Undergraduate Advising Resource Center (UARC)
ACT 15 / CGER: Common General Education Requirements
What Faculty and Current Students Need to Know
UW Oshkosh will launch new General Education requirements beginning in Fall 2026.
Most current students will not need to update to the new requirements. Here’s what you most need to know:
How to use the New System
- Refer to Table 1 to see how current USP keywords/attributes convert to the new attributes in TitanWeb and College Scheduler.
- Use these Detailed instructions (go to STEP 2: Enroll in Courses) to learn how to search for courses using existing USP keywords/attributes in TitanWeb or College Scheduler.
- Only the new attribute will appear in the course title.
Do students have to change?
- No, most students will continue to follow current University Studies Program (USP) requirements.
- While CGER requires 34 credits, the current USP requires 37 credits but allows courses to carry multiple general education attributes. The CGER framework limits courses to only one general education attribute.
- Students may choose to switch to the new requirements (see Table 2) starting in Fall 2026.
- Students should consult their academic advisor to determine what is best
- If, after reviewing their Advisement Report, you are unsure if switching is in the best interest of the student, refer to UARC Drop-ins for further clarification to determine the best option
- If students decide to switch, they can email advising@uwosh.edu after September 8, 2026.
Table 1: USP Keywords/Attributes → Fall 2026 CGER Keywords/Attributes
| Current USP Requirement | USP Keyword / Attribute | New General Education Keyword/Attribute |
| WRT 188 or 110 | n/a | (CL) |
| COMM 111 or 112 | n/a | (CL) |
| WRT 288 or 310 | (XK) | (CL) |
| Math | (XM) | (MQR) |
| Explore Nature
(with lab) |
(XL) | (NSWL) |
| Explore Nature
(no lab) |
(XN) | (NSW) |
| Explore Culture | (XC) | (HA) |
| Explore Society | (XS) | (SBS) |
| Global Citizenship* | (GC), (GS) | (CP), Attribute: Global Citizenship* or Global Scholar* |
| Ethnic Studies* | (ES) | (CP), Attribute: Ethnic Studies* |
| Quest I | Q1 Attribute | FYE Attribute: First Year Experience |
| Quest II | Q2 Attribute | SYE Attribute: Second Year Experience |
| Quest III | Q3 Attribute | SYE Attribute: Second Year Experience |
*These courses will have a (CP) code in the title, however, using that keyword search will generate all (ES), (GC), and (GS) courses. Use these Detailed instructions (go to STEP 2: Enroll in Courses) to find specific (ES), (GC), or (GS) courses for USP.
Table 2: New General Education Requirements (Effective Fall 2026)
| General Education Requirement | Course Keyword | Min. Credits | Min. Courses |
| Communication & Literacy • First-year writing: WRT 188 or 110 • Second-year writing: WRT 288 or 310 • Public Speaking: COMM111 or 112 |
(CL) | 9 | 3 |
| Math & Quantitative Reasoning | (MQR) | 3 | 1 |
| Natural Science & Wellness (must include 1 lab course) |
(NSWL), (NSW) | 7 | 2 |
| Humanities & Arts (two subjects) | (HA) | 6 | 2 |
| Social & Behavioral Science (two subjects) | (SBS) | 6 | 2 |
| Civics & Perspectives (met by ES, GC, or GS) | (CP) | 3 | 1 |
| Totals | — | 34 | 11 |
Important Dates from the Registrar
- Last day to drop 14-week course without late drop appeal: March 18
- Spring 2026 Graduation Application Deadline: March 31
- Fall 2026 Enrollment Dates: April 6 – 10 – Juniors
- April 20 – 24 – Freshmen
- April 13 – 17 – Sophomores
- March 30 – April 3 – Seniors, Honors, Athletes
Career & Professional Development (CPD)
Career Learning Outcomes – Where Faculty Fit In
Faculty are central to this effort.
Students often identify faculty as the most influential people in helping them understand how their education connects to the future. Even small actions in the classroom—such as identifying career readiness skills used in the course, discussing applications of course concepts, or requiring reflection how what problems they are solving—can significantly shape how students see the value of their education.
Over the coming months, we will begin identifying where these outcomes naturally occur across courses, programs, and co-curricular experiences. Not every course needs to address every outcome. Instead, the goal is to collectively map the student experience across the university.
*Thank you to all the faculty/instructional academic staff that submitted proposals to reimaging your courses for fall 2026
*Career & Professional Development will be working with each school to define the milestones for the student experience.
New Student and Retention Programs (NSRP)
Welcoming Titans Early: Strengthening Enrollment Through Intentional Communication
At UW–Oshkosh, early and intentional communication plays a critical role in supporting student success and strengthening enrollment. This spring, Alicia Stuedemann, has been working closely with school directors across campus to deliver coordinated, student-centered messaging for students registered for Titan Takeoff Orientation (TTO) through Navigate—and to lay the groundwork for successful re‑enrollment.
Welcoming Students Before They Arrive
Beginning three weeks prior to each student’s Titan Takeoff Orientation date, students will receive a personalized welcome email from their academic school. These messages are sent from school-level accounts in Navigate, allowing students to feel an early sense of connection to their academic home while ensuring replies route directly to the appropriate team.
Students also receive messaging throughout the spring semester/summer from their Peer Mentors.
This early outreach reinforces that students are not just attending orientation, they are joining an academic community that is invested in their success.
A Coordinated Re‑Enrollment Plan
In addition to orientation messaging, NSRP is supporting a re‑enrollment campaign tailored to each school. These messages, sent on behalf of school leadership, will begin soon and target students with assigned faculty advisors.
The campaign focuses on clear, actionable steps, such as completing the Financial Agreement, locating advisors in Navigate, and preparing for course enrollment—while reinforcing that support is readily available. To further encourage follow-through, students will also receive three SMS text nudges from their school through Navigate. Once a student enrolls, they automatically exit the campaign.
We want to get as many students as we can to enroll in fall classes prior to leaving for the summer.
Partnership That Supports Students and Staff
This collaborative approach reflects a shared commitment to access, clarity, and student success at every stage of the enrollment journey.
As these campaigns launch, UW–Oshkosh continues to demonstrate that thoughtful, proactive communication is a powerful tool, not just for enrollment, but for building belonging from the very beginning.
If you have questions, as always, please reach out to Alicia Stuedemann – Director of New Student and Retention Programs
READ Center
Faculty Advisors: As you meet with students, please note that the READ Center will be offering 4 one-credit fully asynchronous courses this summer. These courses are designed to support students in developing key skills that can strengthen their performance across disciplines.
ACAD Summer Classes:
June 15th-August 7th (8-weeks)
Online Asynchronous
1 credit each
**ACAD 125: Learning Strategies for College Success**
Learn how to study smarter, manage your time, take better notes, and stay motivated — all to help you succeed in your classes.
**ACAD 169: College Reading Strategies**
Boost your reading confidence with strategies that help you understand, remember, and break down college‑level texts.
**ACAD 175: Strategies for Online Learning**
Master the skills you need for online classes — staying focused, staying organized, and engaging effectively in online coursework.
**ACAD 176: Collegiate Reading**
Join a book‑club‑style class where you’ll read and discuss *Stolen Focus* by Johann Hari.
