General Education Requirements
For Catalog Years prior to Fall 2025, courses in the following areas require a grade of C- or higher to earn GE credit:
- A.1 Oral Communication
- A.2 Written Communication
- A.3 Critical Thinking
- B.4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
For Catalog Years Fall 2025 and beyond, courses in the following areas require a grade of C- or higher to earn GE credit:
- 1A English Composition
- 1B Critical Thinking
- 1C Oral Communication
- 2A Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
All other GE courses require a grade of D or higher to earn GE credit.
GE Requirements by Catalog Year
Summer 2018 & Earlier
Total Units: 51-52
Area A - Core Competencies (9 units)
- A.1 Oral Communication
- A.2 Written Communication
- A.3 Critical Thinking
Area B - Scientific Inquiry & Quantitative Reasoning (12-13 units)
- B.1 Physical Science
- B.2 Life Science
- B.3 Laboratory Science
- B.4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
- B.5 Implications & Explorations in Mathematics and Natural Sciences ++
Area C - Arts & Humanities (12 units)
- C.1 Introduction to the Arts
- C.2 Introduction to the Humanities
- C.3 Explorations in the Arts or Humanities++
- C.4 Origins of World Civilizations
Area D - Social Sciences (15 units)
- D.1 Introduction to the Social Sciences
- D.2 World Civilizations & Cultures
- D.3 American History, Institutions & Values
- D.4 American Government
- D.5 Explorations in Social Sciences ++
Area E - Lifelong Learning & Self Development (3 units ++)
Area Z - Cultural Diversity
- One GE Course in C.3, D.5, or E must double-count as a Z course
++9 upper-division units required from any combination of B, C, D or E
Approved GE Courses for Catalog Years Summer 2018 & Earlier
Fall 2018-Summer 2019
Total Units: 48-49
Area A - Core Competencies (9 units)
- A.1 Oral Communication
- A.2 Written Communication
- A.3 Critical Thinking
Area B - Scientific Inquiry & Quantitative Reasoning (12-13 units)
- B.1 Physical Science
- B.2 Life Science
- B.3 Laboratory Science
- B.4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
- B.5 Implications & Explorations in Natural Sciences & Math/Quantitative
Reasoning++
Area C - Arts & Humanities (12 units)
- C.1 Introduction to the Arts
- C.2 Introduction to the Humanities
- C.3 Origins of World Civilizations
- C.4 Explorations in the Arts or Humanities ++
Area D - Social Sciences (12 units)
- D.1 Introduction to the Social Sciences
- D.2 American History, Institutions & Values
- D.3 American Government
- D.4 Explorations in Social Sciences ++
Area E - Lifelong Learning & Self Development (3 units)
Overlay Z - Cultural Diversity
- One GE Course in B, C, D or E must double-count as a Z course
++ upper-division categories; 3 units required in each
Approved GE Courses for Catalog Years Fall 2018-Summer 2019
Fall 2019-Summer 2021
Total Units: 48-49
Area A - Core Competencies (9 units)
- A.1 Oral Communication
- A.2 Written Communication
- A.3 Critical Thinking
Area B - Scientific Inquiry & Quantitative Reasoning (12-13 units)
- B.1 Physical Science
- B.2 Life Science
- B.3 Laboratory Science
- B.4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
- B.5 Implications & Explorations in Natural Sciences & Math/Quantitative Reasoning++
Area C - Arts & Humanities (12 units)
3 Units from C.1; 3 units from C.2; 3 units from C.3; and 3 units from either C.1 or C. 2
- C.1 Introduction to the Arts
- C.2 Introduction to the Humanities
- C.3 Explorations in the Arts or Humanities ++
Area D - Social Sciences (12 units)
Courses must be competed from two (2) different disciplines
- D.1 Introduction to the Social Sciences
- D.2 American History, Institutions & Values
- D.3 American Government
- D.4 Explorations in Social Sciences ++
Area E - Lifelong Learning & Self Development (3 units)
Overlay Z - Cultural Diversity
- One GE Course in B, C, D or E must double-count as a Z course
++ upper-division categories; 3 units required in each
Approved GE Courses for Catalog Years Fall 2019-Summer 2021
Fall 2021-Summer 2025
Total Units: 48-49
Area A - Core Competencies (9 units)
- A.1 Oral Communication
- A.2 Written Communication
- A.3 Critical Thinking
Area B - Scientific Inquiry & Quantitative Reasoning (12-13 units)
- B.1 Physical Science
- B.2 Life Science
- B.3 Laboratory Science
- B.4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
- B.5 Implications & Explorations in Natural Sciences & Math/Quantitative Reasoning++
Area C - Arts & Humanities (12 units)
3 Units from C.1; 3 units from C.2; 3 units from C.3; and 3 units from either C.1 or C. 2**
- C.1 Introduction to the Arts
- C.2 Introduction to the Humanities
- C.3 Explorations in the Arts or Humanities ++
**Designated high-unit majors may waive this requirement. See an adviser for more information.
Area D - Social Sciences (9 units)
Courses must be completed from 2 different disciplines
- D.1 Introduction to the Social Sciences
- D.2 American History, Institutions & Values
- D.3 Explorations in Social Sciences ++
Area E - Lifelong Learning & Self Development (3 units)
Area F - Ethnic Studies (3 units)
Overlay Z - Cultural Diversity
- One GE Course in B, C, D or E must double-count as a Z course
Graduation Requirement
An American Government course is required for students in this catalog year
++ upper-division categories; 3 units required in each
Approved GE Courses for Catalog Years Fall 2021-Summer 2025
Fall 2025 & Beyond
Total Units: 43
Area 1 - English Communication (9 units)
- 1A English Composition
- 1B Critical Thinking
- 1C Oral Communication
Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning (3-6 units)
- 2A Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
- 2U Implications & Explorations in Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning ++
Area 3 - Arts & Humanities (9 units)
- 3A Introduction to the Arts
- 3B Introduction to the Humanities
- 3U Explorations in the Arts or Humanities ++
Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences (9 units)
Courses must be completed from 2 different disciplines
- 4A Introduction to the Social & Behavioral Sciences
- 4B American History, Institutions & Values
- 4U Explorations in Social & Behavioral Sciences ++
Area 5 - Physical & Biological Sciences (7-10 units)
- 5A Physical Science
- 5B Biological Science
- 5C Laboratory
- 5U Implications & Explorations in Physical & Biological Sciences ++
Area 6 - Ethnic Studies (3 units)
Overlay Z - Cultural Diversity
- One GE Course in Area 2, 3, 4, or 5 must double-count as a Z course
Graduation Requirement
An American Government course is required for students in this catalog year
++ upper-division categories; 3 units required in each of 3U, 4U, and either 2U or 5U
Approved GE Courses for Catalog Years Fall 2025 & Beyond