The purpose of the General Education requirements is to ensure that every graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education that establishes the foundations for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in life-long learning in a continually changing world. For this reason, these core requirements provide for breadth across the humanities and arts, social studies, biological sciences and physical sciences; competence in communication, critical thinking and analytical skills appropriate for a university-educated person; and investigation of the issues raised by living in a culturally diverse society.

Overview

Students are expected to achieve these competencies by taking courses that fulfill the General Education Requirements. Students may choose from a wide array of courses in communication, quantitative reasoning, natural science, humanities/literature/arts, social studies, and ethnic studies. Many of these courses also count toward degree requirements. 

Students should always check with their advisers to see if their school or college has any additional requirements that go beyond the basic UW-Madison requirements, or if the programs in which they are enrolled ask them to fulfill these requirements through specific courses or by pursuing them in a particular order. 

More information is available for students, prospective students (including transfer students), and for the faculty and staff who teach and advise them.