California State University (CSU) General Education (GE) Breadth Certificate of Achievement

Description

The California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE) pattern is one option that allows California Community College transfer students to fulfill the lower-division general education requirements of any California State University (CSU) campus.

The curriculum consists of a 39-unit pattern with five areas of concentration described in the CSU GE pattern.

Two General Education Certificate Options for Students Planning to Transfer

Students should consult with a counselor to determine which general education pattern is most appropriate for their individual educational goals. The two certificate options are California State University (CSU) General Education Breadth Certificate of Achievement and Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Certificate.

CSU GE Breadth Certificate of Achievement

Requirements

Courses approved for CSU GE are responsive to the need for students to develop knowledge of, or skills related to, quantitative reasoning, information literacy, intellectual inquiry, global awareness and understanding, human diversity, civic engagement, communication competence, ethical decision-making, environmental systems, technology, lifelong learning and self-development, and physical and emotional health throughout a lifetime.

Completion of this Certificate ensures that the student has met the lower division General Education requirements for all CSU campuses. To achieve the Certificate of Achievement, a “C” grade is required in Areas A and B4 with a 2.0 overall grade point average.

Course Requirements

California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE) Certificate of Achievement course requirements link. Please note: This link goes to the Taft College Catalog, an external website. Plan to return to the Taft College website.

Areas of Concentration

  • English Language Communication and Critical Thinking: Nine semester or 12-15 quarter units required.
  • Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning: Nine semester or 12-15 quarter units required with at least one course each from Physical Science, Life Science (at least one to contain a lab component), Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning.
  • Arts and Humanities: Nine semester or 12-15 quarter units required with at least one course each in Arts and Humanities.
  • Social Sciences: Nine semester or 12-15 quarter units required with courses in at least two disciplines.
  • Lifelong Learning and Self-Development: Three semester or four-five quarter units, not all in physical activity.
U.S. History – Constitution and American Ideals:This is not an IGETC requirement; however, these courses should be completed prior to transfer to any California State University (CSU) campus.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the CSU GE, a student will be able to demonstrate, develop, or cultivate:

  • An ability to think logically and critically in solving problems; explain conclusions; and evaluating, supporting, or critiquing the thinking of others through effective oral and written communication skills.
  • Knowledge of scientific theories, concepts, and data about both living and non-living systems; achieve an understanding and appreciation of scientific principles and the scientific method, as well as the potential limits of scientific endeavors and the value systems and ethics associated with human inquiry.
  • The abilities to reason quantitatively, practice computational skills, and explain and apply mathematical or quantitative reasoning concepts to solve problems.
  • Intellect, imagination, sensibility, and sensitivity; respond subjectively as well as objectively to aesthetic experiences, and will develop an understanding of the integrity of both emotional and intellectual responses; and refine their affective, cognitive, and physical capacities through studying works of the human imagination.
  • A better understanding of the interrelationship between the self and the creative arts and of the humanities in a variety of cultures.
  • An understanding of problems and issues from the respective disciplinary perspectives and will examine issues in their contemporary as well as historical settings and in a variety of cultural contexts; and explore the principles, methodologies, value systems and ethics employed in social scientific inquiry.
  • A lifelong understanding of themselves as an integrated physiological, social, and psychological being.

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