What are A-G requirements?
You have to take certain high school courses to be eligible for a University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU). They’re called A-G subject requirements. To count:
- You have to pass with a C or better.
- The course has to be on your high school’s A-G list.
Find your school’s approved A-G course list or talk to your counselor.
Area: A
Subject: History/Social Science
Years Required: Two years of history/social science.
- One year of U.S. History OR one semester each of U.S. History and civics or American Government.
- One year of:
- CSU: History/social science from the A or G subject area.
- UC: World or European history, cultures, or geography from the A subject area.
Area: B
Subject: English
Years Required: Four years of college-prep English with frequent writing.
Area: C
Subject: Mathematics
Years Required: Three years of college-prep mathematics. Courses include topics covered in elementary algebra, advanced algebra, and two-and three-dimensional geometry.
*Four years strongly recommended.
Area: D
Subject: Laboratory Science
Years Required: Two years of college-prep science, including:
- CSU: One biological science and one physical science.
- UC: Courses in two of these three subjects: biology, chemistry, and physics.
- Earth or space science can count for one year.
- Computer science, engineering, and applied science can count for a third year of science and beyond.
*Three years strongly recommended.
Area: E
Subject: Language other than English (LOTE)
Years Required: Two years of the same language other than English.
Area: F
Subject: Visual and Performing Arts (VPA)
Years Required: One year of dance, drama/theater, music, interdisciplinary arts, or visual art. Two one-semester courses in the same subject counts.
Area: G
Subject: College Preparatory Elective
Years Required: One year or two semesters in any course on the A-G list.