General Education Program

Well-Rounded Learning

Wichita State strives to offer the most complete college experience possible to produce well-rounded, successful Shocker graduates. Through general education courses, students explore subjects outside of their major, expanding their knowledge, perspective and skills and making a positive impact on their career and life.

General Education Program < Wichita State University Catalog

General Education Course Requirements

General Education Program requirements at Wichita State follow the KBOR system-wide General Education Program framework and are comprised of 34-35 credit hours organized in six discipline-based “buckets” and an institutionally designated bucket. A student who satisfies all seven buckets will complete the General Education Program.

The four courses in Buckets 1-3 must be completed within the first 48 credit hours of enrollment with a grade of C- or better. Foundation courses cover the fundamental skills needed throughout college and should be taken at the very beginning of a student’s studies.

Note: Some general education courses can count for both the General Education Program requirements and program/college requirements. Students should work with their advisor to determine the most efficient path.

Bucket 1: English Discipline Area -- 6 hours

ENGL 100 -- English Composition

ENGL 101 -- College English I

AND

ENGL 102 -- College English II

Bucket 2: Communication Discipline Area -- 3 hours

COMM 111 -- Public Speaking

Bucket 3: Mathematics and Statistics Discipline Area -- 3 hours

Note (for viewers, Footnote 2): MATH 131 does not fulfill the prerequisite for any further math course. MATH 131 does not meet degree requirements in all colleges.

MATH 111 -- College Algebra

MATH 112 -- Precalculus Mathematics

MATH 131 -- See Footnote 2 -- Contemporary Mathematics

STAT 171 -- Introduction to Statistics

Or any math/stat coures that requires MATH 11 or MATH 112 as a prerequisite

Bucket 4: Natural and Physical Sciences Discipline Area -- 4-5 hours

Choose One Subject (must include a lab): A list of qualifying courses can be found on the General Education Courses page of the catalog.

Bucket 5: Social and Behavioral Sciences Discipline Area -- 4-5 hours

Note (for viewers, Footnote 3): Full course list can be found on the General Education Courses page of the catalog.

Choose from at least Two Subject Areas (See Footnote 3):

Anthropology

Criminal Justice

Economics

Entreprenuership

Ethnic Studies

Geography

Political Science

Psychology

Sociology

Social Work

Women's Studies

Bucket 6: Arts and Humanities Discipline Area -- 6 hours

Note (for viewers, Footnote 3): Full course list can be found on the General Education Courses page of the catalog.

Note (for viewers, Footnote 4) in regards to Communication and English: Excludes courses from Buckets 1-3.

Communication (see Footnote 4)

English (see Footnote 4)

History

Modern and Classical Languages

Linguistics

Philosophy

Religion

Art History

Dance

Musicology / Composition

Studio Arts

Theatre

Bucket 7: Institutionally Designated Area -- 6 hours

Note (for viewers, Footnote 4 in Heading): excludes courses from Buckets 1-3.

Note on "3 credit hours of First-Year Seminar" (for viewers, Footnote 5): A First-Year Seminar course is required for students coming to WSU directly from high school. Those students who have earned an Associate Degree or 30 credit hours prior to high school graduation and before starting classes at WSU as a degree-bound student, may be exempt from taking a First-Year Seminar course.

Note on "No Repeat Courses" (for viewers, Footnote 3): Full course list can be found on the General Education Courses page of the catalog.

3 credit hours of First-Year Seminar (see Footnote 5) (FYS may ONLY count for general education bucket in Bucket 7)

3 General Education credit hours with Diversity designation (May be satisfied by Buckets 4-6 requirement)

If diversity requirement is satisfied in Buckets 4-6, students must take additional general education approved courses to reach a total of 6 credit hours in Bucket 7. (May include disciplines not included in Buckets 1-6. No repeat courses (see Footnote 3).)

Specific General Education Requirements by College

The following general education courses have been approved by KBOR as requirements for certain degree programs even if a student has already completed the general education program.

Fall 2024-2025 Exceptions

The exceptions outlined below are approved for the 2024-2025 academic year only, which encompasses the Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 terms. Students are strongly encouraged to reference their catalog year when reviewing applicable exceptions.

Applied Studies

Students in the BAED in Early Childhood Unified or the BAED in Elementary Education are required to take:

HIST 131 or HIST 132; and
BIOL 106 (or any life science).

Engineering

In addition to the courses listed below, all Engineering majors, except cybersecurity, are required to take MATH 242. Students in the BS in Cybersecurity program are required to take MATH 123.

Students in the BS in Aerospace Engineering program are required to take:

PHYS 313 and PHYS 315;
ECON 201; and
PHIL 385.

Students in the BS in Applied Engineering program are required to take:

PHYS 313 and PHYS 315
ECON 201; and
PHIL 385.

Students in the BS in Biomedical Engineering program are required to take:

CHEM 211; and
PHIL 385 or PHIL 386.

Students in the BS in Computer Engineering program are required to take:

PHYS 314 and PHYS 316; and
PHIL 354.

Students in the BS in Computer Science program are required to take:

PHYS 314 and PHYS 316;
PHIL 354; and
PHIL 125.

Students in the BS in Cybersecurity program are required to take:

PHYS 213;
ECON 201;
PSY 111;
PHIL 125; and
PHIL 354.

Students in the BS in Electrical Engineering program are required to take:

CHEM 211; and
PHIL 385.

Students in the BS in Industrial Engineering program are required to take:

CHEM 211; and
PHIL 385.

Students in the BS in Mechanical Engineering program are required to take:

CHEM 211; and
PHIL 385.

Students in the BS in Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering program are required to take:

PHIL 313 and PHYS 315; and
PHIL 385.

Fine Arts

Students in the BFA in Art – Art Education Emphasis program are required to take:

PSY 111 or CESP 334; and
Any ARTH 125_ lettered course.

Students in the Bachelor of Music Education program are required to take:

PSY 111 or CESP 334.

Health Professions

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program are required to take:

CHEM 103;
PSY 111; and
SOC 111.

Students in the BS in Dental Hygiene program are required to take:

CHEM 103.

Liberal Arts and Sciences

Students in the Bachelor of Social Work are required to take:

BIOL 106 and BIOL 107;
PSY 111; and
SOC 111.

Fall 2025-2026 Exceptions

The exceptions outlined below are approved for the 2025-2026 academic year only, which encompasses the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026 terms. Students are strongly encouraged to reference their catalog year when reviewing applicable exceptions.

Engineering

Students in the BS in Aerospace Engineering program are required to take:

PHYS 313 and PHYS 315;
ECON 201; and
PHIL 385.

Students in the BS in Applied Engineering program are required to take:

PHYS 313 and PHYS 315
ECON 201; and
PHIL 385.

Students in the BS in Biomedical Engineering program are required to take:

CHEM 211; and
PHIL 385 or PHIL 386.

Students in the BS in Computer Engineering program are required to take:

PHYS 314 and PHYS 316; and
PHIL 354.

Students in the BS in Computer Science program are required to take:

PHYS 314 and PHYS 316;
PHIL 354; and
PHIL 125.

Students in the BS in Cybersecurity program are required to take:

PHYS 213;
ECON 201;
PSY 111;
PHIL 125; and
PHIL 354.

Students in the BS in Electrical Engineering program are required to take:

CHEM 211; and
PHIL 385.

Students in the BS in Industrial Engineering program are required to take:

CHEM 211; and
PHIL 385.

Students in the BS in Mechanical Engineering program are required to take:

CHEM 211; and
PHIL 385.

Students in the BS in Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering program are required to take:

PHIL 313 and PHYS 315; and
PHIL 385.

Fall 2026-2027 Exceptions

The exceptions outlined below are approved for the 2026-2027 academic year only, which encompasses the Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027 terms. Students are strongly encouraged to reference their catalog year when reviewing applicable exceptions.

Engineering

Students in the BS in Aerospace Engineering program are required to take:

PHYS 313 and PHYS 315;
ECON 201; and
PHIL 385.

Students in the BS in Applied Engineering program are required to take:

PHYS 313 and PHYS 315
ECON 201; and
PHIL 385.

Students in the BS in Biomedical Engineering program are required to take:

CHEM 211; and
PHIL 385 or PHIL 386.

Students in the BS in Computer Engineering program are required to take:

PHYS 314 and PHYS 316; and
PHIL 354.

Students in the BS in Computer Science program are required to take:

PHYS 314 and PHYS 316;
PHIL 354; and
PHIL 125.

Students in the BS in Cybersecurity program are required to take:

PHYS 213;
ECON 201;
PSY 111;
PHIL 125; and
PHIL 354.

Students in the BS in Electrical Engineering program are required to take:

CHEM 211; and
PHIL 385.

Students in the BS in Industrial Engineering program are required to take:

CHEM 211; and
PHIL 385.

Students in the BS in Mechanical Engineering program are required to take:

CHEM 211; and
PHIL 385.

Students in the BS in Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering program are required to take:

PHIL 313 and PHYS 315; and
PHIL 385.

Transfer Students with Associate Degrees

RN-to-BSN and Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Students

A student enrolled in WSU’s RN-to-BSN degree completion program having earned an associate degree in nursing outside of a public Kansas institution will be considered to have satisfied WSU’s general education curriculum provided that they successfully complete (with a grade of C- or better) two general education courses numbered 300 or above taken at WSU.
A student enrolled in WSU’s dental hygiene degree completion program having earned an associate degree in dental hygiene outside of a public Kansas institution will be considered to have satisfied WSU’s general education curriculum provided that they successfully complete (with a grade of C- or better) two general education courses numbered 300 or above taken at WSU.

Transfer Students from Outside the Kansas Board of Regents System

The Fall 2024 KBOR system-wide General Education Program currently requires 4-5 credit hours of approved general education natural or physical science course(s). This requirement can be satisfied by taking one course that contains a lab or a two-course sequence with lecture and lab. Transfer students from outside the KBOR system on a catalog term of Fall 2024 or higher will be allowed to use a 3-hour lecture/lab course that is equivalent to a WSU approved general education lecture/lab course. Students that use a 3-credit hour transfer course to complete bucket 4 of the General Education Program must still ensure their overall hours in General Education equal 34 or more hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mission of general education?

The mission of general education is to provide a well-rounded education that enables you to live the fullest most meaningful life possible, regardless of your particular career preparation.

What is the overall goal?

The goal of general education is to enable you to live a rich, meaningful life by developing: an informed appreciation of the arts, humanities, and natural and social sciences; an ability to intelligently follow and participate in current events; and a sensitive and tutored appreciation of diverse cultures and ways of living.

What are the expected outcomes?

Embedded throughout general education and furthered in the major are the skills that enable graduates to contribute productively to society and the ongoing culture.

Therefore, upon graduation the faculty expects you to:

Have acquired knowledge in the arts, humanities, and natural and social sciences
Think critically and independently
Write and speak effectively
Employ analytical reasoning and problem solving techniques

Wichita State University currently uses the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) to assess the outcomes gained through the students' educational experience. Each fall and spring semester, a representative sample of entering and graduating students participate. The assessment is used, in conjunction with Program Review, to verify the University's impact on the outcomes as well as contribute to continuous improvement of the University's programs.

Why should I meet with an advisor?

The best way to stay on track toward graduation is to meet with an advisor each semester before registering for classes. Advisors will help in selecting and sequencing classes that meet particular degree requirements.

To schedule a meeting, contact your college advising office.