General Education / Core Competencies

The ultimate goal for every Community College of Philadelphia graduate is to demonstrate proficiency in the core competencies through their cumulative learning experiences in required general education and major courses. For each of the Core Competencies, a faculty committee created a rubric or set of outcomes, to see these, as well as the previous and upcoming assessments of competencies, click on the competencies below.

Community College of Philadelphia Core Competencies

Effective Communication: Students will be able to make a written, oral or visual presentation that demonstrates comprehension of any source of information and that addresses the assigned topic, expresses a thesis, develops a sustained focus on the central idea, organizes ideas around the thesis and uses correct diction, syntax, usage, grammar and mechanics. Assessment of Effective Communication.

Critical Thinking: Students will actively reflect on, reason about and form independent judgments on a variety of ideas and information, and will use these skills to guide their beliefs and actions. Assessments of Critical Thinking: 2010 2012. Department Head Report

Information Literacy: Students will be able to retrieve, organize, analyze and evaluate information using both technological and traditional means. Assessment of Information Literacy: 2009 2010 (Full SAILS Report).  Department Head Report

Quantitative Reasoning: Students will demonstrate an understanding of mathematical principles and will apply them to theoretical and practical issues. Assessment of Quantitative Reasoning: 2011. Department Head Report

Scientific Reasoning: Students will demonstrate an understanding of scientific principles and will apply them to theoretical and practical issues.

Responsible Citizenship: Students will demonstrate self-management and integrity in their role as a student relative to other students, faculty, staff and administrators, and an awareness of the responsibilities of informed citizenship in a diverse and pluralistic society, including an understanding of diverse perspectives. Assessment of Responsible Citizenship: 2011.  Department Head Report

Technological Competence: Technological competence is the ability to use computers and related technology in school, at work and at home, including word processing software, electronic spreadsheets, library information systems and social networking software. Students will also be able to create and share Web pages, connect personal computers to related equipment, such as printers, cell phones, PDAs and digital cameras, and to a wireless computer network, and demonstrate an understanding of common ethical, privacy and security issues related to the use of information technology systems. Assessment of Technological Competence: 2011.