2024 Updates to the Core Curriculum
The Faculty Senate approved seven changes to the Core Curriculum and student learning outcomes in April 2024, following a two-year review.
Core Curriculum updates effective Fall 2025 and forward
Competencies: New competencies are Critical and Creative Thinking, Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning, Communication, and Responsible Citizenship. Previous competencies (HMVV, HEE and EC) no longer exist.
Student Learning Outcomes: All student learning outcomes in the Core Curriculum are expressed in one central outcome per requirement and newly reworded for precision and clarity.
Requirements: No more than four requirements (not including OCO and WCO) may be met in one subject area as indicated by prefix. Restrictions for previous competencies (HMVV, HEE and EC) are no longer in effect.
Vetting: Courses, excluding WCO and OCO, may be vetted for up to two Core attributes, plus WEM (if applicable). Faculty providing courses designated as Finding Ourselves in Community (FSC) may simultaneously vet their course for Cultural Awareness (CA) if appropriate and desired.
Submitting Courses: An updated online submission form will be available August 2025 with guidelines for submitting in all areas of the Core Curriculum. Vetting workshops will be offered in Fall 2025.
How does this impact advising?
Click here for the updated advising worksheet.
Summer or Fall 2025 New or Transfer Students: Staff and faculty involved in summer advising will be provided information about how advising will change during summer orientations. Advising workshops will be offered during Fall 2025.
Summer or Fall 2024 New or Transfer Students: The two changes noted above are in effect for students who enrolled at TCU in summer or fall 2024. These students may take Natural Science (NSC) courses in one prefix area. Their records have been updated to show whether they have brought or transferred in CA, GA, or CSV credits.
Existing students enrolled at TCU prior to Fall 2024: Existing TCU students can either follow the requirements of the undergraduate catalog in the year they enrolled, or decide to update to the newest version of the catalog, i.e., with these new Core adjustments. This is a decision that should be made carefully with their advisors since a change in catalog is not always in the best interest of faster degree completion. A new advising tool will be introduced soon to help with Core Curriculum advising.
Do these changes affect how faculty submit courses?
Courses, excluding WCO and OCO, may be vetted for up to two Core attributes, plus WEM (if applicable). An updated online submission form will become available in August along with guidelines for submitting in all areas of the Core Curriculum. Vetting workshops will be offered in fall 2025. Click here to access TCU Core Curriculum outcomes.
Click here to access TCU Core Curriculum outcomes.
Updated Student Competencies and Learning Outcomes
Review the updated student competencies and learning outcomes. Click here for the latest TCU Core Curriculum competencies and learning outcomes.
Core Refresh Workshops
Workshops explaining the changes and how they affect you will be offered in the fall semester 2025 through the Koehler Center.