General Education for Transfers
Transfer students may apply courses taken at other institutions toward lower-division general education requirements. The disciplinary communication course(s) (DC code) must be taken at UCSC.
If you are currently attending one of the California community colleges, see the ASSIST website, consult with the UC Santa Cruz Office of Admissions, or consult your current counselor to determine which college courses satisfy UCSC requirements.
Transfer students who have satisfied the general education or breadth requirements of another UC campus prior to transfer will be considered to have completed the UCSC general education requirements, with the exception of the DC requirement. Students will need to request a Letter of Reciprocity from their former UC campus in order to have their general education requirements satisfied by completion of requirements at that campus. Completion of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) prior to enrollment at UCSC will also be accepted in lieu of the campus general education requirements, with the exception of the DC requirement.
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) is a series of courses that prospective California community college transfer students may complete to satisfy the lower-division breadth/general education requirements at any University of California or California State University (CSU) campus (see the IGETC table below). This curriculum is the result of an agreement by the University of California, the California State University, and the California community colleges, aimed at simplifying the transfer process for community college students. The IGETC is intended exclusively for California community college transfers and is not an option for continuing UCSC students (including students who transferred to UCSC without having completed a full or partial IGETC before their first quarter) or for students transferring from four-year colleges or universities.
Official certification for IGETC can only be obtained through a student’s California community college. Once the official certification is received, students who complete the IGETC prior to transfer are not required to satisfy the UCSC lower-division general education requirements. Students who are partially certified missing one to two courses for complete certification, will be contacted by the Office of Admissions after the official partial IGETC certification is received. Courses used to satisfy IGETC must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. A grade of Credit or Pass may be used if the community college’s policy states that it is equivalent to a grade of C (2.0) or better.
IGETC is not recommended for majors that require extensive course preparation, such as any major in the Jack Baskin School of Engineering or the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences.
You may not return to your previous institution to complete IGETC after entering a degree program at UC Santa Cruz. If you do not complete IGETC or partial IGETC prior to beginning at UC Santa Cruz, you are required to complete the UC Santa Cruz general education requirements.
| IGETC Subject and Unit/Credit Requirements |
| Subject Area |
Courses Required |
Units/Credits Required |
1. English Communication
One course in English composition and one course in critical thinking/English composition. (Students transferring to CSU must take an additional course in oral communication.) |
2 courses |
6 semester units or 8-10 quarter credits |
| 2. Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning |
1 course |
3 semester units or 4-5 quarter credits |
3. Arts and Humanities
Three courses with at least one from the arts and one from the humanities. |
3 courses |
9 semester units or 12-15 quarter credits |
4. Social and Behavioral Sciences
Three courses from at least two disciplines or an interdisciplinary sequence. |
3 courses |
9 semester units or 12-15 quarter credits |
5. Physical and Biological Sciences
One physical science course and one biological science course, at least one of which includes a laboratory. |
2 courses |
7-9 semester units or 9-12 quarter credits |
6. Language Other Than English
Proficiency equivalent to two years of high school in the same language. (Not required of students transferring to CSU.) |
Proficiency |
Proficiency |
| Total |
11 courses |
34 semester units or 45-57 quarter credits |
Major Requirements and Course Prerequisites for Transfer Students
Students who believe they have taken courses at other institutions that satisfy major requirements or UCSC course prerequisites should review
ASSIST.org for existing transfer articulation agreements from California Community Colleges. If they have additional questions for courses from other institutions, they should contact their major advisor for review.