Program Overview

The Certificate of Achievement in IGETC for STEM (CSU) will be awarded upon completion of the IGETC for STEM (CSU) general education requirements as outlined on the catalog year's IGETC for STEM (CSU) general education worksheet. Students must complete a minimum of 31 units, which are distributed among six areas. Per state requirements, the IGETC for STEM (CSU) general education option is available to students earning an Associate Degree for Transfer in Biology or Environmental Science only. This certificate recognizes the completion of lower-division general education STEM requirements for CSU.

NOTE: IGETC for STEM (CSU) allows students to defer one course in both IGETC Areas 3 and 4 (6 units) until after transfer, in order to concentrate on the lower-division math and science courses required for a STEM major; these deferred lower-division courses must be replaced with calculus and/or science courses required by the major before transfer.

Complete the following courses after transfer:

  • One remaining lower-division general education course in Area 3;
  • One remaining lower-division general education course in Area 4

Program Requirements

Complete 31 units of coursework to meet the IGETC for STEM (CSU) Certification requirements as listed below. All courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.
AREA 1: ENGLISH COMPOSITION (9 units) One course each from 1A English Composition, 1B Critical Thinking -English Composition, and 1C Oral Communication (CSU requirement only) Units
Area 1A: ENGLISH COMPOSITION 3 units
Area 1B: CRITICAL THINKING – ENGLISH COMPOSITION 3 units
Area 1C ORAL COMMUNICATION (CSU requirement only) 3 units
AREA 2: MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS and QUANTITATIVE REASONING (3 units). One course required. Units
Area 2 MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS and QUANTITATIVE REASONING 3 units
AREA 3: ARTS and HUMANITIES (6 units) Two courses required before transfer: One from AREA 3A ARTS, and one from AREA 3B Humanities. Complete one remaining lower-division general education course in Area 3 after transfer. Units
Area 3A ARTS 3 units
Area 3B HUMANITIES 3 units
AREA 4: SOCIAL and BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (3 units) One course is required before transfer. Complete one remaining lower-division general education course in Area 4 after transfer. Units
Area 4 SOCIAL and BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES 3 units
AREA 5: PHYSICAL and BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (7 units) Complete one course from 5A Physical Science and one from 5B Biological Science. At least one of the science courses listed in 5A or 5B must include a Lab (5C) as part of the course or as a separate lab course. Units
Area 5A PHYSICAL SCIENCE 3 units
Area 5B BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE 3 units
Area 5C PHYSICAL or BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE LAB 1 unit
AREA 7: ETHNIC STUDIES (3 units) One course required. Units
Area 7: 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: 31