In 1981 Southeast Missouri State University began a process to redesign the general education program. The redesign was in response to students and faculty belief that the current general education requirements established in 1962 were outdated. The product of the redesign resulted in a new interdisciplinary, liberal education set of requirements known as the University Studies Program.

Implemented in the fall of 1988 the program’s objective is to create an understanding and enhancing of the human experience through two themes divided between courses taught at the 100/200 level and courses taught at the 300/400 level. Courses taught at the 100/200 level focuses on the acquisition of knowledge by gaining perspectives on the individual, society, and the universe. Courses taught at the 300/400 level focuses on living in an interdependent world through the integration of knowledge. For more information access the School of University Studies and Academic Information Services website, http://www.semo.edu/ustudies/