The following steps will assist you in understanding the CSU General Education Pattern and basic CSU transfer requirements.

“How Do I Know which General Education Pattern I should follow?”  In order to transfer to a CSU, you should follow the CSU General Education Pattern unless you are a Liberal Studies major or Engineering major. For those majors, use the Liberal Studies major sheet or Engineering major sheet (click here for CSUF major sheets).CSU General EducationCSUF major sheets What if I want to get an Associate Degree and transfer?  If you would like to meet transfer requirements and receive an Associate Degree prior to transferring, you can do one of the following: Follow the CSU General Education Pattern and add the additional graduation requirements (typically two PE classes and a Computer Literacy requirement) and major requirements for the degree. Or you can follow the Associate Degree General Education pattern to meet Associate degree requirements, but you would still need to complete your remaining transfer requirements from the CSU GE Pattern.Associate Degree General Education

What if I want to transfer to a University of California (UC)  Do not use the CSU GE pattern if you plan to transfer to a UC. Since the courses that you take for a UC can vary depending on the major you plan to pursue, and the UC you plan to go to, it is strongly suggested that you consult with a counselor to assist you in selecting the appropriate general education and major coursework. For the most current information regarding UC transfer information, visit the ASSIST website.ASSIST

 CSU transfer admission requirements include the completion of 60 transferrable units (30 of which are general education courses) with a 2.0 or better GPA.  Courses taken in the following areas must be completed with a “C” or better: Speech (A1), English Composition (A2), Critical Thinking (A3), and Mathematics (B4). These four classes are required for CSU admission.  Students who were eligible to enter the CSU as a freshman (based on the CSU high school course pattern and eligibility index) may transfer any time as long as they have a cumulative college GPA of 2.0 or better, and as long as the CSU is still accepting “lower division transfers.”  Students who were not CSU eligible out of high school must complete a total of 60 transferrable units, have a 2.0 GPA, and include the required four classes (see bullet number two above) for admission. This is referred to as an “upper division transfer.”  It is advised to complete the A1,A2,A3,B4 by the end of the Spring semester for Fall CSU enrollment (some schools may not accept summer classes in these areas); or by the Summer for the Spring CSU enrollment. Check specific transfer institution for completion dates in these areas. It is strongly advised that you utilize CSU Mentor for information on specific CSU’s.CSU Mentor

 The following slides will provide you with a step by step process for selecting classes from the CSU GE pattern.  The GE sheet utilized in this PowerPoint is the 08/09 GE sheet, and should be used as a demonstration only.  Click here to access the appropriate CSU GE pattern (select GE pattern for your correct catalog year).CSU GE

Select one Speech class from Area A1. This class must be completed with a “C” or better. Complete English 1A from Area A2. This class must be completed with a “C” or better. Select one Critical Thinking class from Area A3. This class must be completed with a “C” or better. Some classes in this area have an English 1A prerequisite.

Select one class from Area B2. At least one course from Area B1 and B2 must have a lab. Select one Math class from Area B4. This class must be completed with a “C” or better. Some majors require a specific Math class. Consult the Major Sheet for your selected major or discuss with a counselor to ensure you have selected the appropriate class. Select one class from Area B1.

Select one course from Area C2. Select one course from Area C1. Select one additional course from either Area C1 or C2. A total of 9 units must be completed from Area C.

Select your third course from Area D. However, the class needs to be selected from an area other than D6 and D8. Select Political Science 2, and either History 11 or 12 to meet the American Institutions requirement for the CSU’s. Please note that CSU Fresno will accept additional courses in both Area D and E.

Select one class from Area E. Please note that CSU Fresno will accept additional classes in this area.

 A course can be counted in only one GE area or sub-area on the CSU GE pattern.  The same course, e.g., SWAHLI 1/ AFRAM 21, can be counted only once.  The previous courses are CSU GE-Breadth approved for Fresno City College. Students completing courses at other California Community Colleges (in particular Reedley College and SCCCD North Centers) should carefully review course differences.  Students may not elect P/NP graded coursework to satisfy major or major GE (classes that double count for major/GE) unless the course has been designated P/NP only.

 In order to acquire the 60 units needed to transfer to a CSU, you will need to complete the CSU GE pattern, and possibly some additional major preparation coursework.  Major Preparation Sheets are available for CSU, Fresno in the Counseling Center lobby, and online by clicking Major Sheets.Major Sheets  For Major Preparation sheets for other CSU campuses, you may utilize the ASSIST website to access articulation agreements (lists of comparable classes that transfer from a community college to a specific CSU).ASSIST  Since some campuses allow double counting between GE and major, it is recommended that you compare the CSU GE pattern to your major preparation list to see if any of the major preparation classes can double count on the CSU GE pattern.

 This tutorial is designed to serve as a guide for course selection. It is recommended that you research the courses you would like to take in each area on the GE pattern, and then meet with a counselor to discuss the plan you have created.  It is highly recommended that you plan early for a CSU transfer! To ensure that you are taking the appropriate classes, and to ensure that you are prepared to apply to the CSU, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment to meet with the Transfer Center Counselor to begin preparations for transfer to your selected University. Transfer Center