Essential Studies Requirements

You need to complete 39 semester credits (36 credits plus a 3 credit Capstone course) to fulfill your Essential Studies (ES) requirements at UND. You may choose courses that meet multiple requirements at the same time including Special Emphasis, Breadth of Knowledge and/or a requirement in your major.

Your Essential Studies Program

You must complete at least 9 credits in each of the following Breadth of Knowledge areas.

Communication (9 credits)

ENGL 110
ENGL 130
3 credits of Oral Communication

Social Sciences (9 credits)

Credits can come from any combination of approved Social Sciences courses provided you take courses from at least 2 different departments.

Fine Arts and Humanities (9 credits)

Courses must be taken in a minimum of 2 departments
Minimum of 3 credits in Fine Arts
Minimum of 3 credits in Humanities

Mathematics, Science and Technology (9 credits)

Courses must be taken in a minimum of 2 departments
Must include a four-hour science course with the associated lab (L)

You must complete at least 3 credits in each of the following Special Emphasis areas:

Advanced Communication (A)
Quantitative Reasoning (Q)
Diversity of Human Experience (D)
Analyzing Worldviews (W)

For example, the course Math 103: College Algebra, earns 3 credits in the Math/Science/Technology Breadth of Knowledge area AND 3 credits as a Quantitative Reasoning (Q) Special Emphasis area course. See the list of approved ES courses for other examples.

NOTE: Credits earned through Challenge Exams, Special Examinations for Credit and Foreign Language placement and credit exams cannot be used to fulfill any special emphasis requirement.

NOTE: If you began at UND prior to Fall 2020, and are following a previous catalog year, you will have different special emphasis requirements.

ES Capstone courses are taken at the end of your undergraduate program (within 3 semesters of graduation) and must be completed at UND.

Some departments may offer an ES Capstone which is required for your program, whereas others are open to students from all majors. Check with your department to find out which capstones your department recommends or requires. ES Capstones are required of all students, including transfer students.

The ES Capstone course must be at least 3 credits. Some of Capstone courses are also approved to meet the Special Emphasis requirement in Advanced Communication (A).