LEAP Essential Learning Outcomes
In the interest of giving every WVU student a liberal education as defined by the AACU’s Liberal Education & America’s Promise (LEAP) initiative, WVU will apply the AACU LEAP Essential Learning Outcomes as part of the General Education Foundations (GEF). All GEF courses will incorporate at least one of the AACU LEAP Essential Learning Outcomes.
LEAP Essential Learning Outcome 1: Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World
- Through study in the sciences and mathematics, social sciences, humanities, histories, languages, and the art
Focused by engagement with big questions, both contemporary and enduring. WVU GEF courses incorporating LEAP Essential Learning Outcome 1 tie some aspect of course outcomes to problems and issues that students recognize in today’s world.
LEAP Essential Learning Outcome 2: Intellectual and Practical Skills
- Inquiry and analysis
- Critical and creative thinking
- Written and oral communication
- Quantitative literacy
- Information literacy
- Teamwork and problem solving
Practiced extensively, across the curriculum, in the context of progressively more challenging problems, projects, and standards for performance. WVU GEF courses incorporating LEAP Essential Learning Outcome 2 teach at least one intellectual or practical skill relevant for modern life, and explicitly describe to students what it is and where it is applicable.
LEAP Essential Learning Outcome 3: Personal and Social Responsibility
- Civic knowledge and engagement—local and global
- Intercultural knowledge and competence
- Ethical reasoning and action
- Foundations and skills for lifelong learning
Anchored through active involvement with diverse communities and real-world challenges. WVU GEF courses incorporating LEAP Essential Learning Outcome 3 engage the personal or social responsibility of students, and discuss personal, local, national, and/or international situations and problems.
LEAP Essential Learning Outcome 4: Integrative and Applied Learning
- Synthesis and advanced accomplishment across general and specialized studies
Demonstrated through the application of knowledge, skills, and responsibilities to new settings and complex problems. WVU GEF courses incorporating LEAP Essential Learning Outcome 4 allow for the integration and synthesis of knowledge across the disciplines, and explicitly explain the connection of knowledge across the disciplines.