General Education & Residency Requirements

Oral and Written Communication (6 credits)

Part A (3 credits): Completion can be demonstrated by satisfying one of the following options:

1. Earning at least three credits with a grade of C or higher in English 102, or transferring at least three credits with a grade of C or higher in a course equivalent to English 102 or higher level expository writing course, or
2. Achieving an appropriate score on the UW System English Placement Test (EPT),or other appropriate test, as determined by the English Department.

Part B (3 credits):  Satisfied by completing an approved advanced course or previously completed course (at least three credits) with a significant written or oral communication component. Courses that count toward this requirement may be offered in a variety of disciplines and you are encouraged to choose the course that matches you interests and helps you best meet the requirements of your degree.

Quantitative Literacy (6 credits)

Part A (3 credits): Completion can be demonstrated by satisfying one of the following options:

• Earning at least three credits with a grade of C or higher in Math 102, 103 (formerly 106), 105, 108, 111, 116, 175 or equivalent course, or
• Achieving a placement code of at least 30 on the UW System mathematics placement test.

Part B (3+ credits): Satisfied by completing at least one approved course or previously completed course (at least three credits) as determined by the academic major. These make significant use of quantitative tools in the context of other course material.

Foreign Language Requirement (6 credits)

Completion of the foreign language requirement can be demonstrated by satisfying one of the following options:

• Prior to enrollment at UWM, complete, with passing grades, at least two consecutive years of high school-level instruction in a single foreign language, or
• Complete at least two consecutive courses (or previously completed semesters (minimum total of six credits) of college level instruction in a single foreign language, or
• Demonstrate foreign language ability equivalent to two courses of college-level instruction by means of a satisfactory score on an approved placement, proficiency, departmental or other appropriate examination.

Distribution Requirements (21 credits)

You can satisfy the distribution requirements by successfully completing courses in the following areas:

• Arts (3 credits): Study history, philosophy, theory, or practice of the creative and interpretive arts (e.g., visual arts, dance, music, theatre, creative writing).
• Humanities (6 credits): Must be from at least two courses
• Natural Sciences (6 credits): Must be from at least two courses; one of which must include laboratory or field experience involving the generation and testing of data, and the application of concepts and knowledge to the solution of problems.
• Social Sciences (6 credits): Must be from at least two courses

Cultural Diversity (3 credits)

Three credits in a course relating to the study of life experiences of African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians or Asian Americans. Many, but not all, courses which satisfy Cultural Diversity also satisfy one of the required distribution areas.

English & Math Core Requirements (6 credits)

You must complete CGS ENG 102x (3 credits), and 3 credits of mathematics coursework, to satisfy this requirement. You may be able to use placement testing, credit-by-exam, or transfer credit to satisfy this area.

Arts & Humanities (9 credits)

You will acquire knowledge of ideas, beliefs, and abiding concerns pertaining to the human condition as represented in literature, the arts, and cultural history. Your nine credits must include at least one arts course and at least one humanities course.

Mathematics & Natural Science (11 credits)

You will learn about the workings of the physical universe, the functions of numerical data and the solving of problems through mathematical and statistical computations, as well as the application of the scientific method in laboratory and experimental work. Choose a minimum of 11 credits in at least two different scientific disciplines and one laboratory science course.

Social Sciences (9 credits)

You will learn about the nature and dynamics of human social systems and how and why people organize their lives and resources.  Choose a minimum of 9 credits in at least two different disciplines.

Applied Scholarship (3 credits)

You must engage with academic material in a manner that is different from what is typical in a first or second-year college course. You must spend significant time on purposeful tasks, receive and respond to substantial feedback, and engage in interaction with instructors and other students. Courses here may be double counted toward another breadth category. 

Cultural Diversity (3 credits)

You will learn about a variety of diversity issues and problems. Courses fulfilling this requirement will have a substantial emphasis on cultural diversity within the United States. Complete a minimum of 3 credits. These courses may also satisfy another breadth category.

Reading & Writing (3 Credits)

This requirement assists you in developing effective communication through the mastery of reading and writing skills. Some students may be exempt from the Reading and Writing Skills requirement on the basis of test scores, while others may be required to complete ENGL 100 in addition to ENGL 101. 

The UW Flexible Option general education competency set, CGS ENG 102x, may be used to satisfy this category if needed.

Computational Skills (3 Credits)

This requirement assists you in developing effective basic computational skills necessary to an informed citizenry and provides support for other disciplines. While some students may be exempt from the Computational Skills requirement on the basis of test scores, other students may be required to complete a course or courses in computational skills (e.g. MATH 10 or MATH 15) in addition to MATH 111, 103 or 102. 

The UW Flexible Option general education course, CGS MAT 105x, may be used to satisfy this category if needed. Most students complete this requirement with the business algebra coursework in their major. 

Ethnic Diversity (3 Credits)

The ethnic diversity requirement is defined by UW System policy to include study of Native American, African American, Latino, and/or Asian American populations in the United States. 

Select UW Flexible Option general education courses may be used to satisfy this category if needed: CGS CTA 210x (Introduction to Intercultural Communications) CGS MUS 273x (Jazz History & Appreciation); CGS HIS 102x (History of U.S. Civil War to Present).

Social Sciences (12 credits)

Credits must come from three or more disciplines. 

Select UW Flexible Option general education courses can fulfill this category if needed: CGS ANT 100x (Gen. Anthropology); CGS BUS 101x (Intro. to Business); CGS GSW 101x (Intro Women’s Studies); CGS HIS 102x (History of U.S.: Civil War to Present); CGS PSY 202x (Intro. Psychology); CGS SOC 101x (Intro. Sociology).

Natural Science (12 credits)

Credits must come from three or more disciplines. 

Select UW Flexible Option general education courses can fulfill this category if needed:  CGS BIO 141x (Heredity); CGS BIO 190x (Introduction to Environmental Sciences); CGS CHE 124x (Food Chemistry with Lab); CGS GEO 125x (Physical Geography with Lab); CGS HES 209 (Nutrition and Weight Control).

Humanities (12 credits)

Credits must come from three or more disciplines. 

Select UW Flexible Option general education courses can fulfill this category if needed: CGS GSW 102x (Women’s Voices); CGS MUS 173x (Music & Literature Appreciation); CGS ART 161x (Introduction to Photography); CGS CTA 103x (Introductory Public Speaking); CGS REL 101x (Introduction to the Study of Religion); CGS MUS 273x (Jazz History & Appreciation).

Earned Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree from a Regionally-Accredited Institution

All general education requirements and all BSBA electives are satisfied if you have earned this level of degree.

Completion of a Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree (AAS) from a University of Wisconsin branch campus

All general education requirements and all BSBA electives are satisfied if you have earned this degree.

Completion of a Liberal Arts Associate Degree from a Regionally-Accredited Institution

All general education requirements and all BSBA electives are satisfied if you have earned this type of degree.

Completion of Other Associate Degrees

Associate degrees earned in applied science or applied arts and associate degrees from other institutions do not automatically fulfill general education requirements. However, coursework will be evaluated on a case by case basis to ensure maximum applicability to general education or elective credits. Any remaining general education or elective requirements may be satisfied through academic work offered within the UW Flexible Option, additional transfer work having an appropriate UW­-Parkside credit equivalency, or through credit-by-examination with the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).

Successful Completion of General Education Requirements through Prior Coursework

We will evaluate your transcripts with some college-level academic work but no qualifying degree (as listed above) on a case-by-case basis to determine how your prior academic work satisfies general education requirements. Any remaining general education or elective requirements may be satisfied through academic work offered within the UW Flexible Option, additional transfer work with UW­-Parkside credit equivalency, or through credit-by-examination with the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).

Successful Performance on Tests

You may request evaluation of test results in lieu of coursework to satisfy the Reading & Writing Skills and/or Computational Skills general education requirements.

• Test options that waive or grant credit for the Reading & Writing Skills requirement include:
  • AP English Language & Composition exam score of 4 or 5; students receive equivalent credits
  • IB English Writing Exam Score (Higher Level) of 4 or higher; students receive equivalent credits
  • CLEP Exam Score of 55 on the ‘College Composition’ exam; students receive equivalent credits
  • A score on the UW System English Placement Exam that places the student at a level beyond English 101. The test must have been completed within the last 12 months. No credits are awarded; however, students are waived from the English Composition requirement
• Test options that waive or grant credit for the Computational Skills requirement include:
  • CLEP Exam Score of 60 on the ‘College Algebra’ exam; students receive equivalent credits
  • A score on the UW System mathematics Placement Exam that places the student at a level beyond Math 111. The test must have been completed within the last 12 months. No credits are awarded; however, students are waived from the computational skills requirement.

Exams may be used to satisfy additional degree requirements beyond just the Reading & Writing and Computational Skills base requirements. For a complete list of exams and the way they transfer in, you can view the credit-by-exam table.

Satisfying Program Competency Area Requirements through Prior Coursework

You may transfer credits to satisfy projects in the following six competency areas only:  Business Economics I and II, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Business Algebra, and Business Statistics.  You must have earned a minimum of a C (or equivalent) grade in such coursework for it to be considered for transfer.  For transfer credit considered equivalent to the aforementioned competency areas, the courses embedded in the competency areas are considered completed unless otherwise noted.

Only academic work completed at institutions accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation are eligible for transfer credits.