The CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE-B) is a 39-unit general education program that allows California Community College students to fulfill lower-division GE requirements for the CSU. At least 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS of Major and General Education courses are required to transfer. Transfer students should: (1) meet with a counselor to create an EDUCATIONAL PLAN that will assist in identifying appropriate major and GE requirements; (2) request a CSU GE-B CERTIFICATION (when final transcripts are requested) to be sent to the transfer institution; and (3) with a counselor’s assistance, determine eligibility for an Associate’s Degree and/or an Associate’s Degree for Transfer. FULL CERTIFICATION (completion of all areas), PARTIAL CERTIFICATION (completion of all but 2 courses), and CSU GE-B FOR STEM CERTIFICATION (for BIO AS-T only) are available. Completion of the pattern also satisfies requirements for Certificate of Achievement. All courses are 3 units unless otherwise noted.
Golden Four: Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4 must be completed with a letter grade of “C” or better. Completion of the Golden Four and 60 transferable units with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 are required for admission.
**Note: Courses indicated by (**) may be used to meet one area requirement only.
Area A: English Language Communication and Critical Thinking
Requirement: 3 courses 9 semester/12-15 quarter units
Complete 1 course from each section (3 courses total). All courses from Area A must be completed with a “C” or better.
Area A1: Oral Communication
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| COMM 001 | Public Speaking |
| COMM 001H | Honors Public Speaking |
| COMM 007 | Survey of Communication: Career |
| COMM 010 | Introduction to Persuasion |
| COMM 010H | Honors Introduction to Persuasion |
| COMM 020 | Argumentation & Debate |
Area A2: Written Communication
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ENGL 001A | English Composition |
Area A3: Critical Thinking
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| COMM 010 | Introduction to Persuasion |
| COMM 010H | Honors Introduction to Persuasion |
| ENGL 001B | Critical Thinking through Literature |
| ENGL 001C | Critical Thinking & Writing |
| ENGL 001CH | Honors Critical Thinking & Writing |
| PHIL 002 | Introduction to Logic |
| PHIL 003 | Introduction to Ethics |
| PHIL 017 | Logic & Critical Reasoning |
Area B: Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning
Requirement: 9 Semester/12 Quarter Units
Complete at least one course from Biological Science, Physical Science, and Mathematics area.
Area B1: Physical Sciences
| Course Number | Course Title | Lab |
|---|---|---|
| ASTR 010 | Solar System Astronomy | |
| ASTR 011 | Stellar Astronomy | |
| ASTR 014 | Life in the Universe | |
| ASTR 020 | Family of the Sun (4) | X |
| ASTR 020H | Honors Family of the Sun (4) | X |
| ASTR 021 | Lifestyles of the Stars (4) | X |
| ASTR 021H | Honors Lifestyles of the Stars (4) | X |
| ASTR 022 | From Big Bang to Black Holes | |
| BIOL 013 | Natural History of California | X |
| CHEM 001A, 001B | General Chemistry (5/ea) | X |
| CHEM 001AH, 001BH | Honors General Chemistry (5/ea) | X |
| CHEM 002 | Introductory Chemistry (4) | X |
| CHEM 012A, 012B | Organic Chemistry (5/ea) | X |
| CHEM 030A, 030B | Fundamentals of Chemistry (4/ea) | X |
| CHEM 060 | Survey of General, Organic, & Biochemistry (4) | X |
| GEOG 001 | Intro Physical Geography | |
| GEOL 001A | Physical Geology (4) | X |
| GEOL 001B | Historical Geology (4) | X |
| GEOL 012 | Earth Science with Lab (4) | X |
| GEOL 015 | Geology of California | |
| GEOL 020 | Field Geology | X |
| OCEA 010 | Introduction to Oceanography (4) | X |
| PHYS 001 | Introduction to Physics Problem Solving | |
| PHYS 002A | General Physics – Mechanics (5) | X |
| PHYS 002B | General Physics – Electricity & Magnetism (5) | X |
| PHYS 004A | Engineering Physics – Mechanics (5) | X |
| PHYS 004B | Engineering Physics – Electricity & Magnetism (5) | X |
| PHYS 004C | Engineering Physics – Light, Heat, and Waves (5) | X |
| PHYS 005 | Advanced Topics in Modern Physics | |
| PHYS 010 | Conceptual Introduction to Physics (4) | X |
| PSCI 010 | Physical Science Survey | |
| PSCI 020 | Weather and Climate |
Area B2: Life Sciences
| Course Number | Course Title | Lab |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 001 | Introduction to Physical Anthropology | |
| BIOL 002 | Environmental Biology | |
| BIOL 010 + 010L | Introduction to Biology + Laboratory (4) | X |
| BIOL 011 | Human Biology (4) | X |
| BIOL 012 | Introduction to Ecology and Wildlife (4) | X |
| BIOL 013 | Natural History of California | X |
| BIOL 014 | California Plants and Animals (4) | X |
| BIOL 018 | Marine Biology (4) | X |
| BIOL 022 | Genetics (4) | X |
| BIOL 023 | Introduction to Infectious Diseases | |
| BIOL 024 | Bio in the News | |
| BIOL 035 | Biology of Birds (4) | X |
| BIOL 036 | Animal Behavior | |
| BIOL 037 | Evolution – Life on Earth | |
| BIOL 038 | Biodiversity and Extinction: Hotspots, Crisis and Conservation | |
| BIOL 040 | Organismal Biology (4) | X |
| BIOL 041 | Principles of Animal Biology (5) | X |
| BIOL 042 | Principles of Plant Biology (5) | X |
| BIOL 043 | Principles of Cell Biology (5) | X |
| BIOL 045 | Microbiology (5) | X |
| BIOL 047 | Human Anatomy (5) | X |
| BIOL 048 | Human Physiology (5) | X |
| BIOL 055 | Biology of Sex | |
| BIOL 056 | Ecology of the Sierra Nevada | X |
| BIOL 058 | Field Ecology | |
| BIOL 059 | Climate Change | |
| PSYC 002 | Experimental Psychophysiology (4) | X |
| PSYC 002H | Honors Experimental Psychophysiology (4) | X |
| PSYC 007 | Physiological Psychology |
Area B3: Laboratory Activity
BIOL 002L, BIOL 050, GEOL 012 or one of the selected science courses from B1 or B2 above must be a laboratory course.
.
Area B4: Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MATH 000D | Trigonometry |
| MATH 000G | Mathematics for the Liberal Arts Student |
| MATH 001 | Pre-Calculus Algebra (4) |
| MATH 002 | Pre-Calculus Algebra and Trigonometry (6) |
| MATH 003A | Calculus and Analytical Geometry (5) |
| MATH 003AH | Honors Calculus and Analytical Geometry (5) |
| MATH 003B | Calculus and Analytical Geometry (5) |
| MATH 003BH | Honors Calculus and Analytical Geometry (5) |
| MATH 004A | Intermediate Calculus (5) |
| MATH 004B | Differential Equations (4) |
| MATH 004C | Linear Algebra (4) |
| MATH 010 | Elementary Statistics (4) |
| MATH 010H | Honors Elementary Statistics (4) |
| MATH 012 | Applied Calculus (4) |
| MATH 014 | Math for Elementary School Teachers (Number Systems) |
| MATH 019 | Discrete Mathematics (4) |
| MATH 080 | Foundations in Data Science |
Area C: Arts and Humanities
Requirement: 9 semester/12-15 quarter units
Complete three (3) courses with at least one course in Arts and one course in Humanities.
Area C1: Arts Courses
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ARCH 046 | History of Architecture |
| ARCH 047 | History of Modern Architecture |
| ARCH 072 | History of Landscape Architecture |
| ARTS 001A | Survey of Western Art I |
| ARTS 001AH | Honors Survey of Western Art I |
| ARTS 001B | Survey of Western Art II |
| ARTS 001BH | Honors Survey of Western Art II |
| ARTS 001D | Survey of Modern Art |
| ARTS 001DH | Honors Art of the 20th Century |
| ARTS 001E | Design in Society |
| ARTS 001G | History of Photography |
| ARTS 001J | Survey of Non-Western Art: Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous North America |
| ARTS 004 | Art Appreciation |
| ARTS 007 | The Art of Asia |
| ARTS 010 | American Art: A Multi-Cultural Approach |
| ARTS 012A | Art of Pre-Hispanic Mexico |
| ARTS 012B | Art of Colonial & Modern Mexico |
| ARTS 013 | African-American Art History |
| ARTS 014 | Women in Art History |
| DANC 061 | Dance in America: A Cultural Perspective |
| DANC 061H | Honors Dance in America: A Cultural Perspective |
| FDAT 032 | History of Fashion |
| FDAT 088 | Fashion and Race in America |
| MUSC 001 | Music History: Medieval, Renaissance, & Baroque Periods |
| MUSC 001H | Honors Music History: Medieval, Renaissance, & Baroque |
| MUSC 002 | Music History: Classical, Romantic & Contemporary Periods |
| MUSC 002H | Honors Music History: Classical, Romantic & Contemporary |
| MUSC 003A | Music Theory Level 1 |
| MUSC 003B | Music Theory Level 2 |
| MUSC 004A | Music Theory Level 3 |
| MUSC 004B | Music Theory Level 4 |
| MUSC 005 | Fundamentals of Music |
| MUSC 007 | Film Music Appreciation |
| MUSC 009 | Jazz Music History |
| MUSC 010 | Music Appreciation |
| MUSC 054 | History of Rock and Roll Music |
| MUSC 055 | World Music |
| THEA 010 | Introduction to Theater |
| THEA 010H | Honors Introduction to Theater |
| THEA 011A | Script Analysis: Classical |
| THEA 011B | Script Analysis: Modern Realism |
| THEA 011C | Script Analysis: Contemporary / Absurdist |
| THEA 012 | Survey of Musical Theater |
| THEA 013 | Multicultural Theater |
| THEA 014A | Survey of Film: Horror & Science Fiction |
| THEA 014B | Survey of Film: Westerns and Musicals |
| THEA 014C | Survey of Film: Gangster & Detective Films |
| THEA 014D | Survey of Film: Superhero Cinema |
| THEA 014E | Survey of Film: The Star Wars Trilogies |
| THEA 015 | Introduction to Film Studies |
| THEA 016 | American Cinema |
| WGQS 002 | Women in the Arts: Multicultural Perspectives** |
Area C2: Humanities Courses
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ARTS 095 | New Media and Social Change |
| ASLA 060A | American Sign Language I (5) |
| ASLA 060B | American Sign Language II (5) |
| ENGL 005A | Survey of English Literature |
| ENGL 005B | Survey of English Literature 2 |
| ENGL 006A | World Literature |
| ENGL 006AH | Honors World Literature |
| ENGL 006B | World Literature 2 |
| ENGL 006BH | Honors World Literature 2 |
| ENGL 007A | American Literature 1 |
| ENGL 007B | American Literature 2 |
| ENGL 010 | Children’s Literature |
| ENGL 012 | African American Literature (Same as ETHN 012)** |
| ENGL 012H | Honors African American Literature (Same as ETHN 012H)** |
| ENGL 013 | U.S. Latino Literature (Same as ETHN 013)** |
| ENGL 013H | Honors U.S. Latino Literature (Same as ETHN 013H)** |
| ENGL 018 | Asian American Literature (Same as ETHN 018)** |
| ENGL 018H | Honors Asian American Literature |
| ENGL 041 | Literature & Film |
| ENGL 041H | Honors Literature & Film |
| ENGL 043 | Classical Mythology |
| ENGL 043H | Honors Classical Mythology |
| ENGL 044 | The Bible as Literature |
| ENGL 046 | Contemporary American Multi-Cultural Literature |
| ENGL 046H | Honors Contemporary American Multi-Cultural Literature |
| ENGL 047 | Introduction to Poetry |
| ENGL 047H | Honors Introduction to Poetry |
| ENGL 048 | Introduction to Shakespeare |
| ENGL 048H | Honors Introduction to Shakespeare |
| ENGL 049 | Modern Fiction |
| ENGL 049H | Honors Modern Fiction |
| ENGL 071 | Writing Fiction |
| ENGL 072 | Writing Poetry |
| ETHN 001 | Social Justice Studies (Same as SJST 001)** |
| ETHN 012 | African American Literature (Same as ENGL 012)** |
| ETHN 012H | Honors African Am. Lit. (Same as ENGL 012H)** |
| ETHN 013 | U.S. Latino Literature (Same as ENGL 013)** |
| ETHN 013H | Honors U.S. Latino Literature (Same as ENGL 013H)** |
| ETNH 018 | Asian American Literature (Same as ENGL 018)** |
| FRNC 001A | Beginning French (5) |
| FRNC 001B | Beginning French (5) |
| FRNC 002A | Intermediate French (5) |
| FRNC 002B | Intermediate French (5) |
| FRNC 003A | Advanced French Oral & Written Composition (5) |
| FRNC 003B | Advanced French Oral & Written Composition (5) |
| GERM 001A | Beginning German (5) |
| GERM 001B | Beginning German (5) |
| GERM 002A | Intermediate German (5) |
| GERM 002B | Intermediate German (5) |
| HIST 004A | Western Civilizations I: Prehistory to 1500 CE** |
| HIST 004B | Western Civilizations II: 1500 CE to Present** |
| HIST 005A | World History I: Prehistory to 1500** |
| HIST 005B | World History from 1500** |
| HIST 012 | African American History** |
| HIST 014 | History of the Native North Americans** |
| HIST 016 | Mexican-American History** |
| HIST 017A | United States History** |
| HIST 017B | United States History** |
| HIST 017BH | Honors United States History** |
| HIST 020 | History & Geography of California** |
| HUMN 001 | A World of Ideas: From the Ancient world to the Modern Age |
| HUMN 001A | Human Values in & from the Arts – the Ancient World to the Early Renaissance |
| HUMN 001B | Human Values in and from the Arts – the Renaissance to the Modern Age |
| ITAL 001A | Beginning Italian (5) |
| ITAL 001B | Beginning Italian (5) |
| ITAL 050A | Basic Italian Conversation and Culture |
| ITAL 050B | Basic Italian Conversation and Culture |
| JPNS 001A | Beginning Japanese (5) |
| JPNS 001B | Beginning Japanese (5) |
| PHIL 001 | Introduction to Philosophy |
| PHIL 004 | Comparative Religions |
| PHIL 005 | Introduction to Social & Political Philosophy |
| PHIL 021 | World Philosophers on Death & the Good Life |
| PHIL 022 | Philosophy of Religion |
| SJST 001 | Introduction to Ethnic and Social Justice Studies (Same as ETHN 001)** |
| SPAN 001A | Beginning Spanish (5) |
| SPAN 001B | Beginning Spanish (5) |
| SPAN 002A | Intermediate Spanish (5) |
| SPAN 002B | Intermediate Spanish (5) |
| SPAN 003A | Advanced Spanish Oral & Written Composition (5) |
| SPAN 003B | Advanced Spanish Oral & Written Composition (5) |
| THEA 013 | Multicultural Theater |
| WGQS 002 | Women in the Arts: Multicultural Perspectives** |
| WGQS 003 | Introduction to Gender & Queer Studies** |
| WGQS 004A | Women in World Cultures** |
Area C3 Additional C1 or C2 Course
One additional course from either C1 or C2. (Biology AS-T majors can defer Area C3 until after transfer).
Area D: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Requirement: 2 courses, 6 semester/8 quarter units
Note: Biology AS-T majors can defer 1 course until after transfer.
Area D Courses
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ADMJ 001 | Introduction to Administration of Justice |
| ADMJ 026 | Organized Crime |
| ADMJ 051 | Race, Class & Gender in Criminal Justice |
| ANTH 002 | Introduction to Archaeology |
| ANTH 003 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology |
| ANTH 003H | Honors Introduction to Cultural Anthropology |
| ANTH 004 | Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology |
| ANTH 055 | Anthropology of Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion |
| BUSN 061 | Business, Government, and Society |
| CHST 002 | Child Growth and Development** |
| CHST 005 | Diversity – Childhood and Culture |
| CHST 063 | Child, Family and Community** |
| COMM 012 | Intercultural Communication** |
| COUN 050 | Cross-Cultural Perspectives** |
| ECON 001A | Principles of Macroeconomics (4) |
| ECON 001AH | Honors Principles of Macroeconomics |
| ECON 001B | Principles of Microeconomics (4) |
| ECON 001BH | Honors Principles of Microeconomics |
| ETHN 001 | Introduction to Ethnic and Social Justice Studies (Same as SJST 001)** |
| GEOG 002 | Introduction to Cultural Geography |
| GEOG 006 | World Regional Geography |
| HIST 004A | Western Civilizations I: Prehistory to 1500 CE** |
| HIST 004B | Western Civilizations II: 1500 CE to Present** |
| HIST 005A | World History I: Prehistory to 1500** |
| HIST 005B | World History from 1500** |
| HIST 012 | African American History** |
| HIST 014 | History of the Native North Americans** |
| HIST 016 | Mexican-American History** |
| HIST 017A | United States History** |
| HIST 017B | United States History** |
| HIST 017BH | Honors United States History** |
| HIST 020 | History and Geography of California** |
| HSCI 008 | Contemporary Health** |
| HSCI 010 | Human Sexuality** |
| HSCI 014 | Concepts of Public Health and Society** |
| KINT 031 | Psychological Foundations of Sports |
| KINT 033 | Women in Sports |
| KINT 034 | Sport in Society |
| POLI 001 | American Government |
| POLI 001H | Honors American Government |
| POLI 002 | Comparative Governments |
| POLI 003 | Introduction to Political Science |
| POLI 003H | Honors Introduction to Political Science |
| POLI 004 | International Relations |
| POLI 006 | American Experience: A Multiethic Perspective |
| PSYC 001 | General Psychology |
| PSYC 001H | Honors General Psychology |
| PSYC 017 | Introduction to Social Psychology |
| PSYC 025 | Introduction to Abnormal Psychology |
| SJST 001 | Introduction to Ethnic Social Justice Studies (Same as ETHN 001)** |
| SOCI 001 | Introduction to Sociology** |
| SOCI 002 | Social Problems** |
| SOCI 002H | Honors Social Problems |
| SOCI 003 | Social Psychology: A Sociological Perspective** |
| SOCI 012 | Introduction to Research Methods |
| SOCI 020 | Sociology of Race and Ethnicity** |
| SOCI 028 | Sociology of Gender** |
| SOCI 040 | Marriage and Family Sociology** |
| SOCI 045 | Sociology of Human Sexuality** |
| WGQS 001 | Introduction to Women’s Studies |
| WGQS 001H | Honors Introduction to Women's Studies |
| WGSQ 002 | Women in the Arts: Multicultural Perspectives** |
| WGQS 003 | Introduction to Gender and Queer Studies** |
| WGQS 004A | Women in World Cultures** |
Courses indicated by (**) may be used to meet one area requirement only.
CSU Graduation Requirements: It is not required by all CSU’s to complete American Institutions requirements prior to transfer but it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to complete one of the following sequences to meet these requirements prior to transfer.
Note: These courses meet their respective GE area requirement (i.e., Area C2 or D) as well as the American Institution requirement.
American Institutions Requirement Options
HIST 012 + POLI 001 or 001H
HIST 014 + POLI 001 or 001H
HIST 016 + POLI 001 or 001H
HIST 017A + HIST 020
HIST 017A + POLI 001 or 001H
HIST 017B or 017BH + POLI 001 or 001H
Area E: Lifelong Learning and Self-Development
Requirement: 3 units minimum
Choose courses from the following to total at least three (3) semester units.
Area E Courses
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CHST 002 | Child Growth and Development** |
| CHST 063 | Child, Family and Community** |
| COMM 004 | Small Group Discussion |
| COMM 008 | Interpersonal Communication |
| COMM 012 | Intercultural Communication** |
| COUN 005 | College Success |
| COUN 012 | Careers and Lifestyles |
| COUN 012C | Careers and Lifestyles (1) |
| COUN 024 | Personal Growth |
| COUN 050 | Cross-Cultural Perspectives** |
| HSCI 008 | Contemporary Health** |
| HSCI 010 | Human Sexuality** |
| HSCI 012 | Understanding Stress - A Multidisciplinary Perspective |
| HSCI 014 | Concepts of Public Health and Society** |
| KINS/KINA/DANC | (Up to 2 units allowed) |
| KINT 033 | Women in Sports |
| KINT 044 | Lifetime Fitness |
| LIBR 004 | Information Competency (1) |
| LRSV 001 | Learning Strategies for College and Careers |
| NUTR 015 | Human Nutrition |
| PSYC 009 | Psychology of Women: A Multicultural Perspective |
| PSYC 012 | Human Growth and Development |
| PSYC 030 | Psychology of Addiction and Substance Abuse |
| SOCI 003 | Social Psychology: Sociological Perspective** |
| SOCI 020 | Sociology of Race and Ethnicity** |
| SOCI 040 | Marriage and Family Sociology** |
| SOCI 045 | Sociology of Human Sexuality** |
Area F: Ethnic Studies
Requirement: 3 units minimum
Choose a course of course from the following to total at least three (3) semester units.
Area F Courses
|
Course Number
|
Course Title |
|---|---|
|
SJST 001
|
Introduction to Ethnic and Social Justice Studies (Same as ETHN 001)** |
|
ENGL 012
|
African American Literature (Same as ETHN 012)** |
|
ENGL 012H
|
Honors African Am. Lit. (Same as ETHN 012H)** |
|
ENGL 013
|
U.S. Latino Literature (Same as ETHN 013)** |
|
ENGL 013H
|
Honors U.S. Latino Lit. (Same as ETHN 013H)** |
|
ENGL 018
|
Asian American Literature (Same as ETHN 018)** |
|
ETHN 001
|
Introduction to Ethnic and Social Justice Studies (Same as SJST 001)** |
|
ETHN 012
|
African American Literature (Same as ENGL 012)** |
|
ETHN 012H
|
Honors African American Literature (Same as ENGL 012H)** |
|
ETHN 013
|
U.S. Latino Literature (Same as ENGL 013)** |
|
ETHN 013H
|
Honors U.S. Latino Literature (Same as ENGL 013H)** |
|
ETHN 018
|
Asian American Literature (Same as ENGL 018)** |
Important Note to Students
Area F is a new CSU General Education requirement for students who started college at a California Community College (CCC) or California State University (CSU) in Fall 2021 or later. Students who have maintained continuous enrollment at a CCC or CSU prior to Fall 2021 may exercise their catalog rights to not be held to this requirement upon transfer to the CSU system. Exercising one’s catalog rights can allow students to defer to the previous CSU GE-B requirements (i.e., needing 3 courses/9 units in Social Sciences/Area D).
For clarification, please schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Catalog Rights Definition:
(as outlined in the Academic Programs section of the West Valley College Catalog): Students who maintain continuous enrollment, meaning they attended at least one semester or summer session during the academic year, may choose to graduate under the catalog in effect at the time they first enrolled at West Valley College or any catalog up to the time of graduation. Students who are considered returning students, meaning those who did not attend for a year or more before returning to college, must follow the catalog requirements in effect at the time of re-enrollment. Documented military, not exceeding two years, will not be considered an interruption of continuous enrollment. For catalog rights, the academic year begins each fall and ends with the subsequent summer session