What Classes Are Required in College? 2026 Guide

Many high school students considering college or adult learners pursuing an undergraduate degree may wonder which classes are required in the first year of college. While there are some core classes in college that every student takes, regardless of their major or college, other classes are more subject to individual preferences and majors. Below, we give you an overview of the core classes you have to take in most colleges as part of your undergraduate degree.

Overview of College Credits for Core Courses and Electives

Core courses make up a significant portion of your undergraduate curriculum. Every state has a dedicated number of credit hours that are required to be general education courses; around one-third to one-half of your degree program will be core courses. This means that you will need between 40 and 60 credit hours of general education core classes, as there are 120 credits needed for a bachelor's degree.

Electives are the additional courses outside of the core curriculum that help you meet the required credit hours to graduate. Depending on the major, you could choose from a range of elective courses within your field or even in other related subjects.

Core Classes You Have to Take in College

Every bachelor's degree program comes with a set of required general education classes. These classes are designed to ensure that every student earning a college education is well-rounded, with opportunities to pursue any major as they please. Many of these courses act as an introduction that can apply to many fields in higher education.

1. English and Composition

English and composition classes are part of virtually every undergraduate degree program. These courses cover important works of literature, in addition to teaching students how to communicate and properly write essays at a college level.

In some cases, you might be able to utilize professional experience or dual education credits completed in high school to skip taking an English course once enrolled in your undergraduate program.

2. Math

Math classes are another vital course that all undergraduate students must take. You will generally have a choice of the type of math required, such as college algebra or geometry. You can speak to your academic advisor and read college course descriptions to see which type of math class might suit you best.

3. Social Sciences

Social sciences include anthropology, economics, political science, and psychology. More broadly, they are the study of people and how they interact within society. A basic understanding of these topics can be incredibly important as it can provide insight as you progress through your higher education, obtain your college degree, and enter the workforce.

4. Humanities

The study of the humanities is a fairly large subject, and it typically focuses on people and human society. Classes such as art history, linguistics, classic literature, religious studies, and philosophy may all be acceptable humanities courses in your school. You can review course offerings to find a general education humanities class that suits your interest.

5. Natural Sciences

Natural sciences include subjects like physics, biology, chemistry, astronomy, and Earth sciences. You can generally pick from natural science classes that suit your interests, though if you are planning on enrolling in a science-heavy college major, you may need to choose multiple natural science classes as part of your general education requirements.

6. Seminar Courses

Most undergraduate degrees require that all incoming freshmen attend a seminar course. This course could be based on a topic that applies to your desired field of study, or it could be a more general seminar. Students are typically required to complete readings and come prepared to discuss at each class. The purpose of seminar courses as a general education credit is to teach critical thinking skills and discussion skills that last throughout college.

7. Visual or Performing Arts

Many colleges require students to take a visual or performing arts course as part of their core classes. You could choose a studio class, such as dance, a hands-on class teaching video production, or a more theory-based class covering music concepts.

8. Major Specific Courses

Some majors require that you take certain classes as part of your general education requirements to prepare you for courses within your educational focus. For example, students on a pre-med educational track may need to take more specific natural science courses to fulfill the science requirements (e.g., anatomy, chemistry, and biology).

9. Foreign Language Courses

It's not uncommon to see foreign language courses as a requirement for your general education credits. Many colleges require a class or two in a foreign language, and you can generally choose from a wide range of language offerings, including sign language.

10. Electives

Electives are slightly different from the core courses. They are not technically the ''core curriculum'' but they are required to earn a degree. You will generally have a choice of electives within your major or minor, or outside of these requirements, that you are required to choose for your general education credits. These electives could be anything from art history and music theory courses to physical education courses like yoga and Pilates.

Understanding General Education Requirements

General education requirements can be confusing for some students. Many simply want to start the coursework for their major and finish their degree as fast as possible. However, general education requirements set a base curriculum for all undergraduate programs at a specific college, and they help to ensure that every student has a foundational level of knowledge that will help them throughout the rest of their degree program.

Core Courses vs. Major Electives

Major elective courses are different from core courses, though some people may confuse the two. A core course is a general education course that all students pursuing a degree program at a certain college must take.

A major elective course is a class that a student must enroll in as part of their specific degree program. These elective courses generally offer knowledge to support a specific part of the degree.

Core courses count towards your graduation requirements; they are required for all degrees as specified by the school. On the other hand, major elective courses are required for your chosen major, and they also count towards your graduation requirements.

Why Colleges Require General Education Classes

Colleges establish general education requirements to ensure every graduate has a strong academic foundation, regardless of major. These courses prepare you with transferable skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork that employers value in any career. 

They also meet accreditation standards, which require schools to show that all students are receiving a well-rounded education. Beyond that, core classes give you exposure to new subjects you may not have studied in high school, and they prepare you for more advanced coursework in your degree program.

How General Education Fits Into a Degree

General education courses usually make up about 40 to 60 credits of the 120 credits needed for a bachelor’s degree. That means roughly one-third to one-half of your classes will be in areas like English, math, and science, no matter your major. 

The rest of your degree is made up of major courses and electives that fit your personal and professional interests. This balance helps you graduate with both the specialized knowledge needed for your career and the broader skills that support lifelong learning.

How To Skip Core Classes or Earn College Credit Quickly

If you want to move through college faster, there are several ways to earn credit for core classes before or during your degree. High school students can use AP, IB, or dual-enrollment classes to satisfy requirements. College students can take CLEP exams, which award credit for subjects they already know. 

Many schools also accept transfer credits from other accredited colleges. Another option is the Study.com College Savers program, which lets you earn affordable online credits that transfer to most degree programs. 

FAQs About General Education Courses

General education courses can be confusing. Below, we'll answer your frequently asked questions about these required classes.

Are There Prerequisites for General Education Classes?

General education classes generally don't have prerequisites. This is because they are foundational core classes that don't require students to have any specific education requirements before starting, as they teach fundamentals.

That being said, you will usually need to take courses logically. For example, if you know you need to take two math courses, you will need to take College Algebra I before College Algebra II.

Which College Classes Are Mandatory?

College students must obtain 120 credit hours to earn a bachelor's degree and 60 credit hours for an associate degree. It is mandatory to take certain courses to reach these credit hours for graduation.

Your chosen college will tell you which general education courses (e.g., English, math, and science) are required, and you will also be required to take a set number of courses within your chosen major and/or minor.

How Many Classes Are Mandatory in College?

Colleges allow you to graduate based on credit hours, rather than a set number of classes. You are required to take as many classes as needed to reach your 120-credit requirement for a four-year degree. Classes typically range from one to four credit hours each.

How Many Core Course Credits Are Needed for a Bachelor's Degree?

To complete a bachelor's degree, you will need 120 credit hours. Core courses usually make up between one-third and one-half of these hours, so you will need to complete between 40 and 60 credit hours, depending on your school's requirements.

Do Online Colleges Require General Education Courses?

Yes, online colleges generally have the same requirements as traditional schools. Even if you’re studying remotely, you’ll still need to complete core classes in English, math, science, and other areas. These courses ensure that online students graduate with the same broad academic foundation as on-campus students.

Are General Education Classes the Same at Every College?

No, the specific classes you’ll take can vary by school and state. However, most colleges require general education in the same categories, such as English, math, natural science, social science, and humanities. This means while the exact courses may differ, the overall goals and categories are fairly consistent across schools.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degrees

Pursuing your college education doesn't need to be difficult. Check out the online bachelor's degree programs featured on Learn.org and contact schools directly to learn more about specific online programs available.