University Core Curriculum

The University Core Curriculum or the UCC is at the heart of a student’s curriculum at William Paterson University of New Jersey. It is a set of 11-14 courses that all students – regardless of major - will take to complete their undergraduate degree.  

Starting Fall 2025, the UCC will be in its new version as UCC 2.0. This version aligns closely with the University Mission, Vision and Core Values by integrating two core issues: 

• Social mobility: Read more here about how WPUNJ ranks very high on the national social mobility index and why it matters for students. UCC 2.0 has several Areas and courses that embed professional employer-demanded skills for the 21st century such as creativity, writing, critical thinking and problem solving, communication, digital literacies, quantitative and data analysis, and holistic wellbeing.  

• Social justice: Read here for an inspiration for the UCC 2.0. Successful professionals will be those who lead not merely manage, those who are civically engaged as a political responsibility, those that are passionate while being compassionate, and those whose humanity does not disappear within the calculation of self-interests. Such a focus aligns with institutional values and mission. UCC 2.0 has several Areas and courses that develop a deep perspective on a recognition of human interdependence, presence of inequalities, and the need for equity, justice, sustainability, and civic engagement.