition | UExcel |
Written Communication | English Composition (Essay format) | UExcel |
Written Communication | ENG 1303 Language & Composition | TEL Learning - Transcripted at Mid-America Christian University |
Written Communication | ENG 200 College Writing II | Olivet Nazarene University |
Written Communication | English Composition II | TECEP |
Written Communication | ENG 2303 Literature & Composition | TEL Learning - Transcripted at Mid-America Christian University |
Oral Communication
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider/Info |
---|---|---|
Oral Communication | COM 105 Oral Communications | Olivet Nazarene University |
Oral Communication | Public Speaking | TECEP |
Oral Communication | COM 1103 Introduction to Communications | TEL Learning - Transcripted at Mid-America Christian University This public speaking course is significantly more work than Sophia's Public Speaking. You may want to choose a different course for RA credit. |
Information Literacy[edit]
Cornerstone course; must be taken at COSC. 3 credits.
Ethical Decision-Making[edit]
3 credits required.
The options listed here under ethics have not been confirmed to work. Check with your advisor.
Alternate Credit Options[edit]
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider |
---|---|---|
Ethics | Introduction to Ethics | Sophia.org |
Ethics | Philosophy 102: Ethics in America | Study.com |
Ethics | Philosophy 103: Ethics - Theory and Practice | Study.com |
Ethics | Business 108: Business Ethics | Study.com |
RA Credit Options[edit]
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider |
---|---|---|
Ethics | Environmental Ethics This exam is known to meet this requirement. |
TECEP |
Ethics | Business Ethics This exam is known to meet this requirement. |
UExcel (UL) Online testing for this exam is available |
Ethics | PHL-105 Introduction to Ethics | Waubonsee Community College This is not a cost-effective option. It is only offered as an example. You may be able to find a cheaper option elsewhere or you may wish to use an ACE/NCCRS course for this slot. |
Ethics | CS 113D Ethics and Technology | NMJC Check with advisor to confirm that this course will work in this slot. This course has a prerequisite and may not be available to all students. |
US History/Government[edit]
3 credits
Alternate Credit Options[edit]
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider |
---|---|---|
US History/Government | US History I | Sophia.org |
US History/Government | US History II | Sophia.org |
US History/Government | History 103: US History I | Study.com |
US History/Government | History 104: US History II | Study.com |
US History/Government | History 105: US History from Settlement to Present Day | Study.com |
US History/Government | American Government | CLEP |
US History/Government | History of the United States I | CLEP |
US History/Government | History of the United States II | CLEP |
RA Credit Options[edit]
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider |
---|---|---|
US History/Government | United States History I | TEL Learning transcripted at Mid-America Christian University |
US History/Government | United States History II | TEL Learning transcripted at Mid-America Christian University |
US History/Government | American Government | TEL Learning Transcripted at Mid-America Christian University |
Non-US History or Culture[edit]
3 credits
Alternate Credit Options[edit]
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider |
---|---|---|
Non-US History/Culture | Western Civilization I | Study.com |
Non-US History/Culture | Western Civilization II | Study.com |
Non-US History/Culture | History 308: Causes and Effects of the Vietnam War | Study.com |
Non-US History/Culture | History 108: History of the Vietnam War | Study.com |
Non-US History/Culture | Geography 101: Human & Cultural Geography | Study.com |
Non-US History/Culture | Religion 101: Intro to World Religions | Study.com |
Non-US History/Culture | Art History I or II May not work for this requirement. Check with an advisor. |
Sophia.org |
Non-US History/Culture | English Literature | CLEP |
Non-US History/Culture | French/German/Spanish language | CLEP |
Non-US History/Culture | Western Civilization I | CLEP |
Non-US History/Culture | Western Civilization II | CLEP |
Non-US History/Culture | Humanities | CLEP |
Non-US History/Culture | Social Sciences/History | CLEP |
Non-US History/Culture | Art of the Western World | DSST |
Non-US History/Culture | History of the Soviet Union | DSST |
Non-US History/Culture | Introduction to World Religions | DSST |
Non-US History/Culture | Intro (Human) Geography | DSST |
Non-US History/Culture | A History of the Vietnam War | DSST |
RA Credit Options[edit]
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider |
---|---|---|
Non-US History/Culture | HIS 210 Western Civilization | Olivet Nazarene University |
Non-US History/Culture | HIS 379 Latin American History and Politics | Olivet Nazarene University |
Non-US History/Culture | World Civilizations I | TEL Learning Transcripted at Mid-America Christian University |
Non-US History/Culture | World History 1600-Present | TECEP |
Non-US History/Culture | World Conflicts since 1900 | UExcel |
Non-US History/Culture | World Population | UExcel |
Non-US History/Culture | HST-102 Europe and the Mediterranean: Ancient and Medieval | ASU EA |
Global Understanding[edit]
3 credits
Alternate Credit Options[edit]
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider |
---|---|---|
Global Understanding | Environmental Science | Sophia.org |
Global Understanding | Geography 101: Human & Cultural Geography | Study.com |
Global Understanding | Religion 101: Intro to World Religions | Study.com |
Global Understanding | Intro (Human) Geography | DSST |
Global Understanding | A History of the Vietnam War | DSST |
Global Understanding | History of the Soviet Union | DSST |
Global Understanding | Introduction to World Religions | DSST |
Global Understanding | Environmental Science | DSST |
RA Credit Options[edit]
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider |
---|---|---|
Global Understanding | Intro to Comparative Politics | TECEP |
Global Understanding | World Conflicts since 1900 | UExcel |
Global Understanding | World Population | UExcel |
Literature and Fine Arts[edit]
3 credits
Alternate Credit Options[edit]
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider |
---|---|---|
Literature and Fine Art | Art History I or II May not work for this requirement. Check with an advisor. |
Sophia.org |
Literature and Fine Art | English 102: American Literature | Study.com |
Literature and Fine Art | English 103: Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | Study.com |
Literature and Fine Art | Art of the Western World | DSST |
Literature and Fine Art | American Literature | CLEP |
Literature and Fine Art | Analyzing & Interpreting Literature | CLEP |
Literature and Fine Art | English Literature | CLEP |
Literature and Fine Art | Humanities | CLEP |
RA Credit Options[edit]
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider |
---|---|---|
Literature and Fine Art | ENG 204 World Literature | Olivet Nazarene University |
Literature and Fine Art | FIN 105 Fine Arts | Olivet Nazarene University |
Literature and Fine Art | Introduction to Music | UExcel |
Literature and Fine Art | Music History II | TECEP |
Social/Behavioral Sciences[edit]
3 credits
Alternate Credit Options[edit]
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider |
---|---|---|
Social/Behavioral Science | Macroeconomics | Sophia.org |
Social/Behavioral Science | Microeconomics | Sophia.org |
Social/Behavioral Science | Introduction to Sociology | Sophia.org |
Social/Behavioral Science | Sociology 101: Intro to Sociology | Study.com |
Social/Behavioral Science | Geography 101: Human & Cultural Geography | Study.com |
Social/Behavioral Science | Sociology 103: Foundations of Gerontology | Study.com |
Social/Behavioral Science | Principles of Macroeconomics | CLEP |
Social/Behavioral Science | Principles of Microeconomics | CLEP |
Social/Behavioral Science | Social Sciences/History | CLEP |
Social/Behavioral Science | Introductory Sociology | CLEP |
Social/Behavioral Science | American Government | CLEP |
Social/Behavioral Science | General Anthropology | DSST |
Social/Behavioral Science | Foundations of Education | DSST |
Social/Behavioral Science | Money and Banking | DSST |
Social/Behavioral Science | Intro (Human) Geography | DSST |
Social/Behavioral Science | Organizational Behavior | DSST |
Social/Behavioral Science | Fundamentals of Counseling | DSST |
Social/Behavioral Science | Lifespan Developmental Psychology | DSST |
RA Credit Options[edit]
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider |
---|---|---|
Social/Behavioral Science | SOC 120 Introduction to Sociology | Olivet Nazarene University |
Social/Behavioral Science | Microeconomics | TEL Learning |
Social/Behavioral Science | Microeconomics | TECEP |
Social/Behavioral Science | Abnormal Psychology | TECEP |
Social/Behavioral Science | Psychology of Women | TECEP |
Social/Behavioral Science | Introductory Sociology | TECEP |
Social/Behavioral Science | Marriage & Family | TECEP |
Social/Behavioral Science | Introduction to Macroeconomics | UExcel |
Social/Behavioral Science | Introduction to Microeconomics | UExcel |
Social/Behavioral Science | Foundations of Gerontology | UExcel |
Social/Behavioral Science | Organizational Behavior | UExcel |
Social/Behavioral Science | Any Psychology exam except Research Methods | UExcel |
Social/Behavioral Science | Cultural Diversity | UExcel |
Social/Behavioral Science | Introduction to Sociology | UExcel |
Social/Behavioral Science | Juvenile Delinquency | UExcel |
Social/Behavioral Science | World Conflicts since 1900 | UExcel |
Social/Behavioral Science | World Population | UExcel |
Mathematics[edit]
3 credits
Students in Minnesota must have at least 8 credits of science or math.
Alternate Credit Options[edit]
Charter Oak considers CSM Learn to be a 3-credit Liberal Arts elective, not a math requirement.
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider |
---|---|---|
Mathematics | College Algebra | Sophia.org |
Mathematics | Introduction to Statistics | Sophia.org |
Mathematics | Math 103: Precalculus | Study.com |
Mathematics | Math 104: Calculus | Study.com |
Mathematics | Math 105: Precalculus Algebra | Study.com |
Mathematics | Statistics 101: Principles of Statistics | Study.com |
Mathematics | Geometry 101: Intro to Geometry Considered to be a math elective; may not meet this requirement |
Study.com |
Mathematics | College Mathematics | CLEP |
Mathematics | College Algebra | CLEP |
Mathematics | Pre-Calculus | CLEP |
Mathematics | Calculus | CLEP |
Mathematics | Fundamentals of College Algebra | DSST |
Mathematics | Math for Liberal Arts | DSST |
Mathematics | Principles of Statistics | DSST |
RA Credit Options[edit]
The "Applied Liberal Arts Math" TECEP does NOT count as meeting the math requirement.
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider |
---|---|---|
Mathematics | MTH 117 Finite Math Should work for this requirement but may not; check with COSC |
Olivet Nazarene University |
Mathematics | College Algebra | TEL Learning |
Mathematics | Quantitative Analysis I Ability to meet this requirement may depend upon transcripting institution. |
TEL Learning |
Mathematics | College Algebra | TECEP |
Mathematics | Principles of Statistics | TECEP |
Mathematics | Calculus | TECEP |
Mathematics | Contemporary Mathematics | UExcel |
Mathematics | Pre-Calculus Algebra | UExcel |
Mathematics | Calculus | UExcel |
Mathematics | Quantitative Analysis | UExcel |
Mathematics | Statistics | UExcel |
Mathematics | MAT-117 College Algebra | ASU EA |
Mathematics | MAT-170 Precalculus | ASU EA |
Mathematics | Brief Calculus: Calculus for Business and Economics | ASU EA |
Mathematics | MAT-265 Calculus for Engineers I | ASU EA |
Natural Sciences[edit]
7 or 8 credits. Students in Minnesota must have at least 8 credits of science or math.
One class must include a lab; the other class can have a lab or not. Most of the options listed below do not have a lab option. Choose accordingly.
Alternate Credit Options[edit]
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider |
---|---|---|
Natural Sciences | Environmental Science | Sophia.org |
Natural Sciences | Human Biology | Sophia.org |
Natural Sciences | Astronomy 101: Intro to Astronomy | Study.com |
Natural Sciences | Biology 101(L): Intro to Biology (with or without lab) | Study.com |
Natural Sciences | Biology 103: Microbiology | Study.com |
Natural Sciences | Biology 105: Anatomy and Physiology | Study.com |
Natural Sciences | Chemistry 101 (no lab) or Chemistry 111L (with lab) | Study.com |
Natural Sciences | Earth Science 101: Earth Science | Study.com |
Natural Sciences | Earth Science 104: Intro to Meterology | Study.com |
Natural Sciences | Biology (6 credits) | CLEP |
Natural Sciences | Chemistry (6 credits) | CLEP |
Natural Sciences | Natural Sciences (6 credits) | CLEP |
Natural Sciences | Astronomy | DSST |
Natural Sciences | Introduction to Geology | DSST |
Natural Sciences | Environmental Science | DSST |
Natural Sciences | Principles of Physical Science I | DSST |
Study.com has a number of science courses not mentioned above, including genetics, geology, physics, etc. Their exclusion does not mean that they do not meet this requirement, only that it is a very long list.
RA Credit Options[edit]
Course Expected | Recommended Course to Take | Recommended Provider |
---|---|---|
Natural Sciences | BIO 201 General Biological Science | Olivet Nazarene University |
Natural Sciences | FAC 126 Nutrition, Health, and Fitness May meet requirement because Science of Nutrition exams accepted. Check with advisor to confirm. |
Olivet Nazarene University |
Natural Sciences | Chemistry I (with or without lab) | TEL Learning |
Natural Sciences | Introduction to Biology (with or without lab) | TEL Learning |
Natural Sciences | Physical Sciences (with or without lab) | TEL Learning |
Natural Sciences | The Science of Nutrition | TECEP |
Natural Sciences | Anatomy and Physiology (6 credits) | UExcel |
Natural Sciences | Anatomy and Physiology I | UExcel |
Natural Sciences | Anatomy and Physiology II | UExcel |
Natural Sciences | Basic Genetics | UExcel |
Natural Sciences | Microbiology | UExcel |
Natural Sciences | Pathophysiology | UExcel |
Natural Sciences | General Chemistry I | UExcel |
Natural Sciences | Earth Science | UExcel |
Natural Sciences | Physics | UExcel |
Natural Sciences | Science of Nutrition | UExcel |
Natural Sciences | Weather and Climate | UExcel |
Natural Sciences | AST-111 Introduction to Solar Systems Astronomy (4 credits) Science with lab |
ASU EA |
Natural Sciences | CHM-114 General Chemistry for Engineers (4 credits) Science with lab |
ASU EA |
Liberal Arts[edit]
Students are required to have a specific number of liberal arts credits, depending on their degree. In the entire degree, students obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree must have 90 liberal arts credits while Bachelor of Science students need 60 liberal arts credits. These requirements are met concurrently with any other requirements. For instance, students who take the ASU EA Astronomy class for 4 credits and Olivet Nazarene University's General Biological science class for 3 credits to meet the science requirement will also have 7 credits of liberal arts in their degree.
Liberal arts subjects may include: Some capstones, literature & fine arts, music, film, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, organizational behavior (management), politics, geography, economics, anthropology, politics, ethics, English & writing, history, science, communications, computer science, mathematics, philosophy, foreign language, communication.
Liberal arts subjects may exclude: Ethics, business, human resources, marketing, management, education, health care.
Charter Oak has a more complete list available on their site. Charter Oak holds final sway over whether or not a particular course counts as liberal arts or not. Please note that nursing ethics and legal ethics do NOT count as liberal arts while other areas of ethics should count. Most management/business courses do not count as liberal arts except for select organizational behavior courses that count because of the psychology/sociology content.