General Education: UGE

University General Education Requirements

IMPORTANT NOTES:  This section does not apply to students who first enroll in Summer 2011 or later. Those students must meet the requirements of The K-State 8 General Education Program.

Students who began their programs of study in earlier terms under the University General Education (UGE) program may complete their degrees with UGE requirements or may choose to move to The K-State 8. Students should check with their academic advisors to determine which choice would be better.  To switch, students must consult with their academic advisors.

Students who are readmitted in Summer 2011 and later will be designated as meeting the K-State 8 by the Office of Admissions. Deans’ offices can make an exception for the readmitted student who has completed UGE or who would prefer to complete UGE requirements.

The following information about UGE remains in the Undergraduate Catalog for the benefit of students who choose to continue meeting UGE requirements.

Objective of University General Education

The program for University General Education (UGE) strives to add breadth to the educational experience. It helps students widen their perspectives, explore the relationships between various subjects, and develop critical and analytical thinking skills.

UGE courses are not designed to be taken in a single block at the beginning or ending of a student’s college career. They should be continuous and spread across the entire college career.

Any student whose acquired credit at Kansas State University or any other institution began in fall 1997 or later will be obligated to meet UGE requirements. Transfer students need to contact their advisors and see the Transfer Admission Requirements.

Overview of UGE requirements

Students must complete at least 18 hours of approved UGE courses, one-third of which must be at the 300-level or above.

The courses accepted for UGE credit will vary according to college and major. All students should consult with their advisors to determine which UGE courses meet the requirements of their degree programs.

Only courses completed at Kansas State University and approved for university general education can be used to meet these requirements.

For more information

• Consult your advisor.
• Check each term’s Course Schedule. 
• More information about the UGE program is available on the web. 

Approved UGE courses

The Registrar’s UGE Course List is maintained by the Registrar’s Office and provides a complete historical listing. This list will change as courses are approved, deleted, and added.

Policy for credit by examination Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate Programs (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES) credits may be considered “transfer credits” for purposes of the UGE policy for students transferring credit to K-State.

UGE Policy for credit by examination

Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate Programs (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES) credits may be considered “transfer credits” for purposes of the UGE policy for students transferring credit to K-State.

UGE Policy for curriculum changes

Students changing curricula within Kansas State University must satisfy the UGE requirements for the program in which they will graduate. Students entering a bachelor’s degree program after completing an associate’s degree at Kansas State University are not considered to be transfer students, as far as the UGE requirements are concerned; these students must meet the UGE requirements for the curriculum they are entering.

UGE policy for double majors and dual degrees

A student must meet the UGE requirements for his/her primary degree/major. UGE requirements for additional degrees or majors are waived.

UGE policy for credit for study abroad

Students who participate in study abroad programs approved by Kansas State University will meet UGE requirements either upon successful completion of K-State study abroad course work or transfer of study abroad course credit accepted by K-State. This policy is effective as of the 2002 spring term.