skip directly to Main Content Navigation Search A-Z Index Ask the Bulldog Find People Top Story Breadcrumbs Footer
Spring Classes Begin
January 16, 2024
Presidents' Day Weekend
February 16-19, 2023
Spring Recess
March 24-30, 2024
Request Information
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)

General Education Student Learning Outcomes

The General Education SLOs are the expected outcomes for students who complete a GE sequence at the College of San Mateo by either receiving an Associate degree or completing a GE pattern for transfer.

Effective Communication


The ability of students to write, read, speak, and listen in order to communicate effectively.
Students will be able to:

  • Comprehend, interpret, and analyze written and oral information;
  • Express ideas and provide supporting evidence effectively in writing and in speaking;
  • Communicate effectively in a group or team situation.

Quantitative Skills


The ability of students to perform quantitative analysis, using appropriate resources.
Students will be able to:

  • Solve a variety of problems that require quantitative reasoning;
  • Interpret graphical representations of quantitative information.

Critical Thinking


The ability of students to analyze information, reason critically and creatively, and formulate ideas/concepts carefully and logically from multiple perspectives and across disciplines. 
Students will be able to:

  • Develop and evaluate arguments;
  • Assess the validity of both qualitative and quantitative evidence;
  • Apply diverse disciplinary approaches and perspectives;
  • Employ the scientific method.

Social Awareness and Diversity


The ability of students to recognize cultural traditions and to understand and appreciate the diversity of the human experience, past and present.

Students will be able to:

  • Identify the benefits of diversity and respect the range of diversity;
  • Work effectively with others of diverse backgrounds;
  • Recognize the importance and analyze the interconnectedness of global and local concerns, both past and present.

Ethical Responsibility/Effective Citizenship


The ability of students to make judgments with respect to individual conduct, based on systems of values.
Students will be able to:

  • Recognize ethical principles;
  • Identify possible courses of action in response to ethical dilemmas and evaluate their consequences;
  • Behave ethically and respectfully when working with students, instructors, and the campus community.
(Adopted by the Academic Senate Governing Council, Apr 23, 2013)