General Education & EMU Core Curriculum

The EMU Core Curriculum (our general education program) prepares you to put your liberal arts education into action as a wise, unifying leader.

Power & Equity

At EMU you will be joining a university with one of the oldest cross cultural programs in the country. For us, it’s less about an adventure in an unknown place as it is a way to approach life and learning - with purpose, openness, and passion.

Environmental Sustainability

To us, faith is action. You will live your faith at EMU by serving others, acting for justice and letting your values guide you. Create a life that matters by turning your faith into action that improves the lives of those around you.

Intercultural Understanding

You have powerful ideas that need an equally powerful voice. We believe that education is key to impacting positive change. You want to change the world, and we want to help.

Faith & Meaning

Forging your own path doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. We’re here to help you experience what EMU is all about. From your initial meetings with admissions counselors to beyond graduation, we will be here to help you succeed.

Communication

Innovation & Applied Learning

Integrative Learning

Reflective Collaboration

You have powerful ideas that need an equally powerful voice. We believe that education is key to impacting positive change. You want to change the world, and we want to help.

Core curriculum learning outcomes

EMU Values

EMU values outcomes link to our university verse, Micah 6:8. What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Power & Equity (Do Justice)

Students will analyze power and identity in systems and cultures through the lenses of anti-racism and anti-oppression to promote justice and equity.

Environmental Sustainability (Love Mercy)

Students will explain the significance of environmental sustainability and the interconnectedness between the natural world and human thriving.

Intercultural Understanding (Walk Humbly)

Students will demonstrate skills in cultural self-awareness and perspective-taking in intercultural contexts.

Faith & Meaning (With God)

Students will articulate their understanding of the meaning of their lives and significance of their choices as a result of studying ethics, Christian scripture, and Anabaptist Mennonite beliefs in practice.

Professional and Social Development

Professional and Social development outcomes support practical and intellectual skills for wise, engaged professionals and community builders.

Communication

Students will apply effective communication skills by gathering, interpreting, critiquing, and presenting information from diverse sources.

Innovative and Applied Learning

Through integrative reflection, students will design creative solutions and responses to real-world challenges and situations.

Integrative learning

Students will integrate broad knowledge of human culture and the natural world with concerns that transcend disciplinary boundaries.

Reflective Collaboration

Students will reflect on their growth as persons in diverse communities and their ability to collaborate constructively with others.

How are core curriculum courses related?

These eight Core outcomes weave through required Core courses, experiences, and Core electives. As students progress through the Core they will build a portfolio that showcases reflective learning in these areas, preparing them answer related interview questions from future employers. See the Core curriculum outline in the academic catalog.

Do all students take these courses?

Yep – core curriculum courses are required for all EMU students. That’s why they’re known as general education!