Overview of General Education Requirements (Effective Fall 2012)
The following is an overview of the General Education requirements beginning with the Fall 2012 catalog. Click the link in the "List of Approved Courses" column to see current lists of all courses approved for that requirement. Refer to the online schedule of classes to see which specific sections of courses are being offered for a specific term. You can also run your Academic Requirements Report in MyCSULB to see your current status in completing General Education requirements.
Be Aware: A minimum of thirty-five (35) units of the student’s General Education courses must be taken outside the student’s major department.
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The Foundation
These courses will provide you with the basic essential skills of a college-educated person including written communication and oral communication in the English language, critical thinking, and mathematics/quantitative reasoning.
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/Quanitive Reasoning | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Sciences* | B1a | 3 | B1a courses |
| Physical Sciences* | B1b | 3 | B1b courses |
*In this category either Life of Physical Sciences must include a lab component.
| Area of Study | GE Category | Units Required | List of Approved Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts | C1 | 3 or 6* | C1 courses |
| Humanities: (Literature, Philosophy, Foreign Languages or Other Humanities) | C2/C3 | 3 or 6* |
*In this category students must complete 6 units in either Arts or Humanities and 3 units in the other area.
| 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 |
| Social Sciences and Citizenship | D2 | 3 | D2 |
| Area of Study | GE Category | Units Required | List of Approved Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifelong Learning and Self Development | E | 3 | E courses |
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, Advanced Skills, Integrative Learning or Writing Intensive. Capstone courses may be used to meet 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.
| Area of Study | GE Category | Units Required | List of Approved Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capstone* | Any | 9 |
*Beginning Fall 2014 students must complete one Writing Intensive capstone.
Additional General Education Requirements
While you are fulfilling the GE Category requirements given above, you must select courses that also complete the following additional requirements:
- GLOBAL ISSUES (3 units)
- HUMAN DIVERSITY IN THE UNITED STATES (3 units)
Be aware that courses satisfying these Additional GE Requirements fit into the A-F category requirements above, so with careful planning, you can avoid taking "extra" courses to meet these requirements.
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