Can GE and Major Reqs be Double Dipped?

[msamet20]

Hello. New here and planning my application to UMPI for a BA in Psychology.

I'm in the process of trying to map out my curriculum so I only need to take 10x courses (30 credits) at UMPI and reach my 120 credit total for graduation.

Here's what I'm looking at:

• 40 credits, GE's - This will be a combination of Sophia credits and some courses I've taken in the past I'm hoping will transfer into the right slots.
  
• 35 credits, Electives - I have a bucket of credits from 3 previous schools I've attended which should be more than enough to cover the 35 (even after I subtract away the credits I'm planning to use for GE's)
  
• 9 credits, 3x lower-level Psych courses available on Study.com
  
• 31 credits, 10x upper-level Psych courses taken at UMPI, plus their 1 credit Freshman orientation class
  

So, when I add it all up I get... drumroll... 115 credits total. Not the 120 needed to graduate.

What I discovered is...

The cause of this credit shortfall are the 2 double-dipped courses I'm trying to share between my GE's and the Psych reqs. These classes are:

• General Psychology
  
• Basic Statistics
  

I'm not even sure how to formulate my question exactly. I guess I'm wondering:

• A.) Can these classes be counted both as GE's and as Psych reqs? If so, can I make up the remaining 5 credit shortfall with more transferred credits (I've got plenty of them).
  

Or

• B.) Must I choose different GE courses to fill those requirements? For example, choosing Algebra instead of Statistics for the Math GE requirement and Ethics instead of Psychology for the SS GE req? (In other words, because General Psych and Stats are already being applied somewhere else, it is as if I've only got 34 credits counting towards my GE reqs and I need 2x additional courses to make up for that).
  

I hope this makes sense to someone. Thanks for any insights you might have.

[ss20ts]

You'll need 120 credits minimum to graduate. You'll have to complete at least 30 credits at UMPI. Yes, GEC courses can be utilized for major requirements. The BABA has this happen with math.

You also need at least 40 credits in the GEC. There are several courses which can be used to fulfill multiple areas of the GEC so this is something to watch.

You won't be taking the Freshman orientation class. You'll take a 0 credit orientation on Brightspace.

[bjcheung77]

@msamet20, Welcome to the board, great intro post but it's missing the addendum and template. Basically, people going the COSC or UMPI get confused very often with the double dip and credit requirements. The confusion is just that classes can have multiple requirements met, but your credits are not going to be met, you have to place a class in some box to make the 120+ credits total. If you have the major requirements done, and specific gen eds, plus the electives, you're good to go. To keep things simple... If both the classes you have mentioned go to the gen eds, you'll have to take something (anything) for the electives, the opposite is true, if you place those to your electives, a suitable replacement needs to fit the gen eds.

[Vle045]

If I understand your question correctly, no you can’t double dip. In other words, you can’t put the same course in two slots. You have to pick a slot in the degree plan for each course. For example, if a general psychology is needed for your major, you can not also use it for gen ed. You will need something different. If you have credits that don’t fit anywhere, then you just have extra credits that don’t fit anywhere.

[msamet20]

You'll need 120 credits minimum to graduate. You'll have to complete at least 30 credits at UMPI. Yes, GEC courses can be utilized for major requirements. The BABA has this happen with math.

You also need at least 40 credits in the GEC. There are several courses which can be used to fulfill multiple areas of the GEC so this is something to watch.

You won't be taking the Freshman orientation class. You'll take a 0 credit orientation on Brightspace.

Thanks! Wasn't aware of the orientation at Brightspace. Anyway, I didn't need that one credit, haha!

[ss20ts]

If I understand your question correctly, no you can’t double dip.  In other words, you can’t put the same course in two slots.  You have to pick a slot in the degree plan for each course.   For example, if a general psychology is needed for your major, you can not also use it for gen ed.  You will need something different.  If you have credits that don’t fit anywhere, then you just have extra credits that don’t fit anywhere.

This isn't true at UMPI. There are a handful of courses required in a few degrees which can be used to fulfill the GEC requirements. Been there. Done that. For example, in the BABA MAT140 is required for the major. It can also be used for the GEC math requirements and typically that is the only math course BABA students complete even though there are 2 math areas in the GEC. This course fills both of the math GEC slots and the major requirement. It doesn't mean you get 9 credits for it. You still get 3 credits and still have to complete enough general electives to reach 120 credits to graduate.

[msamet20]

@msamet20, Welcome to the board, great intro post but it's missing the addendum and template.  Basically, people going the COSC or UMPI get confused very often with the double dip and credit requirements.  The confusion is just that classes can have multiple requirements met, but your credits are not going to be met, you have to place a class in some box to make the 120+ credits total.  If you have the major requirements done, and specific gen eds, plus the electives, you're good to go.  To keep things simple... If both the classes you have mentioned go to the gen eds, you'll have to take something (anything) for the electives, the opposite is true, if you place those to your electives, a suitable replacement needs to fit the gen eds.

Thanks bj! This makes sense to me. A few followups:

1.) not sure what the addendum and template are referring to. I assume there are forum rules? I'll look into it later when I get a sec.
2.) I think you understand what I'm saying about the double dipping. So let me try to illustrate a scenario using the GEC I've got in front of me. Here are the classes I either have or am planning to take to fill each slot (some are double-dipped):

• 1A - ENG 101 - 3 CRED
  
• 1B - ENG 121 - 3 CRED
  
• 1C - POS 101 - 3 CRED
  
• 1D - double-dip with 1A
  
• 2A - PHI 152 - 3 CRED
  
• 2B - double-dip with 2A
  
• 2C - double-dip with 1B
  
• 2D - ART 103 - 3 CRED
  
• 2E - ART 116 - 3 CRED
  
• 3A - MAT 101 - 3 CRED
  
• 3B - double-dip with 3A (also planning to use as a Psych Major req)
  
• 3C - BIO 104 - 3 CRED
  
• 3D - double-dip with 3E
  
• 3E -CHY 111 -  4 CRED
  
• 4A - whatever
  
• 4B - double-dip with 1B
  
• 4C - double-dip with 2A
  
• 5A - ANT 110 - 3 CRED
  
• 5B - HTY 161 - 3 CRED
  
• 5C - SPA 101 - 3 CRED
  
• 5D - double-dip with 2A
  
• 5E - double-dip with 1C
  

Ok, so that's 37 Credits so far. Then we have to subtract the MAT 101 credits (because although it fulfills the 3A and 3B slots, it's credits are already being counted towards the Psych 45). So basically, as I see it above, I have all my categories fulfilled, however I only have 34 credits I can count towards GCE. Is this part correct?

Now here's my next question:

In my storehouse of previous school credits, I've already got several art courses that I believe can slot easily into the 2D category. So if I have tranfer equivalencies for, say:

• ART 221 - 3 CRED
  and
• ART 120 - 3 CRED
  

Is it crazy to think they will let me stack the 2D category with 3 classes so I can get to 40 without having to load up on more Sophia classes?

3.) vle045 seems to be saying there is no double-dipping between GEC and Major requirements. This seems to imply I would need another Math to satisfy 3A/3B. Your thoughts?

I know these are some crazily complex and specific questions, so huge thanks if you've got any insight here!

---

If I understand your question correctly, no you can’t double dip.  In other words, you can’t put the same course in two slots.  You have to pick a slot in the degree plan for each course.   For example, if a general psychology is needed for your major, you can not also use it for gen ed.  You will need something different.  If you have credits that don’t fit anywhere, then you just have extra credits that don’t fit anywhere.

Thanks for your reply Vle. Are you 100% positive the MAT 101 class couldn't be used for both GEC and PSYCH requirements? What if I count it's credits toward the Psych requirements and make up the 3 GEC credits in a different category, such as more art classes in the 2D category? I also posted a beast of a repy to bj, if that helps clear things up. Anyway, thanks! Hope your wrong though so I don't have to take another Math !

[Vle045]

@msamet20, Welcome to the board, great intro post but it's missing the addendum and template.  Basically, people going the COSC or UMPI get confused very often with the double dip and credit requirements.  The confusion is just that classes can have multiple requirements met, but your credits are not going to be met, you have to place a class in some box to make the 120+ credits total.  If you have the major requirements done, and specific gen eds, plus the electives, you're good to go.  To keep things simple... If both the classes you have mentioned go to the gen eds, you'll have to take something (anything) for the electives, the opposite is true, if you place those to your electives, a suitable replacement needs to fit the gen eds.

Thanks bj! This makes sense to me. A few followups:

1.) not sure what the addendum and template are referring to. I assume there are forum rules? I'll look into it later when I get a sec.
2.) I think you understand what I'm saying about the double dipping. So let me try to illustrate a scenario using the GEC I've got in front of me. Here are the classes I either have or am planning to take to fill each slot (some are double-dipped):

• 1A - ENG 101 - 3 CRED
  
• 1B - ENG 121 - 3 CRED
  
• 1C - POS 101 - 3 CRED
  
• 1D - double-dip with 1A
  
• 2A - PHI 152 - 3 CRED
  
• 2B - double-dip with 2A
  
• 2C - double-dip with 1B
  
• 2D - ART 103 - 3 CRED
  
• 2E - ART 116 - 3 CRED
  
• 3A - MAT 101 - 3 CRED
  
• 3B - double-dip with 3A (also planning to use as a Psych Major req)
  
• 3C - BIO 104 - 3 CRED
  
• 3D - double-dip with 3E
  
• 3E -CHY 111 -  4 CRED
  
• 4A - whatever
  
• 4B - double-dip with 1B
  
• 4C - double-dip with 2A
  
• 5A - ANT 110 - 3 CRED
  
• 5B - HTY 161 - 3 CRED
  
• 5C - SPA 101 - 3 CRED
  
• 5D - double-dip with 2A
  
• 5E - double-dip with 1C
  

Ok, so that's 37 Credits so far. Then we have to subtract the MAT 101 credits (because although it fulfills the 3A and 3B slots, it's credits are already being counted towards the Psych 45). So basically, as I see it above, I have all my categories fulfilled, however I only have 34 credits I can count towards GCE. Is this part correct?

Now here's my next question:

In my storehouse of previous school credits, I've already got several art courses that I believe can slot easily into the 2D category. So if I have tranfer equivalencies for, say:

• ART 221 - 3 CRED
  and
  
• ART 120 - 3 CRED
  

Is it crazy to think they will let me stack the 2D category with 3 classes so I can get to 40 without having to load up on more Sophia classes?

3.) vle045 seems to be saying there is no double-dipping between GEC and Major requirements. This seems to imply I would need another Math to satisfy 3A/3B. Your thoughts?

I know these are some crazily complex and specific questions, so huge thanks if you've got any insight here!

---

If I understand your question correctly, no you can’t double dip.  In other words, you can’t put the same course in two slots.  You have to pick a slot in the degree plan for each course.   For example, if a general psychology is needed for your major, you can not also use it for gen ed.  You will need something different.  If you have credits that don’t fit anywhere, then you just have extra credits that don’t fit anywhere.

Thanks for your reply Vle. Are you 100% positive the MAT 101 class couldn't be used for both GEC and PSYCH requirements? What if I count it's credits toward the Psych requirements and make up the 3 GEC credits in a different category, such as more art classes in the 2D category? I also posted a beast of a repy to bj, if that helps clear things up. Anyway, thanks! Hope your wrong though so I don't have to take another Math !

Ss20ts is a grad of UMPI, so I am not going to contradict her… that being said, if it essentially fills two spots, it still kinda leaves one open in the electives based on what she says.  So it’s kind of yes and no, I guess.  You aren’t going to get double credits, so you still need to make them up somewhere.   I sure wouldn’t want to have to take another math!  Boo to math.  LOL

[ss20ts]

Ss20ts is a grad of UMPI, so I am not going to contradict her… that being said, if it essentially fills two spots, it still kinda leaves one open in the electives based on what she says.  So it’s kind of yes and no, I guess.  You aren’t going to get double credits, so you still need to make them up somewhere.   I sure wouldn’t want to have to take another math!  Boo to math.  LOL

I had the same thing in the BABA! MAT140 is used for the major and to fill 2 areas of the GEC like I previously stated. You still need to have 120 credits to graduate. So you may end up with extra general electives. It's normal in some programs for this to happen.

[msamet20]

Ss20ts is a grad of UMPI, so I am not going to contradict her… that being said, if it essentially fills two spots, it still kinda leaves one open in the electives based on what she says.  So it’s kind of yes and no, I guess.  You aren’t going to get double credits, so you still need to make them up somewhere.   I sure wouldn’t want to have to take another math!  Boo to math.  LOL

I had the same thing in the BABA! MAT140 is used for the major and to fill 2 areas of the GEC like I previously stated. You still need to have 120 credits to graduate. So you may end up with extra general electives. It's normal in some programs for this to happen.

That's great news! I guess it doesn't matter to me fundamentally whether they take my boatload of Art School credits as GE's (so I have 40 total credits in the GEs) or as additional Electives (in excess of 35 credits). Just as long as they take em! And as long as I don't have to take more Math, hehe.