Student FAQs

UNI Foundational Inquiry (UNIFI) will be the required general education program for all new incoming students, replacing the Liberal Arts Core (LAC), beginning in fall 2022.

But what does this mean for you? All students enrolled prior to fall 2022 have the opportunity to switch general education programs from the Liberal Arts Core to the new Foundational Inquiry. The decision to switch will be entirely yours, based on which LAC requirements you have already fulfilled and your academic major. Our priority is for you to choose the general education program that is the best option for you.

To help you choose, please reach out to an advisor! The Office of Academic Advising (ITTC 007) can assist students Monday - Friday between 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on a drop-in basis. An advisor can help you to review your course history and determine how many credits you have remaining if you switch to UNIFI.

College of Business students:
Speak with a College of Business advisor! We will be doing Drop-Ins from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. starting on March 7. Stop by the front desk of the Curris Business Building, Room 5, or hop on the Zoom link!
Elementary Education and Early Childhood students:
The College of Education Advising and Teacher Education Success (CATS) Office (Schindler 151) will offer drop-in advising the week of February 28. Workshops will be held for students in their first year at UNI the week of March 7. Check your email for days and times. If you want to set up an individual meeting, please email your advisor or stop by the CATS Office.

Have more questions? We're here to help!

What is UNIFI? How does it compare to LAC?

UNI Foundation Inquiry (UNIFI) is UNI’s general education program.

How is it different from LAC?

More flexibility
- No prerequisites, with exception of:
ALEKS score for math or science placement, language proficiency & priority registration for specific majors
- More courses offered than LAC
- Fewer credits than LAC
A new outcomes-based focus
More transfer friendly
- All Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degrees from any accredited institution will fulfill all UNIFI requirements
Addition of micro-credentials via certificates

How is it similar to LAC?

Each Learning Area has a list of classes that students can choose from
UNIFI requirements apply to all undergraduate degree programs (same requirements no matter what major a student declares)
UNIFI courses can be used to satisfy requirements for UNIFI and major / minor / program emphases
All UNIFI courses must be taken for graded credit
UNIFI requirements can be met through CLEP examinations, departmental examinations, and the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board.

How do I switch from LAC to UNIFI? Do I have to?

If you are currently completing the Liberal Arts Core (LAC) and want to switch to UNIFI, you can! We recommend that you speak with an academic advisor before making this switch to ensure you are aware of the implications.

To switch from LAC to UNIFI, you can either:

Complete the Declaration of Curriculum form and submit to the Office of the Registrar (registrar@uni.edu / Gilchrist 115)

Send an email from your UNI email account to registrar@uni.edu requesting the change

Students who enrolled prior to fall 2022 will NOT be required to move to UNIFI. Those who continue in the LAC and have outstanding requirements can:

Take offered LAC courses (options will be limited after fall '22)

Take equivalent UNIFI courses, as identified through the crosswalk

What is a UNIFI certificate? How is that different from other certificates?

UNIFI general education works harder for our students. The requirements are planned intentionally so you get the most out of experience, setting you on the right path with the skills employers are seeking. Built right into the program is the opportunity to earn an extra credential along the way. General Education Certificates can be a great way to examine issues from a variety of perspectives and disciplines, creating a holistic understanding that you can carry straight into the working world.

While most certificates you find on campus focus on layering your education to build depth in a particular subject matter, UNIFI General Education Certificates focus on examining the subject from a variety of disciplines. This develops a broader and multidisciplinary understanding of certain topics and encourages students to learn from holistic viewpoints.

Why should I complete a UNIFI certificate?

The multidisciplinary UNIFI certificate are one pathway for students to earn a credential that will appear on their transcript, just by completing their general education requirements.

How do I declare a UNIFI certificate?

Students completing a UNIFI certificate must declare it by filling out the updated Declaration of Curriculum form. This is how the UNIFI certificate requirements will appear on a student’s advisement report and their transcript.

Can a UNIFI course fulfill a major requirement?

Yes! A course can fulfill both a UNIFI requirement and a major requirement.

Can I use the same course to satisfy more than one UNIFI requirement?

Yes! In some cases, classes you take might fulfill requirements in one learning area as well as a certificate. Both requirements would be satisfied, but you would still need to complete a minimum of 37 credits to complete the general education program.

Can I satisfy a UNIFI requirement through examinations or transfer credit?

Yes! If you have completed college credit at a different institution or an exam that earns college credit (such as AP or IB exams), those credits can potentially fulfill UNIFI requirements.

I am changing my major. Will I have to retake general education course work for my new major?

No! All UNI students complete the same general education program - UNIFI. This means that even if you change your major, you do not need to complete any additional UNIFI requirements.

How do I know if I have completed my UNIFI requirements?

Talk with your academic advisor! Your UNIFI requirements are listed on your advisement report, found in the Student Center. Your advisor can help you review these requirements and discuss a plan for completion.

Is there a minimum grade required for UNIFI classes?

Yes. Students must earn a grade of D- or higher to complete a UNIFI requirement. It’s important to note that if you are taking a UNIFI course to fulfill a major requirement, your academic department may require a higher grade. It’s important to talk with your advisor about this.

Where can I get advice about which UNIFI classes to take?

Start by talking with your academic advisor! Your advisor can help you to understand which UNIFI requirements you still need to complete, as well as which courses might be a good fit based on your academic and personal interests.

Do I have to take all of my UNIFI courses my first year at UNI?

No! In fact, we encourage you to spread your UNIFI courses out throughout your academic plan. Spreading general education courses throughout your education at UNI allows you to balance majors classes with non-major classes.

Answers for transfers ...

If I have already transferred to UNI with an Associate of Science (AS) degree, can I now switch to UNIFI and have my general education requirements satisfied?: Yes, if you transferred in an Associate of Science (AS) degree, you can now switch to UNIFI and have the general education requirements satisfied.
If I have already transferred to UNI with an Associate of Arts (AA) degree but still have capstone and/or non-Western cultures remaining, can I switch to UNIFI and have the general education requirements satisfied?: Yes, if you transferred in an Associate of Arts (AA) degree, you can now switch to UNIFI and have the general education requirements satisfied.
I'm looking at taking a summer class at my local community college, can I take a course there to satisfy a UNIFI requirement? Where do I find what transfers?: Yes, Equivalency Sheets will be coming soon. In the meantime, please contact UNI Transfer Admissions at transfer@uni.edu or 319-273-2281.