Some General Education courses are required, but in most areas the student has options. The requirements in general education have been patterned to insure the student an understanding of persons and their cultural, social, and natural environment and a development of proficiencies, techniques, and understandings to enable one to successfully pursue higher educational goals and life in a highly developed economic and social order. The second part of the curriculum forms the academic major. Its purpose is to add depth in one field to the breadth of knowledge the student gains in the General Education Courses. It enables the student to work effectively in a major field after graduation or prepares one adequately for graduate or professional study.
Elective courses form the third part of the curriculum.
A student is encouraged to elect courses which will increase skills and understandings in a major field, which will address areas in which the student has an a vocational interest, and which will adequately meet professional and graduate school requirements. The Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs, the student's faculty advisor and the department chairperson of the student's major field can help the student choose appropriate electives. At Bridgewater College, academic excellence is neither a slogan nor an assumption, but a commitment that unites the campus. Excellence in education can mean many things. At Bridgewater, it implies breadth, depth, distinction, and discovery .