Updates for faculty on the new Core Curriculum

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

I’m writing to provide updates about our timeline and progress in implementing the new Core at UT Austin. In the coming weeks we will share more information about how faculty and departments can begin proposing courses under the new requirements. All departments will have the opportunity to propose courses for the new Core.

The implementation approach is designed to be gradual, allowing time for course development, review, and planning. The information below outlines what faculty and departments can expect during the transition.

Signature Courses

As part of the new Core Curriculum, we will gradually transition from Signature Courses to Great Questions of Human Life (GQHL) courses. This transition will occur over the next two years to provide continuity for students while creating opportunities for faculty to develop new offerings.

If you are approved to teach a Signature Course in Spring 2027, please continue as planned.
During the 2027-28 academic year, we anticipate continuing our typical offering of 220 Signature Course sections, with approximately 40-50 Signature Course sections dedicated to GQHL courses. Instructors who applied to teach a Signature Course in 2027–28 will receive an update on their application status within the next week.
In 2028-29, we plan for GQHL courses to replace traditional Signature Courses. Proposals for 2028-29 GQHL courses will be considered in spring 2027. Both current Signature Course instructors and faculty who have not previously taught a Signature Course will be invited to submit proposals for the new GQHL program.

2027-28 Core Courses

Current core courses will continue during the 2027-28 academic year. At the same time, we plan to introduce courses aligned with the new Core Curriculum and aim to offer at least one section of each new Core component beginning in Fall 2027. Additional information about this proposal process will be shared with colleges and schools.

For departments interested in developing new courses for inclusion in the 2027-28 Core Curriculum, we will extend the course inventory submission deadline to December 10, 2026. This extension applies only to new courses being proposed for the 2027-28 core.

2028-29 Core Courses

Beginning in 2028-29, all courses included in the Core Curriculum will be expected to meet the new standards proposed by the Task Force. Additional guidance and detailed descriptions of these standards will be shared soon.

Later this fall, faculty and departments will be able to propose both existing and new courses for inclusion in the Core Curriculum effective 2028-29 and beyond. Applications will remain open through spring 2027 and will be reviewed by faculty committees that will be established in the coming weeks. Decisions will be communicated to departments and faculty in May/June 2027.

Course inventory additions for newly proposed 2028-29 core courses will be accepted through mid-September 2027.

Note: Some academic programs have core courses written into their degree requirements. Changes to the core inventory will require corresponding updates to those degree requirements for the 2028-30 catalog.

We recognize that there are many moving parts to this transition and that questions will arise as plans continue to take shape. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Core Curriculum team. In addition, be sure to bookmark the New Core Curriculum website for the latest information as we move through this process.

Sincerely,

MICHAEL DREW

Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

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