Current Core Curriculum

A comprehensive review of The University of Alabama (UA) Core Curriculum was last performed in 1995, prompted by the creation of the 41/42-hour general studies curriculum by the Alabama Articulation and General Studies Committee (AGSC). UA slightly revised its Core Curriculum in 1997 to adopt the AGSC general studies curriculum, resulting in the 53/55-credit hour Core Curriculum in place today.  Except for students enrolled in the College of Engineering, UA’s current Core Curriculum requires:

AreaHours Required
Written Composition (FC)6
Writing Intensive (W)6Courses at the 300- and 400-level, preferably in the student’s major, approved for the writing designation
Computing (C) orForeign Language (FL)6-8Computer courses integrating software or writing computer programs OR two semesters or the equivalent in one foreign language
Humanities (HU)Literature (L) Fine Arts (FA)12Students must complete at least 3 semester hours in fine arts and literature AND a 6 semester hour sequence in either literature or history
History (HI)Social & Behavioral Sciences (SB)12Students must complete at least 3 semester hours in history AND a 6 semester hour sequence in either literature or history
Natural Sciences (NS)8Students must complete eight hours of natural sciences
Mathematics (MA)3Math 110 or higher
Total53-55

For students enrolled in the College of Engineering:

AreaHours Required
Written Composition (FC)6
Writing Intensive (W)6Courses at the 300- and 400-level, preferably in the student’s major, approved for the writing designation
Computing (C)6Computer courses integrating software or writing computer programs
Humanities (HU)Literature (L)

Fine Arts (FA)

9Students must complete a 6 semester hour sequence in at least one discipline of this category (H, L, FA) or the next category (HI, SB)
History (HI)Social & Behavioral Sciences (SB)9Students must complete a 6 semester hour sequence in at least one discipline of this category (HI, SB) or the preceding category (H, L, FA)
Natural Sciences (NS)Mathematics (MA)12Must include two hours of laboratory and Math 125 or higher
Total48