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HSB 543

A bill for an act relating to general education requirements, core curricula, other functions of regents institutions, and including applicability provisions.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Imposes 3-credit introductory American history and American government courses as general education across Iowa regents colleges starting 2028, with transfer credit, oversight, and

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 2361.
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Bill Summary · HSB 543

Summary of Bill: HSB 543 (Session 2025-2026, Iowa)

Basic purpose

HSB 543, as amended and renumbered to HF 2361, seeks to impose new general education and core curriculum requirements for undergraduate students across Iowa’s regents institutions. The core idea is to ensure that undergraduate programs include specific introductory courses in American history and American government, with related provisions on credit, transfer, and oversight. The bill also creates designated centers to annually identify courses that satisfy these requirements and requires a state-level review of general education requirements by a set date.

Key provisions

Introduction of required courses

  • Beginning with undergraduate students enrolled in academic years starting on or after July 1, 2028, each institution must require:
    • An introductory survey course in American history.
    • An introductory survey course in American government.
  • Each course must be at least 3 semester hours of credit.
  • Courses designated as required may count toward the institution’s general education or core curriculum in the social sciences or humanities, as designated by the institution.
  • A required course must not be exclusively or primarily devoted to a narrow subgroups-focused study of Americans or other nationalities.

Credit transfer and exceptions

  • If a student transfers into an Iowa regents institution with substantially similar coursework completed elsewhere, equivalent credit must be provided toward the required courses.
  • The requirement does not apply to students enrolled in degree programs designated by an institution as a degree program of three years or less in duration.

Designation and oversight

  • The bill requires the following centers to annually designate courses that satisfy the American history and American government requirement:
    • Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa
    • Center for Cyclone Civics at Iowa State University
    • Center for Civic Education at the University of Northern Iowa

State board and review requirements

  • The state Board of Regents must require each institution to implement these courses as a graduation condition.
  • The Board must conduct a review of all undergraduate general education requirements and core curricula at Iowa regents institutions no later than December 31, 2026.
  • The Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa is specifically tasked with offering at least:
    • One 3-semester-hour course in American history.
    • One 3-semester-hour course in American government.
  • The text indicates these requirements are framed within the “Center for Intellectual Freedom” division, highlighting an advocacy or emphasis role for these courses, though the courses themselves are general education requirements.

Effects and who is affected

Affected entities

  • Iowa Board of Regents (regents institutions: University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, and others under the board’s purview)
  • Undergraduate students enrolled at regents institutions starting in the 2028-29 academic year
  • Institutions’ general education and core curricula offices
  • Designated centers (Center for Intellectual Freedom, Center for Cyclone Civics, Center for Civic Education)

Implications for students

  • Students will graduate with at least two specified introductory courses: American history (3 credits) and American government (3 credits).
  • These courses must be part of the institution’s general education or core curriculum requirements.
  • Credit transfer provisions ensure students who bring in substantially similar coursework can receive equivalent credit.
  • Degrees of three years or less are exempt from these new requirements.

Timelines and procedural notes

  • July 1, 2028: The requirement takes effect for undergraduate students enrolling in or after this date.
  • December 31, 2026: The Board of Regents must complete a comprehensive review of all undergraduate general education requirements and core curricula at each institution.
  • Ongoing: Each designated center must annually designate courses that satisfy the new requirements.

Practical considerations

  • Institutions will need to identify and/or create suitable American history and American government survey courses meeting the 3-credit minimum and quality standards, ensuring they are not narrowly focused on subgroups or specific nationalities.
  • Providing equivalent credit for transfer students will require alignment of curricula across institutions and partner colleges.
  • The roles of the designated centers suggest an emphasis on civic education and intellectual freedom within the framework of general education, potentially influencing how these courses are taught and evaluated.

Overall, the bill envisions a standardized civic foundation within regents institutions by 2028, with a governing review process scheduled by end-2026.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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