Transfer Students

Transfer Students and University General Education Requirements

MU general-education requirements may be completed at MU or are considered completed for students who:

  • Transfer to MU with an AA degree from a regionally-accredited Missouri institution or
  • Complete CORE 42 at MU or at another CORE 42 signatory Missouri institution
  • Complete general education at a CORE 42 signatory Missouri institution

Transfer credits for other students are evaluated on a course-by-course basis. All students must complete University graduation requirements beyond the University general education requirements.

CORE 42 Transfer Curriculum

The CORE 42 Transfer Curriculum is a block of at least 42 credit hours that will transfer as a block and be considered to have met all General Education requirements at all Missouri public colleges and universities, as well as independent Missouri institutions that have signed onto the agreement via the Missouri Department of Higher Education (visit https://dhe.mo.gov/core42.php).

Students who complete the CORE 42 curriculum will meet the general education requirements. 

To complete the curriculum, students must earn a minimum number of credit hours in five knowledge areas:

• Mathematical sciences – three credit hours

• Natural sciences – seven credit hours, including a course with a lab

• Humanities and fine arts – nine credit hours from at least two disciplines

• Social and behavioral sciences – nine credit hours, including a civics course

• Written and oral communications – nine credit hours (six in written communications and three in oral communications)

Credits earned beyond the minimum in each Knowledge area count toward the 42-hour minimum. 


MOTR Course Equivalencies

Courses designated with a Missouri Transfer (MOTR) course number, guarantees the one-to-one transfer of these courses among all Missouri public institutions of higher education.  

For more information about CORE 42 and MOTR Course Equivalencies, visit https://dhewd.mo.gov/core42.php.

NOTE: Many departments, degrees and majors have more specific requirements for foundation course work in addition to the University, general-education requirement. However, the reverse is not true. Departments or academic units may not have fewer general education requirements than described by the University general education requirements. Careful planning will allow students to simultaneously meet University, general-education requirements and prepare for many of the more specific foundation courses required by their field of study.