General Education Guide
FAQs about General Education
You can view your General Education Requirement Year by viewing your Degree Progress Report (DPR). In the General Education section of the DPR, you will see the “GE Requirements.” This will tell you which requirements you should follow.
- If you see GE Requirements 2018-2020 on your DPR, you are following the middle pattern below (in green), titled “Semester GE (Fall 2018-Summer 2021).
- If you see GE Requirements 2021 or 2022 on your DPR, you are following the pattern on the right below (in yellow), titled “Semester GE (Fall 2021 - ).
- If you see GE Requirements prior to 2018 on your DPR, you are following the pattern on the left below (in blue), titled “Quarter GE (Prior to Summer 2019)”. Use the Quarter to Semester GE Tool for semester course information.
- Written communication in the English language (GE area A2)
- Oral communication in the English language (GE area A1)
- Critical thinking (GE area A3)
- Mathematics/quantitative reasoning (GE area B4)
- In Fall 2021, CPP changed to a new General Education pattern. This new pattern includes the Area F requirement and excludes the D3 requirement.
- Because transfer students entering in Fall 2021 or Fall 2022 have been attending previous institutions and following GE patterns that articulated to CPP’s previous GE pattern, we have placed all incoming transfers on the 2020 GE pattern to ensure that you do not need to meet additional General Education requirements. This means that Fall 2021 or Fall 2022 transfer students will follow the 2022-23 major requirements (view your curriculum sheet) and 2020-21 GE requirements.
- For transfer students joining CPP in Spring 2023 and future terms, your GE pattern will be based on if you had continuous enrollment at another CSU or California Community College.
Since you have not been continuously enrolled at a CSU or California Community College, you have a new GE pattern. You should now follow the GE pattern listed in your Degree Progress Report. If you are unsure of which GE courses you may need to satisfy, contact your academic advisor or the Bronco Advising Center.
Quarter GE
(Prior to Summer 2018)
Area A. Communication and Critical Thinking (12 units)
One course from each sub-area:
- Oral Communication
- Written Communication
- Critical Thinking
Area B. Mathematics and Natural Sciences (16 units)
At least one course from each sub-area, including at least one lab course from sub-area 1 or 2:
- Physical Science
- Biological Science
- Laboratory Activity
- Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
- Science and Technology Synthesis (upper division)
Area C. Humanities (16 units)
At least one course from each sub-area:
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Philosophy and Civilization
- Literature and Foreign Language
- Humanities Synthesis (upper division)
Area D. Social Sciences (20 units)
Two courses in sub-area 1, and at least one course from each of subareas 2, 3, and 4:
- U.S. History, Constitution, American Ideals
- History, Economics, and Political Science
- Sociology, Anthropology, Ethnics and Gender Studies
- Social Science Synthesis (upper division)
Area E. Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (4 units)
Semester GE
(Fall 2018-Summer 2021)
Area A. English Language Communication and Critical Thinking (9 units)
At least 3 units from each sub-area:
- Oral Communication
- Written Communication
- Critical Thinking
*Note: A3 is not required for Engineering majors, as the requirement is fulfilled by the completion of your engineering curriculum. If you change to a non-Engineering major, you will be required to complete A3.
Area B. Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning (12 units)
At least 3 units from B1, B2, B4, and B5 including 1 unit of lab from B1 or B2 to fulfill B3:
- Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Laboratory Activity
- Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
- Science and Technology Synthesis (upper division)
Area C. Arts and Humanities (12 units)
At least 3 units from each sub-area and 3 additional units from sub-area 1 and/or 2:
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Literature, Modern Languages, Philosophy and Civilization
- Arts and Humanities Synthesis (upper division)
Area D. Social Sciences (12 units)
At least 3 units from each sub-area:
- U.S. History American Ideals
- U.S. Constitution and California Government
- Social Sciences: Principles, Methodologies, Value Systems, and Ethics
- Social Science Synthesis (upper division)
Area E. Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (3 units)
Semester GE
(Fall 2021-)
Area A. English Language Communication and Critical Thinking (9 units)
At least 3 units from each sub-area:
- Oral Communication
- Written Communication
- Critical Thinking
*Note: A3 is not required for Engineering majors, as the requirement is fulfilled by the completion of your engineering curriculum. If you change to a non-Engineering major, you will be required to complete A3.
Area B. Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning (12 units)
At least 3 units from B1, B2, B4, and B5 including 1 unit of lab from B1 or B2 to fulfill B3:
- Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Laboratory Activity
- Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
- Science and Technology Synthesis (upper division)
Area C. Arts and Humanities (12 units)
At least 3 units from each sub-area and 3 additional units from sub-area 1 and/or 2:
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Literature, Modern Languages, Philosophy and Civilization
- Arts and Humanities Synthesis (upper division)
Area D. Social Sciences (9 units)
At least 3 units from each sub-area:
1. U.S. History American Ideals
2. U.S. Constitution and California Government
4. Social Science Synthesis (upper division)
Area E. Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (3 units)
Area F. Ethnic Studies (3 units)
Note for Fall 2021 and Fall 2022 Transfer Students: For your GE course listings ONLY, you’ll want to select the 2020-21 Catalog. Remember, as a Fall 2021 or Fall 2022 incoming transfer student, you will follow the 20-21 General Education curriculum to ensure that you are not impacted by last year’s CPP GE curriculum changes.