Curriculum with purpose

Every undergraduate student at Georgia College & State University engages in curriculum called – Core IMPACTS – that provides a solid foundation for life, learning, and careers and helps students build momentum to fulfill their academic, personal, and professional aspirations. 

And because Georgia College offers a liberal arts experience rooted in critical thinking and analytical reasoning, our students gain real-world skills through hands-on learning during their time in the classroom. Throughout all of our curriculum, we embrace many of the career-ready competencies employers are looking for.

Critical Thinking; Analyze, Evaluate, and make sound decisions
Ethical Reasoning; Choose actions that reflect integrity and fairness
Information Literacy; Find, Assess, and use information effectively
Inquiry & Analysis - Ask the right questions and explore solutions deeply
Engage diverse perspectives with empathy and respect
Understand and value viewpoints different than your own
Persuasion; Influence others with compelling communication
Problem Solving; Identify Challenges and Deliver Effective Solutions
Time Management; Prioritize tasks and meet deadlines efficiently
Teamwork; Collaborate and contribute to shared success

The University System of Georgia's Core IMPACTS introduces different ways of knowing the world and connects students to the big questions that drive their future and provide the essential skills needed to succeed. 

How is Core IMPACTS structured?
IInstitutional Priority
MMathematics and Quantitative Skills
PPolitical Science and U.S. History
AArts, Humanities, and Ethics
CCommunication in Writing
TTechnology, Mathematics, and Sciences
SSocial Sciences

Exploring IMPACTS

Core IMPACTS provides students with more than just a broad experience with different ways of knowing the world. It builds the foundations for critical skills necessary for graduates to thrive in the workplace and beyond. In all, our students take 42 credit hours (or about 13 – 14 classes) with flexibility in course choices based on your interests, course of study, and program recommendations.

I - Institutional Priority (3 Credit Hours)

Orienting Question

How does my institution help me to navigate the world?

Learning Outcome

Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically and solve problems related to academic priorities at their institution.

Career-Ready Competencies

  • Critical Thinking
  • Teamwork
  • Time Management
M - Mathematics and Quantitative Skills (3 Credit Hours)

Orienting Question

How do I measure the world?

Learning Outcome

Students will apply mathematical and computational knowledge to interpret, evaluate, and communicate quantitative information using verbal, numerical, graphical, or symbolic forms.

Career-Ready Competencies

  • Information Literacy
  • Inquiry and Analysis
  • Problem-Solving
P - Political Science and U.S. History (3 Credit Hours)

Orienting Question

How do I prepare for my responsibilities as an engaged citizen?

Learning Outcome

Students will demonstrate knowledge of the history of the United States, the history of Georgia, and the provisions and principles of the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Georgia.

Career-Ready Competencies

  • Critical Thinking
  • Intercultural Competence
  • Persuasion
A - Arts, Humanities & Ethics (6 Credit Hours)

Orienting Question

How do I interpret the human experience through creative, linguistic, and philosophical works?

Learning Outcome

Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance, and ethical implications of literary/philosophical texts or of works in the visual/performing arts.

Career-Ready Competencies

  • Ethical Reasoning
  • Information Literacy
  • Intercultural Competence
C - Communicating in Writing (6 Credit Hours)

Orienting Question

How do I write effectively in different contexts?

Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will communicate effectively in writing, demonstrating clear organization and structure, using appropriate grammar and writing conventions. 
  2. Students will appropriately acknowledge the use of materials from original sources. 
  3. Students will adapt their written communications to purpose and audience. 
  4. Students will analyze and draw informed inferences from written texts.

Career-Ready Competencies

  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Persuasion
T - Technology, Mathematics & Sciences (7 Credit Hours)

Orienting Question

How do I ask scientific questions or use data, mathematics, or technology to understand the universe?

Learning Outcomes

Students will use the scientific method and laboratory procedures or mathematical and computational methods to analyze data, solve problems, and explain natural phenomena.

Career-Ready Competencies

  • Inquiry and Analysis
  • Problem-Solving
  • Teamwork
S - Social Sciences (3 Credit Hours)

Orienting Question

How do I understand human experiences and connections?

Learning Outcomes

Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how historical, economic, political, social, or geographic relationships develop, persist, or change.

Career-Ready Competencies

  • Intercultural Competence
  • Perspective-Taking
  • Persuasion

How is Georgia College preparing undergraduates for careers?

Georgia College provides a compelling Core IMPACTS experience for undergraduate students through our award winning GC Journeys program.

By participating in five inside and outside the classroom transformative experiences during your time at Georgia College, you will step outside of your usual surroundings, gain authentic experiences, solve problems, become a leader, participate in real-world settings and put ideas into action.

Learn more about GC Journeys