In order to graduate, undergraduates must complete the following Baccalaureate Graduation Requirements, including the General Education program:
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Area A-D
Lower division GE courses that provide a foundation in the basic subjects and a breadth of knowledge in several disciplinary areas. -
Area E
Life-long Learning and Self-Development GE courses help students develop a sense of self and how they can become life-long learners. -
Upper Division GE
Upper division courses in Areas B-D that build on the foundation laid in the lower division coursework. -
SF State Studies
Students take at least one course in each of four areas of importance to the campus. These can be upper or lower, and in GE or the major. -
View SF State General Education info graphic
General Education Pattern for First-time Freshmen
Students must complete a minimum of 48 units of GE with at least one course approved in each area.
English Language Communication and Critical Thinking
- Oral Communication (A1) - 3 Units
- Written Communication I (A2) - 3 Units
- Critical Thinking (A3) - 3 Units
- Written Communication II (A4) - 3 Units
Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning
- Physical Sciences (B1) - 3 Units
- Life Sciences (B2) - 3 Units
- Physical or Life Sciences Lab (B3) - 0-1 Units
- Math/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) - 3 Units
Arts and Humanities
Students must complete at least one class each in C1 and C3 and a third course in either C1 or C2.
- Creative Arts (C1) - 3 Units
- Humanities (C2) - 3 Units
- Humanities: Literature (C3) - 3 Units
Social Sciences
- Social Sciences (D1) - 3 Units
- US History (D2) - 3 Units
- US/CA Government (D3) - 3 Units
Upper Division General Education
Prerequisites: upper division standing by the end of the semester the course is taken, and a C- or better in an Area A4 course.
- Upper division Physical/Life Science (UD-B) - 3 Units
- Upper division Arts/Humanities (UD-C) - 3 Units
- Upper division Social Science (UD-D) - 3 Units
Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (LLD/E) (0-3 Units)
Resources
General Education Pattern for Transfer Students
Transfer students may complete the 39 units of lower division General Education requirements (Area A-E)
English Language Communication and Critical Thinking
- Oral Communication (A1) - 3 Units
- Written Communication I (A2) - 3 Units
- Critical Thinking (A3) - 3 Units
- Written Communication II (A4) - 3 Units
Transfer students who started in 2018 - 2019 are not required to complete Area A4 as part of their General Education requirements. However, a Written English Communication II course that is equivalent to SF State's ENG 214 is needed as a requirement (GWAR).
Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning
- Physical Sciences (B1) - 3 Units
- Life Sciences (B2) - 3 Units
- Physical or Life Sciences Lab (B3) - 0-3 Units
- Math/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) - 3 Units
Arts and Humanities
- Transfer students must complete 9-units of Area C coursework with at least one class each in C1 and C2 and an additional course in C1, C2 or C3.
- Creative Arts (C1) - 3 Units
- Humanities (C2) - 3 Units
- Humanities: Literature (C3) - 3 Units
Social Sciences
Transfer students who have completed Area D without having satisfied the US History and US and CA Government requirements, may choose from the list of approved courses in the Bulletin. Transfer students who did not complete 9 units in Area D must take additional Area D courses, which may also satisfy the U.S. History and Government requirements (Areas D2 and D3).
Upper Division General Education
Prerequisites: upper division standing by the end of the semester the course is taken, and a C- or better in an Area A4 course.
- Upper division Physical/Life Science (UD-B) - 3 Units
- Upper division Arts/Humanities (UD-C) - 3 Units
- Upper division Social Science (UD-D) - 3 Units
Transfer students are encouraged to meet this requirement while completing upper division General Education (UD-B, UD-C, and UD-D).
Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (LLD/E) (0-3 Units)
Resources