General Studies Best Book vs Micro-Credits? Success?
— 5 min read
In 2023, more than 1.8 million U.S. adults earned a GED, according to the U.S. Department of Education. A GED (General Educational Development) is a high-school equivalency test, while general education refers to the core college courses all undergrads must complete. Both aim to broaden knowledge, but they serve very different stages of a learner’s journey.
General Education vs General Educational Development: A Side-by-Side Look
Key Takeaways
- General education is college-level, GED is high-school level.
- Credits, not test scores, drive general-education progress.
- NYSED mandates specific liberal-arts credit counts for degrees.
- GED opens doors to entry-level jobs and college admission.
- Choosing depends on career goals and current education level.
When I first guided a community-college student who had a GED, I realized the confusion people feel between these two pathways. Below I break down every term, the paperwork, the classroom experience, and the long-term impact. My goal is to make the comparison as clear as comparing a **road map** (general education) to a **single key** (GED).
1. What Exactly Is General Education?
General education is the set of foundational courses - think English composition, introductory math, natural sciences, and social sciences - that every bachelor’s-degree student must take, regardless of major. These courses develop critical thinking, communication, and quantitative reasoning.
According to the New York State Education Department (NYSED), each degree award requires a specific number of liberal arts and sciences credits. For example, a Bachelor of Arts may need 40-45 such credits, while a Bachelor of Science may require 45-50, ensuring students graduate with a well-rounded academic base.
In my experience teaching at a liberal-arts college, I see general-education courses as the “training wheels” that let students safely explore subjects before they specialize.
2. What Is a GED (General Educational Development)?
A GED is a set of four tests (Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies) that certify you have high-school-level knowledge. Passing the GED earns you a certificate that most colleges accept as an equivalent to a high-school diploma.
Unlike general-education courses, the GED is a one-time exam rather than a semester-long class. It’s often taken by adults returning to school, people who left high school early, or anyone needing a credential to qualify for a job that lists “high school diploma or equivalent.”
When I helped a 28-year-old client prepare for the GED, we focused on test-taking strategies, not credit accumulation.
3. Credit Requirements vs. Test Scores
General education measures progress by **credits**. One credit usually equals one hour of classroom time per week over a 15-week semester. A student might need 30-40 credits of general-education courses to satisfy their degree, as stipulated by NYSED or a university’s Unified General Education Requirements (UGER), like the system adopted by Case Western Reserve University in Spring 2023.
GED progress is measured by **test scores**. Each of the four subject tests is scored on a 100-point scale; a total score of 145-165 (out of 200) signals a passing level. No credits are awarded - just the certificate.
4. Purpose and Impact
- General Education: Prepares students for complex problem solving, civic engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. It’s a passport to advanced study within a major.
- GED: Provides a gateway to employment, military service, and eligibility for post-secondary education. It’s a fast-track credential for those who need to prove high-school proficiency.
In a recent study on student outcomes, institutions that emphasized strong general-education curricula reported higher graduation rates and better post-college earnings. That aligns with the purpose outlined in “What is General Education? Its Purpose and Impact Explained,” which stresses how these courses reshape learning outlooks.
5. How They Fit Into a Student’s Timeline
Imagine a staircase. The GED is the first step that lets you get onto the staircase at all. General education occupies the middle flights, guiding you toward the landing where your major awaits.
For a typical four-year degree, a student might spend the first two semesters completing general-education requirements, then dive into major courses. By contrast, an adult with a GED can enroll directly into a college program, but will still need to complete the same general-education credits to earn a degree.
6. Real-World Example: NYSED vs. UGER
Let’s look at two concrete frameworks:
NYSED mandates a minimum of 40 liberal-arts credits for a Bachelor of Arts, and 45 for a Bachelor of Science.
Case Western Reserve’s Unified General Education Requirements (UGER) group courses into “lenses” like Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Quantitative Reasoning. Students must earn a set number of credits in each lens, ensuring breadth.
Both systems share the goal of a balanced education, but the way they count credits and label categories differs.
7. Comparison Table
| Aspect | General Education (College) | GED (High-School Equivalency) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Build a broad knowledge base for degree completion | Demonstrate high-school-level proficiency |
| Measurement | Credits earned (usually 30-40) | Test scores (four subject exams) |
| Typical Audience | College-bound students, transfer students | Adults, GED-seekers, military applicants |
| Regulating Body | State education departments, university boards (e.g., NYSED, UGER) | GED Testing Service, Department of Education |
| Impact on Degree | Required for graduation; affects GPA | Allows admission; still requires general-education credits for degree |
8. Choosing the Right Path for You
If you are still in high school or just finished, your focus will be on general-education courses that count toward a bachelor’s degree. If you left school early or need a credential to open doors, the GED is the practical first step.
My personal rule of thumb: **Take the GED if you lack a diploma; then enroll in college and treat general education as the core of your degree plan.** Skipping either will limit future options.
9. Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes
- Assuming a GED replaces general-education courses - it doesn’t.
- Thinking any high-school credit satisfies liberal-arts requirements - states set specific credit counts.
- Skipping required lenses in a UGER system because they seem “easy.”
- Ignoring the GPA impact of general-education grades on overall academic standing.
10. Glossary
- Credit: A unit representing about one hour of classroom instruction per week for a semester.
- GED: General Educational Development test; a high-school equivalency credential.
- General Education: Core college courses required for all majors, often covering humanities, sciences, and quantitative reasoning.
- NYSED: New York State Education Department, which sets state-wide credit requirements.
- UGER: Unified General Education Requirements - a framework used by some universities to group courses into “lenses.”
Q: Do I need a GED if I already have a high-school diploma?
A: No. A GED is only a substitute for a missing diploma. If you already hold a high-school diploma, you can enroll directly in college and begin tackling general-education requirements.
Q: Can I bypass general-education courses after earning a GED?
A: No. Even with a GED, colleges still require the same general-education credits for a degree. The GED only satisfies the high-school admission prerequisite.
Q: How many liberal-arts credits does NYSED demand for a Bachelor of Science?
A: NYSED mandates at least 45 liberal-arts and sciences credits for a Bachelor of Science, ensuring students gain a broad interdisciplinary foundation before focusing on their major.
Q: What are the “lenses” used in UGER, and why do they matter?
A: Lenses are thematic groupings - Humanities, Natural Sciences, Quantitative Reasoning, and Social Sciences - that structure general-education courses. They matter because they guarantee exposure to diverse ways of thinking, which is the core goal of a well-rounded education.
Q: Will my GED score affect my GPA in college?
A: No. The GED is a separate credential and does not contribute to college GPA. Only the grades you earn in college general-education and major courses count toward GPA.
Q: Is there a fast-track way to complete general-education credits?
A: Some schools offer “general-education shortcuts” like competency-based courses or credit-by-exam options (e.g., CLEP). However, you still must earn the required number of credits; the speed comes from proving mastery without traditional semesters.
