Program Overview

The Certificate of Achievement in California State University General Education Certification (CSU GE-Breadth) will be awarded upon completion of the CSU GE Certification requirements as outlined on the catalog year's CSU-GE Certification Worksheet. Students must complete a minimum of 39 units, which are distributed among six areas. CSU-GE Certification requirements are designed to be taken with a major area of concentration and elective courses in preparation for transfer to a California State University. This certificate recognizes the completion of lower-division general education requirements for CSU.

Program Requirements

Complete 39 units of coursework to meet the California State University General Education Certification requirements as listed below. All courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.
AREA A: ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMMUNICATION & CRITICAL THINKING (9 units) One course each from A1 Oral Communication, A2 Written Communication, and A3 Critical Thinking. Units
Area A1 ORAL COMMUNICATION 3 units
Area A2 WRITTEN COMMUNICATION 3 units
Area A3 CRITICAL THINKING 3 units
AREA B: SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY AND QUANTITATIVE REASONING (9 units) One course each from B1 Physical Science, B2 Life Science, and B4 Mathematics. At least one of the science courses listed in B1 or B2 must include a lab component (B3) as part of the course or as a separate lab course. Units
Area B1 PHYSICAL SCIENCE 3 units
Area B2 LIFE SCIENCE 3 units
Area B3 LABORATORY ACTIVITY
Area B4 MATHEMATICS/QUANTITATIVE REASONING 3 units
AREA C: ARTS AND HUMANITIES (9 units) One course from C1 Arts, one course from C2 Humanities, and one course from either C1 Arts or C2 Humanities. Units
Area C1 ARTS 3 units
Area C2 HUMANITIES 3 units
Area C1 ARTS or C2 HUMANITIES 3 units
AREA D: SOCIAL SCIENCES (6 units) Two courses required. Units
Area D SOCIAL SCIENCES 6 units
AREA E: LIFELONG LEARNING & SELF DEVELOPMENT (3 units) Complete three units from E1 or from E1 and E2 combined (Note: Maximum one unit applicable from Area E2. Must complete a minimum of two units in Area E1). Units
Area E1 2 units
Area E2 1 unit
AREA F: ETHNIC STUDIES (3 units) One course required. Units
Area F: Ethnic Studies 3 units
ADVISORY
AH&I: CSU Graduation Requirement – (NOT required to certify CSU GE) American Institutions US History, Constitution, and American Ideals: Complete courses to cover US 1 (History), US 2 (Constitution) and US 3 (State and Local Government); some courses cover two areas. Units
Courses used to satisfy this requirement may also be applied to CSU GE requirements in Area C2, D, or F if applicable. Note: Course approvals for this requirement may vary between SMCCCD Colleges. If you are planning to register for a course to complete this area at another campus, please consult their CSU GE pattern and meet with a counselor.
Total Required Units: 39