FKL Core Curriculum for Students

FKL FAQs

Click on a question below to see the answer or scroll down to see all questions and answers:

  1. When should I take my FKL Core Curriculum courses?
  2. Why are only some courses part of the FKL Core Curriculum?
  3. What are the minimum grade requirements?
  4. If I've received an "S" grade in an FKL course, does that course count towards my FKL Core Curriculum requirements?
  5. Will it be possible to count a course in two or more categories?
  6. How do I fulfill the Human Historical Context and Process (HHCP) dimension requirement?
  7. If I am a transfer student, what requirements do I need to meet?
  8. Is there a Foreign Language requirement?
  9. How do I meet the Capstone Learning Experience requirements?
  10. How does the FKL Core Curriculum help me meet my Gordon Rule requirements?
  11. Who should I talk to for additional information?

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1. When should I take my FKL Core Curriculum courses?
Most students will complete the FKL requirements during the first two years. The Capstone courses are typically taken at the end of your degree program as part of your integrated experience, completing both your major and the FKL curriculum. Your advisor can tell you how best to fit your FKL requirements into your academic program.

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2. Why are only some courses part of the FKL Core Curriculum?
To be included as part of the FKL Core Curriculum, courses must be approved by the USF General Education Council, which is made up of faculty members from many different colleges. Approved courses must meet the goals of the FKL Core Curriculum, which must include additional dimensions beyond their subject area while emphasizing critical thinking and inquiry-based learning.

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3. What are the minimum grade requirements?
You must receive a minimum grade of a "C-" in each course used to fulfill any requirement in General Education and the Capstone Learning Experience. Overall, you must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in FKL courses used to complete the FKL requirements.

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4. If I've received an "S" grade in an FKL course, does that course count towards my FKL Core Curriculum requirements?
In general, courses in which you received an "S" grade do not count towards your FKL requirements. The only exception to this is for students transferring from New College.

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5. Will it be possible to count a course in two or more categories?
No. An FKL course can only meet requirements for one FKL core area. While some Capstone Learning Experience courses are approved for either Writing Intensive Capstone (WRIN) or Capstone (CPST), you and your advisor will need to choose which of the approved categories is most appropriate for your needs. Lower-level General Education courses are approved for only one core area and can only be used to fulfill the approved core area.

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6. How do I fulfill the Human Historical Context and Process (HHCP) dimension?
Two of the courses that you take while fulfilling the other core area requirements must be approved as a Human Historical Context and Process (HHCP) course. ENC1101 English Composition I is HHCP approved and will count as one of the two required courses. Check the Course Inventory for other HHCP-approved courses fulfilling this requirement. It's a good idea to be aware of this requirement early so as to avoid taking extra courses.

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7. If I am a transfer student, what requirements do I need to meet?
If you have an AA degree from another State University System institution in Florida or from a Florida public college, you have met the 36-hour General Education requirement, but you will need to satisfy the 6-hour upper-level Capstone Learning Experience requirement at USF. If you do not have an AA degree or have not officially met General Education requirements at another approved institution, you should talk to an advisor to find out which FKL Core Curriculum courses you still need to take.

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9. Is there a Foreign Language requirement?
A foreign language requirement is not part of the FKL Core Curriculum, though it may be required as part of your degree program. Check the Undergraduate Catalog for your major's requirements or talk to your advisor.

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10. How do I meet the Capstone Learning Experience requirements?
Your major program may already have an approved FKL Capstone (CPST) course (3 hrs.) and/or an approved FKL Writing Intensive Capstone (WRIN) course (3 hrs.), to which your advisor can refer you. Otherwise, you will need to select from the approved FKL Capstone courses to fulfill your Capstone and Writing Intensive Capstone course requirements (6 hrs. total). Check the Course Inventory for a list of Capstone and Writing Intensive courses.

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11. How does the FKL Core Curriculum help me meet my Gordon Rule requirements?
Six of the 12 required credit hours in Gordon Rule Communication are fulfilled by the FKL English Composition courses. An additional three hours will be met by fulfilling the Writing Intensive Capstone requirement. You will need to take 3 more credit hours of Gordon Rule Communication coursework, but this need not be an FKL course.

The Gordon Rule Computation requirement is met by the FKL Mathematics and/or Quantitative Reasoning requirements.

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12. Who should I talk to for additional information?
If you have questions regarding FKL requirements, please contact your academic advisor at your respective college:

College of Arts and Sciences - BEH 201, (813) 974-6957
College of Behavioral and Community Sciences - MHC 1110, (813) 974-2365
College of Business - BSN 2102, Call 813-974-4290 for Appointments
College of Education - EDU 106, (813) 974-2979
College of Engineering - ENC 1302, Call (813) 974-2684 for Appointments
College of Medicine - Athletic Training - 13220 USF Laurel Drive - 5th Floor (MCD106) - (813) 974-2833
College of Nursing - MDN 1002, (813) 974-2191
College of The Arts - FAH 120, (813) 974-3360 (Includes Architecture)
Transitional Advising Center (TRAC) - SVC 2043, (813) 974-2645 (Includes undeclared/undecided, Pre-Hospitality Management and BSAS)

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