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, and in GE or the major.
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).