General education requirements

The University’s general education requirements for all students are designed to be integrated throughout your four-year undergraduate experience. These courses provide you an opportunity to explore fields outside your major and complement your major curriculum with a multidisciplinary perspective. Both the BS in Health Sciences and BS in Health Professions degrees offered at the University of Minnesota Rochester require the same general education requirements.

UMR's General Education requirements will be changing in Fall of 2026. Below you will find both sets of requirements. The Current Requirements must be fulfilled by students who were admitted to UMR prior to Fall of 2026. The Future Requirements (2026+) must be fulfilled by students who will be admitted to UMR in the Fall of 2026 and onward. Students planning to transfer to UMR in Fall 2026 should use the Future Requirements for their transfer planning. A more complete description of the 2026 requirements can be found at z.umn.edu/UMRGenEd

Current General Education requirements

General Education Areas

The general education areas guide you through the "why" and "how" of different academic disciplines. These classes will equip you with a broad range of tools that can be used to approach problems in everyday life and work, and, ultimately, help you make a positive difference within communities, society, and the world. Students are required to satisfy all seven core requirements.

Requirements for UMR studentsRequired credits
Arts/Humanities3 credits
Biological Sciences4 credits; must include lab or field experience
Historical Perspectives3 credits
Literature3 credits
Mathematical Thinking3 credits
Physical Sciences4 credits; must include lab or field experience
Social Sciences3 credits
General Education themes

The general education themes are topics central to an understanding of contemporary life. Investigating these themes helps you prepare to become knowledgeable, ethical, and engaged public citizens. You are required to satisfy all five themes.

Requirements for UMR studentsRequired credits
Civic Life and Ethics3 credits
Diversity and Social Justice in the United States3 credits
The Environment3 credits
Global Perspectives3 credits
Technology and Society3 credits

Future Requirements (2026+)

General Education Areas

Students are required to satisfy all five areas.

Requirements for UMR studentsRequired credits
Humanities6 credits in at least two subject areas
Laboratory Sciences6 credits in at least two subject areas; courses must include lab or field experience
Social Sciences6 credits in at least two subject areas
Writing3 credits
Mathematical Thinking3 credits
General Education Themes

Students must fulfill four of the five themes.

Requirements for UMR studentsRequired credits
Challenges in Human Health3 credits
Challenges in Interpersonal Interactions3 credits
Challenges in Social Structures3 credits
Challenges in Sustainability3 credits
Challenges Throughout History3 credits