Core Curriculum
Each institution’s core curriculum shall follow a common set of principles and framework. The System principles and framework were developed with the goal of allowing institutions some flexibility in defining learning outcomes while ensuring that the core curriculum completed at one System institution is fully transferable to another System institution.
Each institution’s core curriculum shall consist of 60 semester hours as follows:
| Area | Content | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A | Essential Skills Specific courses in English composition and mathematics. |
9 |
| B | Institutional Options Courses that address institution-wide general education outcomes of the institution’s choosing. |
4 – 5 |
| C | Humanities/Fine Arts Courses that address humanities/fine arts learning outcomes. |
6 |
| D | Science, Mathematics, and Technology Courses that address learning outcomes in the sciences, mathematics, and technology. |
10 – 11 |
| E | Social Sciences Courses that address learning outcomes in the social sciences. |
12 |
| F | Courses Related to the Program of Study Lower division courses related to the discipline(s) of the program of study and courses that are prerequisite to major courses at higher levels. |
18 |
| 60 – 61 Total hours |
The specific courses contained in areas A through E of an institution’s core curriculum are approved by the Council on General Education.
Students completing an area of the core curriculum will receive full credit for that area upon transfer to another System institution within the same major. In area A, students will receive credit for courses taken regardless of whether the area is completed. For students completing the core curriculum, the total number of hours required of transfer students for the baccalaureate degree shall not exceed the number of hours required of native students for the same major field.
Reference: The Policy Manual, Section 303.01