Frequently Asked Questions

KU Core 34 is KU’s general education requirements that align with the Kansas Board of Regent’s systemwide general education policy. Students will earn 34 (hence the name) or 35 credits in general education courses. Freshmen and transfer students starting at KU in the Fall 2024 will follow the KU Core 34. If you have previously taken coursework from the University of Kansas as a non-degree seeking student, please confirm your catalog year with your academic advisor.  

View the list of courses eligible for Core 34.

By "Opting In" to the KU Core 34, you are choosing to follow the Fall 2024-Summer 2025 catalog year requirement term. This includes the KU Core 34 and major requirements in place under the current catalog year. To select this option, you will need to update your catalog year. The change of catalog year form will be available in Fall 2024. Students should meet with their academic advisor to discuss the options. Advisors will assist with documenting the decision to change your catalog year. 

Each course will be evaluated and determined if it meets a KU Core 34 discipline area requirement. If it is approved through the transfer credit evaluation process, then the transfer credit will be posted appropriately to the corresponding general education degree requirements.  

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)

Contact the Office of the Registrar for additional information.  

Starting for students admitted Fall 2026, 3 hours of credit for ENGL 101 will be awarded for the corresponding ACT or SAT score. 

•  ENGL 101: Composition credit will be given for ACT score of 27+ and SAT score of 630+ on the English/Verbal 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.  

In limited cases students may be able to satisfy a KU Core 34 and degree requirement using one course. Opportunities for this are designated in the catalog.  

Yes, students can seek approval for experiences to count for the Global Culture goal of KU Core 34. However, students must seek approval in advance of completing the experience. More information is available here. If approved, there will be a $50 fee to process the course credit. 

The KU Core Curriculum is KU’s general education curriculum adopted in 2013 for KU undergraduates. Students enrolled at KU before fall 2024 have or will complete the KU Core Curriculum requirements. Students who enroll at KU starting in fall 2024 or after will complete the requirements of KU Core 34. 

KU Core is designed to yield fundamental skills, build a broad background of knowledge, generate capacities and opportunities for blending and creating ideas, strengthen an appreciation of cultural and global diversity, and cultivate ethical integrity. Students may complete the KU Core Curriculum through coursework, experiences, and approved sequences. In total, the KU Core Curriculum includes 36 credit hours. Most goals require the completion of multiple courses to fulfill the goal.  

KU Core Curriculum Goal 

• Goal 1: Critical Thinking & Quantitative Literacy 
• Goal 2: Communication 
• Goal 3 Breadth of Knowledge 
• Goal 4: Culture & Diversity 
• Goal 5: Social Responsibility & Ethics 
• Goal 6: Integration & Creativity 

Courses taken to satisfy degree-specific requirements can often simultaneously be used to achieve KU Core learning outcomes. Double-check with your academic advisor and department for confirmation. 

Each learning outcome can be achieved either by taking an approved course, participating in an approved  educational experience, or completing an approved combination of courses and/or educational experiences. Students should work with their academic advisors to determine how they will meet the goals and learning outcomes of the KU Core. 

Experiences approved for the KU Core include certain study-abroad programs, service-learning opportunities, and internships. Approved experiences are posted on the KU Core website. Students may choose from this list with confidence that the experience will satisfy the requirements of the KU Core curriculum.  

Yes, students can seek approval for experiences to count for KU Core credit. However, students must seek approval in advance of completing the experience. Once approved, the experience will be aligned with an asynchronous course students will complete. View more details on education experiences and the pre-approval form.  

Beginning in Fall 2024, all courses in the KU Core or KU Core 34 curriculum will count for a singular goal. 

Yes. Some transfer courses satisfy KU Core requirements. The Credit Transfer website lists courses taken at other institutions that may transfer to KU. The charts on that page indicate whether a course is equivalent to a course that meets a learning outcome of the KU Core. If a transfer course is equivalent to a KU course that meets a KU Core requirement, then the transfer course may be considered to satisfy the same requirement. 

The UCCC will only review petitions that fall under certain circumstances. These circumstances include:  

• Courses transferred into KU with a general designator (such as BIOL N) and the student believes the course fulfills and aligns with a KU Core goal.  
• KU courses classified as a special "topics" course. 
• Study abroad experiences outside of those offered by KU's Office of Study Abroad and Global Engagement (SAGE). Click here for an approved list of courses and programs. 
• Individual educational experience meeting the guidelines for pre-approved educational experiences. View more information on pre-approved educational experiences. View more information on proposing an individual experience.

Existing KU courses (outside of topics courses), that do not already have a Core designation, will not be reviewed by the committee. Departments decide to propose courses to fulfill KU Core goals, and the committee cannot override those decisions. 

Additionally, the UCCC will not adjust their petition review timetable or meeting schedule to review petitions.  

Typically, it takes 6-8 weeks from petition submission to receiving an answer from the UCCC. 

Questions about these circumstances may be directed to kucore@ku.edu. 

Schedule a meeting with your academic advisor and create a plan to fulfill the KU Core goal.  

Yes, students can make the decision to “opt-in,” which means they are choosing to follow the Fall 2024-Summer 2025 catalog year requirement term. This includes the KU Core 34 and major requirements in place under the current catalog year. To select this option, you will need to update your catalog year. The change of catalog year form will be available in Fall 2024. Students should meet with their academic advisor to discuss the options. Advisors will assist with documenting the decision to change your catalog year.