Students

UCF’s General Education Program (GEP) will spark your intellectual curiosity and creativity. You’ll study multiple disciplines, connect ideas across subjects, link what you’re learning to your major and use your knowledge to shape your future.

Which GEP Applies to You?

The semester you began taking classes at UCF determines your catalog year. You follow the GEP requirements in that year. For instance, if you began taking classes in fall 2022, your catalog year is 2022-23. Students that begin to take classes in summer or fall 2025 will complete the 2025-26 GEP requirements. To view the catalog that applies to you, visit the current UCF Undergraduate Catalog webpage or the catalog archive.

GEP Requirements

You’ll complete a minimum of 36 credit hours* by taking courses in five foundations.

* There are math and sciences courses that are four credit hours.

Credit Hours*

GEP Foundations

The Gordon Rule (State Rule 6A-10.30) applies to students who first enrolled in any college or university after October 1982. The rule requires students to complete four courses (twelve credit hours) of writing and to complete two courses (six credit hours) of mathematics at the level of college algebra or higher. Each course must be completed with a minimum grade of "C-" (1.75). Courses eligible to satisfy the Gordon Rule requirement must be on the approved list at the time the course is completed. See "The Gordon Rule" in the undergraduate catalog for more information.

Undergraduate degree-seeking students entering a state university since the 2018-19 Academic Year must demonstrate competency in civic literacy. See "Civic Literacy Requirement" in the undergraduate catalog for more information.

Communication
(12 credit hours)

Become successful writers, speakers and producers of digital materials in their academic, civic and professional worlds.

Humanities
(6 credit hours)

Understand common human themes, have an awareness of diverse cultures and understand the cultural, historical, economic and social implications of what they learn.

Mathematics
(6 credit hours)

Be well-informed citizens who can reason and apply analytical, statistical and computational methods to the challenges of a globally-diverse and technologically-rich environment.

Social Sciences
(6 credit hours)

Access and decipher information in a world of conflicting sources.

Natural Sciences
(6 credit hours)

Understand scientific methods and connect and apply them to challenges facing society.

Use the GEP Work Sheet as your guide

The GEP Work Sheet is your guide to fulfilling your requirements. It indicates the required courses and other options from which you can select. Be sure to review the GEP requirements for your catalog year. The undergraduate catalog is the official source for GEP requirements.

GEP Worksheet Graphic for 2025-2026 copy

Students entering UCF during the 2025-26 school year

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Students who entered UCF during 2024-25 or earlier

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Pro Tips

As soon as you’re admitted to UCF, review your GEP requirements and map out the courses you’ll take each semester.

Select courses that will help you fulfill graduation requirements, such as Gordon Rule and Civic Literacy. (The GEP Work Sheet indicates the requirements a course fulfills.)

Take classes that are prerequisites for courses in your major.

Don’t be afraid to choose a class in a subject that interests you, even if you have no prior experience with the subject matter. Lead with curiosity!

Meet with your academic success coach to select and register for courses that meet your academic, professional and personal goals.

GEP Myth Busters

Myth: GEP courses are a repeat of my high school classes.

Fact: High school classes gave you a broad understanding of core subjects like math, science and English. UCF’s GEP courses focus on topics at a much deeper level. Your instructors will challenge you to analyze complex ideas, consider different viewpoints and clearly communicate your ideas.

Myth: The GEP is checking off requirements so that I can take classes that will prepare me for my career.

Fact: Taking classes in different fields will help you succeed in your major by challenging you to explore topics through a different lens, consider different viewpoints and express your ideas verbally and in writing. Some GEP courses may be prerequisites for classes in your major and fulfill requirements, such as Gordon Rule and Civic Literacy.

The knowledge and experience you acquire will prepare you for the demands of the workforce of the future. As you fulfill GEP requirements, you’ll acquire knowledge and participate in experiences that will hone skills such as communication and problem-solving. GEP courses combined with classes in your major is a powerhouse that will prepare you for the opportunities that lie ahead, including graduate school and the workforce.

Myth: I don’t need to learn about subjects that don’t interest me.

Fact: College is about challenging yourself to see the world differently. Taking classes outside of your major might uncover strengths and interests you didn’t know you had.

Myth: Taking classes outside of my major won’t help me get a job in my field.

Fact: In today’s competitive job market, the strongest candidates have the right credentials, as well as skills like critical thinking, problem solving and team building. For instance, ninety-six percent of employers consider communication as the most important career readiness skill.

What students are saying

Introduction to Communications has changed my perspective on life and how I interact with people on a daily basis especially in my career. The professor was amazing and hilarious. I have never been so intrigued and focused in one course as much as I was in this at UCF. It taught me how to communicate effectively and what the basic manners and communication styles are. I learned so much and techniques I can use for the rest of my life.

I took Intro to Philosophy as a joke/supposedly easy A, but I ended up gaining a lot from it. One of the biggest and most important things that I gained was the ability to looks at issues from different viewpoints. It was one of the first times in life where I was challenged to think outside the box and force myself to look at issues from multiple viewpoints instead of just going about things in a linear path as I normally would. This skill would go onto help me immensely in life both personally and professionally.

General Psychology affected my perception of myself and others. I believe the class made me more sympathetic and gave me an overall awareness that everyone’s psychology is unique and at times influenced by factors beyond their control. I assume many of the ideas presented in this class went on to ignite my interest in film. I still enjoy learning about psychology, especially as it relates to creating interesting characters for narrative storytelling.