University Core Curriculum

The University Core Curriculum (UCC) is a required component of all undergraduate degrees. The spirit of the UCC emerges from the kinds of intellectual attitudes the University strives to develop in students. The central purpose of the UCC is to enable students to live rich, satisfying lives and to undertake the broad responsibilities of citizenship in a free society. A bachelor’s degree at Ball State University requires a minimum of 120 credit hours, and about one-third of the degree consists of courses in the UCC. The remainder of the degree consists of courses in the major(s), minor(s), or electives.

Ball State students entering the university prior to Fall 2010 follow a core curriculum that is different than the one outlined below.  The current University Core Curriculum (UCC) has three tiers. Tier 1 includes the largest number of required courses. Descriptions of UCC courses can be found in the Advising Handbook and the Undergraduate Catalog.

In addition to the UCC classes, all students will also complete WISER+ requirements.The purpose of WISER+ is to integrate 21st Century skills into the curriculum. WISER+ courses ask students to engage in issues related to:

W = Writing

I = International Awareness

S = Service and Civic Engagement

E = Environmental Awareness and Sustainability

R = Respect for Human Liberty and Diversity among Peoples and Cultures

+

A = American Institutions and/or History

T = Technological Literacy

Students must complete a total of two WISER+ categories, one of which must carry a “W” designation. It is possible for a single course to meet more than one WISER+ requirement, although no course will carry more than three WISER+ designations. Courses with WISER+ designations may also be used to satisfy UCC and/or major requirements.

Your academic advisor will help you to understand the requirements of the UCC (including WISER+) and select appropriate courses.