Indiana University Bloomington is revising its undergraduate general education curriculum and that work has been guided by faculty and academic units. The curriculum—first implemented in 2009 includes six common-ground requirements and five shared goals. The goal is to create a more cohesive, forward-looking experience that provides students with a strong intellectual foundation for the future.
Charting the next chapter of general education at IUB
Our work
IU Bloomington’s general education revision is grounded in three key priorities: simplicity, transparency, and student success. A new model will aim to make degree requirements easier to understand and navigate, ensuring that every student—regardless of major—builds from the same foundation for pursuing their degree at IU.
By establishing uniform requirements across all undergraduate programs, IU Bloomington ensures that every student shares a common academic foundation rooted in critical thinking, communication, and global awareness.
The charge to the committee is to recommend a revised structure for general education on the Bloomington campus. The committee is also charged with recommending a general education curriculum that will allow for transferability across IU campuses, helping students move seamlessly within the IU system while staying on track toward graduation.
Our process
Over the past several years, IU Bloomington faculty engaged in thoughtful conversations about the future of general education on campus. Following a comprehensive review launched in 2019. They worked from 2019-2023, presenting a final written report to the faculty in spring 2024. In fall 2024, the BFC Long Range Planning committee took the next steps in the process to explore following questions for redefining general education at IUB.
- What is the right mix of General Education required credits and academic major requirements?
- How can the campus incorporate the elements for a First Year Experience from the 2030 strategic plan into the gen ed requirements?
- What framework and principles should guide revisions to the general education curriculum?
After multiple years of intentional conversations with faculty from throughout the campus, we are now positioned to move forward with making final recommendations for general education reform on the IUB campus.
Key findings recommended a focus on the following:
- Simplify the general education structure;
- Clarify the goals and purpose of general education to be easily understood by faculty and students;
- Remove the shared goals from general education and focus on a revamping the common ground structure; and
- Practical changes for how the current general ed system functions.
Indiana University has charged a committee to review and redesign general education at IU Bloomington. The committee hopes to share initial recommendations for feedback by January 2026.
The committee will be providing opportunities for stakeholders throughout campus to provide feedback on the recommendations. A draft copy of the recommendations will be available here in January 2026 and a feedback mechanism will be provided through the site.
What this means for our campus
For students
The redesigned IUB General Education curriculum is built to make your path clear, flexible, and more connected to real-world learning.
Simpler structure
Clearer requirements mean less confusion and more opportunity for electives, minors, double majors, and interdisciplinary study.
Transfer-ready and consistent
Your credits will transfer more smoothly across IU campuses and partner institutions, ensuring your progress counts wherever you study.
Connected learning
New “inquiry” and “integration” courses help you connect ideas across disciplines—seeing how different fields come together to solve real-world problems.
Transition support
Current students will stay under existing requirements. The new Gen Ed launches for incoming students in Fall 2026, with advisors ready to guide you through your options.
A stronger foundation
You’ll graduate with skills and experiences that prepare you for success—whether in advanced study, your career, or your community.
For faculty and advisors
The Gen Ed redesign is a faculty-driven effort to strengthen student learning and create a more coherent, equitable undergraduate experience.
Aligning courses
Faculty can align existing courses—or propose new ones—to fit the new Gen Ed categories.
Ongoing renewal
Gen Ed courses will be reviewed and recertified on a regular cycle to ensure they meet evolving goals and standards.
Resources and support
The Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education will offer workshops, sample syllabi, and consultation sessions to help with course design and approval. Faculty development grants may support innovative redesigns.
Advising tools
Advisors will receive updated training and resources, with systems like Stellic and Degree Map reflecting the new Gen Ed requirements.
Collaboration and recognition
The redesign invites creativity and teamwork across disciplines. Faculty and advisors who innovate in Gen Ed teaching will be recognized for their contributions to student success.
Meet the committee
To guide this important work, IU Bloomington has assembled a diverse committee of experts representing schools and academic units across campus, along with members of the administration and student body. Nominations were solicited from deans and policy chairs from all the schools/College. Together, they bring a range of perspectives to ensure the revised general education curriculum reflects the needs and strengths of the entire IU community.
Committee
Danielle DeSawal, co-chair, Clinical Professor, School of Education |
Luoheng Han, co-chair, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education |
Corrin Clarkson, Director of General Education, Department of Mathematics, College of Arts + Sciences |
Brian Yanites, Associate Professor, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, College of Arts + Sciences |
Jeremy Schott, Professor, Department of Religious Studies, College of Arts + Sciences |
Anna Mueller, Professor, Department of Sociology, College of Arts + Sciences |
Justin Grossman, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education, Director of Office of Undergraduate Curriculum, O'Neill School |
Deb Christiansen, Executive Director of Academics, Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design |
Andrea Need, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Affairs; Director, Undergraduate Academic Affairs, O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs |
Bridget Stomberg, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, Kelley School of Business |
Meredith Park Rogers, Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Teacher Education, School of Education |
Clark Barwick, Kelley School of Business; Assistant Dean for Curriculum and Teaching, Hutton Honors College |
Michael Lundell, Senior Assistant Vice Provost, Office of Undergraduate Education |
Michael Carroll, Registrar, Office of the Registrar |
Zach Goldberg, Student Body President |
Kyle Adams, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Jacobs School of Music |
Britney Arce, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Nursing |
Meggan Press, Teaching and Learning Engagement Librarian, IU Libraries |
Karolina Serafin, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of French and Italian, College of Arts + Sciences |