Cal-GETC
The Program Student Learning Outcomes for this certificate are the same as the College’s Institutional Student Learning Outcomes, which are described in the Academic Requirements section of the College Catalog.
- Cross-Listed Courses
- Area Requirements
- Area 1A: English Composition
- Area 1B: Critical Thinking and Composition
- Area 1C: Oral Communication
- Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
- Area 3: Arts and Humanities
- Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Area 5: Physical and Biological Sciences
- Area 6: Ethnic Studies
- Optional Requirements that may be certified for Cal-GETC
- Additional Information
All information contained herein is subject to change without notice.1
Since individual plans and circumstances vary, students should consult with a counselor before beginning a program of study to ensure the appropriate General Education pattern is followed.
The Cal-GETC pattern is intended for students planning to transfer to the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) systems. These courses fulfill both systems’ lower-division General Education (GE) requirements. Students must meet with an LBCC counselor to initiate and complete Cal-GETC certification. Students who wish to complete an Associate Degree, but do not wish to transfer, should complete the LBCC-GE plan instead. Consult the catalog and counselors for more information.
Grades & Pass/No Pass: A minimum “C” grade is required in each college course for Cal-GETC. A “C” is defined as a minimum of 2.0 grade points on a 4.0 scale. Courses in which a student receives a “Pass” grade may be used towards Cal-GETC certification since they are equivalent to a “C” grade or higher (2.0 grade points on a 4.0 scale). No more than 14 semester units of Pass/No Pass (Credit/No Credit), excluding credit by examination, may be used toward Cal-GETC certification.
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2025-2026 Cal-GETC: Published: June 2025 Long Beach City College Office of School and College Articulation.
Cross-Listed Courses
A cross-listed course is interdisciplinary and is the same course as its cross-listed counterpart. A cross-listed course CANNOT be used in more than one discipline NOR can it be used to certify more than one area on Plan C: CHEM 4 = PHYS 4: Survey of Chemistry and Physics; ECON 5 = GEOG 5: The Global Economy; HUMAN 1/1H = SOCSC 1/1H: Comparative World Cultures/Honors CWC; HUMAN 7= SOCSC 7: American Pluralism and Identity; PH 10 = PSYCH 10: Human Sexuality; ETHST 6 = EDUC 6: Ethnic Studies for Education/Educators; ETHST 12 = PSYCH 12 = African American Psychology.
Area Requirements
Double-counting of courses listed in more than one area of this general education pattern is NOT allowed. For example, PHIL 3 is listed in areas 3B (Humanities) and 4 (Social Sciences ), but it may be used to satisfy only one of these requirements.
Area 1A: English Composition
One class required (3 units minimum).
| Code Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | ||
| Academic Reading and Writing (4) 2 | ||
| Academic Reading and Writing - Honors (4) 2 | ||
| Academic Reading and Writing (5) 2 | ||
| College Writing for Non-Native Speakers (5) 2 | ||
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Course limitation may exist. For an explanation of limitation, please refer to the UC Transfer Course Agreement available on the ASSIST website assist.org.
Area 1B: Critical Thinking and Composition
One class required (3 units minimum).
| Code Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | ||
| Critical Thinking and Writing (4) | ||
| Critical Thinking and Writing - Honors (4) | ||
| Critical Analysis of Literature (4) | ||
| Facts, Evidence, and Explanation (3) | ||
| Critical Thinking (3) 4 | ||
| Analytical Reading (3) | ||
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Course does not meet one of the five areas of the seven-course requirements for UC admissions. For an explanation, please refer to assist.org and search under UC Transfer Admissions Eligibility Courses.
Area 1C: Oral Communication
One class required (3 units minimum).
| Code Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Public Speaking (3) | ||
| Introduction to Public Speaking - Honors (3) | ||
Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
One class required (3 units minimum).
| Code Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | ||
| Statistics Pathway B (5) 2 | ||
| Finite Mathematics (3) | ||
| College Algebra (4) 2 | ||
| College Algebra with Support (5) 2 | ||
| Calculus for Business (3) 2 | ||
| Precalculus Math (5) 2 | ||
| First Calculus Course (5) 2 | ||
| Second Calculus Course (5) | ||
| Third Calculus Course (5) | ||
| Intro Differential Eqns and Linear Alg (5) | ||
| Introduction to Statistics (4) 2 | ||
| Introduction to Statistics - Honors (4) 2 | ||
| Introduction to Statistics with Support (5) 2 | ||
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Course limitation may exist. For an explanation of limitation, please refer to the UC Transfer Course Agreement available on the ASSIST website assist.org.
Area 3: Arts and Humanities
Three classes required (9 units minimum). Students must take one class from Area 3A and Area 3B plus an additional class from either area for a total of 3 classes.
Area 3A: Arts
| Code Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one or two of the following: | ||
| Arch. History - Ancient to Medieval (3) | ||
| Arch. History - Medieval to Renaissance (3) | ||
| Art and Civilization (3) | ||
| Art and Civilization (3) | ||
| Modern and Contemporary Art (3) | ||
| African, Oceanic, Native American Art (3) | ||
| History of Asian Art (3) | ||
| Art Appreciation (3) | ||
| Latin American Art and Architecture (3) | ||
| The Arts and Modern Man (3) | ||
| Dance Forms Through the Ages (3) | ||
| Hip Hop Dance History (3) 4 | ||
| History of Fashion (3) | ||
| Introduction to Film Studies (3) | ||
| Film History I (3) | ||
| Film History II (3) | ||
| Film Genres (3) | ||
| History of Jazz (3) | ||
| Intercultural Music (3) | ||
| Music of Multicultural America (3) | ||
| Appreciation of Music (3) | ||
| History of Rock (3) | ||
| History of Photography (3) | ||
| Introduction to Theatre (3) | ||
| Introduction to Dramatic Literature (3) | ||
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Course does not meet one of the five areas of the seven-course requirements for UC admissions. For an explanation, please refer to assist.org and search under UC Transfer Admissions Eligibility Courses.
Area 3B: Humanities
| Code Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one or two of the following: | ||
| American Sign Language 1 (4) 4 | ||
| American Sign Language 2 (4) 4 | ||
| American Sign Language 3 (4) 4 | ||
| American Sign Language 4 (4) 4 | ||
| American Deaf Cultures (3) 4 | ||
| Intro to Latino/Latina/Latinx Literature (3) | ||
| Introduction to LGBTQIA+ Literature (3) | ||
| Intro to African American Literature (3) | ||
| Masterpieces/Asian Literature (in English) (3) | ||
| Mythology (4) | ||
| Literature for Children and Young Adults (4) | ||
| Interpreting the Short Story (3) | ||
| The Novel (3) | ||
| Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror (3) | ||
| The Bible as Lit: The Old Testament (3) | ||
| The Bible as Lit: Apocrypha/New Testament (3) | ||
| American Literature I (4) | ||
| American Literature II (4) | ||
| Introduction to Shakespeare (4) | ||
| Introduction to Shakespeare (4) | ||
| World Literature I (4) | ||
| World Literature II (4) | ||
| Survey of British Literature I (4) | ||
| Survey of British Literature II (4) | ||
| Modern & Contemporary Literature (3) | ||
| Film and Literature (3) 2 | ||
| Intermediate French (5) | ||
| Intermediate French (5) | ||
| Advanced French: Culture in Literature (3) | ||
| History of Western (European) Civilization (3) | ||
| History of Western (European) Civilization (3) | ||
| World History to 1500 (3) | ||
| World History Since 1500 (3) | ||
| Ancient Egypt History (3) | ||
| History of the Americas (3) | ||
| History of the Americas (Modern Era) (3) | ||
| History of China (3) | ||
| History of Japan and Korea (3) | ||
| History of India and Southeast Asia (3) | ||
| Hist./Early America (Colonial-Reconstr) (3) | ||
| Hist./Modern America (Reconstr-Present) (3) 2 | ||
| History of Mexico (3) | ||
| History of Women and Gender in the U.S. (3) | ||
| African American History to 1877 (3) | ||
| African American History 1877 to present (3) | ||
| Introduction to Chicana/o History (3) | ||
| Comparative World Cultures (3) 3 | ||
| Intro to Ethnic Histories and Identity (3) 3 | ||
| Intermediate Japanese (5) | ||
| Intermediate Japanese (5) | ||
| Khmer for Heritage Speakers (5) 4 | ||
| Khmer for Heritage Speakers (5) 4 | ||
| Linguistics 1 (3) 4 | ||
| Introduction to World Languages (3) 4 | ||
| Latinx Philosophy (3) | ||
| Intro to Issues/Phil, Psych & Religion (3) 3 | ||
| History of Ancient Philosophy (3) | ||
| History of Modern Philosophy (3) | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy (3) | ||
| Introduction to Ethics (3) 2 | ||
| Philosophies of Global East and South (3) | ||
| Introduction to Existentialism (3) | ||
| Introduction to Feminist Philosophy (3) | ||
| Philosophy of Religion (3) | ||
| Introduction to Political Philosophy (3) 4 | ||
| Introduction to Business Ethics (3) 2, 4 | ||
| Comparative World Cultures (3) 3 | ||
| Intro to Ethnic Histories and Identity (3) 3 | ||
| Intermediate Spanish (5) 2 | ||
| Intermediate Spanish (5) 2 | ||
| Spanish for Spanish Speakers (5) 2 | ||
| Spanish for Spanish Speakers (5) 2 | ||
| Advanced Spanish: Culture in Literature (3) | ||
| Advanced Spanish: History (3) | ||
| Advanced Spanish: Politics, Current Event (3) | ||
| Advanced Spanish: Literature (3) | ||
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Course limitation may exist. For an explanation of limitation, please refer to the UC Transfer Course Agreement available on the ASSIST website at assist.org.
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A cross-listed course cannot be used in more than one discipline, nor can it be used to certify more than one area on Cal-GETC.
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Course does not meet one of the five areas of the seven-course requirements for UC admissions. For an explanation, please refer to assist.org and search under UC Transfer Admissions Eligibility Courses.
Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Two classes required (6 units minimum). Students must take courses from at least two different disciplines.
- Effective Fall 2023 students who enroll in a CA community college in Fall 2023 or later must complete 2 courses (6 units minimum) in Area 4.
- Students who began at a CA community college prior to Fall 2023 must complete 3 courses (9 units minimum) in Area 4. Consult your LBCC counselor for more details or limitations.
| Code Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Complete three of the following: | ||
| Cultural Anthropology (3) | ||
| Intro to Archaeology (3) | ||
| Linguistic Anthropology (3) | ||
| Magic, Witchcraft and Religion (3) | ||
| Child & Adolescent Development DS1 (3) | ||
| Human Development (3) | ||
| Elements of Intercultural Communication (3) | ||
| Elements of Communication Theory (3) 4 | ||
| Macro Economic Analysis (3) | ||
| Micro Economic Analysis (3) | ||
| General Concepts in Economics (3) 2 | ||
| Contemporary Economic Issues (3) | ||
| The Global Economy (3) 2, 3 | ||
| African American Psychology (3) 3 | ||
| Elements of Cultural Geography (3) | ||
| The Global Economy (3) 3 | ||
| World Regional Geography (3) | ||
| Introduction to Global Studies (3) | ||
| Global Issues (3) | ||
| Comparative World Cultures (3) 3 | ||
| Intro to Ethnic Histories and Identity (3) 3 | ||
| Intro to Global Media Communications (3) 4 | ||
| Introduction to Public Health (3) | ||
| Health and Social Justice (3) | ||
| Philosophy of LGBTQIA+ Studies (3) | ||
| Intro to Issues/Phil, Psych & Religion (3) | ||
| Introduction to Feminist Philosophy (3) | ||
| Introduction to Political Philosophy (3) 4 | ||
| Introduction to Business Ethics (3) 2, 4 | ||
| American Government and Politics (3) | ||
| American Government and Politics - Honors (3) | ||
| Comparative Government (3) | ||
| Issues of American Government (3) | ||
| World Politics (3) | ||
| The Constitution, Law and Society (3) | ||
| Introduction to Political Science (3) | ||
| Introduction to Political Theory (3) | ||
| Introduction to Psychology (3) | ||
| Introduction to Psychology - Honors (3) | ||
| Social Psychology (3) | ||
| African American Psychology (3) 3 | ||
| Abnormal Psychology (3) | ||
| Introduction to Sociology (3) | ||
| Modern Social Problems (3) | ||
| Race & Ethnic Relations in the U.S. (3) | ||
| Sociology of Latinos and Latinas (3) | ||
| Introduction to Sociology of Gender (3) | ||
| Sociology of the Family (3) | ||
| Comparative World Cultures (3) 3 | ||
| Intro to Ethnic Histories and Identity (3) 3 | ||
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Course limitation may exist. For an explanation of limitation, please refer to the UC Transfer Course Agreement available on the ASSIST website at assist.org.
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A cross-listed course cannot be used in more than one discipline, nor can it be used to certify more than one area on Cal-GETC.
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Course does not meet one of the five areas of the seven-course requirements for UC admissions. For an explanation, please refer to assist.org and search under UC Transfer Admissions Eligibility Courses.
Area 5: Physical and Biological Sciences
Two classes required (7 units minimum) - ONE from physical science (5A) and ONE from biological science (5B); One class in this area must include an associated laboratory component (5C).
Note: Some classes listed have a laboratory component included and some have a separate class listing for the laboratory component. Classes with a lecture/laboratory combination are indicated by an asterisk.
Area 5A: Physical Sciences
| Code Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| Elementary Astronomy (3) | ||
| Astronomy Laboratory (2) | ||
| General Chemistry (5.5) *, 2 | ||
| General Chemistry (5.5) * | ||
| Elementary Chemistry (4.5) *, 2 | ||
| Intro to Gen, Organic and Biochemistry (5) * | ||
| Survey of Chemistry and Physics (4) *, 3 | ||
| General Physical Geology (4.5) *, 2 | ||
| General Geology, Physical (3) 2 | ||
| General Geology, Physical Geology Lab (1.5) | ||
| Historical Geology (4.5) * | ||
| Environmental Geology (3) | ||
| Earth Science for Educators (4) *, 2 | ||
| Geology of California (3) | ||
| Physical Oceanography (3) | ||
| Physical Geography (3) | ||
| Physical Geography Lab (1.5) | ||
| Weather and Climate (3) | ||
| General Physics (4.5) *, 2 | ||
| General Physics (4.5) *, 2 | ||
| Physics for Sci. & Eng. - Mechanics (5.5) *, 2 | ||
| Physics for Sci. & Eng. - E & M (4.5) *, 2 | ||
| Physics for Sci. & Eng. - Modern Physics (4.5) *, 2 | ||
| Survey of Chemistry and Physics (4) 3 | ||
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Course limitation may exist. For an explanation of limitation, please refer to the UC Transfer Course Agreement available on the ASSIST website at assist.org.
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A cross-listed course cannot be used in more than one discipline, nor can it be used to certify more than one area on Cal-GETC.
Area 5B: Biological Sciences
| Code Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | ||
| Human Anatomy (4) *, 2 | ||
| Anatomy & Physiology (5) *, 2 | ||
| Physical Anthropology (3) 2 | ||
| Physical Anthropology Laboratory (2) 2 | ||
| Physical Anthropology Lecture and Lab (5) *, 2 | ||
| Biology for Science Majors (5) * | ||
| Biology for Science Majors (5) * | ||
| General Microbiology (5) * | ||
| Plant Biology (4) | ||
| Marine Biology (4) * | ||
| Wildlife Biology (4) *, 2 | ||
| Contemporary Biology (3) 2 | ||
| Contemporary Biology Laboratory (1) | ||
| Human Biology (4) 2 | ||
| Human Biology Laboratory (1) 2 | ||
| Introduction to Pathophysiology (3) 2 | ||
| Human Physiology (5) *, 2 | ||
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Course limitation may exist. For an explanation of limitation, please refer to the UC Transfer Course Agreement available on the ASSIST website at assist.org.
Area 5C: Laboratory Activity
One of the classes selected from 5A or 5B must include an associated laboratory component.
Area 6: Ethnic Studies
Complete one of the following
- UC transfer students following the Cal-GETC general education pattern will need to complete the new Area 6 of Ethnic Studies if they enrolled at a CA community college beginning Fall 2023. For students who enrolled at a CA community college prior to Fall 2023, the IGETC general education pattern the student used when they first enrolled at a CA community college may be used (without having to complete Area 6). Students do not have to be continuously enrolled in courses to use a certain year's IGETC general education pattern for certification. Consult your LBCC counselor for more details or limitations.
| Code Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Ethnic Studies (3) | ||
| Ethnic Studies for Education/Educators (3) 3 | ||
| Ethnic Studies for Education/Educators (3) 3 |
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A cross-listed course cannot be used in more than one discipline, nor can it be used to certify more than one area on Cal-GETC.
Optional Requirements that may be certified for Cal-GETC
Option 1: U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals – CSU Graduation Requirement (required by CSU only)
Two classes required (6 units minimum) – ONE class from history and ONE class from political science.
This is a CSU graduation requirement and can be completed after transferring to a CSU.
The following courses may be used to satisfy the Cal-GETC and U.S. History requirements for CSU: HIST 8A/8AH, HIST 8B/8BH, HIST 10/10H, HIST 11/11H, HIST 25, HIST 27A, HIST 27B, HIST 33, and POLS C1000/POLS C1000H
History - One class required (3 units minimum).
| Code Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following | 3 | |
| History of the Americas (3) | ||
| History of the Americas (Modern Era) (3) | ||
| Hist./Early America (Colonial-Reconstr) (3) | ||
| Hist./Modern America (Reconstr-Present) (3) | ||
| History of Women and Gender in the U.S. (3) | ||
| African American History to 1877 (3) | ||
| African American History 1877 to present (3) | ||
| Introduction to Chicana/o History (3) | ||
Political Science - One class required (3 units minimum).
| Code Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following | 3 | |
| American Government and Politics (3) | ||
| American Government and Politics - Honors (3) | ||
Option 2: UC's Language Other Than English (LOTE) Graduation Requirement
| Code Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| At the time of posting/printing of the LBCC catalog, guidance to certify LOTE as an option for Cal-GETC has not been provided to CA community colleges. Please check the online LBCC catalog, Cal-GETC advising sheet, or consult a counselor to see if LOTE will be certified by LBCC as an option. Students who are following IGETC may continue to be certified for LOTE. Refer to 2024-2025 IGETC Course List: 6A-Language Other Than English, for LBCC on assist.org | ||
Additional Information
UC Admissions
Minimum lower division transfer requirements include:
- at least 60 UC transferable units.
- at least a 2.4 UC G.P.A. in UC GPA transferable units.
UC transferable units are noted in the LBCC Catalog and on ASSIST.org.
Some UC majors require a higher GPA for admission, see a counselor and ASSIST.org for more information. Only 14 UC transferable units may be completed on a P/NP basis.
A maximum of 70 UC transferable semester units earned at California Community Colleges will be accepted by the UC system toward a degree.
Complete the following 7-course pattern by the end of the spring term prior to fall enrollment at UC. Required: Two transferable courses in English composition (UC-E); One transferable course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning (UC-M); Four transferable college courses chosen from at least two of the following subject areas: UC-H = Humanities, UC-B = Behavioral and Social Sciences, UC-S = Biological and Physical Sciences. Consult and Academic Counselor for clarification. See ASSIST https://www.assist.org (UC transfer Courses/UC Areas) for details.
UC Priority Application Filing Periods
- October 1 – November 30: Fall application filing period.
- July 1-31: Winter/Spring application filing period for Merced, Riverside and Santa Cruz.
**Not all universities may be accepting applications for each term. Check with your counselor or university.**
CSU Admissions
Minimum admission requirements include:
- at least 60 CSU transferable units
- 30 units of Cal-GETC
- at least a 2.0 G.P.A. in transferable units (certain CSUs and majors may require a higher GPA)
CSU transferable units are LBCC courses numbered 1-99 and C1000+.
Certain impacted/popular majors and universities may require a higher G.P.A. (See university admissions websites or www2.calstate.edu/apply for more information.)
A maximum of 70 transferable semester units earned at a California community college will be accepted by a CSU toward a Bachelor’s Degree.
CSU Priority Application Filing Periods:
- October 1 – November 30: Fall application filing period
- June 1 – June 30: Winter application filing period
- August 1 – August 31: Spring application filing period
- February 1 – February 28: Summer application filing period
** Not all universities may be accepting applications for each term. Check with your counselor or university. **
Cal-GETC Certification
Certification is the process whereby LBCC approves lower-division general education course work for CSU or UC transfer. Only courses taken from approved lists are eligible for certification for Cal-GETC.
To use the Cal-GETC, all courses must be completed at an accredited community college or university prior to transfer. This means that courses may be transferred from one community college or university to another and may be used for certification. Students who begin their college work at any UC may NOT use the Cal-GETC for transfer back to the same UC.
A grade of “C” or better is required in each class.