The New Cal-IGETC for Transfer
- Michele Coleman
- Apr 4
- 4 min read
I work with many transfer students, and for those students considering the Community College path, the following is important information.
In the past, when a student attended a California Community College with the intent of transferring to a Cal State or a UC, they completed a general education form: an IGETC for the UCs, or a CSU GE Breadth Form. Those forms have both been replaced by one new form, the Cal-GETC (California General Education Transfer Curriculum). This change is a direct result of Assembly Bill 928 and will hopefully make the process of transferring to a Cal State or UC a bit easier.
Please Note: Students who began their studies at a California Community College before Fall 2025 and have maintained continuous enrollment may follow either the CSU GE Breadth or IGETC transfer pattern, based on their intended university system and transfer date.
Keep in mind, students still need a total of 60 Semester or 90 Quarter Units to transfer to a Cal State or UC. Completing the new Cal-IGETC will not satisfy those requirements alone. Additional undergrad major courses are required.
Each system has different requirements for transfer.
The UC' minumum requirements for transfer are:
Completion of the 7 Course Pattern
A GPA of 2.4 for residents, 2.8 for non-residents (Additional GPA requirements may be specified by each UC)
60 semester or 90 quarter units must be completed by the Spring of the year a student applies
The Cal State System
To be admitted to a California State as an upper-division transfer (UDT), you must:
have completed at least 60 semester (90 quarter) units of transferable college credit, of which 30 semester (45 quarter) units are at a level equivalent to general education courses;
have attained a grade point average of 2.0 or better across all transferable college courses attempted. A higher GPA may be required for high-demand programs and/or campuses.
be in good standing at the last college or university attended. In other words, “good standing” means you are eligible to re-enroll at your last college or university.
have completed with a grade of C- or better, one course in each of the four areas: on the Cal-IGETC
What is required to complete the Cal-GETC?
Area 1: English Communication
3 courses: Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking (9 units)
Area 2: Math/Quantitative Reasoning
1 course (3 units)
Area 3: Arts & Humanities
2 courses: 1 Arts, 1 Humanities (6 units)
Area 4: Social & Behavioral Sciences
2 courses: from 2 different disciplines (6 units)
Area 5: Physical & Biological Sciences
2 courses: 1 Physical Science, 1 Biological Science, 1 Lab (7 units)
Area 6: Ethnic Studies
1 course (3 units)
Total units: 34 - (Language is no longer required, but 2 years is highly recommended by UC’s)
The difference between the 2 Systems is the required completion of the 7-course pattern for the UCs. Cal States do not require the 7-course pattern.
UCs - What courses are required for the 7 Course Pattern for the UCs?
2 English Composition Courses (UC- E)
1 Math (UC - M)
4 courses from 2 of the following subject areas:
Arts & Humanities (UC – H)
Social & Behavioral Sciences (UC – B)
Physical & Biological Sciences (UC – S)
Here is the catch:
The 7-course pattern will not be completed by following only the Cal-IGETC. A completed Cal-IGETC is not a requirement for admission to a UC, but may be used by certain UC's as part of the selection process, yet the 7-course pattern is required for admission. I know, what? So, you can use the Cal-IGETC as a guide to complete undergrad general ed requirements as long as you are also completing the 7-Course pattern and all of the required undergraduate major requirements by the specific UC you are applying to.
A note about GPA: Your cumulative GPA is important, but your undergraduate major GPA is also extremely important.
UC Factors in Selection
Every UC uses several factors to determine admission. Those below are used at every campus, but keep in mind, each campus can also add several other factors that they consider important.
For transfer admission, the UCs take into account:
• Completion of a specified pattern or number of courses that meet general education requirements
• Completion of a specified pattern or number of courses that provide continuity with upper-division courses in the student’s major, such as a UC Transfer Pathway, an associate of arts or science degree for transfer offered by a California community college, or a UC campus-specific major preparation course pattern
• Grade point average in all transferable courses and, in particular, grade point average in lower-division courses included in a UC Transfer Pathway or required for the applicant’s intended major
• Participation in academically selective honors courses or programs
• Completion of a UC Transfer Pathway or an associate degree for transfer (ADT) offered by a California community college
• Special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, communication or athletic endeavors; special skills, such as demonstrated written and oral proficiency in other languages; special interests, such as intensive study and exploration of other cultures; experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership, such as significant community service or significant participation in student government; or other significant experiences or achievements that demonstrate the student’s promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of a campus
• Completion of special projects undertaken in the context of the college curriculum or in conjunction with special school events, projects, or programs
• Academic accomplishments in light of the student’s life experiences and special circumstances
• Location of the student’s college and residence
CAMPUS REVIEW
Since every campus can choose to have additional criteria, I've included the following links for your review.
Cal States note the following guidelines:
Electives count toward transferable units but do not meet admission, major, general education, or graduation requirements. If you are undecided on a major, they can help you explore interests. Always confirm in your college catalog that electives transfer.
If you are applying to a high-unit major such as science, technology, engineering, and some math-based fields, be sure to check with the CSU campus for their requirements in this area or with your California Community College transfer counselor.
If you need assistance charting your transfer path, contact me!
Resource: Assist.org – the official transfer & articulation system
Source: UC Admissions PDF
Source: CSU Transfer Admissions
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