It’s that time again, isn’t it? The academic landscape, much like the seasons, is always shifting. For students and faculty alike, keeping up with curriculum changes can feel like trying to catch a moving train. I’ve been looking at some recent updates, specifically comparing the academic years 2019 and 2021, and then looking at the 2023 catalog, and it’s clear there have been some thoughtful adjustments designed to streamline and perhaps deepen the learning experience.
One of the most noticeable shifts is in General Education requirements. Back in 2019, there was a clear minimum of 30 credits needed for graduation. While that 30-credit benchmark is still very much in play, the way it's achieved has been modified. The explicit mention of a 30-credit minimum requirement was removed from the graduation checklist because the general education section itself was restructured to inherently ensure those 30 credits are completed. It’s a subtle but important distinction – the goal remains, but the path has been refined.
Foreign language requirements have also seen a tweak. Previously, the first three semesters of a foreign language could only count towards a minor, and only if the minor allowed it. Now, those initial semesters have a bit more flexibility; they can be counted in minors and majors, provided the respective programs permit. This opens up more avenues for students to integrate language study into their broader academic pursuits.
Then there’s the Social Justice course. This was a popular one for double-counting, allowing it to fulfill another requirement simultaneously. However, under the newer guidelines, this double-counting is no longer permitted with majors or other general education requirements. It can still be shared with minor requirements or certification courses, so it hasn't lost all its flexibility, but it does mean students need to be a bit more deliberate in how they fit it into their overall plan.
Fitness and recreational activity courses have also been streamlined. If you were looking at the 2019 catalog, you’d see a requirement for two such courses. The 2023 catalog pares this down to just one. A small change, perhaps, but every credit counts, right?
The Exploration and Breadth (E&B) requirements have undergone a more significant overhaul. The 2019 structure called for six E&B courses, with one from each of the four core areas (Humanities, Natural Science, Social Science, Fine Arts), and then two additional courses from different areas and departments, distinct from the first four. The 2023 catalog maintains the requirement of one course from each of those four areas, but the subsequent two additional courses are more flexible. They still need to be from different areas and departments, but they are no longer tied to the initial four areas. A key point here is that any course with a prefix from your declared primary major cannot be used to satisfy an E&B requirement – this rule remains consistent across the catalogs, ensuring E&B truly offers breadth beyond your major.
For majors themselves, the 30-credit minimum rule for graduation requirements has also been removed from the explicit list, mirroring the General Education change. The expectation is still that majors will include enough coursework to meet or exceed 30 credits, but the phrasing has shifted. The concept of primary and secondary majors has also been simplified. In 2019, students with multiple majors had to designate a primary and secondary. Now, this distinction is largely gone, meaning the order of declaration doesn't matter as much, unless specific degree types (like BS, BSed, and BM) have their own stipulations. The ability for major courses to double count in other areas is also more restricted; generally, major courses can only count towards minors, certification areas, or required supporting courses, and crucially, not towards E&B. The idea of 'paired majors' has also been introduced, where students can officially link two majors and share a few courses, but this precludes 'double majoring' in the traditional sense, and again, no major courses can count towards E&B.
Minors have seen similar adjustments. The explicit 18-credit minimum graduation requirement has been removed, though minors still need to be built to total at least 18 credits. A significant change is the limitation on the number of minors a student can declare – previously unlimited, now capped at two. The flexibility for courses to double count within a minor remains, as long as the 18-credit total is met. The previous 56-credit limitation from a single subject area has also been removed.
It’s a lot to digest, I know. These changes, while sometimes feeling like a puzzle, are often implemented with the intention of creating clearer pathways, encouraging broader exploration, and ensuring that students are well-equipped for whatever comes next. It’s always a good idea to connect with an academic advisor to fully understand how these shifts might impact your personal academic journey.
