J - General Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees

Candidates for undergraduate degrees must fulfill the following requirements. (See the College of Graduate Studies section for the requirements for graduate degrees. See the College of Law section for the requirements for the degree of Juris Doctor.)

J-1. Credit Requirements

J-1-a. Minimum Credits for Baccalaureate Degrees

Students must have earned a minimum of 120 credits to be granted a baccalaureate degree and a minimum of 60 credits to be granted an associate degree from the University of Idaho. Some programs require a higher minimum. For the minimum number of credits required in each degree program, see the major curricula of the various degree-granting units in the individual departmental section.

J-1-b. Minimum Upper-Division Credits for Baccalaureate Degrees

A minimum of 36 credits in upper-division courses (numbered 3000 or above) is required for a baccalaureate degree.

J-1-c. Up to 6 credits of institutional coursework numbered 4000 or higher, with a grade of B or higher, used towards a baccalaureate degree may also be used towards a graduate degree with the approval of the student’s major professor.

J-2. Residency Requirements

A baccalaureate student must earn a minimum of 30 upper-division credits in U of I courses.  An associate student must earn a minimum of 15 credits in U of I courses. No credits awarded for alternative credit opportunities (see regulation I) or non-U of I sponsored independent study courses can be counted among these U of I credits. Study abroad and student exchange credits may be counted toward this requirement with prior approval by the student's academic department and dean.

J-3. General Education Curriculum and Learning Outcomes

At the University of Idaho, we are committed to preparing students with the skills necessary to thrive in an evolving and interconnected world. Employers today seek graduates with durable skills—transferable competencies that remain valuable regardless of industry or career path. These skills align with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) competencies, which emphasize the importance of the following: 

  • Critical thinking and problem-solving: Analyzing complex issues and making informed decisions 
  • Communication: Effective written and oral communication in various settings 
  • Teamwork and collaboration: Working effectively with others to achieve common goals 
  • Professionalism and work ethic: Demonstrating integrity, accountability, and ethical decision-making 
  • Leadership: Using interpersonal skills to motivate and guide others toward a common goal 
  • Technology proficiency: Applying knowledge of emerging tools and digital literacy in the workplace 
  • Career and self-development: Taking initiative in personal and professional growth 

These competencies, highly valued by employers, align with the University of Idaho’s General Education Curriculum. Our general education courses help students develop durable skills while aligning with Idaho State Board of Education general education policies. This curriculum ensures that graduates are adaptable, analytical, and ethically responsible individuals capable of meeting workforce needs and contributing meaningfully to society. 

General Education Requirements

A student working toward a baccalaureate or associate degree must complete coursework in the nine categories described below (J-3-a through J-3-h), earning a total of 36 credits while meeting the minimum credit requirements for each category.

Transfer students may fulfill this requirement through one of two options, detail in "General Education Requirements for Transfer Students" in the Undergraduate Admission section of this catalog.

University of Idaho general education courses that can transfer to other Idaho state-funded institutions as general education credits are designated as General Education Matriculated (GEM) courses in the General Catalog. The list of courses fulfilling each category is reviewed and updated annually in the spring. Students and advisors should review the updated list when it is published to identify newly approved courses. A course approved for general education credit can be used to satisfy those requirements even if the course is completed prior to being approved as a general education course.

Note: Remedial courses cannot be used to satisfy general education requirements. Degree-seeking students must be enrolled in ENGL 1101, ENGL 1101P, or ENGL 1102 in their first semester in residence and continue enrollment each semester until they pass ENGL 1102. They must enroll in MATH 1080 or a course that meets the general education requirement in Mathematical Ways of Knowing in their first year in residence and continue enrollment each semester until they fulfill the Mathematical Ways of Knowing requirement.

J-4. Grade Requirements

To qualify for an undergraduate degree, a candidate must have a U of I grade-point average of 2.00 or better. See exceptions under E-4 and E-5.

J-5. Credit Limitations

A candidate may count toward an undergraduate degree no more than:

J-5-a. Thirty credits earned in Experiential Learning and Technical Competency for a baccalaureate degree and fifteen credits for an associate degree (see regulation I-2-b and I-2-c).

J-5-b. Twelve credits earned under the pass-fail option for a baccalaureate degree and six credits for an associate degree (see regulation B-11).

J-5-c. Zero credits in remedial-level courses.

J-5-d. Zero credits earned in Professional Development courses.

J-6. Assignment of Curricular Requirements (Catalog Issue)

In addition to fulfilling the general university requirements for degrees, candidates for baccalaureate or associate degrees must satisfy the particular requirements specified for their curricula. The pertinent requirements are those contained in the most recent U of I catalog issue that was in effect at the time of, or subsequent to, the candidate's initial enrollment as a degree-seeking student at U of I. The earliest catalog issue available to students readmitted as a degree-seeking student at the U of I is the most recent catalog at the time of re-enrollment. A catalog issue is valid for a maximum of seven years from its effective date. The effective date of a catalog issue is the first Monday following spring graduation.

J-7. Concurrent and Subsequent Baccalaureate Degrees

J-7-a. Concurrent Degrees

A student may concurrently pursue degrees in one or more colleges. For exceptions to this rule, see General Studies. In addition to the university requirements, students must fulfill the departmental and college requirements for all degrees. 

J-7-b. Subsequent Degrees

Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree and who wish to complete the requirements for a subsequent degree must earn at least 15 credits as an undergraduate student after completion of the previous baccalaureate degree, and they must fulfill the university, departmental, and college requirements for the second degree. For exceptions to this regulation, see General Studies.

J-8. Degree with Double Major

Students may complete two different majors (curricula) offered under a particular baccalaureate degree and have both majors shown on their academic records and diplomas, e.g., Bachelor of Arts with majors in history and political science. In addition to the university requirements, students must fulfill the departmental and college requirements for all majors. Each of the majors must lead to the same degree. When majors leading to different degrees are involved, see the requirements applicable to the awarding of a concurrent baccalaureate degree (J-7-a).

J-9. Academic Minors

J-9-a. Academic Minors

An academic minor is a prescribed course of study consisting of 18 or more credits which supplements an undergraduate major at the University of Idaho. For descriptions of minor curricula, see the programs of the degree-granting units in the individual departmental section. In the following paragraphs of J-9, "minor" denotes "academic minor," which is to be distinguished from "teaching minor"; for information on the latter, see the Department of Curriculum and Instruction section.

J-9-b. Multiple Minors

A baccalaureate degree seeking student may pursue one or more minors in addition to a major by filing with the registrar a declaration of intention to do so. Completion of a minor is required only if specified by the degree-granting unit, but any minor completed is recorded on the student's academic record.

J-9-c. Transfer Credit

Transfer credits may be applied to a minor; however, at least 9 credits of those completing the minor’s requirements must be in U of I courses. Similar to the residency requirements for a baccalaureate degree in J-2, no credits awarded for non-U of I sponsored independent study courses, bypassed courses (see I-2-d), credit by examination (see I-1-a, I-1-c, or I-2-a), College Level Examination Program (CLEP – see I-2-b), or experiential learning (see I-2-b) can be counted among these 9 U of I credits. Study abroad and student exchange credits may be counted toward this requirement with prior approval by the student’s academic department and dean.

J-9-d. Minor-Only

A student may complete an undergraduate minor even though they have already earned a baccalaureate degree at the University of Idaho. If the sole objective is to complete an undergraduate minor, the student should declare a “Minor-Only” curriculum in the department offering the minor. Students who declare a minor-only curriculum are not eligible for financial aid funds (see the Student Financial Aid Services section).