General Education
Transfer Center WebsiteGE Requirements for Transfer Students
Cal-GETC is a new general education pattern that may benefit you, or you can stick to CSU GE or IGETC if you are already using that pattern. Consult with your counselor about the best option for your major and transfer plans.
Review your options and learn more!
Common Course Numbering Updates
Several general education courses used in transfer will be getting a name and number update in Fall 2025. Classes you have already taken will have no negative impact. Learn More about CCNabout CCN
Questions? Contact the Transfer Center
Beginning in Fall 2025,
- Transfer students who are new or who were not enrolled continuously at a California Community College will follow the new Cal-GETC pattern for general education requirements.
- The state's new Common Course Numbering (CCN) system will update course numbers for a selection of GE courses.
Cal-GETC | California General Education Transfer Curriculum
34 Units
What is Cal-GETC?
Cal-GETC is a new general education pattern launching in Fall 2025. Cal-GETC is for
students planning on transferring to a CSU (California State University) or UC (University
of California) campus.
Students who complete the full Cal-GETC GE pattern will have met the lower-division
(freshman and sophomore) general education requirements for the CSU and UC. Upon transfer,
students will only have to complete any junior general education requirements that
the university requires.
Note: Students planning on applying to a UC campus should check with a Skyline College counselor or assist.org to determine if Cal-GETC is recommended for their intended UC major. It might be
better for you to stay with IGETC.
Download our Cal-GETC handout for easy reference.
Who is eligible for Cal-GETC?
- All students who are new to Skyline College beginning in Fall 2025
- Current Skyline College students who plan to enroll for Fall 2025 and beyond at Skyline College
I started Skyline College prior to Fall 2025. Can I use Cal-GETC?
If you plan on continuing your studies at Skyline College in Fall 2025 and/or beyond, you are eligible to use Cal-GETC. Cal-GETC becomes effective Fall 2025.
Students are advised to check with their Skyline College counselor to determine if switching to the Cal-GETC pattern is recommended for their intended major and transfer campus. For some students, staying with the CSU GE Breadth or IGETC pattern may be the best option.
What does Cal-GETC require?
A total of 34 units is required in the following 6 Areas of General Education:
| General Education Areas | Course and Unit Requirement *Course units represented as semester units |
Total Units Required |
|---|---|---|
| AREA 1: English Communication | 1A English Composition (3.0) 1B Critical Thinking and Composition (3.0) 1C Oral Communication (3.0) |
9.0 |
| AREA 2: Mathematics Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning | 1 course (3.0) | 3.0 |
| AREA 3: Arts and Humanities | 3A Arts (3.0) 3B Humanities (3.0) |
6.0 |
| AREA 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences | 2 courses in 2 academic disciplines (6.0 total) | 6.0 |
| AREA 5: Physical and Biological Sciences | 1 course Physical Science (3.0) 1 course Biological Science (3.0) Laboratory – must be associated with a Physical or Biological Science course (1.0) |
7.0 |
| AREA 6: Ethnic Studies | 1 course (3.0) | 3.0 |
| Totals: | 11 Courses | 34.0 Units |
What is the difference between Cal-GETC and the general education patterns used prior to Fall 2025?
View a comparison between the original options of CSU GE and IGETC versus the new option of Cal-GETC.
Comparison ChartDo I have to complete all of Cal-GETC to transfer to a CSU or UC campus?
You need to complete all required 34 units of Cal-GETC prior to transfer in order to certify completion.
This means you would not need to complete any additional lower-division (freshman and sophomore) general education after transfer. You would only need to complete any junior general education requirements required by your transfer university.
Note: Some majors may require full completion of Cal-GETC as an admissions requirement. Check with your Skyline College counselor to decide if Cal-GETC is the best option for you.
CSU GE Breadth Pattern | For CSU Only
39 Units
What is the CSU GE pattern?
This is a good choice for students who intend to transfer only to a CSU campus.
Download the 2024 – 2025 CSU GE Handout.
The CSU General Education is 39 units in the following Areas:
- Area A: Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking (9 units)
- Area B: Physical and Biological Science with Lab; Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (9 units)
- Area C: Arts and Humanities (9 units)
- Area D: Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 units)
- Area E: Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (3 units)
- Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 units)
Important Note:
- The last update to CSU GE requirements will be during the 2024 – 2025 academic year.
- Beginning in Fall 2025, refer to the 2024 – 2025 Skyline College Catalog or assist.org to determine which classes fulfill CSU GE requirements. These classes will be accepted.
Who is eligible to follow the CSU GE pattern?
You can follow the CSU GE pattern if:
- You started as a student at Skyline College prior to Fall 2025
- You maintain Skyline College catalog rights
To maintain catalog rights, you must attend at least one semester in an academic year (Fall, Spring, or Summer).
What happens if I lose catalog rights to the CSU GE pattern?
To maintain catalog rights, you must attend at least one semester in an academic year (Fall, Spring, or Summer).
If you no longer have catalog rights to the CSU GE pattern, you will need to:
- complete the Cal-GETC GE patter, OR
- complete the GE requirements for the CSU campus that you are applying to
Students who lose their catalog rights should consult with their Skyline College Counselor for guidance.
IGETC Pattern | For CSU or UC
37 units
What is the IGETC GE pattern?
The IGETC pattern is for students who intend to transfer to a CSU or UC campus.
Download the 2024 – 2025 IGETC Handout.
The IGETC General Education is 37 units in the following Areas:
- Area 1: English Composition, Critical Thinking-English Composition, Oral Communication (9 units)
- Area 2: Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning (3 units)
- Area 3: Arts and Humanities(9 units)
- Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 units)
- Area 6: Language Other Than English (UC Only, No units assigned)
- Area 7: Ethnic Studies (3 units)
Important Notes:
- Some California private colleges and out-of-state colleges will accept IGETC.
- IGETC is not a recommended pattern for all UC majors.
- Please check with your Skyline College counselor for additional information.
Who is eligible to follow the IGETC GE pattern?
You can follow the IGETC GE pattern if:
- You started as a student at Skyline College prior to Fall 2025
- You maintain Skyline College catalog rights
To maintain catalog rights, you must attend at least one semester in an academic year (Fall, Spring, or Summer).
What happens if I lose catalog rights to the IGETC GE pattern?
To maintain catalog rights, you must attend at least one semester in an academic year (Fall, Spring, or Summer).
If you no longer have catalog rights to the IGETC pattern, you will need to:
- complete the Cal-GETC GE pattern, OR
- complete the GE requirements for the campus that you are applying to
Students who lose their catalog rights should consult with their Skyline College Counselor for guidance.
Campus Specific General Education
For some students, depending on their transfer college and major, completing a general education pattern such as Cal-GETC, CSU GE, or IGETC may not be the best option. In this case, students can complete the campus specific general education requirements. Campuses post their general education in their catalog and college websites.
Please meet with a Skyline College counselor to discuss if completing campus specific general education requirements would be the best option for you.
GE Pattern Comparison Chart
This chart shows the different requirements between the 2 current GE options (CSU GE and IGETC) and the new option (Cal-GETC).
Switching to Cal-GETC might be the best option for you, or staying with IGETC or CSU GE might be better for your personal choice of major or university. Talk to your counselor to help you decide.
| GE Area Requirement | CSU GE | IGETC | NEW OPTION: Cal-GETC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - English Communication |
English Composition Written Communication Oral Communication |
English Composition Critical Thinking and Composition |
English Composition Critical Thinking and Composition Oral Communication |
|
2 - Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning |
1 course – 3 units |
1 course – 3 units |
1 course – 3 units |
|
3 – Arts and Humanities |
Arts Humanities Arts or Humanities |
Arts Humanities Arts or Humanities |
Arts Humanities |
|
4 - Social and Behavioral Sciences |
2 courses – 6 units |
2 courses from 2 disciplines – 6 units |
2 courses from 2 disciplines – 6 units |
|
5 – Physical and Biological Sciences |
Physical Science Biological Science Laboratory for Phys/Bio Science - 1 unit |
Physical Science Biological Science Laboratory for Phys/Bio Science - 1 unit |
Physical Science Biological Science Laboratory for Phys/Bio Science - 1 unit |
|
6 - Language Other than English (LOTE) |
Not required |
Required |
Not required |
|
7 – Ethnic Studies |
1 course – 3 units |
1 course – 3 units |
1 course – 3 units |
|
Lifelong Learning and Self-Development |
1 course – 3 units |
Not required |
Not required |
|
Total GE Units Required |
39 |
37 |
34 |