About Us

Mission

The General Education Program offers undergraduates the opportunity to discover their intellectual, creative, and professional passions by introducing them to many interconnected areas of knowledge. The program prepares students for success at the upper division by focusing on campus-wide learning goals: communication and self-expression, civic engagement, critical inquiry, global perspectives, diverse cultural views, and the ability to solve problems.

History

In May 2005, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law legislation authorizing UW Tacoma and two other upper-division campuses in Washington to accept freshmen and sophomores. UW Tacoma's first-ever first-year students began their studies in the fall of 2006.

UW Tacoma opened its General Education Center in the spring of 2006 to serve as the curricular and academic advising "base camp" for pre-majors, first-year undergraduates and sophomores with an undeclared major. The General Education Center:

• coordinates the core curriculum and other lower-division courses;
• advises students on course and major selection;
• helps students access campus resources such as the Library, Teaching and Learning Center, Career Services, Counseling Center and Student Life.

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