General Education Requirements

The SUNY General Education Framework prepares undergraduate students for future study, careers, life, and global citizenship. If you are enrolling in a SUNY associate or bachelor’s degree program, completing general education requirements is mandatory.

The SUNY general education curriculum is designed to give students a strong academic foundation. All first-time students entering associate or bachelor's degree programs in Fall 2026 must complete these requirements.

How Many Credits Are Required?

Beginning in Fall 2026, first-time undergraduate students must:

• Complete 30 general education credits
• Take courses in 4 required knowledge and skills areas
• Take courses in at least 3 other knowledge and skills areas (for A.A.-, A.S.-, and all bachelor's degree programs)
• Fulfill all 3 core competencies

SUNY General Education Knowledge and Skills Areas

Required for All Students:

• Communication (Written and Oral)
• Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
• Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning)
• Natural Sciences (Scientific Reasoning)

Choose At Least 3 Additional Areas (except for students in A.O.S. and A.A.S. degree programs):

• Humanities
• Social Sciences
• The Arts
• U.S. History and Civic Engagement
• World History and Global Awareness
• World Languages

SUNY Core Competencies (Required)

All students must demonstrate proficiency in:

• Critical Thinking and Reasoning
• Information Literacy
• Civic Discourse

SUNY Seamless Transfer Explained

SUNY’s transfer policy makes it easier to move between campuses. If you complete SUNY general education requirements at one campus, another SUNY campus must accept those credits toward its general education requirements.

This ensures:

• Faster degree completion
• No repeated coursework
• Easier transfers within SUNY

Each SUNY campus and major may have additional general education or program-specific requirements. Always work with an academic advisor to confirm your plan. Specific requirements can vary by campus.

Visit the SUNY campus requirements page to learn about:

• Major-specific requirements
• Course options
• Transfer pathways