Point University’s mission and goals include facilitating students’ intellectual, spiritual, and social growth. In accordance with these aims, Point’s Core Curriculum develops certain broad General Education Competencies in all associate and baccalaureate degree students, regardless of program, location, or modality. The following table lists those competencies, along with instruments used to assess student attainment:

Relationship of the Core Curriculum to Point’s Gen Ed Competencies. 

The student learning objectives for the General Education Core build on Point’s General Education Competencies and directly contribute to students’ ability to achieve those competencies. These can be found in the respective pages of the Online and Residential General Education Core.

The Point University Core Curriculum

All Point University associate’s degree programs include courses in General Studies (Liberal Arts) and from the Character Formation Core. All Point bachelor’s degree programs include a full 30+ credit General Studies Core and a 15-credit Character Formation Component.

For on-ground baccalaureate students residing at Point’s main campus, the Character Core takes the form of a 15-credit Biblical Studies Minor (or Biblical Studies Major). Online students fulfil this requirement by completing either (1) a Theological Track that emphasizes a biblical approach to these issues; (2) a Character Formation & Leadership Track focused on issues of worldview and ethics; or (3) a customized track that combines elements of both.

Together, the General Studies and Character Formation components form Point University’s “Core Curriculum,” a broad foundation for lifelong learning and more advanced professional studies.

Academic Policies Related to General Education

Undergraduate Mathematics Policy

Point University offers three levels of general math courses as shown below:

Each degree program has specified the “minimum” math course required for students pursuing that program. For example, students majoring in Public Health must complete MATH 117 Introductory Statistics (or higher) as their General Education math course. This lower-level statistics course prepares them to complete PBHE 304 Biostatistical Research, a higher-level course that is part of the major.

(1)   The mid-level courses are the lowest level math courses that can fulfil the General Education Core requirement to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. MTH/MATH 111 Elementary Algebra and MTH/MATH 113 Intermediate Algebra do not fulfil the minimum Core requirement for any program but may be used as General Electives. Some programs require higher-level math, so students should check program requirements.

(2)  The minimum math course is not the only way to fulfil the degree requirement because students may substitute a higher level math course for the minimum. For example, students majoring in Public Health must, at minimum, complete MATH 117 Introductory Statistics to enter the major. However, MATH 120 College Algebra also qualifies them to enter the major since it is a higher level course than MATH 117.

(3)  Students who need a review of foundational skills prior to entering their required math course may need to enroll in a lower-level course to prepare themselves. For example,

• MTH/MATH 111 Elementary Algebra prepares students for MTH/MATH 113 Intermediate Algebra.

• MTH/MATH 113 Intermediate Algebra prepares students for MTH/MATH 120 College Algebra.

• MTH/MATH 120 College Algebra and MTH 191 Pre-Calculus prepare students for MTH 210 Calculus I.

Students may use these lower-level courses as General Electives.

(4)  Since mathematics lays the groundwork for many professional skills, full-time undergraduate students must enroll in an appropriate math course within the first two terms of enrollment at Point. If necessary, they must then enroll in an appropriate math course every term it is offered until they have successfully com-pleted the mathematics course required for their degree program with a grade of “C” or higher.

Undergraduate Math Placement Test

The Point Admission Assessment (PAA) includes a math placement test. On-ground students usually complete the PAA before or during their “Starting Point” event. Online students either take the full PAA or complete the math placement part of the PAA during PASS 100 Online Orientation. Point places students in math courses based on their PAA score.

Undergraduate English Policy

Full-time students should completed ENG/ENGL 101 Critical Reading & Writing I and ENG/ENGL 102 Critical Reading & Writing II as early as possible in their programs. Passing these courses with a grade of “C” or higher is a prerequisite for many other courses.

Writing Emphasis Courses

In the Lower Division, undergraduate students gain university-level writing skills through ENG/ENGL 101-102 Critical Reading & Writing I-II, supported by metacognitive and career-readiness strategies taught in APSP 110/EFT 101 Effective Thinking. Point further develops those skills in the Upper Division through “Writing Emphasis” (WE) courses included in the Character Formation Component and each professional major. In the WE courses, students complete formal writing projects appropriate to their chosen career or discipline, which are evaluated using a University rubric.

Transfer Guidelines for the General Education Core, Character Core, and Biblical Studies Minor

The faculty of Point University has specifically designed each course in the General Education Core, Character Core, Biblical Studies Minor, and professional programs to serve the University mission and goals, including goals related to faith integration. Accordingly, the faculty prefers that students complete all their coursework at Point. At the same time, they do not wish to place unnecessary burdens on students who have earned academic credits elsewhere and desire to transfer those credits to Point. Therefore, in an effort to be “transfer friendly” while remaining true to its mission, Point has established transfer guidelines. The Registrar applies these guidelines in consultation with the Chief Academic Officer and college deans. For the guidelines and full policy on course transfers, see “Credit for Prior Learning” in the section of this catalog focusing on “Academic Regulations.”

Dual Credit Enrollment Courses

Point University admits qualified high school students into its Dual Credit Enrollment program (DCE, also known as “joint enroll-ment”). In this program, students complete college-level courses that simultaneously fulfil requirements for both their high school diploma and a university degree from Point. For more information, see “Application Procedures for Dual Credit Enrollment Students" in the section of this catalog focusing on “Application & Admission.”

Point offers DCE courses in both on-ground and online formats. All Point DCE course curricula are approved by the State of Georgia. Virtually all DCE courses fall into the category of “General Education” and meet Point University General Education Core requirements.

Policy for Degree-Seeking Students with Undecided Major

For purposes of academic planning and financial aid, Point recommends that students seeking a bachelor’s degree declare their desired major as soon as possible. However, if they have not yet chosen a major, they should follow the policies outlined below.

If degree-seeking on-ground students have not yet decided their baccalaureate major, or if they desire to complete a bachelor’s degree at another university offering a major not found at Point, they should enroll in Point’s on-ground B.A. or B.S. in University Studies program (described below). This program keeps students’ options open for the future and allows them to apply for financial aid if needed.

If degree-seeking online students have not yet decided their baccalaureate major, or if they desire to complete a bachelor’s degree at another university offering a major not found at Point, they should enroll in Point’s online Associate of Arts in General Studies program (described below). This program consists almost entirely of General Education courses that will apply to any Point bachelor’s degree and will transfer to other universities. It keeps students’ options open for the future and allows them to apply for financial aid if needed.

Once students decide on a major, they should contact the academic advising center (telephone 706-385-1018, email Advising.Center@Point.edu) and follow the procedure for “Declaring Programs, Majors, and Minors” found in the section of this catalog devoted to “Academic Advising.”

Adding Minors to Bachelor’s Degree Programs

All baccalaureate programs include the General Education Core and the Character Core. In on-ground programs that do not include a dual major in Biblical Studies, the Character Core takes the form of a Biblical Studies Minor.

Beyond the Biblical Studies Minor, students may add a minor(s) to any bachelor’s degree program that does not include that specific area of study as its major and/or as noted otherwise. (For example, a student graduating with a History Major will not also receive a History Minor even though all courses in the minor are included in the major.) Students may not add minors to associate’s degrees. For full policies concerning “Majors and Minors,” see the section of this catalog titled “Introduction to Academics.”

Transfer Guidelines for the General Education Core, Character Core, and Biblical Studies Minor

The faculty of Point University has specifically designed each course in the General Education Core, Character Core, Biblical Studies Minor, and professional programs to serve the University mission and goals, including goals related to faith integration. Accordingly, the faculty prefers that students complete all their coursework at Point. At the same time, they do not wish to place unnecessary burdens on students who have earned academic credits elsewhere and desire to transfer those credits to Point. Therefore, in an effort to be “transfer friendly” while remaining true to its mission, Point has established transfer guidelines. The Registrar applies these guidelines in consultation with the Chief Academic Officer and college deans. For the guidelines and full policy on course transfers, see “Credit for Prior Learning” in the section of this catalog focusing on “Academic Regulations.”