Systemwide General Education
In 2020, the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) launched an initiative to develop a systemwide general education package to improve the transfer student experience. The KU Core must be aligned with the systemwide framework in order comply with the new policy and meet the Fall 2024 implementation deadline.
In the fall 2022, the University Core Curriculum Committee (UCCC) began reviewing options to align the KU Core with KBOR's new Systemwide General Education Program policy (Chapter III.A.18). The policy outlines:
- the common system framework (disciplines, core subjects, and credit hours) that each institution must adopt,
- establishes institutional reporting requirements, and
- creates a General Education (GE) Council, which will be responsible for reviewing institutional reporting, issuing recommendations regarding requests for certain majors to deviate from the GE requirements, and investigating student and institutional complaints relating to the systemwide GE program and its application to the Transfer and Articulation policy.
The KU Core and related processes must be fully aligned and ready for implementation beginning with the Fall 2024 cohort.
Download or watch the presentation delivered by Dr. Susan Klusmeier, Vice Provost for Academic Success, and Dr. Jon Brumberg, UCCC Chairperson, on February 28, 2023 at the open forum hosted by University Governance.
The UCCC will update this page as additional information and resources become available. Please email any questions to kucore@ku.edu or reach out to your Academic Unit Contact listed below.
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Alesha Doan, adoan@ku.edu
Nick Syrett, syrett@ku.edu
School of Architecture & Design
Andrea Herstowski, aherstowski@ku.edu
School of Business
Chris Anderson, cwanderson@ku.edu
Steve Leonard, steven.leonard@ku.edu
School of Education & Human Sciences
Kelli Feldman, kfeldman@ku.edu
School of Engineering
Mario Medina, mmedina@ku.edu
School of Journalism & Mass Communications
Steve Wolgast, wolgast@ku.edu
School of Music
Colin Roust, c886r696@ku.edu
School of Pharmacy
Apurba Dutta, adutta@ku.edu
School of Professional Studies
Amy Neufeld, aneufeld@ku.edu
School of Social Welfare
Jason Matejkowski, jmate@ku.edu
Exception Type #1: Request for a Specific Major to Deviate from the Systemwide GE
"Requests to deviate from the systemwide general education requirements will be reviewed under extremely high scrutiny and only cases in which programmatic accreditation and/or licensure make it impossible to require every component within the KBOR general education framework. When programmatic accreditation is noted as the rationale, comparable programs with the same programmatic accreditation inside and outside the state may be reviewed. For licensure, comparable programs within the state may be reviewed. It should be noted that most states that have a systemwide GE do not provide this type of option, as they mandate that all programs – regardless of accreditation or licensure requirements – redesign their GE requirements to 100% align with the systemwide GE." (KBOR, 2023).
Academic units seeking exceptions must consult with the Vice Provost of Academic Success and/or the University Core Curriculum Committee (UCCC) Chairperson to discuss the exception request by March 31, 2023. Complete this form to request a meeting. View the Meeting Request Sample Form here.
Complete this exception form after meeting with the UCCC Chairperson and/or Vice Provost of Academic Success no later than April 14, 2023. Only one form will be completed per College/School. View the Exception Type #1 Sample Form here.
Exception Type #2a: Request to Continue Requiring – and not waive – a Specific GE Course Requirement for Transfer Students in a Specific Major
"Academic program wishes for a transfer student to complete a specific course to satisfy a GE bucket requirement that is a prerequisite course to a post requisite course in the major portion of the degree – even when the transfer student completed the applicate systemwide general education requirement." (KBOR, 2023).
Academic units seeking exceptions must consult with the Vice Provost of Academic Success and/or the University Core Curriculum Committee (UCCC) Chairperson to discuss the exception request by March 31, 2023. Complete this form to request a meeting. View the Meeting Request Sample Form here.
After meeting with the UCCC Chairperson or VP of Academic Success, complete one exception form per program/major seeking to continue requiring (and not waive) a specific GE course requirement. View the Exception Type #2a Sample Form here.
Exception Type #2b: Expedited Requests and Review for Prerequisite Courses
"The student is pursuing a major in which a specific general education course is needed as a prerequisite to prepare for a postrequisite course in the major portion of the degree (content knowledge in the prerequisite GE course is necessary to succeed in a postrequisite course in the academic discipline area that is associated with the student’s major)." (KBOR, 2023).
Examples of What this Means in Practice (from KBOR):
a. Engineering Physics I for Engineering Majors: A Mechanical Engineering Major needs to acquire Engineering Physics I (prerequisite) knowledge in the Natural and Physical Sciences Bucket to succeed in subsequent engineering discipline-based courses in the major such as Statistics, Thermodynamics, Engineering Physics II, Materials (postrequisite courses).
b. Chemistry I for Chemistry Majors: A Chemistry Major needs to acquire Chemistry I and Lab for Majors requisite knowledge in the Natural and Physical Sciences Bucket to succeed in subsequent chemistry courses in the major portion of the degree.
c. Macroeconomics for Business majors: A Management Major needs to acquire Macroeconomics (prerequisite course) knowledge in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Bucket to succeed in a subsequent business discipline-based course, Intro to Business Finance (postrequisite course).
This form must be completed for all courses that are a prerequisite and a KU Core Goal. Complete one form per program/s major. If your unit's situation does not fit one of these examples, complete the Exception Type #2a form. View the Exception Type #2b Sample Form here.
Realigning Courses Satisfying Multiple KU Core Goals
In order to meet KBOR requirements, courses may only satisfy one KU Core Goal beginning Fall 2024. Units with courses satisfying multiple goals must determine which goal(s) they wish to decertify from the KU Core. Complete this form to begin the decertification process. All courses submitted will be decertified at the conclusion of the Spring 2024 semester.
Complete one form per program/s major. View the Decertification Sample Form here.
Request a Meeting with the UCCC Chairperson or Vice Provost of Academic Success
KBOR has provided an aggressive timeline for submitting waivers and requests. The UCCC Chairperson and VP of Academic Success are available to discuss the KBOR Systemwide GE Alignment. Upon completing this form, we will reach out to request more details and/or to schedule a meeting. All academic units requesting exemptions must schedule a meeting to further discuss no later than March 31, 2023. View the Meeting Request Sample Form here.
What happens to the KU Core?
The UCCC has identified how the KU Core can be aligned to meet the systemwide framework. The table below outlines how each Goal fits the framework along with any modifications that must be made.
| Systemwide Framework Discipline Areas | KU Core Goal(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English (6 hours) | 2.1 - Written Communication (6 hours) | |
| Communications (3 hours) | 2.2 - Oral Communication (3 hours) | |
| Math & Statistics (3 hours) | 1.2 - Quantitative Reasoning (3 hours) | Will be redefined by the KBOR Math Pathways initiative and take effect in 2025-26 or 2026-27. |
| Natural & Physical Sciences (4-5 hours) | 3N - Natural Sciences (3 hours) | Will need to require one additional hour of science and add a lab requirement to the KU Core. |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours; two subjects) | 3S - Social Sciences (3 hours) and 4.1 - U.S. Diversity (3 hours) | Requires at least two courses from two subject areas; one course from each KU Core Goal in this area. |
| Arts & Humanities (6 hours; two subjects) | 3AH - Arts & Humanities (3 hours) and 5 - Social Responsibility & Ethics (3 hours) | Requires at least two courses from two subject areas; one course from each KU Core Goal in this area. |
| Institutionally Designated (6 hours) | 1.1 - Critical Thinking (3 hours) and 4.2 - Global Diversity (3 hours) | One course from each KU Core Goal in this area. |
Adjustments Needed to Ensure Alignment
- Bachelor’s degrees must remain at 120 credit hours (unless already approved for exception).
- Adjust science requirements to meet 4-5 hour minimum and lab requirement.
- Update USRR Article 3, Section 1 to include a capstone requirement for bachelor's degree completion.
- Discontinue use of “General Education” requirements that are separate from the Core.
- KU Core is the General Education requirement for the University.
- Courses that are currently approved for the KU Core will need to be realigned to fulfill only one goal.
- Transition away from KU Core sequences.
- Once a student completes KU Core requirements, KU transcripts will note that Statewide GE is complete.
- Degree maps will need to be available online and align with KBOR requirements. Submission of degree maps will be done through degree level assessment activities in AY22/23 and AY23/24.
- Courses approved to fulfill the KU Core must also be allowed to transfer into KU if taken elsewhere.
- Students who complete the GE framework and transfer into KU will be considered done with the KU Core, and therefore cannot be required to take any additional GE/KU Core courses.
- KBOR exception process – Requests will go through a rigorous review process and must clearly connect to accreditation and/or licensure.
Implementation Timeline
February:
- Begin presentations of KBOR guidelines & UCCC recommendations to Deans; Governance, Academic units/departments. Download the presentation here. Watch the recording of the open forum hosted by University Governance on February 28th.
- Individual meetings with academic units begin as requested. Complete this form to request a meeting.
- Inventory of current KU Core courses that fulfill multiple goals sent to academic units for review.
March:
- Academic units begin evaluating degree requirements in the catalog ensuring they are accurate.
- Academic units must consult with UCCC Chair and VP for Academic Success for any courses they believe need to be considered for exemption by March 31, 2023. Please complete this form to schedule a consultation.
April:
- Provost’s Office submits GE Check-in Form due to KBOR by April 1.
- All exception forms must be submitted to the UCCC by April 14. Please complete exception forms after your consultation with the UCCC chair and/VP for Academic Success.
- Exception Type #1: Request for a Specific Major to Deviate from the Systemwide GE
- Exception Type #2a: Request to Continue Requiring – and not waive – a Specific GE Course Requirement for Transfer Students in a Specific Major
- Exception Type #2b: Expedited Request and Review for Prerequisite Courses
- Academic units return list of courses that fulfill multiple goals identifying single goal alignment by April 14. Please complete this decertification form for courses you'd like removed from the KU Core or goals you'd like removed from the courses.
May:
- Exception follow-up meetings with units (as needed) and multiple Core goal list cleanup complete by May 19.
June:
- Exceptions materials submitted to the Provost for final review and submission to KBOR.
- Provost’s Office submits GE Master Course List due to KBOR by June 1.
July:
- KBOR completes review of master course submission and confirms KU alignment with framework.
- Exception materials submitted by Provost’s Office due to KBOR no later than July 30.
September:
- Fall 2024 catalog available for editing beginning September 1. Fall 2024 catalog and course offerings must provide opportunities for students to complete GE courses in each bucket in alignment with the framework
- Academic units are required to update/confirm degree requirements by September 30.
- KBOR completes review of exception requests and issues responses to KU by September 30.
- Academic units notified of exception responses from KBOR.
- October 2023: SIS will update all DPRs based on degree requirements listed in the Catalog.
- April 1, 2024: Fall 2024 Catalog launches
- Degree maps for all programs must be ready for students beginning in the 2024-25 academic year, must align with KBOR standards, and be available online by July 1, 2024. Submission of degree maps will be done through degree level assessment activities in AY22/23 and AY23/24.
- Policy detailing requisite AP, CLEP, and IB scores and corresponding GE credit must be available online by July 1, 2024.