The Stanislaus State General Education (GE) program changed in 2021-22 with the implementation of AB 1460 Ethnic Studies Graduation Requirement. In order to honor the transfer pathway of students who started prior to the new law, transfers enrolling at Stan State for the first time in Fall 2022 will follow the 2020-21 GE Program. Major requirements will follow the 2022-23 catalog.

The University’s General Education requirements are listed below. Click on the titles below for more information about general education, the mission, goals, and outcomes of the General Education Program, and the credit policy and credit by examination for General Education.

General Education Requirements

A. Communication Skills

(9 units minimum)

Include one course from each subarea (A1, A2, and A3).

B. Natural Sciences and Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning

(13 units minimum)

Include one course from each subarea (B1, B2, B3, B4, and UD‐B).

1. Physical Sciences

AGST 2014 - Introduction to Soils 4 unit(s) or
GEOG 2014 - Introduction to Soils 4 unit(s)
ASTR 2100 - Descriptive Astronomy 3 unit(s)
CHEM 1000 - Chemistry in the Modern World 3 unit(s)
CHEM 1100 - General Chemistry I 4 unit(s)
CHEM 2100 - Chemistry/Biochemistry for Nurses I 3 unit(s)
GEOG 2010 - Introduction to Physical Geography 3 unit(s)
GEOL 2100 - Principles of Geology 3 unit(s)
GEOL 2200 - History of Earth and Life 3 unit(s)
GEOL 2400 - Introduction to Earth Science 3 unit(s)
GEOL 2500 - Dinosaurs 3 unit(s)
PHSC 1300 - Environmental Pollution 3 unit(s)
PHSC 2100 - Atmosphere, Weather, Climate 3 unit(s)
PHYS 1500 - Energy and Matter 3 unit(s)
PHYS 2100 - Basic Physics I 4 unit(s)
PHYS 2110 - Basic Physics II 4 unit(s)
PHYS 2250 - General Physics I 4 unit(s)

2. Biological/Life Sciences

AGST 2200 - Principles of Horticulture and Practices 3 unit(s)
BIOL 1010 - Principles of Biology 3 unit(s)
BIOL 1150 - General Biology II 4 unit(s)
BIOL 2310 - Human Genetics 3 unit(s)
BIOL 2650 - Environmental Biology 3 unit(s)
BOTY 1010 - Plant Biology 3 unit(s)

3. Laboratory Requirement

B3 may also be satisfied by completing a B1 or B2 course that includes a laboratory component.

ASTR 2112 - Astronomy Laboratory 1 unit(s)
BIOL 1020 - World of Biology Laboratory 1 unit(s)
CHEM 1102 - General Chemistry I Laboratory 1 unit(s)
GEOG 2012 - Introduction to Physical Geography Laboratory 1 unit(s)
GEOL 2102 - Principles of Geology Lab 1 unit(s)
GEOL 2202 - History of Earth and Life Lab 1 unit(s)
PHYS 1502 - Energy and Matter Laboratory 1 unit(s)
PHYS 2252 - General Physics I Laboratory 1 unit(s)

4. Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning

MATH 1000 - Excursions into Mathematics 4 unit(s)
MATH 1030 - Elementary Foundations of Mathematics I 3 unit(s)
MATH 1036 - Elementary Foundations of Math with Support IB 3 unit(s)
MATH 1070 - College Algebra 3 unit(s)
MATH 1072 - College Algebra with Support II 3 unit(s)
MATH 1080 - Trigonometry 3 unit(s)
MATH 1100 - Precalculus 4 unit(s)
MATH 1410 - Calculus I 4 unit(s)
MATH 1500 - Finite Mathematics 3 unit(s)
MATH 1552 - Finite Mathematics and Business Statistics II 3 unit(s)
MATH 1600 - Statistics 4 unit(s)
MATH 1602 - Statistics with Support II 3 unit(s)
MATH 1610 - Statistics for Decision Making 3 unit(s)
MATH 1910 - Calculus with Applications I 3 unit(s)

UD‐B: Upper Division B

(3 units minimum)

Complete 3 units. Upper Division G.E. courses are designed to be taken after upper-division status (completion of 60 semester units) is attained. In order to receive GE credit, students must have completed 45 units at the time of registration, and have completed the following by the start of the Upper Division G.E. course: General Education oral communication (A1), written communication (A2), critical thinking (A3), and mathematics/quantitative reasoning (B4) courses (the “Golden Four” courses).

a. Biology

BIOL 3000 - Frontiers in Biology 3 unit(s)
BIOL 3020 - Introduction to Evolution 3 unit(s)
BIOL 4350 - DNA: The Code of Life 3 unit(s)
BOTY 4000 - Medicinal Plants and Herbs 3 unit(s)
MBIO 3000 - Microbes and You 3 unit(s)

b. Chemistry

CHEM 3070 - The Chemicals in Your Life 3 unit(s)
CHEM 3100 - Environmental Chemistry 3 unit(s)

c. Computer Science

CS 3500 - Human-Centered Design 3 unit(s)
CS 3550 - Introduction to Computational Thinking 3 unit(s)
CS 4000 - Personal Computing 3 unit(s)
CS 4010 - Computing for the Sciences 3 unit(s)

d. Honors

HONS 3100 - Methods of Inquiry in Science 3 unit(s)

e. Mathematics

MATH 3030 - Geometry for Teachers 3 unit(s)
MATH 3350 - Applied Mathematical Models 3 unit(s)

f. Nursing

NURS 3400 - Human Pathophysiology 3 unit(s)

g. Other Natural Sciences

NSCI 3000 - Science for Self-Sufficiency 3 unit(s)
NSCI 3060 - Planetary Science and Engineering 3 unit(s)

h. Physics and Physical Sciences

ASTR 3000 - Contemporary Astronomy 3 unit(s)
GEOL 3050 - Environmental Geology 4 unit(s)
GEOL 3060 - Planetary Science and Engineering 3 unit(s)
GEOL 3500 - Earthquakes and Volcanoes 3 unit(s)
GEOL 3600 - Physical Oceanography 3 unit(s)
GEOL 4810 - Development and Management of Water Resources 4 unit(s)
GEOL 4900 - The Climate Crisis: Science and Solutions 3 unit(s)
PHSC 3500 - Solar and Alternative Energies 3 unit(s)
PHYS 3080 - How Things Work 3 unit(s)
PHYS 3520 - Modern Physics and Quantum Mechanics 3 unit(s)
PHYS 3550 - Physics for War, Physics for Peace 3 unit(s)

C. Arts and Humanities

(12 units minimum)

Complete 3 units in each subarea (C1, C2, UD‐C), and any additional 3 lower-division units from C1 or C2.

1. Arts

ART 1000 - Introduction to Studio Art 3 unit(s)
ART 1010 - Foundation Drawing 3 unit(s)
ART 1030 - Foundation Printmaking Option A 3 unit(s)
ART 1035 - Foundation Printmaking Option B 3 unit(s)
ART 1040 - Foundation Digital Media 3 unit(s)
ART 1100 - Foundation Painting 3 unit(s)
ART 1200 - Foundation Sculpture 3 unit(s)
ART 1340 - Introduction to Ceramics 3 unit(s)
ART 1350 - Looking At Art 3 unit(s)
ART 2515 - Art History Survey - Ancient 3 unit(s)
ART 2520 - Art History Survey - Modern 3 unit(s)
ART 2522 - Art Hist Survey - Contemporary 3 unit(s)
ART 2525 - Art History Survey - Non-Western 3 unit(s)
ART 2526 - Art History Survey - Islamic 3 unit(s)
ART 2527 - Art History Survey - Asian 3 unit(s)
ART 2530 - Art Appreciation 3 unit(s)
FA 1000 - Introduction to the Fine Arts 3 unit(s)
MUS 1000 - Introduction to Music 3 unit(s)
MUS 1190 - Music Fundamentals 3 unit(s)
MUS 2000 - Music of World Cultures 3 unit(s)
MUS 2400 - Orchestra 1 unit(s)
MUS 2410 - Concert Chorale 1 unit(s)
MUS 2430 - University Chamber Singers 1 unit(s)
MUS 2440 - Wind Ensemble 1 unit(s)
THEA 1010 - Introduction to Theatre 3 unit(s)
THEA 1110 - Playgoing 3 unit(s)
THEA 1500 - Introduction to Acting 3 unit(s)
THEA 1510 - Dance for the Stage 3 unit(s)
THEA 1540 - Dance for the Stage II 3 unit(s)
THEA 2300 - Theatre Workshop I 3 unit(s)

2. Literature/Philosophy/World Languages

ENGL 1010 - Introduction to Literature 3 unit(s)
ENGL 2010 - Introduction to Creative Writing 4 unit(s)
ESL 1000 - Editing for Language and Dialect 4 unit(s)
ESL 1005 - Essay Skills for Language and Dialect 4 unit(s)
ESL 2000 - Essay Strategies and Vocabulary for Language and Dialect 3 unit(s)
GERM 1010 - Elementary German I 4 unit(s)
GERM 1020 - Elementary German II 4 unit(s)
HONS 1010 - Reading Seminar in Humanities 3 unit(s)
HUM 2000 - Introduction to the Humanities 3 unit(s)
ITAL 1010 - Elementary Italian I 3 unit(s)
ITAL 1020 - Elementary Italian II 3 unit(s)
PHIL 1010 - Introduction to Philosophy 3 unit(s)
PHIL 2200 - Ancient Philosophy 3 unit(s)
PHIL 2230 - Modern Philosophy 3 unit(s)
PHIL 2300 - Philosophy of Science 3 unit(s)
PHIL 2400 - Contemporary Moral Issues 3 unit(s)
PHIL 2500 - Philosophy and Film 3 unit(s)
PHIL 2700 - Introduction to Political Philosophy 3 unit(s)
PORT 1000 - Elementary Portuguese 4 unit(s)
PORT 2000 - Intermediate Portuguese 4 unit(s)
PORT 3000 - Advanced Portuguese 4 unit(s)
SPAN 1010 - Elementary Spanish I 3 unit(s)
SPAN 1020 - Elementary Spanish II 3 unit(s)
SPAN 2010 - Intermediate Spanish I 4 unit(s)
SPAN 2011 - Spanish for Native Speakers I 3 unit(s)
SPAN 2015 - Spanish for Native Speakers II 3 unit(s)
SPAN 2020 - Intermediate Spanish II 4 unit(s)

UD‐C: Upper Division C

(3 units minimum)

a. Art

ART 3605 - Text and Image 3 unit(s)
ART 3622 - Documentary Videography 3 unit(s)
ART 3640 - Digital Photography 3 unit(s)
ART 3700 - Computer Art 3 unit(s)
ART 4070 - Women and Gender in the History of Art I: Europe and the United States 3 unit(s) or
GEND 4070 - Women and Gender in the History of Art I: Europe and the United States 3 unit(s)
ART 4080 - Women and Gender in the History of Art II: Global and Transnational Contexts 3 unit(s) or
GEND 4080 - Women and Gender in the History of Art II: Global and Transnational Contexts 3 unit(s)
ART 4500 - Art, Museums, and Society 3 unit(s)
ART 4525 - Italian Renaissance 3 unit(s)
ART 4535 - Art of the Baroque Age 3 unit(s)
ART 4538 - 18th-Century Art: Rococo and Neoclassicism 3 unit(s)
ART 4548 - Global Modernisms 3 unit(s)
ART 4555 - American Art 3 unit(s)
ART 4562 - Islamic Art 3 unit(s)

b. English

ENGL 3550 - Years of War, Days of Peace 3 unit(s)
ENGL 3920 - Survey of World Literature 3 unit(s)
ENGL 3940 - Multicultural American Literature 3 unit(s)
ENGL 3945 - Multicultural California Literature 3 unit(s)
ENGL 4010 - Introduction to Rhetoric 4 unit(s)
ENGL 4320 - African American Literature and Cultural Studies 3 unit(s)
ENGL 4330 - Latinx Literature and Cultural Studies 3 unit(s)
ENGL 4530 - Gender and Sexuality in Literature 3 unit(s)
HUM 3000 - Exploration in Humanities 3 unit(s)

c. Ethnic Studies

ETHS 3110 - Chicano/a/x-Latino/a/x Film 3 unit(s)
ETHS 3250 - Black/African American Film 3 unit(s)
ETHS 3600 - Indigenous Perspectives in Theatre 3 unit(s) or
THEA 3600 - Indigenous Perspectives in Theatre 3 unit(s)
ETHS 3950 - Producing Media for Social Change 4 unit(s)
ETHS 4560 - Chicano/a/x - Latino/a/x Theatre 3 unit(s) or
THEA 4560 - Chicano/a/x - Latino/a/x Theatre 3 unit(s)

d. Gender Studies

GEND 4070 - Women and Gender in the History of Art I: Europe and the United States 3 unit(s) or
ART 4070 - Women and Gender in the History of Art I: Europe and the United States 3 unit(s)
GEND 4080 - Women and Gender in the History of Art II: Global and Transnational Contexts 3 unit(s) or
ART 4080 - Women and Gender in the History of Art II: Global and Transnational Contexts 3 unit(s)
GEND 4150 - Gender and Ethnicity in Children’s Literature and Culture 3 unit(s)
GEND 4170 - Gender, Sexuality, and Popular Culture 3 unit(s)
GEND 4304 - Women’s Spirituality 3 unit(s)
GEND 4530 - Gender and Sexuality in Literature 3 unit(s)

e. Honors

HONS 3000 - Intellect Methods Humanities 3 unit(s)

f. Music

MUS 3400 - American Music 3 unit(s)
MUS 3410 - History of Jazz 3 unit(s)

g. Philosophy

PHIL 3010 - Advanced Introduction to Philosophy 3 unit(s)
PHIL 3050 - Existentialism 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4000 - Philosophy Through Literature 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4050 - Environmental Ethics 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4350 - Power of Information 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4401 - Professional Ethics 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4430 - Bioethics 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4440 - Business Ethics 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4450 - Eastern Philosophy 3 unit(s)

h. Theatre

THEA 3020 - Children’s Theatre 3 unit(s)
THEA 3600 - Indigenous Perspectives in Theatre 3 unit(s) or
ETHS 3600 - Indigenous Perspectives in Theatre 3 unit(s)
THEA 4000 - Fashion and Costume Through Time 3 unit(s)
THEA 4540 - History of American Musical Theatre 3 unit(s)
THEA 4550 - American Theatre 3 unit(s)

i. World Languages

PORT 3930 - Portuguese and Brazil Literature in Translation 3 unit(s)
SPAN 3930 - Spanish and Latin-American Literature in Translation 3 unit(s)
SPAN 3970 - Contemporary Latin-American Prose Translation 3 unit(s)

D. Social, Economic, and Political Institutions and Human Behavior

(9 units minimum)

Include 3 units from D1, 3 units from D2, and 3 units from UD‐D. Courses shall be completed from at least two different disciplines.

1. United States History

The California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 40404, requires “…comprehensive study of American history and American government including the historical development of American institutions and ideals, the Constitution of the United States and the operation of representative democratic government under that Constitution, and the processes of state and local government…”