Courtesy of Jackson State University
The Division of Academic Affairs at Jackson State University has launched “THEE Pathway,” a new general education curriculum. “THEE Pathway” creates flexible course options for general education requirements, including seven new pathway themes that provide undergraduate students with a customizable academic experience. The new curriculum took effect Fall 2022 for first-time and transfer students.
“The new general education curriculum provides an equitable pathway to academic achievement and student success for JSU students. The general education committee took an intentional approach to create a curriculum that advances equity and identifies and eliminates barriers. History will show that the work that we have done in re-imagining general education at JSU will have a positive impact on the metrics that matter: retention, persistence, and graduation,” said Brandi Newkirk-Turner, Ph.D., associate provost for Academic Affairs.
“THEE Pathway” curriculum is comprised of a General Education Core (GEC), which includes 30 hours of courses in five required areas, three (3) hours of university required courses, and nine (9) hours of General Education Pathway (PATH) courses.
By design, “THEE Pathway” promotes critical thinking, math/analytical reasoning, and communication and provides numerous course options for students. The curriculum supports students in achieving their goals by allowing them to choose different paths through the general education curriculum and selecting courses relevant to their goals and interests.
During personalized student-centered advising sessions, students select one of seven pathway themes: data and information literacy; discourse; environment, conservation and sustainability; financial literacy; global; justice; and physical, mental & public health. After selecting their pathway, students choose three courses from the course options.
Transfer students have the option to create their own unique pathway using previously completed courses. This aspect of “THEE Pathway”is designed to support transfer students’ matriculation, persistence, and time to completion.
“Thee Pathway is an innovative faculty-driven process to re-imagine general education, aligned with the student success tenets described in the JSU Elevate strategic plan. The plan promotes degree completion across all disciplines, heightening options for students who return to the university,” said Alisa Mosley, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “Additionally, transfer students have a more eased experience articulating credit at Jackson State. The pathway options expand opportunities for course exploration and reflect a more integrative learning experience for students. I applaud the committee’s work, led by our Associate Provost Dr. Brandi Newkirk-Turner.”
