Systemwide General Education
About Systemwide General Education
Systemwide General Education is a set of core college courses required at all Kansas state universities. Created by the Kansas Board of Regents, it ensures students take 34-35 credit hours across seven subject areas. Once completed, this achievement is noted on the student's transcript.
KU Core 34
At the University of Kansas, Systemwide General Education (SGE) is known as the KU Core 34. KU adopted this statewide framework starting with the incoming class of Fall 2024. Students will complete 34-35 credit hours spread across specific discipline areas as outlined below:
| KU Core 34 Discipline Areas | Credit Hours | Statewide KBOR SGE Notation |
|---|---|---|
| English | 6 hours | (SGE)010 |
| Communications | 3 hours | (SGE)020 |
| Math and Statistics | 3 hours | (SGE)030 |
| Natural and Physical Sciences | 4-5 hours; must include a lab | (SGE)040 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 6 hours in 2 different disciplines | (SGE)050 |
| Arts and Humanities | 6 hours in 2 different disciplines | (SGE)060 |
| US Culture - Institutionally Designated Area | 3 hours | (SGE)070 |
| Global Culture - Institutionally Designated Area | 3 hours | (SGE)070 |
FAQs
Students who have earned a Bachelor's degree or an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA), or Associate of Science (AS) from a qualifying institution or have completed the KS Systemwide General Education will have met all requirements for the KU Core 34. A qualified institution is an institution accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies:
- Accrediting Commissions for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCC)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Starting Fall 2024, all new and returning KU students will follow the KU Core 34 general education curriculum automatically.
Transfer and Blueprint students starting at KU in Fall 2024, Spring 2025, or Summer 2025 have one academic year to choose between KU Core 34 or the previous KU Core requirements. Work with your academic advisor to confirm which catalog year is best for you.
If you are a readmitted or non-degree-seeking student with previous KU coursework and are now returning as a degree-seeking student, consult your academic advisor to confirm which catalog year applies to your program.
We transfer as many courses as possible as a direct match to KU courses. When no course corresponds, we use a transfer credit code to indicate how the course may transfer. Transfer credit codes may fulfill KU Core 34, degree requirements, or count toward overall elective hours.
Transfer students starting in Fall 2024, Spring 2025, or Summer 2025 have one calendar year to opt-out of the KU Core 34 and follow the previous KU Core requirements instead. Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to explore which option is best for you.
| Transfer Start Term | Deadline to Update Catalog Year to 2023-2024 |
|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | July 31, 2025 |
| Spring 2025 | December 31, 2025 |
| Summer 2025 | May 31, 2026 |
By opting out of the KU Core 34, you are choosing to follow the Fall 2023-Summer 2024 catalog year. This includes the previous KU Core and the major requirements in effect during that time.
After meeting with an academic advisor, transfer students can submit the Change of Catalog Year form to make this official.
Yes, current students can fill out the Change of Catalog Year form to opt-in to the most recent or upcoming catalog year.
Starting for students admitted Fall 2024, 3 hours of credit for ENGL 101 or MATH 101 will be awarded for the corresponding ACT or SAT score.
3 hours of ENGL 101: Composition credit will be given for ACT score of 27+ and SAT score of 630+ on the English/Verbal section
3 hours of MATH 101: College Algebra credit will be given for ACT score of 26+ and SAT score of 610+ on the Mathematics section
For current students who update their catalog term to Fall 2024 to follow the new KU Core 34, please email transfercredit@ku.edu to have your ACT or SAT scores posted for credit if needed. Learn more about credit for prior learning.
Transfer coursework without a direct KU equivalent will be assigned a transfer code. The transfer codes will be updated starting Fall 2024 to match the KU Core 34 system wide general education model. Courses previously evaluated under the old transfer codes will transition to the new codes without a loss of credit.