General Education
The Associate Degree provides a framework within which students complete patterns of learning experiences designed to develop capabilities and insights to support their academic and career goals. Among these capabilities and insights are competencies that are germane to all aspects of higher education and comprise a “general education” curriculum, such as the ability to think critically and to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing, to use quantitative reasoning, understand the modes of inquiry of the major disciplines, to be aware of other cultures and times, to achieve insights gained through experience in thinking about ethical problems, and to develop the capacity for self-understanding.
Furthermore, general education introduces students to the variety of means through which people comprehend the modern world. It reflects the conviction of colleges that those who receive their degrees must have mastered principles, concepts, and methodologies both unique to and shared by the various disciplines. A general education program should create coherence and integration among the separate requirements and involve students actively in examining values inherent in proposed solutions to major social problems.
(1) English Composition, Oral Communication, and Critical Thinking
(minimum of 6 semester/8 quarter units) including:
(1A) English Composition
(minimum of 3 semester/4 quarter units).
Courses fulfilling this requirement must be baccalaureate-level and include expository and argumentative writing.
(1B) Oral Communication and Critical Thinking
(minimum of 3 semester / 4 quarter units).
Courses fulfilling this requirement must be baccalaureate-level and may include oral communication and critical thinking courses.
Students who complete English Composition, Oral Communication, and Critical Thinking courses will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the principles of clear and coherent communication
- use verbal and non-verbal languages in a clear and precise manner
- develop logical and rational thinking skills while analyzing and communicating processes
- evaluate different quantitative and qualitative symbol expressions and systems
(2) Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
(minimum of 3 semester / 4 quarter units).
Courses fulfilling this requirement must be at least college-level and may include mathematics or quantitative reasoning courses, including logic, statistics, computer languages, and relate disciplines.
Students who complete Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning courses will be able to:
- evaluate different quantitative and qualitative symbol expressions and systems
(3) Arts and Humanities
(minimum of 3 semester / 4 quarter units).
Courses in the humanities study the cultural activities and artistic expressions of human beings.
Such courses develop students’ awareness of how people throughout the ages and in different cultures respond to themselves and the world around them in artistic and cultural creation, and develop students’ aesthetic understandings and abilities to make value judgments. Courses fulfilling this requirement may include introductory or integrative baccalaureate-level courses in the visual and performing arts, art history, foreign languages, literature, philosophy, religion, and related disciplines.
Students who complete arts and humanities general education courses will be able to:
- express understanding and appreciation of varieties of cultural and artistic expression
- articulate an understanding of the complex relationships between the arts and their cultural, historical, and economic contexts
- evaluate the various elements of artistic works
(4) Social and Behavioral Sciences
(minimum of 3 semester / 4 quarter units).
Courses in the social and behavioral sciences focus on people as members of society and develop awareness of the methods of inquiry used by the social and behavioral sciences. They stimulate critical thinking about how people act and have acted in response to their societies and promote appreciation of how societies and social subgroups operate. Courses fulfilling this requirement may include introductory or integrative baccalaureate-level courses in cultural anthropology, cultural geography, economics, history, political science, psychology, sociology, and related disciplines.
Students who complete social and behavioral sciences general education courses will be able to:
- express understanding of how people act and have acted in response to their societies and the natural environment
- articulate how societies and social subgroups operate in specific historical and contemporary contexts
- use methods of inquiry and measurement appropriate to the particular discipline being studied
(5) Natural Sciences
(minimum of 3 semester / 4 quarter units).
Courses in the natural sciences examine the physical universe, its life forms, and its natural phenomena, helping students appreciate and understand the scientific method and the relationships between science and other human activities. Courses fulfilling this requirement may include introductory or integrative baccalaureate-level courses in astronomy, biology, chemistry, general physical science, geology, meteorology, oceanography, physical geography, physical anthropology, physics, and other scientific disciplines.
Students who complete natural sciences general education courses will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the scientific method
- express an understanding of the relationships between science and other human activities
- examine the natural physical world and its life forms in a variety of courses
- utilize critical thinking skills in a variety of scientific applications
(6) Ethnic Studies
(minimum of 3 semester/4 quarter units).
Courses fulfilling this requirement may include baccalaureate-level courses in the four autonomous disciplines within Ethnic Studies: Black Studies, African American Studies, Africana Studies; Native American Studies; Chicano/a/x, Latino/a/x Studies/La Raza Studies; and Asian American Studies.
General Education Options
Students choosing Option 1 must complete the District Requirements as outlined below. Additionally, students choosing Option 1 must fulfill the General Education requirements detailed in the General Education Requirements section of this catalog.
1. American Institutions/California Government
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Students are required to complete the United States History, Constitution and American Ideals before being awarded an associate degree. This requirement may be fulfilled by completing any combination of two classes that, when combined, fulfill areas: US-1, US-2, and US-3. A course may be used to fulfill more than one area.
2. Health Education
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This requirement is met by completing Health Education 101: Health and Lifestyle, three units.
Note: This requirement is waived for students who earn degrees in Nursing Education, Physical Therapist Assistant, or are graduates of a certified paramedic training program. U.S. Veterans and active duty U.S. military personnel may be granted three units of college credit to fulfill the Health Education Requirement if service has been continuous for at least six months. Copies of form DD-214 or DD-295 or Joint Services Transcript (JST) or CCAF Transcript covering all periods of military service must be on file in the Records Office.
3. Exercise Science Activity
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Students must complete two activity courses. Exercise Science courses numbered below PHYE 240 or below EXSC 229 are acceptable. Dance courses are also acceptable, except for DANC 181, 183 and 253. Administration of Justice 127A, 127B, 127C, 127D, 128A,128B, 128C, 128D, 260, 323A, 381 and 382 are also acceptable. Fire Protection Technology 100D, 150A, 150B, 380W, 381F are also acceptable. Lifeguarding 101, 301, are also acceptable. Students with physical conditions which prevent participation in regular exercise science activity classes must file a physician’s statement with the College Evaluations Office. Adapted Exercise Science classes are available. A Physician’s medical release form is required.
Note: This requirement is waived for students who possess an accredited Fire Fighter I certification or are graduates of a POST Commission certified regional law enforcement academy. U.S. Veterans and active duty U.S. military personnel may be granted one unit of college credit (0.5 units EXSC 140A and 0.5 units EXSC 140B) to fulfill the Exercise Science Activity requirement if service has been continuous for at least six months or students who completed basic training. Copies of form DD-214 or DD-295 or Joint Services Transcript (JST) or CCAF Transcript covering all periods of military service must be on file in the Records Office.
4. Multicultural Studies
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Students may satisfy the District multicultural studies graduation requirement by satisfactorily completing a course related to the culture of one or more of the ethnic groups which are represented in American society. The course shall include a focus on the role of men and women in the origin, development, and current status of these cultures.
Note: Each student seeking the Associate Degree must complete a three-unit multicultural studies course selected from the general education courses marked with a ^ indicating that it meets the Multicultural Requirement. The three units may be applied to the 18 units required in general education.
5. General Education
See the General Education Requirements (Option 1 and Option 4) section of this catalog for specific requirements.
General Education Requirements (Option 1 and 4)
A minimum of 21 semester units (28 – 31.5 quarter units)
Students selecting General Education Option 1 or Option 4 must fulfill the general education requirements outlined below. Additionally, students choosing Option 1 must complete the District Requirements, as detailed in the District Requirements section of this catalog.
Note: Courses may meet multiple requirements, including general education, a major or area of emphasis, and additional requirements. However, one course may not be counted in more than one general education area, even if the course is approved in multiple general education areas. Students may use the same course to meet a local general education requirement and to satisfy a general education requirement at the California State University or the University of California if that segment accepts the course for this purpose.
The following information is based on 2025–2026 course offerings and is subject to change. Please contact the Counseling Department for updates.
The State of California requires the completion of a minimum of 21 units of general education with at least a 2.0 grade point average. One course must be selected from each of the following areas: English Composition; Oral Communication and Critical Thinking; Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning; Arts and Humanities; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Natural Sciences; and Ethnic Studies.
(1) English Composition, Oral Communication, and Critical Thinking
(1A) English Composition
Minimum of 3 semester/4 quarter units. Complete one course with a grade of "C" or better. Courses fulfilling this requirement must be baccalaureate-level and include expository and argumentative writing.
(1B) Oral Communication and Critical Thinking
Minimum of 3 semester / 4 quarter units. Complete one course with a grade of "C" or better.
(2) Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
Minimum of 3 semester / 4 quarter units. Complete one course with a grade of "C" or better.
(3) Arts and Humanities
Minimum of 3 semester / 4 quarter units
(4) Social and Behavioral Sciences
Minimum of 3 semester / 4 quarter units
(5) Natural Sciences
Minimum of 3 semester / 4 quarter units
(6) Ethnic Studies
Minimum of 3 semester / 4 quarter units