2024-2025 California State University General Education Requirements
A total of 39 units of lower-division general education may be certified by Cosumnes River College. Students will be required to complete an additional nine semester units of upper-division general education course work after transfer.
Students should consult a counselor when selecting courses, to make sure they properly complete the general education requirements for an associate degree in a specific major, as well as complete the California State University (CSU) General Education (GE) Breadth requirements.
CRC offers some courses in every required area that have free textbooks and are labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). The ZTC symbol means students have free access to all instructional materials. Use the "Free Textbook" filter and look for the symbol to find ZTC sections in the online class schedule and eServices. Learn more about free textbooks through ZTC and CRC's ZTC degree/certificate pathways.
A. English Language Communication and Critical Thinking
Choose one course (three units minimum) from each area for a minimum of nine units. Learn how to find classes in this area with free textbooks.
| Area |
Courses |
| A1 Oral Communication |
COMM 301 Introduction to Public Speaking; COMM 331 Group Discussion; COMM 361 The Communication Experience |
| A2 Written Communication |
- ENGWR 300 College Composition; ENGWR 480 Honors College Composition
- HONOR 375 Honors College Composition
|
| A3 Critical Thinking |
- COMM 311 Argumentation and Debate; COMM 315 Persuasion; COMM 482 Honors Seminar: Persuasion within Social Issues
- ENGRD 310 Critical Reading as Critical Thinking; ENGRD 311 Intensive Critical Thinking for College Success
- ENGWR 301 College Composition and Literature^; ENGWR 302 Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking
- HONOR 341 Honors Seminar: Persuasion within Social Issues; HONOR 363 Honors Seminar in Critical Thinking and Composition: Philosophy of Happiness^
- PHIL 300 Introduction to Philosophy^; PHIL 304 Introduction to Asian Philosophy^; PHIL 320 Logic and Critical Reasoning; PHIL 325 Symbolic Logic; PHIL 486 Honors Seminar in Critical Thinking and Composition: Philosophy of Happiness^
- SOC 305 Critical Thinking in the Social Sciences^
|
- ^ This course is listed in more than one GE area but can only be used to fulfill a single area.
B. Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning
Choose one course from each area for a minimum of nine units. Courses in area B3 may also be used in areas B1 or B2 where appropriate. Related lecture courses must be completed prior to or concurrently with lab courses. Learn how to find classes in this area with free textbooks.
| Area |
Courses |
| B1 Physical Science |
- ASTR 300 Introduction to Astronomy
- CHEM 300 Beginning Chemistry*; CHEM 305 Introduction to Chemistry*; CHEM 306 Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry*; CHEM 309 Integrated General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry*; CHEM 400 General Chemistry I*; CHEM 401 General Chemistry II*; CHEM 420 Organic Chemistry I*; CHEM 421 Organic Chemistry II*
- ENGR 304 How Things Work*
- GEOG 300 Physical Geography: Exploring Earth's Environmental Systems; GEOG 305 Global Climate Change; GEOG 306 Weather and Climate
- GEOL 300 Physical Geology; GEOL 305 Earth Science; GEOL 310 Historical Geology; GEOL 330 Introduction to Oceanography
- HORT 302 Soils, Soil Management, and Plant Nutrition*
- PHYS 310 Conceptual Physics; PHYS 350 General Physics*; PHYS 360 General Physics*; PHYS 370 Introductory Physics - Mechanics and Thermodynamics*; PHYS 380 Introductory Physics - Electricity and Magnetism, Light and Modern Physics*; PHYS 411 Mechanics of Solids and Fluids*; PHYS 421 Electricity and Magnetism*; PHYS 431 Heat, Waves, Light and Modern Physics*
- PLTS 310 Soils, Soil Management, and Plant Nutrition*
|
| B2 Life Science |
- ANTH 300 Biological Anthropology; ANTH 303 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology
- BIOL 300 The Foundations of Biology; BIOL 307 Biology of Organisms*; BIOL 308 Contemporary Biology; BIOL 310 General Biology*; BIOL 342 The New Plagues: New and Ancient Infectious Diseases Threatening World Health; BIOL 350 Environmental Biology; BIOL 352 Conservation Biology; BIOL 400 Principles of Biology*; BIOL 410 Principles of Botany*; BIOL 420 Principles of Zoology*; BIOL 430 Anatomy and Physiology*; BIOL 431 Anatomy and Physiology*; BIOL 440 General Microbiology*; BIOL 485 Honors Seminar in Genetics
- HONOR 385 Honors Seminar in Genetics
- PSYC 312 Biological Psychology*
|
| B3 Laboratory Activity |
- ANTH 301 Biological Anthropology Laboratory
- ASTR 400 Astronomy Laboratory
- BIOL 307 Biology of Organisms*; BIOL 309 Contemporary Biology Lab; BIOL 310 General Biology*; BIOL 400 Principles of Biology*; BIOL 410 Principles of Botany*; BIOL 420 Principles of Zoology*; BIOL 430 Anatomy and Physiology*; BIOL 431 Anatomy and Physiology*; BIOL 440 General Microbiology*
- CHEM 300 Beginning Chemistry*; CHEM 305 Introduction to Chemistry*; CHEM 306 Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry*; CHEM 309 Integrated General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry*; CHEM 400 General Chemistry I*; CHEM 401 General Chemistry II*; CHEM 420 Organic Chemistry I*; CHEM 421 Organic Chemistry II*
- ENGR 304 How Things Work*
- GEOG 301 Physical Geography Laboratory
- GEOL 301 Physical Geology Laboratory; GEOL 306 Earth Science Laboratory; GEOL 311 Historical Geology Laboratory
- HONOR 385 Honors Seminar in Genetics
- HORT 302 Soils, Soil Management, and Plant Nutrition*
- PHYS 350 General Physics*; PHYS 360 General Physics*; PHYS 370 Introductory Physics - Mechanics and Thermodynamics*; PHYS 380 Introductory Physics - Electricity and Magnetism, Light and Modern Physics*; PHYS 411 Mechanics of Solids and Fluids*; PHYS 421 Electricity and Magnetism*; PHYS 431 Heat, Waves, Light and Modern Physics*
- PLTS 310 Soils, Soil Management, and Plant Nutrition*
- PSYC 312 Biological Psychology*
|
| B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning |
- ECON 310 Statistics for Business and Economics
- HONOR 393 Introduction to Probability and Statistics - Honors
- MATH 300 Introduction to Mathematical Ideas; MATH 310 Mathematical Discovery; MATH 333 Introduction to College Algebra; MATH 335 Trigonometry with College Algebra; MATH 341 Calculus for Business and Economics; MATH 343 Modern Business Mathematics; MATH 355 Calculus for Biology and Medicine I; MATH 356 Calculus for Biology and Medicine II; MATH 370 Pre-Calculus Mathematics; MATH 372 College Algebra for Calculus; MATH 373 Trigonometry for Calculus; MATH 400 Calculus I; MATH 401 Calculus II; MATH 402 Calculus III; MATH 410 Introduction to Linear Algebra; MATH 420 Differential Equations
- POLS 382 Statistics for Social Science
- PSYC 330 Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
- STAT 300 Introduction to Probability and Statistics; STAT 480 Introduction to Probability and Statistics - Honors
|
- * This course may be counted in both areas in which it is listed.
C. Arts and Humanities
Choose one course from each area, plus an additional course from either area, for a minimum of nine units. Learn how to find classes in this area with free textbooks.
| Area |
Courses |
| C1 Art |
- ARCH 310 History of Architecture; ARCH 332 Design Awareness
- ART 300 Drawing and Composition I; ART 302 Drawing and Composition II; ART 304 Figure Drawing I; ART 305 Figure Drawing II; ART 312 Portrait Drawing; ART 320 Design: Fundamentals; ART 323 Design: Color Theory; ART 324 Collage and Assemblage; ART 327 Painting I; ART 328 Painting II; ART 361 Printmaking: Survey; ART 370 Three Dimensional Design; ART 372 Sculpture; ART 430 Art and Children
- ARTH 300 Art Appreciation; ARTH 303 Art Survey: Ancient to 14th Century; ARTH 307 Italian Renaissance Art; ARTH 309 Art Survey: Renaissance to 19th Century; ARTH 311 Art Survey: Modern Art; ARTH 312 Women in Art; ARTH 324 Art of the Americas; ARTH 325 Native American Art History; ARTH 328 Survey of African Art; ARTH 332 Asian Art; ARTH 333 Introduction to Islamic Art
- DANCE 386 Dance History
- ENGLT 488 Honors - Literature Adapted into Film^
- FMS 300 Introduction to Film Studies; FMS 305 Film History; FMS 307 Film History II (1950-present); FMS 320 Film Genre
- HONOR 378 Honors - Literature Adapted into Film^
- MUFHL 300 Introduction to Music; MUFHL 308 Introduction to Music: Rock & Roll; MUFHL 310 Survey of Music History and Literature (Greek Antiquity to 1750); MUFHL 311 Survey of Music History and Literature (1750 to the present); MUFHL 315 Jazz History; MUFHL 321 Basic Musicianship; MUFHL 330 World Music; MUFHL 400 Music Theory and Musicianship I; MUFHL 416 Studies in Contemporary Composition Techniques, Performance, and Literature
- MUSM 370 Music for Children;
- PHOTO 301 Beginning Photography; PHOTO 420 History of Photography
- RTVF 305 Film History; RTVF 307 Film History II (1950-present); RTVF 378 Acting for the Camera
- TA 300 Introduction to the Theatre; TA 302 History and Theory of the Theatre I; TA 303 History and Theory of the Theatre II; TA 305 Script Analysis; TA 306 Diversity in American Drama (1960 to Present)^; TA 350 Theory and Techniques of Acting I; TA 356 Acting for the Camera I; TA 401 Children's Literature and Creative Drama
|
| C2 Humanities |
- ARTH 328 Survey of African Art; ARTH 333 Introduction to Islamic Art
- DEAF 310 American Sign Language I; DEAF 312 American Sign Language II; DEAF 314 American Sign Language III; DEAF 316 American Sign Language IV; DEAF 354 Creative Signs
- ENGCW 400 Creative Writing; ENGCW 410 Fiction Writing Workshop
- ENGLT 303 Introduction to the Short Story; ENGLT 310 English Literature I; ENGLT 311 English Literature II; ENGLT 320 American Literature I; ENGLT 321 American Literature II; ENGLT 330 African American Literature; ENGLT 335 Latino, Mexican-American, and Chicano Literature; ENGLT 336 Race and Ethnicity in Contemporary American Literature; ENGLT 340 World Literature I; ENGLT 341 World Literature II; ENGLT 343 Contemporary Regional World Literature; ENGLT 345 Mythologies of the World; ENGLT 360 Women in Literature; ENGLT 365 Introduction to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Literature; ENGLT 370 Children and Literature; ENGLT 402 Introduction to Shakespeare and Film; ENGLT 488 Honors - Literature Adapted into Film^
- ENGWR 301 College Composition and Literature^
- FMS 488 Honors Seminar: Introduction to Critical Theory
- HIST 364 Asian Civilization; HIST 365 Asian Civilization; HIST 380 History of the Middle East; HIST 399 Studying in Italy: Italian History and Culture; HIST 485 Recent United States History - Honors^+
- HMONG 401 Elementary Hmong; HMONG 402 Elementary Hmong II
- HONOR 350 Honors Seminar: Introduction to Critical Theory; HONOR 363 Honors Seminar in Critical Thinking and Composition: Philosophy of Happiness^; HONOR 364 Honors Seminar: Philosophy of the Martial Arts; HONOR 366 Recent United States History - Honors^+; HONOR 378 Honors - Literature Adapted into Film^
- HUM 300 Classical Humanities; HUM 301 Introduction to the Humanities; HUM 310 Modern Humanities; HUM 320 Asian Humanities; HUM 324 Global Islam: Culture and Civilization; HUM 331 Latin American Humanities; HUM 332 American Humanities; HUM 339 African American Humanities; HUM 370 Women and the Creative Imagination
- PHIL 300 Introduction to Philosophy^; PHIL 304 Introduction to Asian Philosophy^; PHIL 310 Introduction to Ethics; PHIL 315 Contemporary Moral Issues; PHIL 330 History of Classical Philosophy; PHIL 331 History of Modern Philosophy; PHIL 338 Contemporary Philosophy; PHIL 350 Philosophy of Religion; PHIL 352 Introduction to World Religions; PHIL 356 Introduction to the Bible; PHIL 485 Honors Seminar: Philosophy of the Martial Arts; PHIL 486 Honors Seminar in Critical Thinking and Composition: Philosophy of Happiness^
- RLST 301 Introduction to World Religions
- SPAN 401 Elementary Spanish I; SPAN 402 Elementary Spanish II; SPAN 411 Intermediate Spanish; SPAN 412 Intermediate Spanish; SPAN 413 Spanish for Native Speakers I; SPAN 415 Spanish for Native Speakers II; SPAN 425 Advanced Reading and Conversation; SPAN 426 Introduction to Mexican American Literature; SPAN 427 Introduction to Spanish American Literature
- VIET 401 Elementary Vietnamese; VIET 402 Elementary Vietnamese; VIET 411 Intermediate Vietnamese; VIET 412 Intermediate Vietnamese
|
- ^ This course is listed in more than one GE area but can only be used to fulfill a single area.
- + This course may also be used to fulfill the US History, Constitution, and American Ideals requirement.
D. Social Sciences
Choose two courses for a minimum of six units. Students will be required to take an additional three units in their upper division courses from a different subject area at the university to which they transfer. Learn how to find classes in this area with free textbooks.
| Area |
Courses |
| D |
- AGB 321 Agriculture Economics
- ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology; ANTH 313 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology: Medical Focus; ANTH 316 Global Forces in Culture Change; ANTH 323 Introduction to Archaeology; ANTH 324 World Prehistory; ANTH 331 The Anthropology of Religion; ANTH 332 Native Peoples of California; ANTH 334 Native Peoples of North America; ANTH 336 Anthropology of Sex, Sexuality and Gender; ANTH 341 Introduction to Linguistics; ANTH 374 Birth to Death: The Anthropology of Primate Culture and Behavior
- BUS 330 Managing Diversity in the Workplace; BUS 345 Law and Society
- COMM 325 Intercultural Communication; COMM 341 Organizational Communication; COMM 363 Introduction to Communication Theory; COMM 480 Honors Seminar: Political Campaign Communication
- DEAF 351 Introduction to American Deaf Culture; DEAF 352 Introduction to American Deaf Education
- ECE 312 Child Development^; ECE 314 The Child, the Family and the Community^
- ECON 300 Survey of Economics; ECON 302 Principles of Macroeconomics; ECON 304 Principles of Microeconomics; ECON 306 Environmental Economics
- ETHNS 300 Introduction to Ethnic Studies^; ETHNS 320 Introduction to African American Studies^; ETHNS 330 Introduction to Asian American Studies^; ETHNS 344 The Latino Experience in America^; ETHNS 350 Introduction to Native American Studies^; ETHNS 360 Introduction to Chicana/o/x Studies^
- GEOG 302 Environmental Studies & Sustainability; GEOG 310 Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes; GEOG 320 World Regional Geography; GEOG 322 Geography of California
- HIST 301 History of Europe and Mediterranean World to 1550; HIST 302 History of Europe Since 1500; HIST 307 History of World Civilizations to 1500; HIST 308 History of World Civilizations, 1500 to Present; HIST 310 History of the United States+; HIST 311 History of the United States+; HIST 314 Recent United States History+; HIST 320 History of the United States: African-American Emphasis+; HIST 321 History of the United States: African-American Emphasis+; HIST 331 Women in American History+; HIST 344 Survey of California History: A Multicultural Perspective; HIST 360 History of African Civilizations; HIST 364 Asian Civilization; HIST 365 Asian Civilization; HIST 370 History of the Americas through the 19th Century Wars of Independence; HIST 371 History of the Americas from the 19th Century Wars of Independence to the Present+; HIST 373 History of Mexico; HIST 380 History of the Middle East; HIST 485 Recent United States History - Honors+^
- HONOR 340 Honors Seminar: Political Campaign Communication; HONOR 366 Recent United States History - Honors+^; HONOR 367 Introduction to Government: United States – Honors; HONOR 368 International Political Economy - Honors
- JOUR 310 Mass Media and Society; JOUR 320 Race and Gender in the Media
- KINES 308 Women in Sport; KINES 416 Psychology of Sport
- NUTRI 310 Cultural Foods of the World
- PHIL 360 Social/Political Philosophy
- POLS 301 Introduction to Government: United States+; POLS 302 Comparative Politics; POLS 304 Introduction to Government: California+; POLS 310 Introduction to International Relations; POLS 311 International Political Economy; POLS 312 Politics of the Middle East; POLS 313 Latin America; POLS 314 Modern Europe and the Unification Process; POLS 315 Pacific Rim; POLS 317 Global Studies: Africa; POLS 318 Global Studies: Central Asia; POLS 319 Global Studies: Southeast Asia; POLS 320 Introduction to Political Theory; POLS 324 Revolutions & Ideologies; POLS 481 Introduction to Government: United States - Honors; POLS 482 International Political Economy - Honors
- PSYC 300 General Principles; PSYC 312 Biological Psychology; PSYC 320 Social Psychology; PSYC 335 Research Methods in Psychology; PSYC 340 Abnormal Behavior^; PSYC 371 Life Span Developmental Psychology^
- RTVF 300 Mass Media and Society
- SJS 300 Introduction to Social Justice Studies; SJS 310 Introduction to LGBTQ Studies
- SOC 300 Introductory Sociology; SOC 301 Social Problems; SOC 302 Introduction to Social Research Methods; SOC 305 Critical Thinking in the Social Sciences^; SOC 310 Marriage and the Family^; SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States; SOC 341 Sex and Gender in the U.S.
- TA 306 Diversity in American Drama (1960 to Present)^
|
- + This course may also be used to fulfill the US History, Constitution, and American Ideals requirement.
- ^ This course is listed in more than one GE area but can only be used to fulfill a single area.
E. Lifelong Learning and Self Development
Choose at least one course for a minimum of three units. This area can also be fulfilled by Military Service Credit (honorable discharge) with a minimum of one year of active duty service. Submit a copy of DD214 to Admissions and Records as verification. Learn how to find classes in this area with free textbooks.
| Area |
Courses |
| E1 |
- COMM 321 Interpersonal Communication
- ECE 312 Child Development^; ECE 314 The Child, the Family and the Community^
- ENGED 320 Curriculum and Interactions in Early Childhood Education
- FCS 324 Human Development: A Life Span
- HCD 310 College Success; HCD 382 Learning Strategies for College Life
- HEED 300 Health Science; HEED 350 Personal Wellness
- HSER 302 Introduction to Psychology of Human Relations; HSER 340 Introduction to Chemical Dependency
- INDIS 313 Freshman Seminar
- KINES 300 Introduction to Kinesiology; KINES 301 Personal Wellness
- NUTRI 300 Nutrition
- PSYC 340 Abnormal Behavior^; PSYC 356 Human Sexuality; PSYC 371 Life Span Developmental Psychology^
- SOC 310 Marriage and the Family^
- SWHS 340 Introduction to Chemical Dependency
|
| E2 |
One unit maximum from courses with the following prefixes: ADAPT, DANCE, FITNS, PACT, SPORT, TMACT |
- ^ This course is listed in more than one GE area but can only be used to fulfill a single area.
F. Ethnic Studies (Fall 2021 and Later)
Area F is only for students with fall 2021 (or later) catalog rights. If you have catalog rights prior to fall 2021, then this section does not apply to you.
Choose at least one course for a minimum of three units; courses cannot be counted twice. Learn how to find classes in this area with free textbooks.
| Option |
Courses |
| F |
- ETHNS 300 Introduction to Ethnic Studies^; ETHNS 320 Introduction to African American Studies^; ETHNS 330 Introduction to Asian American Studies^; ETHNS 350 Introduction to Native American Studies^; ETHNS 360 Introduction to Chicana/o/x Studies^
|
- ^ This course is listed in more than one GE area but can only be used to fulfill a single area.
US History, Constitution, and American Ideals
This is a CSU graduation requirement only – it is not required for CSU general education certification. Choose one of the following options. These courses can also be used to satisfy Area D. Some CSUs have a limitation on this; consult with a counselor for more information. Learn how to find classes in this area with free textbooks.
| Option |
Courses |
| Option 1 |
Complete one course from the following list:
- HIST 485 Introduction to Government: United States - Honors
- HONOR 366 Recent United States History - Honors; HONOR 367 Introduction to Government: United States - Honors
- POLS 301 Introduction to Government: United States; POLS 481 Introduction to Government: United States - Honors
Plus, complete another course from the following list:
- HIST 310 History of the United States (To 1877); HIST 311 History of the United States; HIST 320 History of the United States: African-American Emphasis; HIST 321 History of the United States: African-American Emphasis; HIST 331 Women in American History; HIST 371 History of the Americas from the 19th Century Wars of Independence to the Present
|
| Option 2 |
Complete one course from the following list:
- HIST 310 History of the United States or HIST 320 History of the United States: African-American Emphasis
Plus, complete another course from the following list:
- HIST 311 History of the United States (1865 - Present); HIST 314 Recent United States History; HIST 321 History of the United States: African-American Emphasis
- HONOR 367 Introduction to Government: United States - Honors
- POLS 304 Introduction to Government: California; POLS 481 Introduction to Government: United States - Honors
|
New Approvals Effective Fall 2024
The following courses are approved for CSU GE beginning in fall 2024.
| Course Number |
Course Title |
CSU Area |
| FITNS 375 |
Introduction to Meditation |
E |
| PACT 381 |
Table Tennis I |
E |
| PACT 430 |
Pickleball I |
E |
| PACT 431 |
Pickleball II |
E |
| PACT 432 |
Pickleball III |
E |
| SPORT 370 |
Swimming and Diving, Intercollegiate-Men |
E |
| SPORT 408 |
Intercollegiate Beach Volleyball |
E |
