Completing General Education Requirements
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When to Take General Education Courses & College Requirements
At UC Santa Cruz, General Education (GE) requirements provide a broad and enriching academic experience, exposing you to diverse disciplines and perspectives. These courses not only enhance your knowledge base but also cultivate critical thinking and adaptability—skills essential for personal and professional growth.
Overview of GE & College Requirements
UC Santa Cruz has 10 GE requirements and the DC requirement, each identified by a specific code. To satisfy a GE requirement, you must complete a course with the corresponding code, earning a minimum grade of C (2.0 GPA) or a Pass. These codes appear in course descriptions in the General Catalog and in class search results on MyUCSC.
In addition, all first-year students at UCSC, regardless of their chosen college, are required to complete their College Core requirement affiliated with their respective college. Transfer students admitted to UCSC at with sophomore standing or higher are exempt from this requirement.
Timing Your GE Courses
Strategically planning when to take your GE courses can enhance your academic journey:
- First Year: Start with Foundational Courses
- College Core Requirement: All first-year students must take their College Core requirement in their first year. This course introduces critical reading, writing, and interdisciplinary thinking while building a foundation for your academic experience at UCSC.
- Entry-Level Writing Requirement (ELWR): If required, complete this early to stay on track for writing-intensive coursework.
- Composition (C): Must be completed before your seventh quarter.
Throughout Your Studies: Integrate GE courses alongside major requirements. Some courses may satisfy both, optimizing your schedule. For example, a course in your major might also fulfill the Scientific Inquiry (SI) GE requirement.
Planning Tools and Resources
To effectively plan your GE courses:
- Academic Planning Form – Use this form to map out your courses and visualize how GE courses fit within your overall academic plan. You will need to be logged in to your @ucsc.edu Google account in order to access this form.
- Degree Progress Report – Regularly review your Degree Progress Report on MyUCSC to monitor completed and pending GE requirements.
- Advising Support – Consult with college and major advisors to tailor your course selection, ensuring it aligns with your goals and satisfies GE requirements.
Additional Considerations
- Course Selection – Choose GE courses that pique your interest or complement your major. This approach enriches your educational experience and keeps you engaged.
- Transfer Students & IGETC – If you’ve completed the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) before transferring, review how it aligns with UCSC’s GE requirements.
- Monitoring Progress – Keep track of your GE completion status using the Degree Progress Report in your student portal.
By thoughtfully scheduling your GE courses—including completing your College Core course in your first year—you ensure a well-rounded education that supports both your academic and personal development.
Connect with an advisor
Need help with classes, planning, or next steps? Find your advisor and reach out—we’re here to support you.