General Education, AA/AS & Transfer

If so, you need to complete the following for a degree:

• General education requirements
• Major requirements
• Individual college requirements

Let's talk general education requirements...

What are general education courses?
General education courses are those classes which are not part of a student's major course of study that cover a wide range of disciplines, such as the natural sciences, humanities and fine arts, language and reasoning, the social sciences, etc.

What is the purpose of general education courses?
By taking courses covering a wide range of disciplines, you will increase your capacity to develop self-understanding, analytical thinking, evaluation of ethical problems, as well as logic and insight into the world in which we live.

Must a student choose a specific G.E. pattern?
A student at SCC pursuing a particular college degree should choose to fulfill the G.E. pattern which is specifically appropriate for his/her academic goal. These patterns vary, but generally the student will complete 21-42 units of G.E. coursework. Most students planning to transfer to a four-year university, or a student seeking an A.A. degree will need to complete a total of 56-60 units which includes the general education units.

Do G.E. patterns differ much?
Patterns differ both in quantity and in content. Four different G.E. patterns are outlined below:

1. A student pursing an A.A. or A.S. degree from SCC (such as electronics or nursing) will complete a vigorous, though less demanding G.E. pattern than a student wishing to transfer to a four-year college for a bachelor's degree.
2. A student planning to transfer to any of the twenty-two CSU campuses (such as Sacramento or Humbolt) may follow the CSU General Education Requirements or the IGETC pattern.
3. A student planning to transfer to any of the nine UC campuses has a more rigorous task ahead. This is because each of the UC campuses houses a number of schools and/or colleges. For example, UC Berkeley has the College of Environmental Design, the School of Business Administration, etc. A student's major has its own particular G.E. pattern (usually referred to as "Breadth Requirements"). However, the IGETC pattern can be used at many UC campuses. Since there are so many different patterns within the UC system, the wise student needs to determine which pattern is required and/or whether following IGETC is the best choice. For assistance, see a SCC counselor.
4. A student planning to transfer to a private or out-of-state college (such as Stanford University or University of Oregon) should thoroughly read the chosen four-year college's current catalog for G.E. requirements, and consult with a SCC counselor.

Must a G.E. pattern be completed in its entirety?
For those students pursuing an A.A.or A.S. degree, the general education pattern must be completed in its entirety. For students planning to transfer to a four-year college, it is highly advisable in most cases. Completing the appropriate G.E. pattern makes your application more competitive, which is particularly important with impacted majors at a four-year college. Some exceptions to this rule are engineering and science majors; they are encouraged to focus primarily on completion of their pre-major coursework. If a student is following the IGETC pattern it must be completed in its entirety in order to be certified. Many four-year colleges require students to complete additional upper-division general education courses as well.

Finally, be aware that G.E. patterns vary slightly from year to year so consult the college's catalog and/or check with a counselor to be sure you are on the right track!