General Education

Photo of five students sitting in a row in class

Welcome to NJCU’s General Education Program

At New Jersey City University (NJCU), we are dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality education that meets the diverse needs of our student body. Our General Education (GenEd) program has undergone significant enhancements to better serve transfer students, particularly those from New Jersey’s community colleges.

Program

GE curriculum introduce students to the fundamental ideas and intellectual activities that scholars and professional staff across campus—in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences—draw on in their work. Courses in the GE make up 30 percent of NJCU’s graduation requirements, and they easily fit with all our majors and minors.

Because the challenges that students face are interdisciplinary in nature, NJCU’s GE will provide learners both a strong foundation in an academic discipline and the intellectual and social skills that extend across those academic majors. GE at NJCU will assist your academic success with comprehensive programs to further face the complexities of life beyond the university.

VIEW CURRICULUM  APPLY

Vision and Mission

General Education (GE) is the foundation part of the college experience shared by all students regardless of major. The courses in the GE Curriculum invite you to open your mind and think differently about yourself and the world around you.

NJCU’s GE will help you be more aware of the creative, natural, societal, and cultural forces that shape the world around you. And arm you with critical skills that will make you a valuable employee in today’s marketplace.

“To Be a Creative Lifelong Learner!”

Enhancing Access and Transferability

Recognizing the challenges transfer students often face, NJCU has restructured its GenEd curriculum to ensure a seamless transition. Notably:

  • Alignment with Community Colleges: Courses certified by the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) to satisfy general education requirements at community colleges will now fulfill NJCU’s GenEd requirements, even if there isn’t a direct course equivalent at NJCU.
  • Waivers for Transfer Students: Transfer students with an Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from a regionally accredited institution are exempt from NJCU’s entire GenEd program. Those who earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.), and Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.), or have transferred in over 60 credits are waived from the Civic Engagement and Capstone requirements.

Celebrating Our Commitment to Transfer Students

NJCU is proud to be the only four-year institution in New Jersey implementing these comprehensive transfer-friendly policies. This initiative underscores our commitment to:

  • Student Success: By reducing barriers, we empower students to focus on their academic and professional goals.
  • Timely Graduation: Streamlined credit transfers facilitate on-time degree completion.
  • Affordability: Recognizing more transfer credits can lower educational costs for students. 

Learn More About NJCU’s GenEd Program

For detailed information about our General Education program and how it benefits transfer students, please visit our Information for Students page.

Explore the NJCCC General Education Foundation

To understand the foundational courses recognized across New Jersey’s community colleges, refer to the NJCCC General Education Foundation.

Join the NJCU Community

We invite you to become part of a university that values accessibility, inclusivity, and student achievement. For more information on transferring to NJCU, visit our Transfer Resource Center.

At NJCU, your educational journey is our priority. Together, we can achieve excellence.