UIndy General Education Core

One Core, Many Paths

Whether you're headed into healthcare, business, the arts, education, or a field still waiting to be discovered, the Core prepares you with the skills and perspectives that endure: critical thinking, clear communication, ethical reasoning, and cultural awareness.

Visual graphic of central core branching out to many paths

Inspiring Growth

Our Core curriculum inspires growth and transformation by challenging you to explore new ideas, perspectives, and experiences. Discover your strengths, confront your limitations, and embrace opportunities for personal and academic development.

Nurturing Intellectual Thought

At UIndy, intellectual curiosity is celebrated and nurtured within our General Education Core. Engage in rigorous inquiry, analytical reasoning, and creative expression as you develop the intellectual skills and habits of mind essential for lifelong learning.

Embracing Exploration

Embrace the spirit of exploration as you navigate the diverse landscape of our Core curriculum. From the arts and humanities to the sciences and social sciences, our interdisciplinary approach encourages you to venture into uncharted territory, question assumptions, and seek new insights that broaden your understanding of the world.

First-Year Learning Experience

Take one course from each of the following areas. NOTE: Not all courses are offered every semester.

Full-time baccalaureate-degree seeking students enrolled in their first year of college are required to take an NSE course. Only one NSE course will count toward a student's degree. Transfer students with 18 or more hours of transfer credit are exempt from the New Student Experience requirement. Students will either enroll in a New Student Experience class (INTD 101) or a departmental seminar/NSE class, depending on their major.

Take one of the following: 

  • INTD 101 New Student Experience (1)
  • ART 105 Art & Design Freshman Seminar (1)
  • BADM 100 Freshman Experience (1)
  • COMM 105 Communication Preparatory (1)
  • CRIM 105 Freshman Seminar in Criminal Justice (1)
  • ENGR 185 Orientation to Engineering (1)
  • EDUC 110 Freshman Seminar in Education (1)
  • ENGL 105 Freshman Seminar in English (1)
  • HIST 105 Freshman Seminar in History, Political Science or International Relations
  • MATH 185 Orientation to the Mathematical Sciences (1)
  • MUS 106 Freshman Experience in Music (1)

Full-time baccalaureate-degree seeking students enrolled in their first year of college are required to take a First-Year Seminar course. Transfer students with 18 or more hours of transfer credit are exempt from the FYS requirement. A maximum of one First-Year Seminar course may count toward the degree.

Take one of the following: 

  • FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3)
  • FYS 110 First-Year Seminar: Literature (3)
  • FYS 120 First-Year Seminar: History (3)
  • FYS 130 First-Year Seminar: Natural Science (3)
  • FYS 140 First-Year Seminar: Social Science (3)
  • FYS 150 First-Year Seminar: Religion (3)
  • FYS 160 First-Year Seminar: Philosophy/Ethics (3)
  • FYS 170 First-Year Seminar: Fine Arts/Theoretical (3)
  • FYS 171 First-Year Seminar: Fine Arts/Applied (3)
  • FYS 172 First-Year Sem: Fine Arts Theory & Appl (3)
  • FYS 180 First-Year Seminar: Global Awareness (3)
  • FYS 181 First-Year Seminar: Exp. Cultural Differences (3)
  • FYS 182 First-Year Seminar: Glbl Aware & Exp. Cult. Diff. (3)
See important notes

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Overview of the General Education Core

The General Education Core areas listed below must be fulfilled for each Bachelor’s degree-seeking student. Courses that have been approved to fulfill each area are listed on the following pages under sections entitled with the area name. Whenever possible, choose courses which best suit your needs and interests.

NOTES: A cumulative G.P.A. of C- (1.7 on a 4.0 scale) or higher is required in the General Education Core. Consult your advisor as needed. A Bachelor’s degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours.

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Core Areas

The General Education Core may be completed with a minimum of 36 credit hours.

students in art class

Distribution Areas

To broaden minds and build foundations

See Distribution Areas

student with a math poster presentation

Competency Areas

To empower skills for success

See Competency Areas

students watching a live lecture

Additional Requirements

To complete a well-rounded education

See Additional Requirements

Distribution Areas

Students are required to take one course from each of the following Distribution Areas of the General Education Core except for Arts, for which students must complete a minimum of two (2) credit hours. 

Important Notes: 

  1. Courses which fulfill multiple Distribution Areas of the core may not count toward both areas. 
  2. Courses approved to fulfill both a Distribution Area and a Competency or Additional Requirement area may count toward both requirements.
  3. Not all courses are offered every semester.

Take one of the following:

  • FYS 110 First-Year Seminar: Literature (3)
  • EDUC 218 Young Adult Lit: Yesterday to Today (3)
  • ENGL 102 Literature (3)
  • ENGL 211 British Literature I (3)
  • ENGL 212 British Literature II (3)
  • ENGL 213 American Literature I (3)
  • ENGL 214 American Literature II (3)
  • ENGL 218 Young Adult Lit: Yesterday to Today (3)
  • LANG 324 Literature in Translation (3)

Take one of the following:

  • FYS 120 First-Year Seminar: History (3)
  • HIST 201 World History to 1700 (3)
  • HIST 202 World History since 1700 (3)
  • HIST 217 United States History to 1865 (3)
  • HIST 218 United States History since 1865 (3)
  • HON 220 World War II: The Home Front (3)

Take one of the following:

  • FYS 130 First-Year Seminar: Natural Science (3)
  • ANTH 130 Monkeys, Apes, & Humans: Biology & Behav (3)
  • ANTH 137 Biological Anthropology (3)
  • BIOL 100 Elements of Biology (3)
  • BIOL 101 Nutrition (3)
  • BIOL 104 Principles of Human Physiology (4)
  • BIOL 112 Biology for Elementary Education (3)
  • BIOL 130 Monkeys, Apes, & Humans: Biology & Behav (3)
  • BIOL 131 Explorations in Biology (3-4)
  • BIOL 148 Introduction to Natural Sciences (3)
  • BIOL 165 Introduction to Cell Biology (4)
  • BIOL 203 Biology’s Impact on Humans (4)
  • BIOL 245 Ornithology (4)
  • CHEM 100 Elements of Chemistry and Physics (3)
  • CHEM 103 Introduction to Chemistry (3)
  • ENSC 150 Environmental Science (4)
  • ESCI 100 Elements of Earth-Space Sciences (3)
  • ESCI 101 Geohazards and Natural Disasters (3)
  • ESCI 150 Physical Geology (3)
  • ESCI 202 Physical Geography (3)
  • ESCI 206 Time, Trilobites and Tyrannosaurus Rex (3)
  • ESCI 207 Astronomy (3)
  • ESCI 211 Meteorology: Weather & Climate (3)
  • HON 230 Environmental Inequalities (3)
  • PHYS 100 Elements of Chemistry and Physics (3)
  • PHYS 153 General Physics I, Calculus Based (4)
  • PHYS 207 Astronomy (3)
  • SCI 201 History of Cosmos/Planet Earth (2)
  • SCI 210 The Science of Food (3)

Take one of the following:

  • FYS 140 First-Year Seminar: Social Science (3)
  • ANTH 100 Cultural Anthropology (3)
  • ANTH 200 Global Problems (3)
  • ANTH 240 Human Sexuality and Intimacy (3)
  • ANTH 310 Witchcraft, Ritual and Religion (3)
  • CRIM 200 Criminology (3)
  • CRIM 250 Gender Issues in Law & Society (3)
  • ECON 102 A Survey of Economic Thought (3)
  • EDUC 203 Psychology of Development, Learning, & Instruction (3)
  • PSCI 101 American National Government (3)
  • SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3)
  • SOC 103 Social Problems (3)
  • SOC 250 Gender Issues in Law & Society (3)
  • SOC 270 Sociology of Health & Medicine (3)

Take one of the following:

  • FYS 150 First-Year Seminar: Religion (3)
  • REL 100 Christianity (3)
  • REL 103 Introduction to the Bible (3)
  • REL 110 World Religions (3)
  • REL 130 Honors: Readings in Christianity (3)
  • REL 200 Old Testament Life and Literature (3)
  • REL 210 New Testament Life and Literature (3)
  • REL 220 Christian Theology (3)
  • REL 225 History of Christianity (3)
  • REL 299 ST: Christianity, Debt, & Society (3)
  • REL 310 Christian Ethics (3)
  • REL 320 Interpretation of the Bible (3)
  • REL 330 Jesus (3)

Take one of the following:

  • FYS 160 First-Year Seminar: Philosophy/Ethics (3)
  • EDUC 300 Social, Political & Phil Contexts of Education (3)
  • HON 201 Artistic Works, Value, and Criticism (3)
  • HON 203 Honors Seminar in Ethics (3)
  • PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophy (3)
  • PHIL 110 Critical Thinking (3)
  • PHIL 130 Honors Philosophy (3)
  • PHIL 201 Ethics (3)
  • PHIL 215 Aesthetics (3)
  • PHIL 220 Medical Ethics (3)
  • PHIL 225 Engineering Ethics (3)
  • PHIL 230 Issues in Applied Philosophy (3)
  • PHIL 240 Social and Political Philosophy (3)
  • PHIL 250 Law, Philosophy & Punishment (3)
  • PHIL 260 Asian Philosophy (3)
  • PHIL 270 Ethics & Philosophy of Science (4)
  • PHIL 299 Issues in Philosophy (3)
  • PHIL 340 Philosophy of Religion (3) 

Minimum of 2 credit hours required; may require enrollment in more than one course based on course credit hours)

  • FYS 170 First-Year Seminar: Fine Arts/Theory (3)
  • FYS 171 First-Year Seminar: Fine Arts Applied (3)
  • FYS 172 FYS: Fine Arts/Theory & Applied (3)*
  • ANTH 405 Technical Photography (3)
  • ART 101 Foundation: 4-D Design (3)
  • ART 110 Art Appreciation (2)
  • ART 111 Introduction: Photography (3) (for non-art majors)
  • ART 113 Introduction: Illustration (3) (for non-art majors)
  • ART 114 Introduction: Ceramics (3) (for non-art majors)
  • ART 115 Introduction: Printmaking (3) (for non-art majors)
  • ART 117 Introduction: Drawing (3) (for non-art majors)
  • ART 118 Introduction: Painting (3) (for non-art majors)
  • ART 119 Introduction: Sculpture (3) (for non-art majors)
  • ART 120 Foundation: 2-D Design (3)
  • ART 130 Foundation: Drawing (3)
  • ART 135 Jewelry and Metalwork (3)
  • ART 140 Foundation: 3-D Design (3)
  • ART 150 Form and Color (3)
  • ART 151 Introduction to Socially Engaged Art (3)
  • ART 161 Point & Shoot Photography (3)
  • ART 198 Letterpress (3)
  • ART 269 Sculpture (3)
  • ART 271 Digital Photography (3)
  • ART 274 Ceramics (3)
  • ART 281 History of Art I (3)
  • ART 282 History of Art II (3)
  • ART 285 Printmaking (3)
  • ART 293 Illustration (3)
  • ART 353 Visual Art Methods in Early Childhood (2)
  • ART 380 History of Design, Printmaking and Photography (3)
  • ART 384 Art Since 1900 (3)
  • ART 389 Gender in Art (3)
  • ENGL 270 Introduction to Creative Writing (3)
  • HON 310 Art in Focus (3)** (Content changes each semester)
  • KINS 112 Social Dance (1)
  • MUS 100 Music Fundamentals (3)
  • MUS 102 History of Rock
  • MUS 110 History of Western Classical Music (2)
  • MUS 111 Introduction to Music (2)
  • MUS 112 Introduction to Jazz (2)
  • MUS 113 Voice Class (2) (for non-music majors)
  • MUS 114 Guitar Class I (2) (for non-music majors)
  • MUS 116 Piano Class I (2)
  • MUS 120 Contemporary Dance (3)
  • MUS 126 Ukulele Class I (2)
  • MUS 132 Aural Skills I (2)
  • MUS 133 Music Theory I (2)
  • MUS 151 Honors: Listener as Musician (3)
  • MUS 160 Concert Choir (.5-1)
  • MUS 161 Symphonic Wind Ensemble (.5-1)
  • MUS 162 Pep Band (.5-1)
  • MUS 163 UIndy Jazz Ensemble (.5-1)
  • MUS 165 Crimson Express (.5-1)
  • MUS 166 Treble Choir (.5-1)
  • MUS 170 Small Ensembles (Vocal & Instrumental) (.5-1)
  • MUS 172 Baroque Ensemble (.5-1)
  • MUS 173 Guitar Ensemble (.5-1)
  • MUS 174 African Drum Ensemble (.5-1)
  • MUS 175 Percussion Ensemble (.5-1)
  • MUS 176 Beginning Handbell Ensemble (.5-1)
  • MUS 180 Chamber Orchestra (.5-1)
  • MUS 210 Music in World Culture (3)
  • MUS 274 Piano Ensemble (.5-1)
  • MUS 275 Schola (.5-1)
  • MUS 276 Advanced Handbell Ensemble (.5-1)
  • MUS 301 Opera Scenes (.5-1)
  • MUS 351 Music Methods for Elementary Classroom Teachers (1)
  • MUS 353 Music Methods in Early Childhood (2)
  • MUS 140-145 Private Applied Lessons (1-4)
  • MUS 340-345 Private Applied Lessons (1-4)
  • THE 110 Introduction to Theatre (2)
  • THE 121 Introduction to Theatre Design (3)
  • THE 124 Theatrical Makeup (3)
  • THE 130 Introduction to Acting (3)
  • THE 241 Play Analysis (3)
  • THE 340 Theatre History I (3)
  • THE 341 Theatre History II (3)
  • THE 353 Theatre Methods in Early Childhood (2)

Take one of the following:

  • FYS 180 First-Year Seminar: Global Awareness (3)
  • FYS 181 First-Year Seminar: Exp. Cultural Differences (3)
  • FYS 182 First-Year Seminar: Global Awareness and Experiencing Cultural Differences (3)
  • ANTH 211 Anthropology of Health (3)
  • ANTH 229 East Asia Through Ethnography and Film (3)
  • ANTH 335 Global Health (3)
  • ART 151 Introduction to Socially Engaged Art (3)
  • CRIM 120 Trends in Corrections (3)
  • CSL 150 Community Service Learning (3)
  • CSL 480 Dominican Republic: Thanksgiving Service-Learning Trip (3)
  • EDUC 290 Teaching in a Diverse Society (3)*
  • ENGL 420 ST: Scottish Literature (3)
  • GERO 301 Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Aging (3)
  • HON 350 Global Women (3)
  • IBUS 201 Introduction to International Business (3)
  • INTD 301 Multicultural Comp Ldshp/Srvc (3)
  • IREL 100 World Regional Geography (3)
  • IREL 101 Introduction to International Relations (3)
  • IREL 310 Identity Politics in Europe (3)
  • IREL 439 The Indian Experience (1)
  • KINS 260 Intro to Community Health in Diverse Comm. (3)
  • KINS 355 Management and Design of Sports Facilities (3)
  • KINS 356 Exercise Programming & Management (3)
  • KINS 465 Planning, Implementation, & Eval in Community Health (3)
  • LANG 110 Introduction to Africana Studies (3)
  • MUS 210 Music in World Culture (3)
  • NURB 325 Community Health I (3)
  • NURB 440 Promoting Healthy Communities (4)
  • NURE 238 Health in LGBTQ+ Community (2)
  • NURN 421 Promoting Healthy Communities (4)
  • REL 270 Judaism (3)
  • REL 272 Buddhism (3)
  • REL 275 Islam (3)
  • SCI 230 Gender and Ethnicity in Math & Science (3)
  • SOC 104 Social Problems Service Learning Lab (1)
  • SOC 150 Community: Service and Learning (3)
  • SOC 200 The Family: A Global Perspective (3)
  • SOC 210 Social Inequality (3)
  • SOWK 295 Diversity & Environmental Justice (3)
Ged Ed Spotlight: EDUC 290 Teaching in a Diverse Society with Dr. Denney
Mary Adams headshot
Mary Adams
Data Science and Sociology major; Math, Stats, Comp Sci & Gender Studies minors; Social Research concentration

Something I thought was interesting was taking a quiz at the beginning and end of the semester to test our bias toward cultural differences so we could see how our results changed over the course of the semester. [...] it is something that was really only talked about in this class, and I think it's important to keep that in the back of our mind.

Creative Writing with Professor Haney
"It helped me to use my imagination and creativity which I do not use as much in my business classes. Professor Haney helped me with advice on my story and worked with me to turn it into something I am still proud of."
– Business Administration and Management major; Accounting minor; Honors concentration

Competency Areas

Take one course from each of the following areas. NOTE: Not all courses are offered every semester.

Take one of the following:

  • COMM 100 Public Speaking (3)
  • COMM 200 Business & Professional Communication (3)
  • COMM 201 Classroom Communication (3)
  • BADM 231 Business Communications (3)

NOTE: Students must demonstrate competency before enrollment in any mathematics course.

Take one of the following:

  • MATH 108 Discovery in Mathematics (3)
  • MATH 150 Finite Mathematics (3)
  • MATH 170 College Algebra (3)
  • MATH 180 College Algebra & Trigonometry (4)
  • MATH 190 Calculus & Analytic Geometry I (4)
  • MATH 195 Discrete Mathematics (4)
  • MATH 208 Elementary Teachers' Math I (4)
  • MATH 210 Elementary Teachers' Math III (4)
  • MATH 220 Elementary Statistics (4)
  • MATH 245 Statistics for the Sciences (4)

A student’s modern language requirement is determined by the bachelor’s degree they are pursuing and/or the college/school in which their first major is housed.

  • Bachelor’s degree (BS or BSW)in the College of Education & Behavioral Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Schools of Business, or Accelerated Adult Programs are required to take:
    FREN, GERM, or SPAN 101 (or higher) – Students must demonstrate competency through the 101-level of a modern foreign language. This may be done by achieving the recommended score on the placement exam (102), by completing courses through 101 or above with a passing grade, or by completing two years of a modern foreign language in high school with a passing grade.
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Music (BM), Bachelor of Science (BS)in the Shaheen College of Arts & Sciences:
    FREN, GERM, or SPAN 102 (or higher) – Students must demonstrate competency through the 102-level of a modern foreign language. This may be done by achieving the recommended score on the placement exam (201) or by completing courses through 102 or above with a passing grade. 
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA)in any college or school:
    FREN, GERM, or SPAN 201 (or higher) – Students must demonstrate competency through the 201-level of a modern foreign language. This may be done by achieving the recommended score on the placement exam (300) or by completing courses through 201 or above with a passing grade. 
PHIL 130 Honors Philosophy
"I definitely went into the class with pre-conceived ideas of what I believed, and I often found certain ethical positions that we delved into hard to justify. However, I really appreciate that this class gave me access to some knowledge and mental frameworks that allowed me to re-evaluate my earlier positions, some of which I now believe more confidently and some that I have completely turned around on. I also just really loved the format of the class."
– Nursing major; Math minor; Honors concentration
SOC 101 Principles of Sociology with Dr. Lee
"Her engagement, her knowledge, the content, and the real life conversations it enabled. It was the first course I actually went to office for regularly, and I loved the professor's willingness to answer my questions!"
– Psychology and Communication major; Child & Youth Programs minor; Honors and Human Comm concentrations
Dance Classes with Melanie Eakman
"The ability to pursue something that isn't academically related, but still receive college credit. It builds in exercise into my busy schedule."
– Communication major; concentrations in Journalism and Public Relations
ENGL 245 Young Adult Literature with Dr. Zimmerly
"I really liked the books we read. They were entertaining and insightful. I also enjoyed our class discussions and how we got to know our classmates. Dr. Zimmerly always had interesting things to tell us about what we read."
– Exercise Science major

Additional Requirements

NOTE: Not all courses are offered every semester.

ENGL 101 Intro to College Writing (3)

Take one of the following:

  • KINS 101 Wellness/Fitness for a Lifetime (1) 
  • KINS 104 Honors Wellness/Fitness for a Lifetime (1) 
  • MUS 129 Beginning Dance (1) 
  • MUS 205 Intermediate Dance (1) 
  • MUS 206 Advanced Dance (1) 
  • INTD 101 Lecture/Performance Series (.5) 
  • INTD 102 Lecture/Performance Series (.5)
Gen Ed Spotlight: PHIL 110 with Dr. Evans
Ron Roberts headshot
Ron Roberts
Exercise Science major; Pre-PT; Honors concentrations

You have your major already, those classes are required, but you get to choose what type of class you want to take for each category of your Gen Ed. So, take what sounds interesting to YOU. [...] Find something that grabs your attention and run with it.

PHIL 220 Medical Ethics
  • "I really liked being able to look at the issue we discussed in class from a more "bird's-eye view", especially issues that I feel very strongly about. Although my opinions have not changed, this course really challenged me to see both sides of an argument and be able to argue both ways."
    – Nursing major
  • "I really enjoyed the discussions and the essays that actually required delving into the topic and forming connections with the content of the class discussions."
    – Psychology major
  • "Before taking Medical Ethics, I was already interested in the topic due to my interest in becoming a medical malpractice attorney. However, this class helped me further my understanding and helped me build my core foundation and beliefs. I was also the only political science major in the class, so I often had to learn to adapt my language and thinking to relate to other majors, especially when policy can be involved in the decision-making process."
    – Political Science major

Important Notes

  1. Students should consult with their advisor regarding their Modern Language requirement. This requirement is determined by a student’s major, degree, and/or school/college. 
  2. Students who fail to complete the New Student Experience requirement will be required to complete an additional elective course from a distribution or competency area of the General Education core. (Depending on a student’s major and the credit hours required to complete all requirements, this may increase a student’s minimum required hours for graduation.) 
  3. Students who do not successfully complete an FYS course must complete an approved substitute course prior to graduation. The following courses have been approved for substitution: ANTH 408, ART 282, ART 384, COMM 331, COMM 332, COMM 333, CRIM 200, EDUC/ENGL 218, or ENGL 220.
  4. Students who do not complete the Lecture/Performance requirement will need to complete an additional 3 hours of General Education Core electives credits for each .5 credits not completed. Up to 6 additional credits may be needed. These additional credits are beyond the 120 credits required for degree completion.
  5. Double Counting:
    1. Students may use no more than three (3) major courses to fulfill General Education core requirements. Courses which are part of a student’s major requirements that do not have the major subject prefix are not included in the three course limit (i.e., education majors may fulfill General Education core requirements by taking up to three EDUC courses; however, other requirements of the major that have different subject prefixes [COMM, MATH, BIOL] do not count toward the three course limit). 
    2. Please find additional double counting information under the distribution areas and competency headers of the guide. 
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