Shaping the General Education Core in Arkansas

Arkansas Division of Higher Education is committed to enhancing the quality and relevance of foundational learning across all public colleges and universities in the State of Arkansas. This comprehensive redesign aims to ensure that Arkansas graduates are well-prepared for both continued academic success and the evolving demands of the 21st-century workforce. The goal is to complete the work by Fall 2026 with full implementation by Fall 2027. Updates and resources are provided below.

Redesign Catalyst

ACT 566 of 2025 established a new 15-hour Requisite Core to serve as the basis for a minimum general education core curriculum established by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board for state-supported institutions of higher education. The new Requisite Core will replace the current Occupational Core and will serve as the foundation of the General Education Core.

The new Requisite Core includes the following requirements:

*required; may not be substituted

The current General Education Core includes the following requirements:

Workgroup

• Institutional Workgroup Members
• Meeting Agenda (TBA)
• Meeting Minutes (TBA)

Surveys & Results

• Initial Institutional Survey - Shaping the General Education Core in Arkansas
• Initial Institutional Survey Results
• General Education Core - Other State Summary and Analysis