CSU General Education Requirements
Prepare for CSU Transfer with the CSUGE Pattern
Graduation Requirements
Effects of Your Home College
A. English Language Communication and Critical Thinking
Minimum 9 semester or 12 quarter units
Select one course from each group. Grades of “C-” or better are required.
3 semester units or 4 quarter units
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COM-1 or 1H Public Speaking or Honors
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COM-2 Persuasion in Rhetorical Perspective
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COM-6 Small Group Communication
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COM-9 or 9H Interpersonal Communication or Honors
3 semester units or 4 quarter units
- ENG-1A or 1AH English Composition or Honors
3 semester units or 4 quarter units
- ALR-4 Critical Reading as Critical Thinking (formerly REA-4)
- COM-2 Intro to Persuasion
- COM-3 Argumentation and Debate
- ENG-1B or 1BH Critical Thinking and Writing or Honors
- PHI-11 Critical Thinking
- PHI/MAT-32 Introduction to Symbolic Logic
B. Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning
Minimum 9 semester or 12 quarter units
Select one course from each group. Also, one of the science courses must have a lab. (see underlined courses for labs).
3 semester units or 4 quarter units
| Subject | Course |
| Astronomy |
AST-1A Intro to the Solar System AST-1B Intro to the Stars and Galaxies |
| Chemistry |
CHE-1A or 1AH General Chemistry I or Honors 1 CHE-1B or 1BH General Chemistry II or Honors 1 CHE-2A Introductory Chemistry I 1 CHE-2B Introductory Chemistry II 1 CHE-3 Fundamentals of Chemistry 1 |
| Geography |
GEG-1 or 1H Physical Geography or Honors 1, 2 GEG-1L Physical Geography Laboratory (has a Corequisite of GEG-1 or 1H) |
| Physical Science |
PHS-1 Introduction to Physical Science |
| Physics |
PHY-10 Introduction to General Physics PHY-11 Physics Lab (has a corequisite of PHY-10) PHY-4A Mechanics 1 PHY-4B Electricity and Magnetism 1 PHY-4C Heat, Light and Waves 1 PHY-4D Modern Physics 1 |
1 Course has a lab component that fulfills area B3
2 Lab component requires separate enrollment
3 semester units or 4 quarter units
| Subject | Course |
| Anthropology |
ANT-1 or 1H Physical Anthropology or Honors 1, 2 ANT-1L Physical Anthropology Laboratory (has a corequisite of ANT-1 or 1H) 2 |
| Biology |
BIO-1 or 1H General Biology or Honors 1 BIO-4 Human Biology (Formerly BIO-17) 1 BIO-18 Human Genetics (Formerly BIO-34) BIO-19 Environmental Science (Formerly BIO-36) BIO-45 Survey Anatomy & Physiology (Formerly AMY-10) BIO-50A Anatomy and Physiology I (Formerly BIO-12) 1 BIO-50B Anatomy and Physiology II 1 BIO-55 Microbiology (Formerly MIC-1) 1 BIO-60 or 60H Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology or Honors (Formerly BIO-11) 1 BIO-61 Introduction to Organismal and Population Biology 1 |
| Psychology | PSY-2 Biological Psychology |
1 Course has a lab component that fulfills area B3
2 Lab component requires separate enrollment
This requirement is satisfied by completion of any course in B1 or B2 with a laboratory. Lab courses are underlined in B1 and B2.
3 semester units or 4 quarter units. Grade of “C-” or better is required.
- MAT-1A or 1AH Calculus I or Honors
- MAT-1B Calculus II
- MAT-1C Calculus III
- MAT-2 Differential Equations
- MAT-3 Linear Algebra
- MAT-5 Calculus for Business and Life Science
- MAT-9 Business/STEM College Algebra
- MAT-10 Pre-Calculus
- MAT-11 College Algebra
- MAT-12 or 12H Statistics or Honors
- MAT-25 Mathematics for the Liberal Arts Student
- MAT-26 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers
- MAT-36 Trigonometry
- MAT-70B Statistics for STEM
- MAT/CIS-70A Foundations of Data Science
- PSY/SOC-48 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
C. Arts and Humanities
Minimum 9 semester or 12 quarter units
Select three courses, with at least one course from C1 Arts and one course from C2 Humanities.
| Subject | Course |
| Art History |
AHS-1 or 1H History of Western Art: Prehistoric, Ancient and Medieval or Honors AHS-2 or 2H History of Western Art: Renaissance through Contemporary or Honors AHS-3 Islamic Art History AHS-4 Introduction to Visual Culture AHS-5 Arts of Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous AHS-6 or 6H Art Appreciation or Honors AHS-7 Women Artists in History AHS-8 Art History of the Photographic Image AHS-9 African Art History AHS-10 Modern and Contemporary Art History AHS-12 Asian Art History AHS-13 Pre-Columbian Art History AHS-14 Latin American Art: Colonial to Present AHS-15 Rome: The Ancient City |
| Communication Studies |
COM-7 Oral Interpretation of Literature |
| Dance |
DAN-6 Dance Appreciation |
| Film and Theater |
FST-1 Introduction to Film Studies THE-3 Introduction to the Theater |
| Music |
MUS-3 Fundamentals of Music MUS-4 Music Theory 1 MUS-19 or 19H Music Appreciation or Honors MUS-20 Great Composers Before 1820 MUS-21 Great Composers After 1820 MUS-22 Survey of Music Literature MUS-23 History of Rock and Roll MUS-25 Jazz Appreciation MUS-26 Film Music Appreciation |
| Subject | Course |
| Art History | AHS-4 Introduction to Visual Culture |
| American Sign Language |
ASL-1 American Sign Language I ASL-2 American Sign Language II |
| Communication Studies |
COM-7 Oral Interpretation of Literature COM-12 Intercultural Communications |
| Ethnic Studies |
ETS-2 Intro. to Chicano/a Studies (Same as HIS-31) ETS-14 African American History I (Same HIS 14) ETS-15 African American History II (Same HIS 15) |
| English |
ENG-1B or 1BH Critical Thinking and Writing or Honors ENG-6 British Literature I: Anglo-Saxon through 18th Century ENG-7 British Literature II: Romanticism through Postmodernism ENG-9 Introduction to Shakespeare ENG-11 Creative Writing ENG-14 American Literature I: Pre-Contact through the Civil War ENG-15 American Literature II: 1860 to Present ENG-16 Introduction to Linguistics ENG-18 Native American Lit. (Same as ETS-18) ENG-20 African American Lit. ENG-23 Bible as Literature (Same as HUM-23) ENG-24 Asian American Lit. ENG-25 Latinx Lit. of the US ENG-30 Children’s Literature ENG-35 Images of Women in Literature ENG-40 World Literature I: From Ancient Literatures to the 17th Century ENG-41 World Literature II: 17th Century - Present ENG-48 Short Story and Novel from 20th Century |
| English as a Second Language |
ESL-50 Advanced American College English |
| History |
HIS-1 World History I HIS-2 World History II HIS-4 History of Western Civilization I HIS-5 History of Western Civilization II HIS-6 or 6H United States History to 1877 or Honors HIS-7 or 7H United States History from 1865 or Honors HIS-11 Military History of US to 1900 HIS-12 Military History of US since 1900 HIS-14 African American History I HIS-15 African American History II HIS-26 History of California HIS-31 Intro. to Chicano/a Studies HIS-34 History of Women in America HIS-35 History of England |
| Humanities |
HUM 4 or 4H Arts and Ideas: Ancient World through the Late Medieval Period or Honors HUM-5 or 5H Arts and Ideas: Renaissance - Modern or Honors HUM-8 Intro to Mythology (Same as ENG-8) HUM-9 American Voices HUM-10 or 10H World Religions or Honors HUM-23 The Bible as Literature (Same as ENG-23) HUM-35 Philosophy of Religion (Same as PHI-35) |
| Philosophy |
PHI-10 or 10H Introduction to Philosophy or Honors PHI-12 Intro. to Ethics: Contemporary Moral Issues PHI-22 Philosophy of Science PHI/MAT-32 Intro to Symbolic Logic PHI-35 Philosophy of Religion (Same as HUM-35) PHI-36 Asian Philosophy |
| Spanish |
SPA-1 or 1H Spanish 1 or Honors SPA-2 or 2H Spanish 2 or Honors SPA-3 Spanish 3 SPA-3N Spanish for Spanish Speakers SPA-4 Spanish 4 SPA-8 Intermediate Conversation SPA-11 Spanish Culture and Civilization SPA-12 Latin American Culture and Civilization |
D. Social Sciences
Select two courses.
| Subject |
Courses |
| Administration of Justice |
ADJ-1 Introduction to Administration of Justice ADJ-3 Concepts of Criminal Law ADJ-9 or 9H Law in American Society or Honors |
| Anthropology |
ANT-2 or 2H Cultural Anthropology or Honors ANT-3 Prehistoric Cultures ANT-4/ETS-27 Native American Cultures ANT-5 Cultures of Ancient Mexico ANT-6 or 6H Introduction to Archaeology or Honors ANT-7 Anthropology of Religion ANT-8 Language and Culture |
| Communication Studies |
COM-9 or 9H Interpersonal Communication or Honors COM-12 Intercultural Communication COM-13 Gender and Communication COM-20 Introduction to Communication Theory |
| Early Childhood Education |
EAR-20 Child Growth and Development EAR-42 Child, Family and Community |
| Economics |
ECO-4 Introduction to Economics ECO-5 Economics of the Environment ECO-6 Introduction to Political Economy ECO-7 or 7H Principles of Macroeconomics or Honors ECO-8 or 8H Principles of Microeconomics or Honors |
| Ethnic Studies |
ETS/HMS-50 Introduction to African American Families ETS/HMS-51 Introduction to Latina and Latino American Families ETS/HMS-52 Introduction to Asian American Families and Populations ETS/HMS-53 Introduction to Native American Families and Populations ETS-2 Intro to Chicano/a Studies (Same as HIS-31) ETS-14 African American History I (Same as HIS-14) ETS-15 African American History II (Same as HIS-15) ETS-21 Latinx Politics ETS-23 Race, Ethnicity and Politics in America (Same as POL-23) ETS-27 Native American Cultures (Same as ANT-4) |
| Geography |
GEG-2 Human Geography GEG-3 World Regional Geography GEG-4 Geography of California |
| History |
HIS-1 History of World Civilizations I HIS-2 History of World Civilizations II HIS-4 History of Western Civilization I HIS-5 History of Western Civilization II HIS-6 or 6H United States History to 1877 or Honors HIS-7 or 7H United States History from 1865 or Honors HIS-11 Military History of the US to 1900 HIS-12 Military History of the US since 1900 HIS-14 African American History I (Same as ETS-14) HIS-15 African American History II (Same as ETS-15) HIS-25 History of Mexico HIS-26 History of California HIS-31 Intro. to Chicano/a Studies (Same as ETS-2) HIS-32 History of Early Latin America HIS-33 History of Modern Latin America HIS-34 History of Women in America HIS-35 History of England HIS-38 LGBTQ+ History on the United States HIS-60 US History From a Chicana/o/x Perspective: Pre-Columbian to 1848 HIS-61 US History From a Chicana/o/x Perspective: 1848 to Present Day |
| Journalism |
JOU-7 Mass Communications |
| Philosophy |
PHI-18 Walking with the Dead: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on Death and Dying |
| Political Science |
POL-1 or 1H American Politics or Honors POL-2 or 2H Comparative Politics or Honors POL-4 or 4H Intro to World Politics or Honors POL-5 The Law and Politics POL-6 Introduction to Political Economy POL-8 Introduction to Public Administration and Policy Development POL-11 Political Theory POL-20 Latin American Politics POL-21 Latinx Politics (Same as ETS-21) POL-22 Politics of the Middle East POL-23 Race, Ethnicity, and Politics in America (Same as ETS-23) |
| Psychology |
PSY-1 or 1H General Psychology or Honors PSY-8 Social Psychology PSY-9 Developmental Psychology PSY 11 Psychology of Human Sexuality PSY-33 Theories of Personality PSY-35 or 35H Abnormal Psychology or Honors PSY-50 Research Methods in Psychology |
| Sociology |
SOC-1 or 1H Introduction to Sociology or Honors SOC-2 American Social Problems SOC-10 or 10H Race and Ethnic Relations or Honors SOC-12 Marriage and Family Relations SOC-15 Introduction to Women’s Studies SOC-20 Introduction to Criminology SOC-21 Introduction to Deviance SOC-50 Introduction to Social Research Methods |
E. Lifelong Learning and Self-Development
| Subject |
Courses |
| Literacy and Reading |
ALR-3 Reading for Academic and Lifelong Literacy |
| Biology and Health |
BIO-16 Human Reproduction and Sexual BIO-35 Health Science (Same as HES-1) |
| Early Childhood Education |
EAR-20 Child Growth and Development EAR-42 Child, Family and Community |
| Guidance |
GUI-47A Introduction to Career Exploration GUI-47 Career Exploration and Life Planning GUI-48 College Success Strategies |
| Kinesiology |
KIN-4 Nutrition KIN-10 Introduction to Kinesiology KIN-35 Foundation for Fitness and Wellness |
| Psychology |
PSY-9 Developmental Psychology PSY-10 Personal and Social Adjustment PSY-11 Psychology of Human Sexuality PSY-33 Theories of Personality |
| Sociology | SOC-12 Marriage and Family Relations |
- Military veterans who submit a DD214 will be awarded a full 3 units towards area E certification.
- Activity courses - Only 1 unit of activity coursework may be applied towards area E.
- Dance Activity courses - Only 1 unit of DAN activity coursework may be applied towards area E.
F. Ethnic Studies
- ETS/POL-21 Latinx Politics
- ETS/POL-23 Race, Ethnicity, and Politics in America
- ETS/HIS-14 African American History I
- ETS/HIS-15 African American History II
United States History, Constitution and Government
Although this is not part of the general education requirements, it is a CSU graduation requirement that you can complete at a community college before you transfer.
ETS-2, HIS-6/6H, 7/7H, 14, 31, or 34 may also be used to partially fulfill area C or D. HUM-16 may also be used to partially fulfill area C. POL-1/1H may also be used to partially fulfill area D. ETS/POL-21 or 23 may also be used to fulfill area D or F.
- ETS-2 or HIS-31 Introduction to Chicano/a Studies
- HIS-6 or 6H United States History to 1877 or Honors
- HIS-7 or 7H United States History from 1865 or Honors
- HIS-11 Military History of the US to 1900
- HIS-12 Military History of the US since 1900
- HIS-14 African American History I (Same as ETS-14)
- HIS-15 African American History II (Same as ETS-15)
- HIS-34 History of Women in America
- ETS/POL-21 Latinx Politics
- ETS/POL-23 Race, Ethnicity and Politics in America
- POL-1 or 1H American Politics or Honors
Note: Moreno Valley College’s POL-1/1H or ETS/POL-21 fulfill the CSU graduation requirement in both US government and California state and local government. Students who have completed ETS/POL-23, or who have received a score of 3 or higher on the AP US Government and Politics exam, or who have taken a US government class at an out-of-state institution may have fulfilled the US government requirement but will still need to fulfill the California state and local government in order to graduate from the CSU.
More Information
- Courses cannot be double-counted to satisfy more than one area, even if a course is listed in more than one area.
- Upper division transfer students will need to complete a minimum of 60 transferable units, their "Golden 4" courses, and at least 30 units of general education.
- "Golden 4 courses" in areas A1, A2, A3, and B4 must be completed with grades of "C-" or better. However, RCCD requires a "C" grade or better to meet course prerequisites.
- It is highly recommended to make an appointment with a counselor to ensure proper academic planning and to complete a student educational plan (SEP).
- CSU GE area F is effective for students beginning at a CCC or a CSU campus in fall 2021 and beyond. Students with continuous enrollment prior to fall 2021 may choose to complete the pre-fall 21 CSU GE pattern without Area F and with 9 units from at least two different disciplines completed in Area D. For purposes of area F, continuous enrollment is defined as attendance in at least one semester per calendar year at a CSU or California Community College or a combination of the two. See a counselor for details.
CSU GE for STEM
Students pursuing certain Associate Degrees for Transfer may be eligible to complete CSU GE for STEM, deferring two lower-division GE courses until after transfer. CSU GE for STEM is applicable only to majors in which the Transfer Model Curriculum explicitly indicates the availability of the option. At MVC, none of the ADTs currently allow CSU GE for STEM.
