General Education for Transfer

General Education Related to your Goal

General Education (GE) is a set of courses that gives students a broad educational foundation. These courses are typically introductory and help students build essential skills and knowledge in areas such as English, arts, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, physical sciences, and biological sciences.

Both Associate and Bachelor’s degrees require a certain number of GE courses, but the specific requirements vary by college or university and may also vary by major. For example, some engineering or science majors may have fewer GE courses to complete.

  • Cal-GETC (California General Education Transfer Curriculum) – For students starting Fall 2025 or later, Cal-GETC is the new single pattern that satisfies lower-division general education requirements for both CSU and UC transfer.
  • CSU GE Breadth – Designed for students transferring to a California State University (CSU), this pattern meets the lower-division general education requirements specific to CSU campuses and applies to students who started before Fall 2025.
  • IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) – For students transferring to the University of California (UC) or CSU systems, IGETC satisfies the lower-division general education requirements for both systems but was developed prior to Cal-GETC and applies to students who started before Fall 2025.

The General Education requirements for an Associate Degree follow a separate pattern from these transfer pathways. While there are similarities among these patterns, there are also important differences. If you are undecided about a major or transfer destination, completing Cal-GETC GE patterns can help keep your options open.

General Education (GE) Patterns Overview

GE Pattern Who Uses This? Effective Dates Transfer Institutions Key Notes
Cal-GETC (California General Education Transfer Curriculum) Students starting Fall 2025 or later Fall 2025 and beyond UC & CSU Single GE pathway for transfer to both UC and CSU campuses.
CSU GE Breadth Students who began prior to Fall 2025 Prior to Fall 2025 CSU only Separate GE pattern for CSU transfers.
IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) Students who began prior to Fall 2025 Prior to Fall 2025 UC & CSU GE pathway designed for transfer to UC and CSU campuses.
Associate Degree GE Students earning an Associate degree (AA/AS) at a community college Ongoing Community College (not necessarily transfer) Different pattern from transfer GE; meets local degree requirements.

Depending on your major and your intended school of transfer, you may be better off completing a different set of general education courses. Make an appointment to see a Shasta College counselor to discuss the best general education path for you.

To view GE advising worksheets, please visit the following: Articulation & Equivalency: What Transfers?.