In fall 2025, the General Education Reform Committee proposed three curricular models sharing a common framework. The models differed by how a grouping of core courses could be distributed across multiple disciplines to address the new General Education Learning Goals. We sought feedback from the campus community via department meetings, forums, tabling, focus groups, and posters showcases. You can learn more about how we sought feedback in our October 2025 Update.

Based on the input gathered in AY 25/26, below is the proposed new General Education program, which is being presented to Faculty Senate for approval in spring 2027 and set to launch in fall 2028, if approved. 

Proposed General Education Framework

Office of General Education

First-Year Seminar (FYS):

A small, discussion-based course designed to help students cultivate their purpose, build their academic skills, and foster strong connections with peers, faculty, and the university. 

Foundations Courses

Required courses in composition and quantitative reasoning will ensure students are prepared for their ongoing studies in general education and their majors.

Exploratory Electives

To promote disciplinary exploration, students will take 6 open elective credits, with any prefix and at any level, that do not satisfy major requirements.

 

Learning Goals: Distributive Core of the Program​

This is the distributive core of the proposed new program. The Learning Goals Core is aligned with General Education Learning Goals rather than disciplines, departments, or subject areas. Students will be required to take at least one course approved to meet each of these learning goal categories. 

  1. Inquiry & Research
  2. Reasoning & Problem Solving
  3. Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility
  4. Communication & Expression
  5. International Perspectives & Intercultural Understanding

Individual courses, regardless of discipline, may be approved to meet ONE of these learning goal categories. Departments will be invited to submit courses that meet the goal’s student learning outcomes for approval. The committee is working with Faculty Senate Committee A to develop the process for course approvals, which will be similar to the process we use now.

Note: Goal 6: Reflection and Integration, will not be achieved solely through a single course requirement, but instead through core components of the general education curriculum, including the First Year Seminar, Capstone course, and the reflective process in other courses.​

Writing Intensive (W) course in the major

Upper-level writing-intensive courses within the major will remain a part of the revised general education curriculum. 

Crown Capstone

A culminating experience in a student’s 3rd or 4th year that emphasizes Reflection &  Integration and allows them to synthesize and apply their learning across disciplines.

Experiential Learning

Students will engage in Experiential Learning (undergraduate research, study abroad, internships and work-based learning, and civic and community engagement) to strengthen their understanding of course content in authentic situations.

The program will also meet SACSCOC requirements for a minimum of 30 hours and at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural science/mathematics to ensure disciplinary breadth.

For more information about the elements of the proposed program, visit our FAQ page.