General Education Requirements for California State University
To earn a bachelor’s degree from the California State University, each student must complete a program of general education. Orange Coast College offers two general education programs which will enable students to meet the lower division general education requirements for all CSU campuses prior to transfer. Students can complete either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (OCC General Education Option 3) or the CSU General Education breadth Requirements (OCC General Education Option 2). Students transferring to a specific CSU campus also can meet the general education requirements of that campus.
CSU General Education Breadth Requirements
See the Graduation Requirements section of the Catalog for specific courses which meet these requirements.
A. English Language Learning and Critical Thinking - 9 units
B. Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning - 9 units
C. Arts and Humanities - 9 units
D. Social Sciences - 6 units
E. Life-Long Learning and Self Development - 3 units
F. Ethnic Studies - 3 units
California State University has an American Institutions requirement which can be satisfied prior to transfer by taking an American History course and a course in Political Science 180 or 180H in Area D.
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) for CSU
See the Graduation Requirements section of the Catalog for specific courses which meet these requirements.
- English Communication - 9 units
- Mathematical Concepts - 3 units
- Arts and Humanities - 9 units
- Social and Behavioral Science - 6 units
- Physical and Biological Sciences - 7-9 Units
- Language Other Than English (UC ONLY)
- Ethnic Studies - 3 units
California State University in addition has an American Institutions requirement which can be satisfied prior to transfer by taking PSCI A180 American Government or PSCI A180H American Government Honors and one of the following courses:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HIST A170 | History of the United States to 1876 | 3 |
| HIST A170H | History of the United States to 1876 Honors | 3 |
| HIST A175 | History of the United States Since 1876 | 3 |
| HIST A175H | History of the United States Since 1876 Honors | 3 |
The IGETC should be completed in its entirety prior to transfer. Students who are missing no more than two courses prior to matriculation at a four-year institution may request partial certification during any term except in the final term prior to graduation from the four-year institution.