A Liberal Arts Core FAQ

How do I meet Liberal Arts Core requirements?

Students consult with their academic advisers to select at least 31 hours of courses from the list of Basic Core Courses (Areas 1-6), distributed as indicated in the description of the program; at least one International Studies course (Area 7); at least one Multicultural Studies Course (Area 8); and enough additional courses from Areas 1-8 and the list of approved Core Electives to bring the total number of hours up to 40. Courses are offered by many different departments on a wide array of topics.

At what point during my college career should I satisfy the requirments of the Liberal Arts Core?

Liberal Arts Core classes are open to students at all levels of study, so a considerable amount of flexibility is possible. Think of your Core as a foundation. The specific areas of interest you pursue once you declare a major or a minor field of study can be built upon the skills and content you have learned in your courses in the Core. After you have declared a major, Core courses can also complement courses in your major and/or minor and provide an interdisciplinary context for them. The Liberal Arts Core helps you discover directions and set goals. It also helps you to see how your interests fit into a bigger picture.

A good tip regarding the courses in Areas 1 and 2 (Composition and Mathematics): take these courses early! The knowledge and abilities you gain in those courses are the tools that will help you succeed later in other courses, both in the Core and in your major, as well as in your life after college.

How do I find out which courses count in the Liberal Arts Core?

Details about Core requirements, including a complete listing of approved courses, are in the front of the UNC Catalog, in the “General Information” section. The specific Core courses offered in any given semester will be published in the Schedule of Classes.

If I transfer from another college, can previous work satisfy my Core requirements at UNC?

Any course designated as a gtPathways course at any other Colorado institution will count towards the satisfaction Liberal Arts Core requirements in Areas 1-6. Transfer students who have completed equivalent programs as determined by the Admissions Office may be exempted from all or part of the requirements of the Liberal Arts Core.

Does completion of studies at a two-year community college meet the requirements of the Liberal Arts Core?

Any student who has earned a liberal-arts based Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree or who has completed an equivalent program as determined by the UNC Admissions office will receive credit for such work and be excused from areas 1-8 of the requirements.

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