American History and Institutions*
All University of California undergraduate degree programs require the completion of the American History and Institutions, (AH&I) requirement. Successful completion of AH&I ensures that every student graduates with a fundamental understanding of American history and the principles of American institutions under the federal and state constitutions.
Students may satisfy this requirement by completing approved coursework or achieving a qualifying score on a standardized exam. Many students will have already fulfilled the AH&I requirement through a high school American history or government course.
This requirement may be satisfied in any one of the following ways:
- Completing a one-year high school course in U.S. history or a half-year course in U.S. history and a half-year course in American government.
- Achieving a score of 550 or higher on the SAT Subject Examination in U.S. History
- Achieving a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examination in United States History.
- Achieving a score of 5, 6, or 7 on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level (IBH) History of the Americas.
- Certification of completion of the requirement on a transcript from an accredited California institution of higher education.
- Completing a college-level course in U.S. history and institutions (see below).
Students who may have taken an applicable course, but do not see this requirement satisfied in their Degree Progress Report can submit a Review of Transfer Credit form to have their student record reviewed. Junior transfer students may need to take additional action to ensure high school transcripts are sent to UC Santa Cruz (high school transcripts are not always required for transfer admission).
Satisfying AH&I at UC Santa Cruz
Students can search for courses that satisfy the American History and Institutions requirement in the “Class Search,” under the General Education pulldown menu.
As of spring 2025, the following courses satisfy the American History and Institutions requirement:
Education 164
History 10A, 10B, 12, 15, 82, 90A, 110A , 110B, 110D, 110E, 110H, 116, 128
John R. Lewis College 135
Legal Studies 120A, 120B, 120C
Literature 81F
Politics 20, 120A, 120B, 120C
Sociology 170
Satisfying AH&I at a Community College
California Community College courses that satisfy the American History and Institutions requirement are listed on ASSIST.org:
- On the ASSIST.org homepage, select the California Community College institution where you plan to enroll, and select “University of California, Santa Cruz” from the “Agreements with Other Institutions” pulldown menu. Select the “View Agreements” button.
- Select the “General Education / Breadth” agreement type, and then select the “University Requirements” agreement. The agreement will display the American History & Institutions (AH&I) courses available at that California Community College.
* Revised: 3/11/25