USF’s general education program offers a wide range of courses, but without clear guidance, students risk spending thousands on credits that don’t further their career or education.

From Personal Finance to Energy and Humanity, USF offers over 100 options for general education courses.

But people sometimes wonder what general education is, and why we are required to take general education courses.

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“All Florida public universities follow state requirements regarding general education courses, which are intended to provide students with broad foundational knowledge,” said USF spokesperson Althea Johnson.

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Students must complete 36 credit hours in communication, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences and social sciences, according to Florida statutes.

At USF, 15 of those credits must also satisfy the university’s enhanced general education requirements, which are designed to provide “a more relevant, coherent, rigorous curriculum”, according to the USF Undergraduate Catalog. 

These enhanced general education courses are ultimately meant to prepare students for a 3-credit high-impact practice, such as an internship or research project. 

Sounds great in theory, but some flaws become apparent when put into practice.  

The in-state tuition rate for one credit hour is $211.19. That means it costs about $7,600 to complete the 36 required general education credits, not including housing, transportation, textbooks or other living costs. 

Out-of-state students carry an even heavier financial burden, paying $575.01 per credit hour, totaling more than $20,000 for the required 36 general education credits.

Given the price tag, it’s not just reasonable but essential that these courses offer real value to students’ academic and professional lives.

General education is meant to be built around a common core or a shared body of knowledge meant to produce well-rounded citizens. But over time, it feels like this focus has blurred.

In Fall 2025 alone, USF offered more than 100 general education courses, ranging from Daily Life in Ancient Greece to Cultural Study of Pop Music. While these may be fascinating electives, their practical application is more niche.

Alternatively, courses like Leadership Fundamentals, Public Speaking and Personal Finance are broadly applicable. These classes offer skills that transcend majors and help students in any career.

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Without thoughtful guidance, students are often left to navigate this overwhelming course catalog alone. A student avoiding 8 a.m. classes might sign up for History of Oceanography simply because it fits their schedule, not because it fits their path. 

That’s not laziness, it’s a lack of direction.

At USF, advising is only mandatory for the first two semesters. After that, unless students take initiative, they’re on their own to navigate an overwhelming catalog of general education courses.

There is a USF resource that can help them navigate courses called Degree Works, which allows students to track their degree completion and find out what requirements they still have.

But a lack of built-in support may lead even the most driven of students astray if they don’t understand the deeper goal of general education requirements. 

These courses shouldn’t feel like random boxes to check. They should feel like part of a journey to equip them with relevant skills for the modern workforce. 

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We don’t need fewer general education courses, we need more specific guidance on how to choose them. 

That starts with a renewed advising strategy. This could include general education workshops that clearly explain the purpose and value of general education requirements. 

“Academic advisors work with students to discuss options for general education courses in alignment with their individual academic plan,” Johnson said. “The Academic Success Center provides centralized learning support including workshops and presentations.”

The ASC calendar, while offering other valuable resources like their upcoming College Life Savers Series, listed no workshops or presentations specific to general education courses. 

With over 100 general education courses, a dedicated session on navigating the options would be an invaluable resource — transforming what often feels like a confusing checklist into a meaningful part of a student’s education.

However, it is not the ASC’s responsibility to teach students about general education courses. The ASC mission is to “cultivate professional development in support of student engagement and successful academic persistence,” according to the ASC website. 

As Johnson stated, it is the responsibility of academic advisors to provide guidance on general education courses.

USF might consider implementing mandatory annual advising sessions that emphasize how to choose general education courses. 

Additionally, incorporating a unit on general education into the new student orientation programs could help students understand how these courses fit into their broader academic and career goals.

General education was meant to build informed and capable citizens. If we want students to leave college with skills that matter, we need to guide them better along the way.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the number of semesters for which advising is mandatory at USF.