Overview of General Education Requirements (Effective Fall 1999-Spring 2008)
The following is an overview of the General Education requirements for students who began continuous enrollment between Fall 1999 and Spring 2008 at a California Community College or other California State University.
Click the following terms to View the Schedule of Classes
May Intersession 2012(CCPE)
Summer 2012(CCPE)
Be Aware: courses in your major department cannot be used to meet General Education requirements, unless they are:
- from Category A
- from Category B1a, if your major is in the Department of Biological Sciences
- from Category B2, if your major is in the Department of Mathematics
- from Category C1 and C3, if your major is in the Department of Art or Music
- from Category D1a, if your major is in the Department of History
- from Category D1b, if your major is in the Department of Political Science
- Interdisciplinary courses in any category
- Human Diversity courses in any category
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The Foundation
Basic essential skills of a college-educated person that includes written communication and oral communication in the English language, critical thinking, and mathematics.
Purpose: In these courses, you will develop and improve fundamental academic skills that are critical to success in college.
BE AWARE: All GE Foundation Courses must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better within the first 36 CSULB baccalaureate units.
| Area of Study | GE Category | Units Required | List of Approved Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Communication in English | A1 | 3 | A1 courses |
| Oral Communication in English | A2 | 3 | A2 courses |
| Critical Thinking | A3 | 3 | A3 courses |
| Mathematics | B2 | 3 | B2 courses |
Explorations
These courses will provide you with opportunities to explore human knowledge in a variety of disciplines.
Purpose: You will be able to select courses from all across the university, so the topics you can explore are nearly unlimited. You will also refine the skills you developed in the Foundation courses, and you will be expected to practice additional skills like ethical reasoning, solving complex problems, creativity, respect for different points of view, and understanding your part in a democratic society and global community.
| Area of Study | GE Category | Units Required | List of Approved Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological Sciences with Lab | B1a | 3 | B1a courses |
| Physical Sciences with Lab | B1b | 3 | B1b courses |
| Additional Life or Physical Sciences or Mathematics Units | B3 | 3 |
| Area of Study | GE Category | Units Required | List of Approved Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Arts | C1 | 3 | C1 courses |
| Area of Study | GE Category | Units Required | List of Approved Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humanities: Literature, Philosophy, Foreign Languages | C2 | 6 total (covering 2 different disciplines) | |
| Additional Arts or Humanities Units | C3 | 3 |
| Area of Study | GE Category | Units Required | List of Approved Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. History | D1a | 3 | D1a courses |
| Constitution and American Ideals | D1b | 3 | D1b courses |
| Area of Study | GE Category | Units Required | List of Approved Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social and Behavioral Sciences and History | D2 | 9 total (covering 2 different disciplines) |
D2 courses |
| Self-Integration | E | 3 | E courses |
Special Requirements
While you are fulfilling the GE Category requirements given above, you must select courses that also complete a few special requirements for completion of GE.
Be aware that courses satisfying the Special Requirements below fit into the category requirements given above, so with careful planning, you can avoid taking "extra" courses to meet these requirements.
These requirements include:
- GLOBAL ISSUES (3 units)
- HUMAN DIVERSITY IN THE UNITED STATES (3 units)
- UPPER DIVISION CAPSTONE (minimum 9 units)
Global Issues
A course in Global Issues is designed to introduce you to cultures and places beyond the boundaries of the United States.
Purpose: This is your opportunity to explore worldviews that often contrast greatly with those of our own Western traditions.
Global Issues - 3 Units Required
Human Diversity in the United States
The learning goals of the CSULB faculty include fostering respect for human diversity in the USA and to promote the understanding of diversity to encourage tolerance and acceptance of others.
Purpose: A course in Human Diversity is designed to introduce you to life experiences of others who are less familiar to you. This course will help you to recognize the significant influence of diverse populations and cultures within the USA.
Human Diversity - 3 Units Required
Capstone
These last nine units in GE represent the culmination of the GE experience and are designed to reinforce knowledge and skills acquired from many areas.
Capstones are designated as Interdisciplinary, Service Learning, or Advanced Skills. You can take as many interdisciplinary Capstones as you wish, but you may take NO MORE THAN ONE Service Learning and NO MORE THAN ONE Advanced Skills courses. Capstone courses may be used to meet the specific category requirements and the Global Issues and Human Diversity in the U.S. requirements, if those have not been met by other courses.
Purpose: All capstone courses must reinforce advanced college skills, including writing, synthesis and application of knowledge, analysis, critique, and research.
You are required to take 9 units of Capstone classes:
Service Learning - 3 Units Maximum
Advanced Skills - 3 Units Maximum