�Ǹ�Թ�

CU �Ǹ�Թ� is moving from planning to implementation of the Common Curriculum, an innovative, faculty‑driven framework that ensures every undergraduate student achieves a shared set of learning outcomes by graduation, regardless of their degree or major.��

Through the learning outcomes of the Common Curriculum, CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s faculty make a commitment that all CU �Ǹ�Թ� students will graduate with foundational, durable skills and habits of mind that will enhance and support their future learning, well-being, career paths and civic participation.��

The Common Curriculum will roll out in fall 2027 and will apply to all new students, including first-year and transfer students.����

Why we are adopting a Common Curriculum

• CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s��Academic Futures strategic initiative recommended it.
• CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s accrediting body, the��Higher Learning Commission, requires it.
• CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s faculty��developed and approved it.

What the Common Curriculum is (and isn’t)

• It is a shared set of learning outcomes embedded within existing degree requirements.
• It is a faculty pledge that every CU �Ǹ�Թ� undergraduate academic experience includes agreed‑upon skills, habits of mind and overarching learning goals.
• It is not��a prescribed set of required core courses.

How the Common Curriculum is designed

• Theme and overall purpose:��Sustainable Futures: Self, Society, World
• Framework includes:
  • Three habits of mind (discovery, reflection, engagement)
  • Three essential skills (communication, information literacy, critical thinking)
  • The overall purpose (sustainable futures)
• Three learning outcomes apply for each component of the framework:��
  • Total: 21 learning outcomes (19 included in the initial fall 2027 rollout)

Key implementation decisions

�����Ǹ�Թ� Faculty Assembly working group representing all schools and colleges offering undergraduate degrees, including all three divisions of the College of Arts & Sciences, developed foundational principles for implementing Common Curriculum learning outcomes that Provost Ann Stevens has accepted.

• College and school requirements will deliver 11 learning outcomes connected to discovery, reflection, engagement, communication and information literacy, primarily through existing general education or core requirements.
• Required courses within each major will deliver six learning outcomes, including all critical thinking outcomes and select learning outcomes connected to engagement, information literacy and sustainable futures.
• A required school or college course for incoming students will deliver two learning outcomes focused on reflection and information literacy.
• Most “overall purpose” learning outcomes related to sustainable futures will be addressed through future curricular development, allowing colleges, schools and departments time to innovate and adapt.

What the Common Curriculum means for students

• Students will not enroll in separate Common Curriculum courses.
• Learning outcomes are met through the courses already required for their degree and major.
• The structure supports:
  • Changing majors or colleges
  • Transfer students
  • A cohesive undergraduate experience from entry through graduation

What’s happening this spring semester

• A draft policy for a new standing campus curriculum committee, advisory to the provost and responsible for oversight of the common curriculum among other responsibilities.
• Colleges and schools align degree requirements with their designated Common Curriculum learning outcomes, supported by the Division of Academic Affairs and the Office of Undergraduate Education.
• Expanded staffing in the Office of Undergraduate Education to support curriculum, the first‑year experience and residential learning communities.

What’s next

• Late spring to fall 2026: Departments identify required courses that deliver their major’s designated Common Curriculum outcomes, supported by Academic Affairs and the Office of Undergraduate Education.��
• Fall 2026: Campus curriculum committee policy is adopted and a committee is appointed.
• Ongoing work on assessment planning, operational planning and student‑facing clarity.

Send questions to��commoncurriculum@colorado.edu, or visit the Common Curriculum webpage for more information.