Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes requires state university students to complete 36 general education credit hours to earn a bachelor’s degree. The statute requires that students complete at least five general education core courses, at least one in each of the subject disciplines of communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. Core courses are standardized across institutions in the State University System and the Florida College System to ensure consistency and seamless transfer. The general education core course options are adopted in Board of Governors Regulation 8.005.
In 2023, Senate Bill (SB) 266 modified s. 1007.25, F.S., creating content standards for each of the five general education subject disciplines. Additionally, the bill created s. 1007.55, F.S., to specify content, principles, and standards for all general education, providing that every undergraduate student should graduate as an informed citizen by participating in rigorous general education courses that promote and preserve the constitutional republic through traditional, historically accurate, and high-quality coursework. General education courses should provide broad foundational knowledge to help students develop skills and habits that enable them to become more effective and lifelong learners. The new legislation requires public postsecondary institution boards of trustees and presidents to annually review and approve general education course requirements offered at their institutions.
State University System institutions’ general education course lists for the 2025-2026 Academic Year were approved by the Board of Governors at the January 30, 2025, meeting and the requested amendments were approved by the Chancellor. The approved lists for the 2025-26 Academic Year are linked below.