Overview
Knowledge and skills that create the foundation of your undergraduate degree. Starting in fall 2026, all 13 Universities of Wisconsin adopt a shared Core General Education Requirement framework. However, the classes students take to satisfy their Core General Education Requirements are unique to each UW.
What are Core General Education Requirements?
The Universities of Wisconsin Core General Education Requirements (CGER) are a common framework of undergraduate courses that provide foundational knowledge and help support our role in improving the lives of people in our communities. Our Core General Education Requirements provide undergraduates the opportunity to explore and engage with big ideas across multiple subjects. From these courses, students will develop the tools and ways of thinking to build a purposeful life and career while contributing meaningfully to the workplace and the broader world.
Why Do They Matter?
Knowledge gained from completing Core General Education Requirements produces graduates who are reflective and flexible, establishing a foundation for lifelong learning. In a rapidly changing global society, our graduates learn to:
- communicate effectively,
- seek and evaluate evidence,
- consider multiple viewpoints, and
- work collaboratively with others to identify problems and find solutions.
The Universities of Wisconsin Core General Education Requirement Framework
UW universities do not have the same Core General Education Requirement courses, but they all have the same Core General Education Requirement Framework. The framework comprises
6 Common Categories | 10 Course Minimum | 30-36 Credit Hours
| Core General Education Requirements | Core General Education Requirement Credit Hours |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning (MQR) | 3-6 credit hours (1 course minimum) |
| Communication & Literacy (CL) | 6-9 credit hours (2 course minimum) |
| Social & Behavioral Science (SBS) | 3-6 credit hours (1 course minimum) |
| Humanities & Arts (HA) | 6 credit hours (2 course minimum) |
| Natural Science & Wellness (NSW/NSWL)* | 4-8 credit hours (1 course minimum) |
| Civics Perspectives (CP) | 3-6 credit hours (1 course minimum) |
| CGER TOTAL *The Natural Science & Wellness category requires completion of a laboratory course. | 10 course minimum 30 credit hour minimum to 36 credit hour maximum |