The purpose of this policy is to define the Core General Education Requirements for UW-Madison and describe how Core General Education Requirement credits will transfer and apply to degree requirements for students who transfer between UW universities as outlined in Wis. Stat. § 36.11(3)(b).
For purposes of this policy, dual enrollment students are distinct from University Special students.
This policy applies to undergraduate students whose first term of enrollment at any post-secondary institution after graduating from high school is summer 2026 or later. Students whose first term of enrollment at a post-secondary institution after graduating from high school is prior to summer 2026 may choose to follow these Core General Education Requirements.
| Category | Requirement |
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of coursework that carries the Civics & Perspectives course designation |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of coursework that carries the Communication & Literacy course designation |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of coursework that carries the Humanities & Arts course designation |
| Math & Quantitative Reasoning |
6 credits of coursework that carries the Math & Quantitative Reasoning course designation |
| Natural Science & Wellness |
6 credits of coursework that carries the Natural Science & Wellness or Natural Science & Wellness Laboratory course designation
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of coursework that carries the Social & Behavioral Science course designation |
| Total | 30 credits of coursework that carries a Core GenEd designation |
Core GenEd course designations are assigned and approved as part of the standard course proposal process. A department that wishes to have a Core GenEd designation on a course will make the request as part of the course proposal using the following definitions.
Instruction designed to increase understanding of the circumstances, conditions, experiences, cultures, literatures, arts and contributions of persistently marginalized racial or ethnic groups in the United States that equip students to respond constructively to issues connected with our pluralistic society. Students in these courses learn to draw connections between historical and present-day circumstances and consider perceptions and cultural assumptions when examining questions and making decisions.
Instruction designed to develop foundational competencies in writing, reading, speaking, listening, and critical thinking. This instruction emphasizes the ability to analyze, interpret, and produce effective communication across various forms, genres, and disciplines. Students will learn to research and present ideas and information clearly and logically, tailored to achieve specific purposes. Additionally, instruction is designed to foster the effective use of communicative forms that are appropriate for various disciplines and adapted to specific audiences.
Instruction focused on examining human culture, expression, history, and values through various disciplines, including literature, philosophy, history, languages, music, and the visual arts. This instruction emphasizes critical inquiry and interpretive skills, enabling students to comprehend and utilize diverse approaches to interpreting and creating cultural artifacts, such as works of art, literature, music, architecture, philosophy, and film.
Instruction focused on developing the ability to draw conclusions, make judgments, and form inferences from quantitative information. This instruction emphasizes the use of mathematics, logic, data, and quantitative models to interpret information, analyze problems, and support informed decision-making. MQR courses equip students with broad quantitative skills in mathematics, computer science, statistics, or formal logic that are applicable in various contexts beyond the classroom.
Instruction focused on fostering critical thinking about individual and group behavior, as well as the dynamics of institutions and social systems within both local and global contexts. This instruction emphasizes empirical and analytical methods drawn from disciplines such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, history, economics, and political science. Students will demonstrate knowledge of various methodologies and theoretical approaches, synthesize and apply social science concepts, and engage with issues from multiple perspectives.
| At the sending institution the student was a: | Core GenEd category fulfillment from the sending institution applies | Core GenEd designation from the sending institution applies |
| Dual enrollment student | No | Yes |
| Degree-seeking undergraduate student | Yes | Yes |
| Special (non-degree seeking) student | No | No |
A formal appeal process shall be maintained to address:
UW-1059 General Education Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees