VALDOSTA — A revision of the University System of Georgia’s core curriculum will go into effect in the fall of 2011.

The revision, made by the Board of Regents, will not make a large impact on Valdosta State University.

“The new core curriculum will not require any immediate changes in VSU’s core courses,” said Dr. Louis Levy, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “We are in compliance with the new core curriculum. The faculty may propose changes in the core curriculum, and the new core is more flexible than the existing core.”

All changes in the VSU core curriculum must be approved by the VSU Academic Committee and by University System’s General Education Committee, he said.

The revision, announced last week, was made to help strengthen the focus on liberal arts, students finishing their majors in a timely way, and preserving the ability of students to transfer courses across institutions. Transferring courses with ease is considered one of the strengths of the USG.

“The ability of a student to transfer easily between institutions positions that student to graduate more quickly,” said Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Susan Herbst in a press release.

“Transfer lies at the heart of core curriculum issues for large systems, but we must also protect the unique missions of all colleges and universities. The core curriculum committee, presidents, administrators and faculty have done an excellent job of reconciling these competing goals to the benefit of all students.”

This is the first major revision of core curriculum for USG since 1998.

The core curriculum will remain at its current size, 42 hours in Areas A-E and 18 hours in Area F. Students will be required to take a minimum of six hours in Area A1: Communication Skills; at least three hours in Area A2: Quantitative Skills; at least three hours in Area B: Institutional Options; at least six hours in Area C: Humanities, Fine Arts and Ethics; at least seven hours in Area D: Natural Sciences, Math and Technology; at least six hours in Area E: Social Sciences; and 18 hours in Area F: Lower-Division Major Requirements.

Per the core curriculum policy all core courses must transfer, even if a core area is not completed and even if it means giving transfer credit across areas. The transfer restrictions for science majors remain intact.

Details of the new policy can be viewed online at http://core.usg.edu/.