General Education Overview

Composition 1

4-6 credit hours
Introduces foundational writing and communication skills, with a focus on argumentation, analysis, and academic writing. Courses help students develop clarity, organization, and critical thinking in written communication.

Complete one of the following:

• RHET 101 & 102
• RHET 105
• CMN 111 & CMN 112 (completing this sequence waives CMN 101 in the Business Core)
• ESL 111 & 112
• ESL 115

This requirement may also be fulfilled via proficiency credits earned from certain Advanced Placement (AP) credits, Advanced Level (A Level) credits, or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits. It may also be earned through certain official ACT or SAT scores, if you chose to have them used in the evaluation of your application to Illinois.

View the complete list of Composition 1 proficiency credits for more information. 

Advanced Composition

3 credit hours
Builds on introductory writing skills with more specialized or discipline-based writing. Emphasizes professional, technical, or research-focused communication.

Please note, BTW 250, Principles of Business Communication, is recommended for potential CPA Exam Candidates.

Limited transfer courses are accepted, including equivalents to:

• BTW 250 (recommended for CPA candidates)
• BTW 261, BTW 263
• RHET 233, RHET 243

Quantitative Reasoning

3-5 credit hours
Develops skills in mathematical thinking, data analysis, and problem-solving. Courses focus on interpreting quantitative information and applying logical reasoning.

This requirement is fulfilled through the Business Core math requirement.

Language Other Than English (LOTE)

0-20 hours
Promotes proficiency in a language other than English while building cultural awareness. Students develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.

Students entering 2021 and beyond
You must have proficiency at the third semester level, satisfied by:

• 3 years of one language in high school, or
• 3rd-level college coursework. View the courses approved for language requirements.

Humanities and the Arts

Explores human expression, creativity, and thought through literature, philosophy, history, and the arts. Strengthens critical thinking, creativity, and understanding of human behavior and values.

Students entering Fall 2024 and beyond (unless you made a special request)
2 courses; 6 credit hours

You must complete two unique courses in either subcategory to fulfill this requirement.

• Course 1: Literature and the Arts or Historical and Philosophical Perspectives
• Course 2: Literature and the Arts or Historical and Philosophical Perspectives

Students entering Fall 2023 and earlier
3 courses; 9 credit hours

You must have three unique or different courses to fulfill these categories

• Course 1: Literature and the Arts
• Course 2: Historical and Philosophical Perspectives
• Course 3: Additional 200+ level course from either category

Natural Sciences and Technology

2 courses; 6-8 credit hours
Introduces scientific thinking and technological concepts that support innovation and problem-solving. Useful for understanding data, emerging technologies, and operational processes.

You must complete two unique courses. They may be taken in either category - Life Sciences or Physical Sciences. 

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Examines human behavior and social systems, including economic, psychological, and societal dynamics. Courses help students understand how individuals and groups interact.

Students entering Fall 2024 and beyond (unless you made a special request)

This requirement is fulfilled through the ECON 102 and ECON 103 requirements of the business core.

Students entering Fall 2023 and earlier
1 course, 3 credit hours

You must complete one course in the Behavioral Sciences category.

Note: The Social Science category is fulfilled through completion of ECON 102 or ECON 103. 

Cultural Studies

3 courses; 9 credit hours
Develops awareness of diverse cultural perspectives and social contexts. Essential for leading diverse teams, understanding customers, and operating in a global marketplace.

You must complete three unique courses. They must fulfill each of the categories below.

• Western Comparative Cultural Studies (1 course)
• Non-Western Cultural Studies (1 course)
• U.S. Minority Cultural Studies (1 course)