EKU Introduces Skills-Focused Essential Education Curriculum for Fall 2026

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) will transition from its traditional general education curriculum to Essential Education beginning in the Fall 2026 semester. Essential Education reimagines EKU’s foundational curriculum by shifting the focus from completing a checklist of courses to ensuring every graduate develops clearly defined, transferable skills that help them beyond the classroom. The EKU Board of Regents agreed to move forward with the new program at its Feb. 25 meeting. 

“Essential Education reflects EKU’s commitment to preparing students not just for their career, but for lifelong success,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “As higher education evolves, EKU is taking a visionary approach with Essential Education to meet the needs of students today and well into the future.”

“I am proud of our faculty’s work in designing a thoughtful, coherent program that supports the academic programs that our students pursue,” said Provost Sara Zeigler. “Not all institutions reassess tradition in light of the changing academic environment. Our integration of the essential skills that employers seek is a key feature of the program that will make our students more successful as they move into their lives and careers after graduation.” 

The transition follows extensive campus feedback and reflects changing expectations in higher education and the workforce. Many students believe the general education structure feels too large, too costly and disconnected from their goals. Faculty and staff emphasized the need for flexibility and clearer alignment with the skills graduates need after college, such as critical thinking and problem-solving. At the same time, employers and state leaders are asking universities to better articulate what students can do with their degrees. 

“Students will like Essential Education because it was designed with their experiences and priorities in mind,” said Dr. Jennifer Wies, associate provost and professor of anthropology. “The program is streamlined, flexible and most importantly, transparent. It becomes something that supports their goals, rather than something they feel they just need to get through.”

Essential Education supports timely graduation, offering students more options to pursue electives, minors and internships. Wies believes students will clearly see the skills they are obtaining and how it connects to their future. 

One of the most innovative components of Essential Education is the introduction of interdisciplinary Pathways, themed groupings of courses that explore topics from multiple perspectives. The inaugural Pathway will focus on Artificial Intelligence due to its growing importance across every field. Each Pathway requires a minimum of five courses spanning at least three elements. Students can take courses within multiple Pathways or mix Pathway courses with non-Pathway courses as they see fit, allowing them to customize their learning to match their interests and goals. 

“What is most exciting is that Essential Education makes learning visible and meaningful,” said Wies. “It clearly articulates what students are gaining from their education and why it matters.” 

Essential Education is a 30-credit-hour requirement, fully aligned with accreditation and state expectations. This is lower than the previous general education requirement, which was 36 credit hours, streamlining the path to graduation without reducing academic quality.