Changes In The General Education Requirements
USC Aiken students are no longer required to take foreign language credits for their general education requirements.
Following the 2023-2024 academic year, general education requirements have been adjusted to 31 credit hours from the previous 49-52 total.
The number of natural sciences credit hours has been decreased to four instead of seven to eight former requirements. This means students are now required to take one natural science class rather than two.
Social and behavior sciences such as psychology courses have been lessened to three credit hours allowing only one class to be required.
Humanities has shifted to six instead of nine credit hours permitting for two classes in place of the previous three.
Math, statistics or logic credits have been decreased to three rather than six credit hours granted for one required class in this area.
Foreign language credits are no longer required but can be taken as electives, if interested.
Some majors did not have the freedom to choose their elective courses but with the new changes they are given at least one free elective.
The number of writing intensive credit hours have not changed along with the oral communication and composition requirements. The American Political Institutions course requirements have also not been ejected.
The adjustments to the general education requirements for the 2023-2024 academic year and beyond can be seen on page 33 of the Academic Bulletin. The changes can also be compared to the previous requirements in the Academic Bulletin for 2022-2023 on page 34.
These changes were made to facilitate student success in graduating while also allowing flexibility and freedom in taking courses not required in their majors. A few changes to the general education requirements vary across degree programs and may still be required for specific majors.
It is mandatory for every student at USC Aiken to achieve at least 120 credit hours to receive their degree. The depletion of the general education classes allows for the other 89 credit hours to be achieved through major related, elective and minor/cognate courses.
The Registrar, Brock Gilliam, who oversees implementing the education changes in the university systems informs, “Any student admitted as of August 2023 [and] on will be under this new curriculum but if you were here prior to that then you can reclassify under the new curriculum.”
Students can reclassify in the academic resources section under forms on the USC Aiken website. The correct form to fill out is titled “Declare or Change a Major, Concentration, or Catalog Year” to request a catalog year reclassification. Once approved, the reclassification and change in education requirements will be reflected on student’s Degree Works.
