CSU General Education Certification
Students who plan to transfer to the CSU system only, should follow the CSU GE-Breadth pattern to complete their general education requirements. Completion of this pattern while at the community college will ensure that you have completed all lower division, general education requirements prior to transfer at any of the 23 CSU campuses. A minimum of 9 additional upper division general education requirements will still need to be completed at the CSU campus.
Important points for certification:
- All "Golden Four" GE Areas: A1, A2, A3, and B4 must be complete.
- If a student completes a course in a year it did not appear on the CSU General Education course list, it cannot be used for GE certification.
- Credit is awarded for either an honors or non-honors course, not both. For example, students may receive credit for MATH 105 College Algebra or MATH 105H Honors College Algebra, not both.
- A single course may not fulfill more than one general education requirement even though it may be listed in more than one area.
- VVC awards full or partial certification by subject area for completion of the lower-division, general education requirements and students will not be held to any additional lower division, general education requirements in the certified areas. However, students may be held to other lower division graduation requirements.
Certification
For full certification submit an application for certificate to Admission & Records Office prior to your final semester at VVC.
Full Certification - All areas completed with a minimum of 39 units. Full Certification after transfer is subject to the particular rules of the receiving university.
For partial certification submit the CSU and UC General Education Certification request form to the VVC Transfer Center prior to your final semester at VVC.
Partial GE Certification - Completion of any of the A-E general education areas.
If not fully certified before transfer, students may be required to complete the general education pattern of the specific campus to which they transfer and this may result in additional coursework.
California State University, General Education Breadth Certificate
State Control Number: 36902
Program Code: CSUGE.CERT
Approved for Federal Financial Aid: No
Students who complete the CSU GE Breadth pattern, commonly referred to as the “pink sheet” at VVC, may be awarded a Certificate of Achievement. A single course may fulfill only one area even though it may be listed in more than one area with the exception of the CSU US History, Constitution and American Ideals requirement. Completion of the CSU GE Breadth pattern satisfies the lower-division, general education requirements for the California State University (CSU) system and for any in-state private or out-of-state institutions that honor this pattern. Although this certificate recognizes completion of the lower-division, general education requirements, it does not guarantee admission to a university. For assistance with transfer admission processes, please contact a counselor.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area A Communication in the English Language and Critical Thinking | 9.0 | |
| Select one course from each area | ||
| A1 Oral Communication 1 | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Family Communication | ||
| Group Discussion | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| A2 Written Communication 1 | ||
| English Composition and Reading | ||
| A3 Critical Thinking 1 | ||
| Argumentation and Oral Debate | ||
| Critical Thinking & Composition | ||
| Introduction to Logic | ||
| Introduction to Critical Thinking | ||
| Area B Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning | 9.0 | |
| Select one course from each area | ||
| B1 Physical Science | ||
| Courses which include a laboratory | ||
| Introductory Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| Introductory Chemistry II: Organic Chemistry | ||
| Introductory Chemistry III: Biochemistry | ||
| Organic Chemistry | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Introduction to Physical Geography and Geography 1 Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Weather and Climate | ||
| Physical Geology | ||
| Introductory Physics | ||
| Engineering Physics I-Mechanics | ||
| Engineering Physics II - Fluids, Sound, and Thermodynamics | ||
| Engineering Physics III Electricity And Magnetism | ||
| Engineering Physics IV-Optics and Modern Physics | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Courses which do not include a laboratory | ||
| Environmental Science and Sustainability | ||
| Descriptive Astronomy | ||
| Introduction to Physical Geography | ||
| Oceanography | ||
| Principles of Physical Science | ||
| B2 Life Science | ||
| Courses which include a laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Physical Anthropology Laboratory | ||
| General Biology | ||
| Introduction to Human Biology | ||
| Biology of Cells | ||
| Biology of Organisms | ||
| Population and Environmental Biology | ||
| Human Anatomy | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| Human Physiology | ||
| Courses which do not include a laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Plant Science | ||
| Introduction to Physical Anthropology | ||
| Principles of Heredity | ||
| Biopsychology | ||
| B3 Lab Activity | ||
| Any science course taken for Area B1 or B2, which includes a lab, fulfills this requirement | ||
| B4 Mathematics 1 | ||
| College Algebra for Allied Health | ||
| Trigonometry | ||
| College Algebra | ||
| Mathematical Concepts for Elementary School Teachers | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistics With Skills Support | ||
| The Ideas of Math | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus III | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Differential Equations | ||
| Introduction to Statistics in Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Area C Arts and Humanities | 9.0 | |
| Select three courses with at least one from C1 and one from C2 | ||
| C1 Arts | ||
| Survey of Art History 4 | ||
| Survey Art History 4 | ||
| Film As an Art Form 4 | ||
| Introduction to Art | ||
| Art Concepts | ||
| Art & Life of Greece 4 | ||
| Art and Life of Italy 4 | ||
| Survey of African American Art | ||
| Introduction to the Arts of Africa | ||
| Design I | ||
| Design II | ||
| Color Theory | ||
| Acrylic Painting I | ||
| Life Drawing I | ||
| Drawing I | ||
| Oil Painting I | ||
| Digital Imaging | ||
| Authors of the Theatre | ||
| History and Appreciation of Dance 4 | ||
| Introduction to Music | ||
| Fundamentals of Music | ||
| Music Theory I | ||
| Music Theory II | ||
| Music in America | ||
| History of Jazz 4 | ||
| Survey of Rock and Roll 4 | ||
| Intermediate Theory-Chromatic Practice I | ||
| Introduction to Theatre | ||
| History of Theatre | ||
| Intermediate Acting | ||
| Principles of Design for Theatre | ||
| Authors of the Theatre | ||
| C2 Humanities | ||
| Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology 4 | ||
| American Sign Language I 4 | ||
| American Sign Language II 4 | ||
| American Sign Language III 4 | ||
| American Sign Language IV 4 | ||
| Intercultural Communication 4 | ||
| Composition and Literature | ||
| Creative Writing | ||
| Authors of the Theatre | ||
| Modern Fiction | ||
| Poetry | ||
| Survey of American Literature 1600-1865 4 | ||
| Survey of American Literature 1865 to Present | ||
| Chicanx and Latinx Literature 4 | ||
| African American Literature 4 | ||
| Native American Literature 4 | ||
| Children's Literature | ||
| World Literature Ancient-Early Renaissance 4 | ||
| World Literature Renaissance-Modern 4 | ||
| Survey of British Literature Early Medieval-Neoclassics 4 | ||
| Survey of British Literature Romantic Period to 20th Century 4 | ||
| Shakespeare | ||
| Elementary French 4 | ||
| Elementary French 4 | ||
| World History to 1500 4 | ||
| World History Since 1500 4 | ||
| History of California | ||
| History of U.S to 1876 2 | ||
| History of U.S From 1876 2 | ||
| Latin American History to 1822 4 | ||
| Latin American History From 1822 4 | ||
| African American History 2 | ||
| Women in U.S. History 2, 4 | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Ethics and Contemporary Moral Issues | ||
| Introduction to Political Theory and Thought 4 | ||
| Philosophy of Religion | ||
| History of Ancient Philosophy | ||
| History of Modern Philosophy 4 | ||
| Introduction to Political Theory and Thought 4 | ||
| Introduction to Religious Studies 4 | ||
| Old Testament, Hebrew Bible, Religions of the Ancient Near East 4 | ||
| Introduction to the New Testament and Early Christian Literature 4 | ||
| Religions of the Middle East and the West 4 | ||
| Religions of South and East Asia 4 | ||
| Religion in America | ||
| Philosophy of Religion | ||
| Elementary Spanish 4 | ||
| Fundamentals of Spanish 101A 4 | ||
| Fundamentals of Spanish 101B 4 | ||
| Elementary Spanish 4 | ||
| Intermediate Spanish 4 | ||
| Intermediate Spanish 4 | ||
| Spanish for Spanish Speakers | ||
| Spanish for Spanish Speakers | ||
| Oral Interpretation of Literature | ||
| Authors of the Theatre | ||
| Area D Social Sciences | 6.0 | |
| Select two courses from at least TWO different subject areas | ||
| Sustainable Agriculture, Environment and Society 4 | ||
| Agriculture Economics | ||
| Introduction to Physical Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 4 | ||
| Introduction to Archaeology | ||
| Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology 4 | ||
| North American Prehistory | ||
| Child Growth & Development | ||
| Child, Family, and Community 4 | ||
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | ||
| Intercultural Communication 4 | ||
| Principles of Economics: Macro 4 | ||
| Principles of Economics: Micro 4 | ||
| Native American Literature 4 | ||
| Introduction to Chichana/o Studies | ||
| Introduction to African American Studies | ||
| Asians in America | ||
| Introduction to Native American Studies | ||
| Ethnic and Racial Minorites | ||
| Contemporary Ethnic Woman | ||
| Introduction to Physical Geography | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Geography 4 | ||
| Geography of California | ||
| World Regional Geography 4 | ||
| Global Problems/Issues | ||
| World History to 1500 4 | ||
| World History Since 1500 4 | ||
| History of California | ||
| History of U.S to 1876 2 | ||
| History of U.S From 1876 2 | ||
| Latin American History to 1822 4 | ||
| Latin American History From 1822 4 | ||
| African American History 2 | ||
| Women in U.S. History 2, 4 | ||
| Introduction to Political Theory and Thought 4 | ||
| Introduction to Political Science | ||
| Introduction to American Government And Politics 2 | ||
| State and Local Government | ||
| Introduction to International Relations 4 | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Government And Politics 4 | ||
| Politics of Middle East and North Africa 4 | ||
| Introduction to Political Theory and Thought 4 | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management 4 | ||
| Introductory Psychology | ||
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| Intorduction to Human Sexuality | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Religion and Society 4 | ||
| Religion in America | ||
| Introduction to Sociology 4 | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Introduction to Marriage and Family | ||
| Introduction to Race and Ethnicity 4 | ||
| Area E Lifelong Learning and Self-Development 3 | 3.0 | |
| Select three units from the following | ||
| Medical Aspects of Drugs & Alcohol | ||
| Introduction to Adapted Physical Exercise | ||
| Intermediate Adapted Physical Exercise | ||
| Advanced Adapted Physical Exercise | ||
| Introduction to Adapted Cardiovascular Training | ||
| Intermediate Adapted Cardiovascular Training | ||
| Advanced Adapted Cardiovascular Training | ||
| Intermediate Adapted Weight Training | ||
| Introduction to Adapted Weight Training | ||
| Introduction to Adapted Walking for Fun Fitness | ||
| Intermediate Adapted Walking for Fun Fitness | ||
| Advanced Adapted Walking for Fun Fitness | ||
| Child Growth & Development | ||
| First Year Experience | ||
| Personal & Career Success | ||
| Learning Strategies and Study Skills | ||
| Contemporary Problems in Personal and Community Health | ||
| Women's Health Issues Community Health | ||
| Psychology of Physical Performance | ||
| Lifetime Fitness Concepts | ||
| Physical Fitness | ||
| Body Building and Conditioning | ||
| Golf | ||
| Defensive Football Techniques And Conditioning | ||
KIN 186B | ||
| Introductory Psychology | ||
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| Intorduction to Human Sexuality | ||
| Introduction to Marriage and Family | ||
| Area F Ethnic Studies | 3.0 | |
| Select three units from the following | ||
| Introduction to Chichana/o Studies | ||
| Introduction to African American Studies | ||
| Total Units | 39 | |
- 1
Courses from these areas are part of the Basic/Golden Four and must be completed with a "C" grade or better.
- 2
These courses may be double-counted to meet the CSU US History, Constitution, and American Ideals graduation requirement.
- 3
Military veterans who submit a DD214 to Admissions & Records will fulfill Area E and be awarded 3.0 CSU transferable unts.
- 4
These courses will fulfill the VVC Global Citizenship competency graduation requirement for the AA/AS degrees. Global Citizenship is not required for ADT degrees.
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are statements of the kind of learning a program hopes a student will achieve. The PLOs describe the knowledge, skills, problem-solving, communication and values that apply to all certificates and/or degrees within that program. For the CSU-GE program, PLOs link to the college's Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs).
Upon completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Communication: Read and write analytically including evaluation, synthesis, and research; deliver focused and coherent presentations.
- Computation: Apply complex problem-solving skills using technology, computer proficiency, decision analysis (synthesis and evaluation), applications of mathematical concepts and reasoning, and the analysis and use of numerical data.
- Creative, Critical and Analytical Thinking: Apply procedures for sound reasoning in the exercise of judgment and decision making; demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a respect for learning; solve problems through analysis, synthesis, evaluation and creativity; identify, evaluate and appropriate use of multiple sources of information.
- Social and Personal Responsibility: Evaluate the relationship between natural, social and economic systems and the significance of sustainability; demonstrate responsible attitudes toward cultural diversity, citizenship, personal contribution to local and international communities, and the effect of human actions on the environment.
- Information Competency: Students demonstrate information competency and critical thinking skills through their ability to effectively locate, retrieve, evaluate and utilize use library and information resources within the guidelines of academic standards to meet collegiate and personal information needs.
- Health and Human Flourishing: Synthesize educational aims into a holistic approach to the many facets of human flourishing; apply principles of physical, psychological and emotional health and fitness; demonstrate scholarly skills that support intellectual virtues for life-long learning; embrace concepts of fiscal responsibility; and define goals that extend beyond oneself.