FAQ - Certification

What is the GE certification process?

The CSU (California State University) system recognizes that GE courses taught in the California Community College (CCC) system, other CSUs, and a few other institutions as meeting CSULB's GE requirements in a process called "certification of courses." These courses must appear on the CCC or the CSU approved GE lists on the transfer plans for CCC or on CSU GE lists.

If I have an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from a CCC, am I GE certified?

Usually not. Many AA degrees do not contain many general education courses and are skills-specific.

What does a total GE certification mean?

It means that all lower division GE is complete.

Can I be partially GE certified?

Yes. A student can complete one or more categories with the minimum unit and subject requirement.

How many GE certification processes are in effect?

Three. They are: CCC Certification plan for transfer to the CSU, Intersegmental GE transfer plan for transfer to the CSU or the UC system, and CSU certification for transfer from one CSU to another. Keep in mind that only lower division GE courses are certifiable.

Is GE certification automatic?

No, most transfer students must request it from their former institution.