General Education Policy

To provide Seneca Polytechnic students enrolled in diploma and advanced diploma programs with information about their General Education requirements. 

This policy includes all Seneca students enrolled in diploma and advanced diploma programs and applies to General Education requirements. This policy does not apply to Professional Option courses or College English courses.

The part of a program that enables students to explore a range of topics and issues separate from their program and Professional Option courses.

A diploma-level course designed to enhance essential skills, such as critical thinking, quantitative and qualitative reasoning and communication. It will expand the knowledge and understanding of courses that fall into Humanities and/or Sciences/Social Sciences.

A General Education course that all students in a diploma or advanced diploma program must complete.

An elective course of interest that is directly linked to a student’s program. These do not include General Education courses and do not satisfy the General Education requirement of a diploma or advanced diploma program.

1. General Education contributes to the development of individuals and promote awareness of the diversity and complexity of the world we live in.
2. General Education courses complement professional outcomes in diploma and advanced diploma programs by exposing students to theoretical frameworks in areas of study outside of their chosen fields and core areas of study.
   
3. This policy follows the Framework for Programs of Instruction set out by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. 
   

1. Every General Education course at Seneca falls into one of two categories:
   • Humanities
   • Sciences/Social Sciences

1. Students must meet the General Education requirements for graduation.
2. Students in diploma or advanced diploma programs must meet the following General Education requirements:
   
   • successful completion of one diploma-level English and/or communications course
   • successful completion of General Education courses in both categories (Humanities and Sciences/Social Sciences)
3. Some certificate programs require General Education courses.

1. In exceptional circumstances when students cannot meet the General Education requirements for graduation, they can make a request to the School of English & Liberal Studies (SELS) or designate.
2. Exemption requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Chairs, SELS, or designate.
   
3. Liberal Studies courses may be substituted for General Education courses; however, they cannot be prescribed within a certificate diploma or advanced diploma program.
   

1. Deans or chairs looking to add or modify General Education course within their programs must consult with, and receive approval from the Chair, SELS, or designate.

• None

• Liberal Studies Policy
• Transfer Credit Policy

• Framework for Programs of Instruction Minister’s Binding Policy Directive (2003, rev. 2009)
• Ministry of Colleges and Universities General Education program requirements

Approval Date: November 2016

Last Revision:  October 2024