Essential Studies (ES) at UND

Essential Studies is the University of North Dakota’s program in general education. ES courses are designed to help you develop key intellectual skills and competencies that are critical to doing successful work and service. Essential Studies provides UND undergraduates with “broad knowledge, transferable skills, and a strong sense of values, ethics, and civic engagement” (the Association of American Colleges and Universities).

Essential Studies serves as one of the two pillars of your academic experience. The other pillar—your major—is where you will gain specialized knowledge and where you will do in-depth studies in one field. In Essential Studies, you will gain a breadth of knowledge in multiple disciplines and extend and refine essential skills such as writing, speaking, and handling information.

ES requirements pertain to all students who are studying for UND undergraduate degrees, starting with freshman from fall 2008 forward and with transfers from fall 2009 forward. Students enrolled prior to this time follow the General Education program and courses.