Minnesota Transfer Curriculum

The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) is a collaborative effort among all two-year and four-year public colleges and universities in Minnesota to help students transfer their coursework in general education between institutions.

Students can seamlessly transfer to any other Minnesota public university and will have fulfilled all lower-division general education requirements.  Some regional public and private colleges and universities also accept the MnTC.

There are ten goals within the 40 required credits. One course may fulfill a maximum of two goals; however, credits will only be counted once in the total.

Note: The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum requires at least 40 general education credits from the MnTC courses offered and the curriculum is not a degree itself.

Requirements:

  • Complete requirements from each of 10 MnTC goal areas.
  • Earn at least 40 credits from MnTC courses
  • Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher

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Area 1. Communication

Goal: To develop writers and speakers who use the English language effectively and who read, write, speak, and listen critically. As a base, all students should complete introductory communication requirements early in their collegiate studies. Writing competency is an ongoing process to be reinforced through writing-intensive courses and writing across the curriculum. Speaking and listening skills need reinforcement through multiple opportunities for interpersonal communication, public speaking, and discussion.

Student Competencies: Students will be able to:

  1. understand/demonstrate the writing and speaking processes through invention, organization, drafting, revision, editing, and presentation.
  2. participate effectively in groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective thinking, and responding.
  3. locate, evaluate, and synthesize in a responsible manner material from diverse sources and points of view.
  4. select appropriate communication choices for specific audiences.
  5. construct logical and coherent arguments.
  6. use authority, point-of-view, and individual voice and style in their writing and speaking.
  7. employ syntax and usage appropriate to academic disciplines and the professional world.

Student Requirements:  Students will fulfill this area by completing:

  1. ENGL 1101 Composition I (3)
  2. Choose one of the following:  ENGL 1102 Composition II (3), ENGL 2276 Composition: Technical Writing (3)
  3. CMST 1101 Public Speaking (3) or CMST 1103 Interpersonal Communications (3) or CMST 1130 Small Group Communication (3)
Area 2. Critical Thinking

Goal: To develop thinkers who are able to unify factual, creative, rational, and value-sensitive modes of thought. Critical thinking skills will be taught and used throughout the general education curriculum in order to develop students’ awareness of their own thinking and problem-solving procedures. To integrate new skills into their customary ways of thinking, students must be actively engaged in practicing thinking skills and applying them to open-ended problems.

Student Competencies: Students will be able to:

  1. gather factual information and apply it to a given problem in a manner that is relevant, clear, comprehensive, and conscious of possible bias in the information selected.
  2. imagine and seek out a variety of possible goals, assumptions, interpretations, or perspectives which can give alternate meanings or solutions to given situations or problems.
  3. analyze the logical connections among the facts, goals, and implicit assumptions relevant to a problem or claim; generate and evaluate implications that follow from them.
  4. recognize and articulate the value assumptions which underlie and affect decisions, interpretations, analyses, and evaluations made by ourselves and others.

Student Requirements:  Students will fulfill this area by:

No courses currently fill Goal Area 2 requirements.


Most courses teach one or more of the critical thinking student competency areas. Any student who completes 40 credits of general education will have completed the student requirements for Critical Thinking.

Area 3. Natural Sciences

Goal: To improve students’ understanding of natural science principles and of the methods of scientific inquiry, i.e., the ways in which scientists investigate natural science phenomena. As a basis for lifelong learning, students need to know the vocabulary of science and to realize that while a set of principles has been developed through the work of previous scientists, ongoing scientific inquiry and new knowledge will bring changes in some of the ways scientists view the world. By studying the problems that engage today’s scientists, students learn to appreciate the importance of science in their lives and to understand the value of a scientific perspective. Students should be encouraged to study both the biological and physical sciences.

Student Competencies: Students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate understanding of scientific theories.
  2. formulate and test hypotheses by performing laboratory, simulation, or field experiments in at least two of the natural science disciplines. One of these experimental components should develop, in greater depth, students’ laboratory experience in the collection of data, its statistical and graphical analysis, and an appreciation of its sources of error and uncertainty.
  3. communicate their experimental findings, analyses, and interpretations both orally and in writing.
  4. evaluate societal issues from a natural science perspective, ask questions about the evidence presented, and make informed judgments about science-related topics and policies.

Student Requirements:  Students will fulfill this area by completing a minimum of two lab science courses.

  1. One course must be from Biology: BIOL 1100 Survey of Biology (3), BIOL 1110 Principles of Biology I (4), BIOL 1111 Principles of Biology II (4),  BIOL 1115 Human Biology (3), BIOL 2100 Ecology (3), BIOL 2201 Human Anatomy (4), BIOL 2202 Human Physiology (4), BIOL 2220 Animal Biology (4), BIOL 2230 Plant Biology (4), BIOL 2240 Genetics (3), BIOL 2270 Microbiology (4)
  2. One course must be from Chemistry or Physics: CHEM 1100 Introduction to Chemistry (3), CHEM 1101 General Inorganic Chemistry I (4), CHEM 1102 General Inorganic Chemistry II (4), CHEM 1150 Survey of Chemistry (4), CHEM 2201 Organic Chemistry I (5), CHEM 2202 Organic Chemistry II (5), PHYS 1100 Survey of Physics (3), PHYS 1201 Fundamentals of Physics I (4), PHYS 1202 Fundamentals of Physics II (4), PHYS 2121 General Physics I (5), PHYS 1150 Survey of Astronomy (3).
Area 4. Mathematical/Logical Reasoning

Goal: To increase students’ knowledge about mathematical and logical modes of thinking. This will enable students to appreciate the breadth of applications of mathematics, evaluate arguments, and detect fallacious reasoning. Students will learn to apply mathematics, logic, and/or statistics to help them make decisions in their lives and careers. Minnesota’s public higher education systems have agreed that developmental mathematics includes the first three years of a high school mathematics sequence through intermediate algebra. (Recommendation from the intersystem Mathematics Articulation Council. Adopted by all systems in February, 1992.)

Student Competencies: Students will be able to:

  1. illustrate historical and contemporary applications of mathematical/logical systems.
  2. clearly express mathematical/logical ideas in writing.
  3. explain what constitutes a valid mathematical/logical argument (proof).
  4. apply higher-order problem-solving and/or modeling strategies.

Student Requirements: Students will fulfill this area by completing any one of the listed courses:

  1. Any 3-5 credit Math course numbered MATH 1105 or higher: MATH 1105 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (4), MATH 1107 Concepts in Math (3), MATH 1111 College Algebra (3), MATH 1113 Pre-Calculus (4), MATH1118 Applied Calculus (4), MATH 1121 Calculus (4)
  2. PHIL 1200, Logic (3)
Area 5. History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences

Goal: To increase students’ knowledge of how historians and social and behavioral scientists discover, describe, and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events, and ideas. Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles they play in addressing the issues facing humanity.

Student Competencies: Students will be able to:

  1. employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.
  2. examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.
  3. use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
  4. develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.

Student Requirements: Students will fulfill this area by completing a minimum of 9 credits from three of the following areas:

Criminal Justice
CJS 1101 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)

Communications
CMST 1150 Exploring Mass Media (3)

Economics
ECON 1101 Introduction to Economics (3) No credit if ECON 2201 or 2202 has been previously completed.
ECON 2201 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECON 2202 Principles of Microeconomics (3)

Education
EDUC 2900 Introduction to Special Education (3)

Geography
GEOG 1100 Introduction to Geography (3)
GEOG 2235 Introduction to Human Geography (3)

History
HIST 1101 United States History to 1865 (4)
HIST 1102 United States History since 1865 (4)
HIST 1105 Minnesota History (3)
HIST 1121 Early World History (3)
HIST 1122 Modern World History (3)
HIST 2202 Modern American Wars (3)

Political Science
PSCI 1101 Introduction to Political Science (3)
PSCI 1201 American Government and Politics (3)
PSCI 2202 State and Local Government (3)
PSCI 2210 Environmental Politics (3)

Psychology
PSYC 1101 Introduction to Psychology (4)
PSYC 1111 Psychology of Self Adjustment (3)
PSYC 1150 Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3)
PSYC 2210 Basic Counseling Skills (3)
PSYC 2221 Psychology of Mental Illness (3)
PSYC 2225 Addictive Behaviors (3)
PSYC 2230 Behavior Modifications (3)
PSYC 2260 Social Psychology (3)

Sociology
SOC 1101 Introduction to Sociology (3)
SOC 1102 Social Problems (3)
SOC 2210 Marriage and the Family (3)
SOC 2220 Family Life Dynamics (3)
SOC 2224 Racial and Ethnic Minorities (3)
SOC 2225 Abuse in Society (3)

Social Work
SWRK 1101 Introduction to Human Services: Social Work (3)
SWRK 2250 Pre-field Practicum: Social Work (3)

Area 6. The Humanities and Fine Arts

Goal: To expand students’ knowledge of the human condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behavior, ideas, and values expressed in works of human imagination and thought. Through study in disciplines such as literature, philosophy, and the fine arts, students will engage in critical analysis, form aesthetic judgments, and develop an appreciation of the arts and humanities as fundamental to the health and survival of any society.

Student Competencies: Students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
  2. understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.
  3. respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
  4. engage in the creative process or interpretive performance.
  5. articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.

Student Requirements: Students will fulfill this area by completing a minimum of 9 credits from three of the following departments (note: a minimum of two credits must be taken from each of the three countable areas):

Art
ART 1101 Beginning Drawing (3)
ART 1103 Display and Exhibition (1)
ART 1114 Watercolor (3)
ART 1115 Beginning Painting (3)
ART 1118 Arts and Crafts (3)
ART 1120 Art Appreciation (3)
ART 1124 Introduction to Ceramics (3)
ART 1224 Investigations in Raku (3)
ART 2230 Computer Graphics (3)
*ART 2235 Special Topics (1-3)
ART 2240 Art History (3)
ART 2245 Art History II (3)

English
ENGL 1102 Composition II
ENGL 1105 Introduction to Literature (3)
ENGL 1120 Introduction to Women's Literature (3)

ENGL 1130 Introduction to Creative Writing (3)
ENGL 1141 Writing and Reading Poetry (2)
ENGL 1143 Writing and Reading Fiction (2
ENGL 2120 Children's Literature (3)
ENGL 2201 Early American Literature (3)
ENGL 2202 Modern American Literature (3)
ENGL 2203 Midwest Literature (3)
ENGL 2221 Early British Literature (3)
ENGL 2222 Modern British Literature (3)
ENGL 2231 Classical Mythology (2)
*ENGL 2235 Special Topics in Literature (1-3)

History
HIST 1111 Early Western Civilization (3)
HIST 1112 Modern Western Civilization (3)

Humanities
HUM 2121 The Turbulent ‘60s (4)
HUM 2201 The Many Faces of Mexico (2)

Music
MUSC 1101 Fundamentals of Music (3)
MUSC 1102 Introduction to Music Technology (3)
MUSC 1104 American Popular Music (3)
MUSC 1105 Enjoying Music (3)
MUSC 1110 Introduction to Rock Music (3)
MUSC 1111, 1112, 2111, 2112 Chorale (1)
MUSC 1131, 1132, 2131, 2132 Pop Singers (1)
MUSC 1140, 1141, 2140, 2141 Piano Lessons (1)
MUSC 1145, 1146, 2145, 2146 Vocal Lessons (1)

Philosophy
PHIL 1101 Introduction to Philosophy (3)
PHIL 1102 Philosophy of Religion (2)
PHIL 2201 Introduction to Ethical Theory (1) and one of the following three: PHIL 2202 General Applied Ethics (1), PHIL 2205 Business Ethics (2), PHIL 2222 Medical Ethics (1)
PHIL 2230 World Religions (3)
PHIL 2101 Ethical Theory & Practice (3)

Speech
CMST 2210 Oral Interpretation (3)

Spanish
SPAN 1101 Spanish I (4)
SPAN 1102 Spanish II (4)
SPAN 2201 Spanish III (4)
SPAN 2202 Spanish IV (4)

Theater
THTR 1101 Introduction to Theater (3)
THTR 1102 Acting Basics (2)
THTR 1104 Survey of Musical Theater (3)
THTR 1105, 1106, 2105, 2106 Theater Production (1-3)
THTR 2122 Introduction to Film (3)
*THTR 2235 Special Topics (1-3)

* Special topics classes are presented to the Curriculum Committee prior to being taught. They are accepted as credits in a transfer curriculum area only if it is satisfactorily documented to the Curriculum Committee that more than 50 percent of the student competencies listed for that area are accomplished.

Area 7. Human Diversity

Goal: To increase students’ understanding of individual and group differences (e.g., race, gender, class) and their knowledge of the traditions and values of various groups in the United States. Students should be able to evaluate the United States’ historical and contemporary responses to group differences.

Student Competencies: Students will be able to:

  1. understand the development of and the changing meanings of group identities in the United States’ history and culture.
  2. demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society.
  3. analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry.
  4. describe and discuss the experience and contributions (political, social, economic, etc.) of the many groups that shape American society and culture, in particular those groups that have suffered discrimination and exclusion.
  5. demonstrate communication skills necessary for living and working effectively in a society with great population diversity.

Student Requirements: Students will fulfill this area by completing any one of the listed courses (2 credit minimum):

ENGL 1105 Introduction to Literature (3)
ENGL 1120 Introduction to Women's Literature (3)
ENGL 2120 Children's Literature
ENGL 2201 Early American Literature  (3)
ENGL 2202 Modern American Literature (3)
ENGL 2221 Early British Literature (3)
ENGL 2222 Modern British Literature (3)
*ENGL 2235 Special Topics in Literature (2-3)

EDUC 2900 Introduction to Special Education (3)

HIST 1101 United States History to 1865 (4)
HIST 1102 United States History since 1865 (4)
HIST 1105 Minnesota History (3)

HUM 2201 The Many Faces of Mexico (2)
HUM 2121 The Turbulent 60’s (4)
*HUM 2235 Special Topics in Humanities (2-3)

PSYC 1101 Introduction to Psyc (4)
PSYC 1111 Psychology of Self Adjustment (3)
PSYC 1150 Lfespan Developmental Psychology (3)
PSYC 2221 Psychology of Mental Illness (3)
PSYC 2225 Addictive Behaviors (3)
PSYC 2260 Social Psychology (3)

SOC 1102 Social Problems (3)
SOC 2100 Human Relations (3)
SOC 2210 Marriage and the Family (3)
SOC 2224 Racial & Ethnic Minorities (3)
*SOC 2235 Special Topics in Sociology (3)

CMST 1120 Intercultural Communication (3)
CMST 1140 Topics in Communication: Puerto Rico Culture (3)

* Special topics classes are presented to the Curriculum Committee prior to being taught. They are accepted as credits in a transfer curriculum area only if it is satisfactorily documented to the Curriculum Committee that more than 50 percent of the student competencies listed for that area are accomplished.

Area 8. Global Perspective

Goal: To increase students’ understanding of the growing interdependence of nations and peoples and develop their ability to apply a comparative perspective to cross-cultural social, economic and political experiences.

Student Competencies: Students will be able to:

  1. describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements which influence relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions.

  2. demonstrate knowledge of cultural, social, religious and linguistic differences.

  3. analyze specific international problems, illustrating the cultural, economic, and political differences that affect their solution.

  4. understand the role of a world citizen and the responsibility world citizens share for their common global future.

Student Requirements: Students will fulfill this area by completing any one of the listed courses for a minimum of 2 credits:

ART 2240 Art History I (3)
ART 2245 Art History II (3)

CMST 1120 Intercultural Communication (3)
CMST 1140 Topics in Communication: Puerto Rico Culture (3)

ENGL 2221 Early British Literature (3)
ENGL 2222 Modern British Literature (3)

GEOG 1100 Intro to Geography (3)
GEOG 2235 Intro to Human Geography (3)

HIST 1111 Early Western Civilization (3)
HIST 1112 Modern Western Civilization (3)
HIST 1121 Early World History (3)
HIST 1122 Modern World History (3)

MUSC 1102 Introduction to Music Technology (3)

NSCI 1100 Issues in the Environment (3)

PHIL 2230 World Religions (3)

PSCI 1101 Intro to Political Science (3)

SOC 2100 Human Relations (3)
SOC 2224 Racial and Ethnic Minorities (3)

SPAN 1101 Spanish I   (4)
SPAN 1102 Spanish II  (4)
SPAN 2201 Spanish III (4)
SPAN 2202 Spanish IV (4)

Area 9. Ethical and Civic Responsibility

Goal: To develop students’ capacity to identify, discuss, and reflect upon the ethical dimensions of political, social, and personal life and to understand the ways in which they can exercise responsible and productive citizenship. While there are diverse views of social justice or the common good in a pluralistic society, students should learn that responsible citizenship requires them to develop skills to understand their own and others’ positions, be part of the free exchange of ideas, and function as public-minded citizens.

Student Competencies: Students will be able to:

  1. examine, articulate, and apply their own ethical views.

  2. understand and apply core concepts (e.g., politics, rights and obligations, justice, liberty) to specific issues.

  3. analyze and reflect on the ethical dimensions of legal, social, and scientific issues.

  4. recognize the diversity of political motivations and interests of others.

  5. identify ways to exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Student Requirements: Students will fulfill this area by completing any one of the listed courses for a minimum of 2 credits:

CMST 1150 Exploring Mass Media (3)
HIST 2202 Modern American Wars (3)
PHIL 1120 Environmental Ethics (3) 
PHIL 2201 Introduction to Ethical Theory (1) and one of the following three:  PHIL 2202 General Applied Ethics (1), PHIL 2205 Business Ethics (2), PHIL 2222 Medical Ethics (1)
PHIL 2101 Ethical Theory & Practice (3)
PSCI 1201 American Government and Politics (3)
PSCI 2202 State and Local Government (3)
SOC 2215 Drugs in Society (3)
SOC 2225 Abuse in Society (3)

Area 10. People and the Environment

Goal: To improve students’ understanding of today’s complex environmental challenges. Students will examine the interrelatedness of human society and the natural environment. Knowledge of both biophysical principles and sociocultural systems is the foundation for integrative and critical thinking about environmental issues.

Student Competencies: Students will be able to:

  1. explain the basic structure and function of various natural ecosystems and of human adaptive strategies within those systems.

  2. discern patterns and interrelationships of biophysical and sociocultural systems.

  3. describe the basic institutional arrangements (social, legal, political, economic, religious) that are evolving to deal with environmental and natural resource challenges.

  4. evaluate critically environmental and natural resource issues in light of understandings about interrelationships, ecosystems, and institutions.

  5. propose and assess alternative solutions to environmental problems.

  6. articulate and defend the actions they would take on various environmental issues.

Student Requirements: Students will fulfill the area by completing any one of the listed courses (2 credit minimum):

NSCI 1100 Issues in the Environment (3)
PHIL 1120 Environmental Ethics (3)
PSCI 2210 Environmental Politics (3)
GEOG 1101 Intro to Physical Geography (4)
GEOG 2140 Natural Disasters and Meteorology (3)