General Education

All undergraduate students who matriculate as degree-seeking students at IU Bloomington in or after first summer session 2011 will be required to complete the campus-wide GenEd Program prior to graduation with a baccalaureate degree. This curriculum is intended to ensure that, through the Common Ground requirements, all undergraduates at IUB develop the essential skills of English composition and mathematical modeling, and are exposed to the vast wealth of course offerings in arts and humanities, social and historical studies, natural and mathematical sciences, and world languages and cultures. The GenEd Curriculum also includes Shared Goals of intensive writing experience, information fluency, an understanding of diversity in the U.S., and other enriching educational experiences. The Common Ground requirements are the same for all undergraduate students, regardless of their school or academic unit. Shared Goals are implemented by the schools in ways that complement their degree programs.

Each undergraduate student is subject to the General Education requirements that were in effect at the time of matriculation as a degree-seeking student at Indiana University Bloomington. For example, a student who initially enrolled as a degree-seeking student at IU Bloomington in Fall 2018, whether as a freshman or as a transfer student, must complete the 2018–19 Common Ground requirements prior to graduation.

The list of courses approved for each GenEd Common Ground requirement is updated and published annually. In order to apply toward the Common Ground requirements, a course must be GenEd-approved for the semester in which it is taken. Approved courses are noted in the Schedule of Classes at the time of registration, and current lists are published in each edition of the IU Bloomington General Education Bulletin. In addition, the GenEd website includes a GenEd-approved course listing, searchable by requirement, department, and effective dates.

The Indiana University Bloomington General Education Bulletin is the official source for current GenEd requirements, policies, and other pertinent information. All programs require a passing grade of D- in each Common Ground General Education course, except Oral Expression and Written Expression, which require a C or better grade. Teacher education program students typically take general education distribution courses and pre-requisites in their first two semesters of their college career.