Cal-GETC
General Education for UC and CSU Transfer
Cal-getc: No, not just for berkeley
Starting fall 2025, Cal-GETC is how you meet your general education requirements for the UC and CSU at the SAME TIME. If you started at a CCC in fall 2025 or later, Cal-GETC replaces both IGETC and CSU GE-Breadth, so you have one list of courses to follow instead of two. This page will break down Cal-GETC requirements and explain how you can easily meet them at your local college/university.
we recommend Cal-getc for
- Students with target majors that have little to no major-specific coursework requirements
- Students who have little to no major-specific coursework have the space in their schedules to complete Cal-GETC
- Students who are interested in attending either a UC or CSU
- Cal-GETC covers most lower-division general education requirements at both the UC and CSU.
- Students who are already close to fulfilling Cal-GETC or who want to reduce the amount of general education they will have to complete after transferring
we do not recommend Cal-getc for
- Students with target majors that have a large amount of major-specific coursework
- It is recommended that these students focus on fulfilling major-specific requirements before general education requirements.
- These majors tend to be in the STEM field
It is true that Cal-GETC can make the CCC to UC/CSU transition a lot easier for many students. However, it’s not for everyone. Cal-GETC is 11 courses total. This can be difficult for students who already have lots of lower-division major requirements to fulfill. Also if you are only applying to one school, deciding to complete Cal-GETC may have you taking unneeded additional courses.
If you’d like to learn more – a link to official guidance on Cal-GETC issued by each UC is below.
This page also details which colleges ACCEPT, RECOMMEND, REQUIRE, or DO NOT ACCEPT Cal-GETC.
How to Complete Cal-GETC
Cal-GETC Areas
A total of 11 courses (34 semester units) are required to complete Cal-GETC.
- Area 1: English Communication – 3 courses, 9 semester/12 quarter units (one course each in English composition, critical thinking and composition, and oral communication)
- Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning – 1 course, 3 semester/4 quarter units
- Area 3: Arts and Humanities – 2 courses, 6 semester/8 quarter units (at least one from the arts and one from the humanities)
- Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences – 2 courses, 6 semester/8 quarter units (from at least two disciplines)
- Area 5: Physical and Biological Sciences – 2 courses, 7 semester/9 quarter units (one physical science and one biological science course, at least one with a lab)
- Area 6: Ethnic Studies – 1 course, 3 semester/4-5 quarter units
Each course must be completed with a C or better. A Credit or Pass grade also counts if your college’s policy treats it as equal to a C or better.
Transfer Tip
Use ASSIST to figure out which courses at your school apply to Cal-GETC. Click on the button below to view our guide to ASSIST.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UCs and CSUs both accept Cal-GETC?
Yes. Every California Community College uses Cal-GETC as its general education pattern for transfer, and both UCs and CSUs accept it as completion of lower-division general education courses. However, Cal-GETC completion is NOT required for all majors and UCs. See your prospective major and UC for more information about Cal-GETC requirements.
Is Area 6 required for all majors?
Yes. In Cal-GETC, Area 6 is Ethnic Studies, and you have to complete all six areas to be certified. A language other than English is not part of Cal-GETC. If you’re headed to a UC, it’s still a good idea to show proficiency in another language, since some UCs may require it to graduate.
Is there a Cal-GETC for STEM majors?
No. There is no STEM version of Cal-GETC. IGETC for STEM is only for students who can still use IGETC (those who started at a CCC before fall 2025) and are earning an associate degree for transfer (ADT).
If you’re a STEM major, focus on finishing the major preparation courses for the campuses and programs you’re considering.
Can I "double-count" some of my courses?
Unfortunately, a course can only be counted in the Cal-GETC area it was approved for at the community college where you took it. This means a course cannot be counted for more than one area, or “double-counted.”
What if I can't complete Cal-GETC in time?
There is no partial certification for Cal-GETC. Talk to your CCC counselor about the courses you still need, and contact the colleges you applied to. If you have IGETC catalog rights, some colleges may be able to accept partial IGETC (learn more here).
What is Cal-GETC certification? How do I get it done?
Cal-GETC certification is your community college confirming that you’ve finished all the required Cal-GETC courses. It should come from the last California Community College you attended for a regular term (fall or spring at a semester college; fall, winter, or spring at a quarter college). If you’re admitted to a UC for fall 2027, your Cal-GETC certification needs to be sent to the campus admissions office by July 15, 2027.
**IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST CERTIFICATION**