Overview: General Education Courses

All students entering UW-Madison as freshmen or undergraduate transfer students must satisfy a series of General Education Requirements.  These institutional requirements are intended to enhance the undergraduate learning experience and include: communication, quantitative reasoning, natural science, humanities/literature/arts, social studies, and ethnic studies.

What are the General Education Requirements?

The basic General Education Requirements are listed below, with links to lists of courses that fulfill these requirements.  Since actual course offerings vary from semester to semester, students should always check the Schedule of Classes when registering.  The Schedule of Classes indicates whether courses satisfy General Education or other requirements with a code that appears in the listing.  Students may also want to read our FAQ for suggestions on locating Gen Ed Courses.  

Remember that some colleges within the university impose additional requirements, and that requirements for majors are usually fulfilled over and above the general requirements.  

In all cases, students should consult their advisors.  

• Communication, 3 to 5/6 credits
• Part A:  Literacy Proficiency. 2-3 credits at first-year level dedicated to reading, listening, and discussion, with emphasis on writing. Students may be exempted from Part A by high school course work or testing.   
• Part B:  Enhancing Literacy Proficiency. 2-3 credits of more advanced course work for students who have completed or been exempted from Part A. 

• Quantitative Reasoning, 3 to 6 credits
• Part A: 3 credits of mathematics, statistics, or formal logic. Students may be exempted from Part A by approved college coursework while in high school or by testing. 
• Part B:  3 additional credits in quantitative reasoning. 

Courses fulfilling the following are noted in the Schedule of Classes, indicated by the L&S "breadth requirements" code:

• Natural Science, 4 to 6 credits

• Humanities/Literature/Arts, 6 credits
• Social Studies, 3 credits
• Ethnic Studies, 3 credits