Graduation Requirements for Students Enrolled Fall 2019 or later

In order to graduate, undergraduates must complete the following Baccalaureate Graduation Requirements, including the General Education program:

  • 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 division courses in GE or the major.

    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

    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 C2 and a third course in either C1 or C2.

    • Arts (C1) - 3 Units
    • Humanities (C2) - 3 Units
    • Arts (C1) or Humanities (C2) - 3 Units

    Social Sciences

    • Social Sciences (D1) - 3 Units
    • US History (D2) - 3 Units
    • US/CA Government (D3) - 3 Units

    Lifelong Learning and Self Development

    • Lifelong Learning and Self Development (E) - 3 Units

    Upper Division General Education

    Prerequisites: a grade of C- or better in Area A1, A2, A3, and B4 courses.

    • 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

    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

    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

    Students must complete at least one class each in C1 and C2 and a third course in either C1 or C2.

    • Arts (C1) - 3 Units
    • Humanities (C2) - 3 Units
    • Arts (C1) or Humanities (C2) - 3 Units

    Social Sciences

    Transfer students who have completed Area D without having satisfied the U.S. History and U.S. 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).

    Lifelong Learning and Self Development

    • Lifelong Learning and Self Development (E) - 3 Units

    Upper Division General Education

    Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in Area A1, A2, A3 and B4 courses.

    • 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