UW Oshkosh embraces the ideals of a liberal education from the importance of a broad knowledge base about human cultures and the physical and natural world to the development of critical-thinking and problem-solving skills and the foundation for a life of civil leadership and continued learning.  A liberal education essentially develops the whole person and transcends preparation for a particular career. It empowers students with transferable skills and an appreciation for diversity in an increasingly global environment.

In 2008, the University’s Liberal Education Reform Team developed the following set of essential student learning outcomes that students can expect to gain across the curriculum:

• Knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world through study in fine and performing arts, humanities, mathematics and science, and social science.

• Both intellectual and practical skills, including identification and objective evaluation of theories and assumptions; critical and creative thinking; written and oral communication; quantitative literacy; technology and information literacy; teamwork; leadership; and problem solving. The skills should be practiced extensively, across the curriculum, in the context of progressively more challenging problems, projects and standards for performance.

• Responsibility, as individuals and communities, including knowledge of sustainability and its applications; civic knowledge and engagement — local and global; intercultural knowledge and competence; ethical reasoning and action; foundations and skills for lifelong learning. These skills will be developed through real-world challenges and active involvement with diverse communities.

• Learning that is integrated, synthesized, and advanced, including synthesis and advanced accomplishment across general and specialized studies demonstrated through the application of knowledge, skills, and responsibilities to new settings and complex problems.