The Distribution Pathway offers a high degree of flexibility and a more customizable experience within the Essential Education curriculum. Students will be required to complete 18 credits with the following course distributions.
This pathway is often considered by students with transfer credits. Transfer students are advised to work with their academic advisor to explore options and make a best-fit decision that suits each individual’s unique situation and interests.
Find Your Course Distribution
Communication Intensive
Required: 3 credits
| Course Number | Course Title | Category | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AF3001 | Leading People and Effective Communication | ||
| CH3124 | Communication for the Chemical Sciences | ||
| HU2500 | Writing About Literature | ||
| HU2510 | Intro to Creative Writing | ||
| HU2810 | Research & Writing in Communication | ||
| HU2830 | Public Speaking & Multimedia | ||
| HU2840 | Interpersonal Communication and Technology | ||
| HU3015 | Advanced Composition | ||
| HU3105 | Writing about Numbers | ||
| HU3120 | Technical and Professional Communication | ||
| HU3130 | Rhetoric of Science and Technology | ||
| HU3140 | Rhetoric of Health and Medicine | ||
| HU3151 | The Rhetoric of Everyday Texts | ||
| HU3160 | Rhetoric and Culture of Games | ||
| HU3283 | German Composition and Conversation | ||
| HU3293 | Level II-C Spanish Composition & Conversation | ||
| HU3514 | Workshop Creative Nonfiction | ||
| HU3515 | Workshop in Poetry | ||
| HU3516 | Workshop in Fiction | ||
| HU3517 | Literary Theory and Criticism | ||
| HU3518 | Workshop in Sci Fi Writing | ||
| HU3519 | Workshop in Nature Writing | ||
| HU3606 | Editing | ||
| HU3692 | Writing for Scientific Audiences | ||
| HU3693 | Science Writing for Public | ||
| HU3694 | Grant Writing | ||
| HU3698 | Writing for Health/Medical Audiences | ||
| HU3699 | Health/Medical Writing for Public Audiences | ||
| HU3825 | Environmental Communication | ||
| HU3832 | Virtual Encounters | ||
| HU3845 | Human-Machine Communication | ||
| HU4625 | Risk Communication | ||
| MA4945 | History of Mathematics | ||
| SND4120 | Transducer Theory | ||
| SS3240 | Reading the Landscape | ||
| SS3420 | Imaginary Worlds: Geographies of Science Fiction and Fantasy | ||
| SS3501 | Making History | ||
| SS3520 | U.S. Environmental History | ||
| SS3535 | History of Privacy | ||
| SS3552 | Renaissance & Reformation | ||
| SS3950 | Topics in American History | ||
| SS3951 | Topics in European History | ||
| SS3952 | Topics in World History | ||
| SS4001 | History of Social Thought | ||
| SS4040 | Civic Communications | ||
| SS4540 | Global Environmental History | ||
| SS4550 | History of Technology | ||
| THEA1170 | Voice and Movement | ||
| THEA2310 | Drafting for the Entertainment Industry | ||
| THEA2470 | Voice Acting Fundamentals | ||
| THEA3320 | Lighting Design |
Arts and Culture
Required: 3 credits
| Course Number | Course Title | Category | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ART1100 | Drawing I | ||
| ART1110 | Art + Design Studio | ||
| ART2100 | Drawing II | ||
| ART2110 | Art on Site | ||
| ART2140 | Ceramics I | ||
| ART2145 | Beginning Wheel Throwing | ||
| ART2170 | Fiber Arts | ||
| ART2195 | Art and Flora | ||
| ART2350 | Scenic Art & Scenic Illustration | ||
| ART2950 | Creative Campus: Local Arts Immersion | ||
| ART3130 | Creative Drawing II | ||
| ART3140 | Creative Ceramics | ||
| ART3145 | Ceramic Sculpture | ||
| ART3410 | Contemporary Sculpture Studio | ||
| ART3850 | Special Topics: Art | var | |
| ART4410 | Advanced Sculpture Studio | ||
| ART4440 | Advanced Ceramics | ||
| ART4450 | Advanced Creative Drawing & Painting | ||
| HU2501 | American Experience in Literature | ||
| HU2538 | British Experience in Literature | ||
| HU2548 | Young Adult Literature | ||
| HU2633 | Fundamentals of Digital Imaging | ||
| HU2645 | Graphic and Information Design | ||
| HU3241 | Level II-A Less Commonly Taught Languages | var | |
| HU3242 | Level II-B Less Commonly Taught Languages | var | |
| HU3281 | Level II-A German Language & Culture | ||
| HU3282 | Level II-B German Language & Culture | ||
| HU3285 | Level III German Film & Media | ||
| HU3291 | Level II-A Spanish Language & Culture | ||
| HU3292 | Level II-B Spanish Language & Culture | ||
| HU3327 | Film Style and Genre | ||
| HU3503 | Special Topics in Literature and Culture | ||
| HU3504 | Studies in the Novel | ||
| HU3505 | Special Topics Literary Forms | ||
| HU3506 | Major Authors | ||
| HU3509 | Studies in Drama | ||
| HU3513 | Shakespeare | ||
| HU3557 | Literature and Science | ||
| HU3630 | Publication and Information Management | ||
| HU3700 | Philosophy of Science | ||
| HU3701 | Philosophy of Technology | ||
| HU3702 | Philosophy of Religion | ||
| HU3704 | Ethics of Artificial Intelligence | ||
| HU3705 | Media and Communication Ethics | ||
| HU3711 | Biomedical Ethics | ||
| HU3802 | Media and Globalization | ||
| HU3852 | See and Be Seen: Data, Surveillance & Society | ||
| HU3872 | Machines in the Mist: Visuality and Culture | ||
| HU3882 | Media Industries | ||
| HU4327 | Multimedia Storytelling | ||
| HU4370 | Documentary Workshop | ||
| HU4642 | Advanced Topics in Media | ||
| HU4701 | Political Philosophy | ||
| MUS1100 | Western Music Fundamentals | ||
| MUS1580 | Group Voice | ||
| MUS2000 | History of Classical Music | ||
| MUS2001 | Film Music | ||
| MUS2020 | History of Rock | ||
| MUS2030 | History of Jazz | ||
| MUS2040 | Music and Tradition | ||
| MUS2103 | Jazz Theory and Aural Skills | ||
| MUS3020 | Beatles and Beach Boys | ||
| MUS3130 | Jazz Improvisation | ||
| MUS3210 | Electronic Music: History and Practice | ||
| MUS3850 | Special Topics: Music | var | |
| MUS4130 | Jazz Arranging | ||
| PSY2082 | Psychology of Friendship | ||
| PSY2083 | Psychology of Happiness | ||
| PSY2600 | Death and Dying | ||
| PSY3880 | Psychology of Social Media | ||
| SND1101 | Introduction to Music Mixing | ||
| SND1102 | Intro to Audio Production | ||
| SND3850 | Special Topics: Sound | var | |
| SS2510 | Gender and the Past | ||
| SS3513 | History of Making Things: Craft and Industry in America | ||
| SS3530 | The Automobile in America | ||
| SS3540 | History of Michigan | ||
| SS3580 | Technology and Society in History | ||
| SS3581 | History of Science | ||
| SS4200 | Environmental Anthropology | ||
| SS4220 | Archaeological Thought in Society | ||
| SS4552 | Historical Archaeology | ||
| SS4553 | Material Culture Studies | ||
| SS4600 | Indus & Historical Archaeology | ||
| SS4990 | Directed Study in Anthropology | var | |
| THEA3400 | Acting II | ||
| THEA3850 | Special Topics: Theatre | var | |
| THEA4400 | Acting: Shakespeare | ||
| THEA4402 | Musical Theatre Performance |
Intercultural Competency (3000-4000 level)
Required: 3 credits
| Course Number | Course Title | Category | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color and Creativity: Exploring the Power of Color | |||
| World Sculpture Traditions | |||
| Current Health Issues | |||
| International Economics | |||
| Labor/Human Resource Economics | |||
| Indigenous Natural Resources Management | |||
| Power and Bias in Technology Design | |||
| Communicating Across Cultures | |||
| Topics in Francophone Cultures | |||
| Topics in German-Speaking Culture | |||
| Topics in Spanish-Speaking Culture | |||
| Level III German Literature & Culture | |||
| Hispanic Literatures and Culture | |||
| Survey of Hispanic Literatures and Cultures | |||
| Topics in World Cinema | |||
| Topics in Diversity Studies | |||
| Gender and Culture | |||
| Mythology | |||
| Cultural Traditions in Literature | |||
| Literature and the Environment | |||
| Literature across Borders | |||
| Science Fiction | |||
| Engineering Ethics | |||
| Media and Society | |||
| Creativity, Culture, & Change | |||
| Automated Culture: Critical Approaches to AI | |||
| Power, Activism, and Technology | |||
| Cultural Theory and Popular Culture | |||
| Media Theory | |||
| Sound and Culture | |||
| Modern Language Seminar I-French | |||
| Modern Language Seminar II-French | |||
| Modern Language Seminar I-German | |||
| Modern Language Seminar II-German | |||
| Modern Language Seminar III-German | |||
| Modern Language Seminar I-Spanish | |||
| Modern Language Seminar II-Spanish | |||
| Modern Language Seminar III-Spanish | |||
| Existentialism and Phenomenology | |||
| Organizational Behavior | |||
| International Management | |||
| Global Marketing | |||
| Psychology of Race | |||
| Social Psychology | |||
| Culture and Cognition | |||
| Native American and Indigenous Communities | |||
| Food Systems and Sustainability | |||
| Capitalism and the Modern World | |||
| Latin American Cultural History | |||
| History of Detroit | |||
| International Relations | |||
| Selected Topics in Cyber-Law | |||
| Constitutional Law | |||
| Civil Rights & Civil Liberties | |||
| Crime, Incarceration, and Policy | |||
| Social Inequality | |||
| Environmental Justice | |||
| Energy Security and Justice | |||
| Topics in Anthropology/Archaeology | |||
| Preparing for Cross-Cultural Immersion Experiences | |||
| Ethnographic Methods | |||
| Memory and Heritage | |||
| Sustainable Tourism and Planning | |||
| Geographies of Migrant and National Communities | |||
| Theatre History | |||
| Costume History | |||
| Costume Design |
STEM
Required: 3 credits
| Course Number | Course Title | Category | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | Math | ||
| All | Natural and Physical Science | ||
| ACC2000 | Accounting Principles I | ||
| ACC2100 | Accounting Principles II | ||
| ACC3000 | Intermediate Accounting I | ||
| ACC3500 | Managerial Cost Accounting | ||
| BL2000 | Biology of Movement and Meditation | ||
| BL3001 | Emergency Medical Technician 1 | ||
| CS1111 | Programming in C/C++ | ||
| CS1121 | Introduction to Programming I | ||
| CS1122 | Introduction to Programming II | ||
| CS1131 | Accelerated Introduction to Programming | 5 | |
| DATA1200 | Data Science with Python | ||
| DATA2201 | Foundations of Data Science | ||
| EET1121 | Circuits I (plus EET1122) | 4 | |
| EET1411 | Basic Electronics | 4 | |
| ENG1102 | Engineering Modeling and Design | ||
| FIN4000 | Investment Analysis | ||
| FIN4200 | Derivatives and Financial Engineering | ||
| FIN4500 | Risk Management | ||
| FIN4600 | FinTech Foundations | ||
| FIN4700 | Global Finance | ||
| FW3075 | Introduction to Biotechnology | ||
| GE1200 | Intro to Data Sci Earth Resources | 1 | |
| GE2010 | Intro to GIS | ||
| KIP1500 | Foundations of Kinesiology | ||
| KIP3100 | Exercise Assessment and Prescription | ||
| MIS2000 | IS/IT Management | ||
| MIS2100 | Intro Bus & Analytics Program | ||
| MIS3100 | Bus Database Modeling & Mgt | ||
| MIS3200 | Systems Analysis and Design | ||
| MIS3500 | User-Centered Design | ||
| MIS4000 | AI & Emerging Tech in Business | ||
| MIS4200 | Management of Cyber Security | ||
| OSM3000 | Operations & Supply Chain Management | ||
| OSM3600 | Procurement & Supply Management | ||
| PSY3060 | Brain and Behavior | ||
| SAT1610 | Computer and OS Architecture | ||
| SAT2711 | Linux Fundamentals | ||
| SND1150 | Sound Technology | ||
| SND4121 | Transducer Theory Lab | ||
| SS2050 | Fundamentals of GIS | ||
| SS3221 | Archaeological Sciences (plus SS3222) | 4 | |
| SS3510 | History of American Technology | ||
| SS3511 | History of Science in America | ||
| SS3800 | Energy Policy and Technology |
SHAPE
Required: 3 credits
| Course Number | Course Title | Category | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | Foundations Courses | ||
| All | Arts and Culture Courses | ||
| All | Communication Intensive Courses | ||
| All | Intercultural Competency Courses | ||
| AR2001 | Leadership and Ethics w/Lab | 2 | |
| AR2002 | Army Doctrine and Decision Making w/Lab | 2 | |
| BL2001 | Valuing the Great Lakes | ||
| BL3090 | Spirituality in Healthcare | ||
| BUS2200 | Business Law | ||
| CS3000 | Ethical and Social Aspects of Computing | ||
| EC3002 | Microeconomic Theory | ||
| EC3003 | Macroeconomic Theory | ||
| EC3300 | Industrial Organization | ||
| EC3400 | Economic Decision Analysis | ||
| EC4050 | Game Theory/Strategic Behavior | ||
| EC4400 | Banking and Financial Institutions | ||
| EC4500 | Public Sector Economics | ||
| EC4620 | Energy Economics | ||
| EC4630 | Mineral Industry Economics | ||
| EC4640 | Natural Resource Economics | ||
| EC4650 | Market Failure and the Environment | ||
| ENG2060 | Facilitating Group Learning | 1 | |
| ENG3060 | Developing Mentoring Skills | 1 | |
| ENG4060 | Leadership in Group Environments | 1 | |
| ENT2961 | Teaming in the Enterprise | 2 | |
| ENT2962 | Communication Contexts | 1 | |
| ENT3958 | Ethics in Engineering | 1 | |
| FIN4300 | Personal Financial Planning | ||
| FW2081 | Introduction to Circular Economy | ||
| FW3313 | Sustainable Science | ||
| GE2100 | Environmental Geology | ||
| HF3850 | Human Factors | ||
| HF4015 | Cognitive Task Analysis | ||
| HON2150 | Know Yourself | 1 | |
| HON3150 | Pavlis Seminar II | 1 | |
| HON3350 | Navigate Your World | ||
| HON4150 | Pavlis Seminar III | 1 | |
| HON4350 | Tell Your Story | ||
| HU2600 | Introduction to Writing in Science & Technology | ||
| HU2646 | Writing with Web Technologies | ||
| HU3121 | Advanced Technical Writing | ||
| HU3295 | Level III Advanced Spanish for Literacies | ||
| HU4628 | Usability Evaluation and Testing | ||
| HU4635 | Principles of User Experience Design | ||
| HU4890 | Topics in Communication | ||
| IS2002 | International Studies in situ - Social & Behavioral Science | var | |
| KIP2600 | Introduction to Public Health | ||
| KIP3700 | Lifetime Fitness | ||
| MGT2000 | Team Dynamics | ||
| MGT3100 | Leadership Development | ||
| MGT3650 | Intellectual Property Management | ||
| MGT3800 | Entrepreneurship | ||
| MGT4300 | Developing Entrepreneurial Ventures | ||
| MGT4600 | Management of Technology and Innovation | ||
| MGT4650 | Commercialization of Advanced Technologies | ||
| MKT3000 | Principles of Marketing | ||
| MKT3200 | Consumer Behavior and Culture | ||
| MKT4100 | Sales and Sales Management | ||
| PSY2010 | Wellness and Resilience for College and Beyond | ||
| PSY2080 | Special Topics in Psychology | var | |
| PSY2081 | Psychology of Video Games | ||
| PSY2110 | Educational Psychology | ||
| PSY2400 | Health Psychology | ||
| PSY2800 | Critical Thinking for Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| PSY2900 | An Introduction to Restorative Practices | ||
| PSY3010 | Theories of Personality | ||
| PSY3030 | Abnormal Psychology | ||
| PSY3200 | Motivation and Emotion | ||
| PSY3400 | Developmental Psychology | ||
| PSY3600 | Cognitive Psychology | ||
| PSY3700 | Industrial/Organizational Psychology | ||
| PSY3800 | Environmental Psychology | ||
| PSY4080 | Topics in Psychology | var | |
| PSY4750 | Judgment and Decision Making | ||
| SS2001 | Intro to Social Science Research | ||
| SS2620 | Introduction to Public Policy | ||
| SS3200 | Archaeology of the Modern World | ||
| SS3230 | Archaeology of Industry | ||
| SS3280 | Anthropology of Energy | ||
| SS3315 | Population and Environment | ||
| SS3505 | Military History of the U.S. | ||
| SS3515 | History of American Architecture | ||
| SS3621 | Non-Profit Management | ||
| SS3625 | Policy Analysis | ||
| SS3630 | Environmental Policy & Politics | ||
| SS3650 | Intellectual Property Management | ||
| SS3755 | Sustainability and the Private Sector | ||
| SS3801 | Science, Technology, & Society | ||
| SS3815 | Energy and Society | ||
| SS3990 | Topics in the Social Sciences | var | |
| SS4009 | Survey Methods | ||
| SS4120 | Sustainable Development | ||
| SS4230 | Archaeological Analysis and Interpretation | ||
| SS4313 | Sustainability Science | ||
| SS4390 | Seminar in Sustainability | ||
| SS4400 | Enviromental Sociology | ||
| SS4554 | Global Industrial History | ||
| SS4995 | Topics in the Social Sciences | var | |
| THEA1110 | Entertainment Technology I | ||
| THEA1120 | Lighting Technology I | ||
| THEA1130 | Costume Technology I | ||
| THEA3340 | Scenic Design |
Essential Education Experience (3000-4000 level)
Required: 3 credits
| Course Number | Course Title | Category | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ART3190 | Art, Nature, and Contemplative Photography | ||
| ART3900 | Study Away: Regional Arts Immersion | var | |
| ART3950 | International Arts Immersion | var | |
| ENG4070 | Peer Mentoring Practicum | ||
| FW3114 | Reading the Forest | ||
| FW3760 | Human Dimensions in Natural Resources Stewardship | ||
| HON4070 | Leadership Practicum | var | |
| HU3000 | Humanities Experience: Community-engaged learning | ||
| HU3289 | HU Experience: German Abroad | ||
| HU3298 | Experience Spanish Language & Culture through Teaching | ||
| HU3299 | Exploring a Hispanic City by Analyzing its Film Production | ||
| HU3370 | The Documentary Experience | ||
| HU3621 | HU Experience in Journalism | ||
| HU3703 | HU Experience in Environmental Philosophy | ||
| HU3810 | HU Experience in Technology & Critical Making | ||
| HU4041 | HU Experience in Communication for Sustainability | ||
| IS3002 | International Studies in situ - Social & Behavioral Science | var | |
| MUS3700 | Visual and Performing Arts Tour | var | |
| SS3090 | UPERSS | var | |
| SS3210 | Field Archaeology | var | |
| SS3541 | The Copper Country | ||
| SS3626 | STEM Policy Lab at MTU | ||
| SS3760 | Human Dimensions in Natural Resources Stewardship | ||
| SS3913 | Sustainable Living Practicum | var | |
| SS3915 | Experiencing Museums | ||
| SS3960 | Cultural Immersion | var | |
| SS4050 | Advanced GIS Methods | ||
| SS4530 | Deindustrialization and the Urban Enviornment | ||
| SS4551 | Industrial Communities | ||
| SS4700 | Communities and Research | ||
| SS4915 | Effective Social Action: Supporting Local Justice, Policy and Cultural Initiatives | ||
| SS4920 | Internship Experience | var | |
| SS4921 | Washington Experience Seminar | var | |
| SS4922 | Washington Experience Topics | var | |
| THEA4190 | Directing for Theatre | ||
| UN3013 | Interdisciplinary Experience | var |