New for Fall 2026: Additional Updates to the General Education Curriculum Policy
To: Academic Advisors, Student Support Personnel and Students
From: Abbie Sorg, Assistant Registrar, Academic Catalog & Policy
Subject: New for Fall 2026: Additional Updates to the General Education Curriculum Policy
Date: Oct 13, 2025
Upon the recommendation of the Civic Learning/Civic Knowledge Advisory Group and to satisfy General Education requirements defined by the Arizona Board of Regents, the Division of Undergraduate Education proposed updates to the General Education Curriculum policy. These changes implement a new Civic Institutions requirement and reduce the existing Building Connections requirement to maintain the overall General Education curriculum total of 32 units.
The updated General Education Curriculum policy was approved by the University-Wide General Education Committee, Undergraduate Council, Undergraduate College Academic Administrators Council, Faculty Senate, and the Provost during the fall of 2025. Amendments to the policy include:
- Adding a new 3-unit Civic Institutions requirement to General Education curriculum. These courses will emphasize the U.S. Constitution, principles and institutions of governance and civic engagement.
- Reducing the existing Building Connections requirement from 9 units to 6 units, maintaining the overall General Education total of 32 units.
- Removing attribute definitions from the policy to focus catalog policies on requirements for students. These conventions will instead be included on the General Education website as additional information for faculty and students.
The updates are a continuation of efforts that began in the 2024-2025 academic year to streamline the General Education curriculum. The guiding principles and previously approved updates can be viewed in the academic catalog. The General Education Implementation Advisory Group has been tasked with identifying implementation considerations & concerns, providing feedback on implementation options, and coordinating communication efforts.
While these policies are not in effect until the 2026-2027 catalog year, the amendments will be included as reference pages in the 2025-2026 catalog as a planning resource. View the amended policy text.
Questions about the updates to these policies should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar at catalog@arizona.edu.