News Summary
The University of South Florida’s Board of Trustees has approved over 150 new general education courses set to begin in fall 2026. This includes a focus on lower-level and interdisciplinary offerings. The courses will be submitted for state review by December 1, 2023, with a goal to align with new state regulations regarding educational content. While the changes aim to enhance compliance, some faculty members express concerns over the impact of downgrading upper-level courses. Overall, USF seeks to provide a balanced educational framework amidst evolving curricular standards.
Tampa, Florida – The University of South Florida (USF) is set to implement significant changes to its general education curriculum starting in fall 2026. The USF Board of Trustees (BOT) unanimously approved over 150 new general education courses for the 2026-27 academic year during a meeting held on August 28. This decision reflects an increase of more than 20 courses compared to the current academic year.
The approved courses are scheduled to be submitted to the Florida Board of Governors (BOG) for review by December 1, 2023. This review will ensure compliance with the state’s new general education requirements. The newly proposed courses primarily focus on interdisciplinary and lower-level language offerings, which includes Beginning Spanish I. Other notable additions include courses such as Small Group Communication, Sacred Texts, Epidemics and Pandemics in World History, and Energy and Humanity.
If confirmed by the BOG, the changes to USF’s general education curriculum will emphasize lower-level classes exclusively, aligning with state statutory requirements. The Florida Statutes 1007.24, 1007.25, and 1007.55 provide the framework for developing this new general education program. Statute 1007.25 notably specifies that general education courses must not be grounded in theories that suggest systemic racism, sexism, oppression, or privilege are inherent within US institutions. Additionally, Statute 1007.55 stipulates that educators must deliver “traditional, historically accurate and high-quality” content.
The course approval review process underwent amendments in 2023, as outlined by statute 1007.24. According to Marie Bourgeois, chair of USF’s general education council, a total of 61 new courses were initially proposed by faculty members, but only 23 were ultimately approved after thorough review by the Office of the Provost. These 23 courses contribute to a total of 154 courses USF must submit to the BOG for final approval.
Student Body President Sumit Jadhav conveyed enthusiasm regarding the addition of these new courses, highlighting the need for a balance between state compliance and the mission of USF. Starting in fall 2026, only 1000- and 2000-level courses will count towards general education requirements, meaning that 3000- and 4000-level courses will no longer satisfy these criteria. Importantly, students who have already taken upper-level classes will not need to retake any courses or lose credits towards their majors.
Despite the overall positive response, some professors have expressed dissatisfaction with the new limitations placed on general education courses. There are concerns about the forced modifications of upper-level courses being downgraded to lower-level status to secure approval. The BOT’s approval process is also required to align with any additional revisions mandated by the BOG.
This decision and the curriculum changes reflect the ongoing evolution within the higher education sector in Florida, particularly regarding curricular content and focus areas. With the upcoming alterations, USF aims to provide an educational framework that adheres to state guidelines while continuing to foster a comprehensive educational experience for its students.
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