The three main parts of a Guilford education are the critical bases (or general education), a major area of study, and the Collaborative Quest.  Ideally, all three parts are integrated into the students academic experience and allow them to realize and pursue their own interests.

i. General Education (Critical Bases + Collaborative Quest)

All students, regardless of their intended major, need to complete curriculum requirements (pictured in the previous section) in order to successfully graduate from Guilford College. First year students should begin fulfilling these requirements as early as their first semester. 

Information on the Critical Bases in the catalog can be found here. 

Information on the Collaborative Quest in the catalog can be found here.  

My Collaborative Quest & Guided Discovery 

MYCQ 100 Initiate
Students begin their Collaborative Quest with a single class in the first 3-week term, “Initiate -- You Are Here: Wonder, Question, Initiate.” Initiate is taught in interdisciplinary teams of faculty and staff, representing multiple Pathways. This class places emphasis on building community, acclimating to Guilford, expectations of college, and project-based learning. It centers around the questions “who are we” and “what does it mean to be curious.” Guilford Guides begin working with their Pathway students during Initiate. 

MYCQ 101 Reflection Seminar I
Students who start in Initiate during the 3-week session of their first semester stay with their cohort as they move to RS1 in the subsequent 12-week term. RS1 encourages students to think about who they are as individuals, their goals, and majors that are best suited for them. Students also learn how to use Banner for degree planning. 

MYCQ 201 Reflection Seminar II
In the second semester of their second year, most students take RS2.  Transfer students are typically advised to begin in RS2 and move through the Collaborative Quest more quickly. Students focus on planning out their remaining semesters, build relationships with faculty, and make connections between their major and career options.

MYCQ 301 Reflection Seminar III
RS3 is a two credit course that students typically take in their third year. It is co-taught by a Guide and a faculty member. Students revise their plan of study, participate in career exploration, and create their Contribution proposal.

MYCQ 401 Apply
Apply is the last course in the CQ and is worth four credits. Students take Apply during the fall or spring semester of their final year, depending on their Contribution needs and other course requirements. The focus of Apply is completing the Contribution project and reflecting on the CQ as a whole.

COLLABORATIVE QUEST 

ii. Academic Programs and Major Advising

Guilford College has over 45 academic programs to choose from. Each of these majors is detailed in the catalog with graduation requirements (credit hours, internships, specific core courses to take, prerequisites, etc.).

Information on each program can be found here. 

iii. Degree Maps for Majors

Degree maps help advisers and students understand what courses are required for general education, as well as for their specific major of choice. These are being developed in Guided Discovery with consultation from each department. Here is a template of what each degree map will look like: Degree Map Template.  Faculty should notify guideddiscovery@guilford.edu with any necessary updates.

These degree maps are also publicly available on our Intranet page.