Core Curriculum

GenEd08 Program Requirements

The GenEd08 general education program launched in Fall 2008. As of Fall 2025, it has been replaced by the Inquiry Core Curriculum. If you started at CSU prior to Fall 2025, then by default you will continue on GenEd08. You may work with an advisor or academic coach to transition to the Inquiry Core Curriculum. 

All GenEd08 requirements can be fulfilled with Inquiry Core Curriculum courses. Work with a faculty advisor or academic coach to identify appropriate coursework to complete your requirements.

Summary Table of New General Education Requirements
(as approved by Faculty Senate, April 2007; effective Fall 2008; updated Fall 2025)
AreaCourse/credit RequirementMin CreditsFurther Requirements

Basic Foundation

Introduction to University Life1 course1Must be completed in first year.
Writing/Composition2 courses6Must be completed in the first year or prior to completion of the first 30 hours of coursework. Courses used to fulfill this requirement must be passed with C grades or better.
Mathematics/Quantitative Literacy2 courses6First course must be completed in the first year or prior to completion of the first 30 hours of coursework.

Breadth of Knowledge Requirements

Natural Sciences2 courses plus 1 hour of lab7Each course must be a minimum of 3 hours.
Social Sciences2 courses (from 2 different departments)6
  1. Each course must be a minimum of 3 hours.
  2. At least one of these courses, or one of the approved Arts and Humanities courses, must be focused on Africa, Asia, Latin America or the Middle East.
Arts and Humanities2 courses (from 2 different departments)6
  1. Each course must be a minimum of 3 hours.
  2. At least one of these courses, or one of the approved Social Sciences courses, must be focused on Africa, Asia, Latin America or the Middle East.
Social Diversity2 courses6

Each course must be a minimum of 3 hours.

  1. One course must be African-American.
  2. One course must be U.S. diversity course.

Transfer students with 60+ credit hours only have to fulfill half of the Social Diversity requirement. They may take either an African American Experience or a U.S. Diversity course.

Additional Requirements

Writing Across the Curriculum (including Speaking Across the Curriculum)2 courses (must be passed with C grades or better)At least 1 credit for each course

Three courses are required. One course must be in the major program. A student may substitute one approved SPAC course for one of the WAC courses.

Individual courses cannot be used to earn both WAC and SPAC credit.

A student must earn a C grade or better in a WAC or SPAC course to earn WAC or SPAC credit.

WAC and SPAC courses must be completed at CSU. A student cannot receive WAC or SPAC credit for a transfer course.

Transfer students:

  • A student transferring in 90+ credit hours must take one WAC course in his or her major. A SPAC course may not be substituted.
  • A student transferring in 60-89 credit hours must take either two WAC courses, or one WAC course and one SPAC course. Of these, one course must be in the student's major.

Pre-requisite for all WAC courses: Completion of the general education Writing/Composition requirement.

Capstone Experience1 course or equivalent1

The Capstone course must be completed at CSU.

A student cannot receive Capstone credit for a transfer course.