General Education Program beginning Fall 2026 <p><img src="images/general-education/gened-students_body.jpg" alt="Three students have a group discussion in a classroom." width="100%" /></p> <p>Effective for students starting Fall 2026 or later. Current students will continue to complete General Education requirements listed in the catalog year of their start.</p> Arrow Requirements <p>Students who first enrolled at UW-Whitewater in the 2026 Catalog Year and after will complete their Core General Education using the following set of categories and gen ed requirements.</p> <p>Total Credits = 35</p> Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning (3 credits) <p><strong>1 Course, minimum 3 credits from the following courses </strong></p> <ul> <li>MATH 139 QUANTITATIVE & ALGEBRAIC REASONING <ul> <li>or MAT 108 QUANTITATIVE REASONING</li> <li>or UWX MA108 QUANTITATIVE REASONING</li> </ul> </li> <li>MATH 140 MATHEMATICAL IDEAS</li> <li>MATH 142 COLLEGE ALGEBRA <ul> <li>or MAT 110 COLLEGE ALGEBRA</li> <li>or UWX MA116 COLLEGE ALGEBRA</li> </ul> </li> <li>MATH 152 PRECALCULUS</li> <li>STAT 101 ELEMENTARY STATISTICS - TRANSFER</li> </ul> Arrow Communication & Literacy (9 credits) <p><strong>1 Course, 3 credits</strong></p> <ul> <li>ENGLISH 102 INTRO TO COLLEGE WRITING, READING, AND RESEARCH <ul> <li>or ENG 102 CRITICAL WRITING READING & RESEARCH</li> <li>or ENGLISH 105 HONORS INTRO TO COLLEGE WRITING, READING & RESEARCH</li> <li>or UWX EN102 CRITICAL WRITING AND RESEARCH</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><strong>1 Course, 3 credits</strong></p> <ul> <li>COMM 110 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING <ul> <li>or CTA 103 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING</li> <li>or UWX CM101 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><strong>1 Course, 3 credits</strong></p> <ul> <li>CORE 390 WORLD OF IDEAS <ul> <li>Students earning Associate Degrees can meet the requirement through a course designated CL-A.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Arrow Social & Behavior Sciences (6 credits) <p><strong>1 Course, 3 credits</strong></p> <ul> <li>CORE 130 INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY <ul> <li>or PSY 250 LIFE SPAN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY</li> <li>or UWX PS250 LIFESPAN PSYCHOLOGY</li> <li>or EDFOUND 230 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><strong>1 Course, 3 credits</strong></p> <ul> <li>With designation of SBS-S or SBS-E</li> </ul> Arrow Humanities & Arts (6 credits) <p><strong>1 Course, 3 credits</strong></p> <ul> <li>CORE 110 WORLD OF THE ARTS</li> <li>CTA 150 INTRODUCTION TO FILM <ul> <li>or COMM 236 INTRODUCTION TO CINEMA</li> </ul> </li> <li>ART 175 WORLDS OF ART IMAGES/OBJECTS/IDEAS <ul> <li>or UWX AR175 WORLDS OF ART</li> </ul> </li> <li>MUS 173 MUSIC APPRECIATION <ul> <li>or MUSC 140 INTRODUCTION TO CLASSICAL MUSIC</li> <li>or MUS 174 MUSIC LITERATURE AND APPRECIATION</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><strong>1 Course, 3 credits</strong></p> <ul> <li>With designation of HA-A, HA-H or HA-G</li> </ul> Arrow Natural Science & Wellness (8 credits) <p><strong>1 Course, minimum 4 credits </strong></p> <ul> <li>One laboratory course designated NSWL</li> </ul> <p><strong>1 Course, minimum 3 credits</strong></p> <ul> <li>One course designated NSW-N, NSWL, or NSW-Q</li> <li>Must be from a different subject area than the NSWL course above</li> </ul> <p><strong>1 Course, 1 credit</strong></p> <ul> <li>PEGNRL 192 PERSONAL HEALTH AND FITNESS FOR LIFE <ul> <li>or HES 127 FITNESS FOR LIFE</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Arrow Civics & Perspectives (3 credits) <p><strong>1 Course, 3 credits </strong></p> <ul> <li>CORE 120 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES <ul> <li>or HIS 127 THE WORLD IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY</li> <li>or UWX HS127 THE WORLD IN THE 20TH CENTURY</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>CORE 140 GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES <ul> <li>or POL 275 INTERMEDIATE INTERNATIONAL POLITICS</li> <li>or POL 285 POLITICS OF WORLD INEQUALITY AND DEVELOPMENT</li> <li>or MUS 385 WORLD MUSIC</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Arrow General Education Designations <p>The General Education program at UW-Whitewater is multidisciplinary — more than 300 courses have a general education designation. To help students understand the breadth and structure of the program, the general education classes are divided into categories. Begin your exploration by using the links below to discover more about the types of courses in each category.</p> Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (MQR) <p>Courses in this category allow students to develop essential skills in algebraic and quantitative reasoning, problem solving, interpretation of data, and the application of mathematical concepts in academic, professional, and everyday contexts. Each course is designed to build mathematical proficiency appropriate to a range of majors and career paths while fulfilling the university’s general education mathematics requirement.</p> Arrow Communication and Literacy (CL) <p>Courses in this category provide students the opportunity to apply critical thinking and listening behaviors, emphasize oral and written communication, and utilize technology to introduce or enhance research techniques.  Students will obtain stronger communication skills and gain confidence when addressing an audience and successfully contribute in the classroom and society.</p> Arrow Communication and Literacy (Associates CL-A) <p>Courses in this category provide students the opportunity to apply critical thinking and listening behaviors, emphasize oral and written communication, and utilize technology to introduce or enhance research techniques.  Students will obtain stronger communication skills and gain confidence when addressing an audience and successfully contribute in the classroom and society.  Students earning an associate degree can meet the CORE 390 requirement in the Communication and Literacy category through a course designated CL-A</p> Arrow Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) <p>Courses in this category draw from several Social and Behavioral Science (SBS) disciplines including interdisciplinary studies. Through these courses, students may examine human behaviors, interactions, and experiences in the broader context of society, culture, and power discrepancies. Students will apply theoretical and methodological approaches and develop critical thinking skills related to issues such as human behavior, culture, and society. </p> Arrow Social and Behavioral Sciences – Engaging Difference (SBS-E) <p>Courses in this category focus on individuals and communities within the United States whose identities and experiences are shaped by discrepancies in power, privilege and access. Drawing from a variety of disciplines, these classes address factors that may include gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, ability, immigration status, and others. Students will enhance their intercultural knowledge and skills, and in particular learn to articulate and respect the perspectives that arise from these differing experiences while critically examining their own values, perspectives and biases. Courses may also provide opportunities to put this learning into practice through experiences with diverse individuals or groups. </p> Arrow Social and Behavioral Sciences – Social Sciences (SBS-S) <p>Courses in this category focus on the scientific study of human behavior, culture, and society. They may examine individual behavior, interpersonal interactions, or interactions between people and the broader social, political, economic, or natural environment. Students will develop the ability to think critically about these issues and apply appropriate theories and quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze and evaluate social problems. </p> Arrow Humanities and Arts (HA) <p>Courses in this category examine human cultures through the arts and humanities. Depending on the discipline, courses may focus on artistic appreciation or practice, world languages, history, or philosophy. These courses foster appreciation for diverse traditions, cultures, and aesthetics. Students also apply humanistic perspectives to other branches of knowledge and issues of enduring human concern to better understand the interrelationship between creative arts, humanities, and the self.  </p> Arrow Humanities and Arts-Arts (HA-A) <p>Courses in this category focus on artistic concepts, structures, and forms providing immersion in and exposure to visual, performing, and creative arts. Some classes emphasize the history and appreciation of the arts while others provide the opportunity to create or perform artistic works. Students will develop critical, creative, and interpretive skills as well as an understanding of the relationship between art, creativity, and the broader social and cultural context. </p> Arrow Humanities and Arts - Global and International Perspectives (HA-G) <p>Courses in this category explore world cultures or global systems through the study of a language, the history and culture of another country, or issues and concepts that are relevant across social and political boundaries. Drawing from different disciplinary perspectives, these courses emphasize awareness of commonalities of the human experience as well as the factors and experiences that differentiate cultures and countries. Students will develop skills and knowledge that will help them meet the challenges of a diverse and ever-changing world as an informed and responsible citizen.</p> Arrow Humanities and Arts - Humanities (HA-H) <p>Courses in this category examine the diversity of human experience and expression from historical, philosophical, religious, literary, and/or linguistic perspectives. These courses usually focus on the traditions, beliefs, texts, and artifacts that make up a culture, and emphasizes critical analysis and interpretation of primary sources. Students will enhance their critical and creative thinking and communication skills, and grapple with complexity and diverse perspectives.</p> Arrow Natural Science and Wellness (NSW) <p>Courses in this category explore the natural and physical world across different academic disciplines. Students learn scientific processes, quantitative analysis skills, and how their environments, lifestyles, personal habits, and well-being interact. Courses will encourage curiosity, exploring problems and solutions, and broadening knowledge bases to enable future career, personal, and civic success. </p> Arrow Natural Science and Wellness - Natural Sciences (NSW-N) <p>Courses in this category explore the phenomena of the natural world in the context of everyday life and contemporary problems. Through a variety of disciplines, these courses will encourage curiosity and appreciation of scientific discovery and inquiry through the examination of scientific processes. Students will develop their ability to read and comprehend scientific information and use that information to make judgments and draw appropriate conclusions about its influence on the world around them.</p> Arrow Natural Sciences and Wellness - Quantitative Reasoning (NSW-Q) <p>Courses in this category will enhance students’ capacities to explain, evaluate, and communicate quantitative data and information. A focus is placed on reasoning skills applied through mathematics, computer science, statistics, models, and combinations of these subjects. Courses are designed to give students critical skills to enhance performance in their majors, careers, and enable life-long learning.</p> Arrow Natural Science and Wellness-Laboratory (NSWL) <p>Courses in this category will include hands-on scientific experimentation in which the students will perform scientific processes to collect and/or analyze data to answer scientific questions. Students will develop scientific literacy skills through lecture and lab-based activities, and apply this knowledge to critically think about the world and make informed decisions about science-related topics in their majors, communities, and careers.</p> Arrow Civics and Perspectives (CP) <p>Courses in this category expose students to a wide range of academic perspectives, typically from multiple disciplines across the Social Sciences and the Humanities.  Students will develop a better sense of their present and historical connections to the broader world at various scales - local, national and global.  These courses also help students develop the skills and knowledge that are needed for success in our rapidly changing, increasingly diverse and interconnected world.</p> Arrow False Arrow General Education Program prior to Fall 2026 <p><img src="images/general-education/gened-students_body2.jpg" alt="An instructor teaches at the front of a classroom with a 3d model." width="100%" /></p> <p>Current students will continue to complete General Education requirements following the categories listed in the catalog year of their start.</p> Arrow Requirements <p>Students who first enrolled at UW-Whitewater before the 2026 Catalog Year will continue to complete their General Education using the following gen ed requirements within the following categories. </p> <p><em>* For transfer students, Core courses requirements will be determined on the basis of the number of credits transferred and the distribution of the student course work.</em></p> <p>** Transfer students may substitute 1 credit of PEGNRL coursework.</p> Communication and Calculation Skills (12-13 credits or waivers) <ul> <li>ENGLISH 101: Freshman English I</li> <li>ENGLISH 102: Freshman English II</li> <li>COMM 110: Introduction to Human Communication</li> <li>MATH 139 Quantitative Reasoning or MATH 140 Mathematical Ideas or MATH 142 College Algebra</li> </ul> Arrow Quantitative and Technical Reasoning (7-11 credits) <p>Selected from science, math and computer science courses from at least two different disciplines. At least one course must be a 4-5 credit laboratory science.</p> Arrow Cultural Heritages (6 credits) <ul> <li>CORE 110: World of the Arts*</li> <li>CORE 390: World of Ideas*</li> </ul> Arrow Communities (6 credits) <ul> <li>CORE 130: Individual and Society*</li> <li>CORE 120: Historical Perspectives* OR CORE 140: Global Perspectives*</li> </ul> Arrow Personal Health and Fitness (1 credit) <ul> <li>PENGRL 192: Personal Health and Fitness**</li> </ul> Arrow Breadth Electives (8-12 credits) <p>Select from courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, ethnic studies, women and gender studies, and interdisciplinary courses. These courses are designated as HA-A, HA-G, HA-H, SBS-E, SBS-S, NSW-L, NSW-N or NSW-Q (No more than one course from a discipline may be counted in electives.)</p> Arrow General Education Designations <p>The General Education program at UW-Whitewater is multidisciplinary — more than 300 courses have a general education designation. To help students understand the breadth and structure of the program, the general education classes are divided into categories. Begin your exploration by using the links below to discover more about the types of courses in each category.</p> Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (MQR) <p>Courses in this category allow students to develop essential skills in algebraic and quantitative reasoning, problem solving, interpretation of data, and the application of mathematical concepts in academic, professional, and everyday contexts. Each course is designed to build mathematical proficiency appropriate to a range of majors and career paths while fulfilling the university’s general education mathematics requirement.</p> Arrow Communication and Literacy (CL) <p>Courses in this category provide students the opportunity to apply critical thinking and listening behaviors, emphasize oral and written communication, and utilize technology to introduce or enhance research techniques.  Students will obtain stronger communication skills and gain confidence when addressing an audience and successfully contribute in the classroom and society.</p> Arrow Communication and Literacy (Associates CL-A) <p>Courses in this category provide students the opportunity to apply critical thinking and listening behaviors, emphasize oral and written communication, and utilize technology to introduce or enhance research techniques.  Students will obtain stronger communication skills and gain confidence when addressing an audience and successfully contribute in the classroom and society.  Students earning an associate degree can meet the CORE 390 requirement in the Communication and Literacy category through a course designated CL-A</p> Arrow Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) <p>Courses in this category draw from several Social and Behavioral Science (SBS) disciplines including interdisciplinary studies. Through these courses, students may examine human behaviors, interactions, and experiences in the broader context of society, culture, and power discrepancies. Students will apply theoretical and methodological approaches and develop critical thinking skills related to issues such as human behavior, culture, and society. </p> Arrow Social and Behavioral Sciences – Engaging Difference (SBS-E) <p>Courses in this category focus on individuals and communities within the United States whose identities and experiences are shaped by discrepancies in power, privilege and access. Drawing from a variety of disciplines, these classes address factors that may include gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, ability, immigration status, and others. Students will enhance their intercultural knowledge and skills, and in particular learn to articulate and respect the perspectives that arise from these differing experiences while critically examining their own values, perspectives and biases. Courses may also provide opportunities to put this learning into practice through experiences with diverse individuals or groups. </p> Arrow Social and Behavioral Sciences – Social Sciences (SBS-S) <p>Courses in this category focus on the scientific study of human behavior, culture, and society. They may examine individual behavior, interpersonal interactions, or interactions between people and the broader social, political, economic, or natural environment. Students will develop the ability to think critically about these issues and apply appropriate theories and quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze and evaluate social problems. </p> Arrow Humanities and Arts (HA) <p>Courses in this category examine human cultures through the arts and humanities. Depending on the discipline, courses may focus on artistic appreciation or practice, world languages, history, or philosophy. These courses foster appreciation for diverse traditions, cultures, and aesthetics. Students also apply humanistic perspectives to other branches of knowledge and issues of enduring human concern to better understand the interrelationship between creative arts, humanities, and the self.  </p> Arrow Humanities and Arts-Arts (HA-A) <p>Courses in this category focus on artistic concepts, structures, and forms providing immersion in and exposure to visual, performing, and creative arts. Some classes emphasize the history and appreciation of the arts while others provide the opportunity to create or perform artistic works. Students will develop critical, creative, and interpretive skills as well as an understanding of the relationship between art, creativity, and the broader social and cultural context. </p> Arrow Humanities and Arts - Global and International Perspectives (HA-G) <p>Courses in this category explore world cultures or global systems through the study of a language, the history and culture of another country, or issues and concepts that are relevant across social and political boundaries. Drawing from different disciplinary perspectives, these courses emphasize awareness of commonalities of the human experience as well as the factors and experiences that differentiate cultures and countries. Students will develop skills and knowledge that will help them meet the challenges of a diverse and ever-changing world as an informed and responsible citizen.</p> Arrow Humanities and Arts - Humanities (HA-H) <p>Courses in this category examine the diversity of human experience and expression from historical, philosophical, religious, literary, and/or linguistic perspectives. These courses usually focus on the traditions, beliefs, texts, and artifacts that make up a culture, and emphasizes critical analysis and interpretation of primary sources. Students will enhance their critical and creative thinking and communication skills, and grapple with complexity and diverse perspectives.</p> Arrow Natural Science and Wellness (NSW) <p>Courses in this category explore the natural and physical world across different academic disciplines. Students learn scientific processes, quantitative analysis skills, and how their environments, lifestyles, personal habits, and well-being interact. Courses will encourage curiosity, exploring problems and solutions, and broadening knowledge bases to enable future career, personal, and civic success. </p> Arrow Natural Science and Wellness - Natural Sciences (NSW-N) <p>Courses in this category explore the phenomena of the natural world in the context of everyday life and contemporary problems. Through a variety of disciplines, these courses will encourage curiosity and appreciation of scientific discovery and inquiry through the examination of scientific processes. Students will develop their ability to read and comprehend scientific information and use that information to make judgments and draw appropriate conclusions about its influence on the world around them.</p> Arrow Natural Sciences and Wellness - Quantitative Reasoning (NSW-Q) <p>Courses in this category will enhance students’ capacities to explain, evaluate, and communicate quantitative data and information. A focus is placed on reasoning skills applied through mathematics, computer science, statistics, models, and combinations of these subjects. Courses are designed to give students critical skills to enhance performance in their majors, careers, and enable life-long learning.</p> Arrow Natural Science and Wellness-Laboratory (NSWL) <p>Courses in this category will include hands-on scientific experimentation in which the students will perform scientific processes to collect and/or analyze data to answer scientific questions. Students will develop scientific literacy skills through lecture and lab-based activities, and apply this knowledge to critically think about the world and make informed decisions about science-related topics in their majors, communities, and careers.</p> Arrow Civics and Perspectives (CP) <p>Courses in this category expose students to a wide range of academic perspectives, typically from multiple disciplines across the Social Sciences and the Humanities.  Students will develop a better sense of their present and historical connections to the broader world at various scales - local, national and global.  These courses also help students develop the skills and knowledge that are needed for success in our rapidly changing, increasingly diverse and interconnected world.</p> Arrow False Arrow