CSU / UC Requirements
Minimum Recommended Programs for Colleges/Universities
The California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC) have established a uniform minimum set of courses required for freshman admission.
| High School Subject Area | State Mandated Requirements* (EC 51225.3) for High School Graduation | UC Requirements for Freshman Admissions | CSU Requirements for Freshman Admissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Three years | Four years of approved courses | Four years of approved courses |
| Mathematics | Two years, including Algebra I beginning in 2003-04.(EC 51224.5) | Three years, including algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra. Four years recommended. | Three years, including algebra, intermediate algebra, and geometry. |
| Social Science | Three years of history/social science, including one year of U.S. history & geography; one year of world history, culture, and geography; and one semester each of American government and economics. | Two years of history/social science, including one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government; and one year of world history, cultures, and geography. | Two years, including one year of U.S. history or U.S. history and government and one year of other approved social science. |
| Science | Two years, including biological and physical sciences. | Two years with lab required, chosen from biology, chemistry, and physics. Three years recommended. | Two years, including one year of biological and one year of physical science with lab. |
| Foreign Language | One year of either visual and performing arts or foreign language. | Two years in same language required. Three years recommended. | Two years in same language required. |
| Visual and Performing Arts | One year of either visual and performing arts or foreign language. | One year of visual and performing arts chosen from the following: dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art. | One year of visual and performing arts chosen from the following: dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art. |
| Physical Education | Two years | ||
| Electives | One year** | One year** | |
| Total | 13 | 15 (7 in the last two years) | 15 |