Understanding the Indiana College Core: A Comprehensive Guide

The Indiana College Core (ICC), previously known as the Statewide Transfer General Education Core (STGEC), serves as a cornerstone for general education across Indiana's public higher education institutions. It represents a consensus among academic representatives regarding the essential competencies and learning outcomes expected of students. This framework aims to streamline the transfer of general education credits between institutions, while preserving the unique character of each institution's curriculum.

Purpose and Design of the Indiana College Core

The primary aim of the Indiana College Core (ICC) framework is to maximize the transferability of a general education "package" from one campus or state institution to another, all while allowing each institution to determine and maintain its own distinctive general education curriculum for its graduates. The Indiana College Core was developed by the public institutions in Indiana in response to Senate Enrolled Act 182 2012.

Meeting Requirements and Transferring Credit

Requirements for completion of the ICC vary by campus and institution, and each state educational institution has specified how their ICC requirements meet the competencies described within the ICC framework. Completion of local ICC requirements will be validated and documented by the institution or campus of enrollment.

Students who earn the ICC milestone at any campus of any Indiana state public institution of higher education prior to matriculation at Indiana University Bloomington will not be subject to IU Bloomington ICC requirements. Students who transfer to IU Bloomington after partially completing ICC requirements at another IU campus or at another Indiana state educational institution will have their transfer credit applied, course by course to IUB degree requirements in accordance with published course articulations and transfer credit policies. Please note that courses associated with a particular ICC competency area at one institution or campus will not necessarily apply to that (or any) ICC competency area at another institution or campus.

Scope and Limitations

Completion of the Indiana College Core does not add to, subtract from, or alter any other degree requirements, including campus requirements above and beyond the ICC, school requirements, major requirements, minor requirements, or requirements for an undergraduate certificate. It is critical that students work closely with their college academic advisors to determine what relationship, if any, exists between requirements for collegiate general education and requirements for a specific college major and/or other degree objective.

Read also: Navigating Accreditation

The Indiana College Core as a Technical Certificate

The Indiana College Core is a Technical Certificate (College Credential) that can be earned by taking dual credit and traditional classes with Ivy Tech. The Indiana College Core consists of 30 semester hours of credit in general education classes such as Math, Science, History, English, etc., the completion of which at one public institution (Ivy Tech) means it can transfer as a block and count as satisfying the Indiana College Core equivalent at the receiving public Indiana institution. Public Indiana institutions include IU (all sites), Purdue (all sites), Ball State, IUPUI, University of Southern Indiana, and Indiana State University. This 30-credit hour block of courses is equal to a full year of college coursework, meaning any student that completes the Indiana College Core can cut roughly a year-off of college if they earn the IN College Core.

Financial Aid and the Indiana College Core

The Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the most important document for determining if you’re eligible for financial aid - money to help you pay for education and training beyond high school. After you file your FAFSA, your college will be able to tell you which scholarships and grants you could receive as well as how much money you can borrow in federal loans.

Core Competencies and Requirements

The Indiana College Core competencies, which were agreed upon by faculty across public institutions, are the skills and knowledge associated with the coursework considered foundational for further study in higher education and introduce students to a range of skills and disciplines.

Within the Indiana College Core framework, the 6 competency areas are categorized as either Foundational Intellectual Skills or Ways of Knowing.

Foundational Intellectual Skills

Written Communication
Speaking and Listening
Quantitative Reasoning

Ways of Knowing

Scientific Ways of Knowing
Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing
Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing

Students must complete at least 3 credit hours from each of the 6 competency areas, accounting for 18 credit hours. Another 12 credit hours are required, to be selected from approved courses from the competency areas. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for the 30 hours of courswork within the Indiana College Core.

Indiana College Core Certificate for High School Students

The Indiana College Core (ICC) High School Certificate is available to Indiana high school students who complete 30 hours of general education coursework across six core competencies. While pursuing the educational requirements of the certificate, students will also have additional support from IU, including financial aid education, career development, and career exploration.

Students who complete the ICC Certificate will have an early start on their college general education coursework and will be offered guaranteed admission to each regional IU campus.

The ICC certificate coursework transfers as a block of 30 credit hours between all Indiana public colleges and universities.

Important Considerations for High School Students

Please note: The ICC Certificate coursework does not add to, subtract from, nor change any requirements for a college major or other degree objective.

IU South Bend ICC Certificate Partner High Schools

Bais Yaakov of Indiana (South Bend)
Bremen High School (Bremen)
Carroll High School (Ft.

Read also: IU Bloomington Fall Semester

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