Understanding the CA State College transfer worksheet

I've heard about a general transfer worksheet for CA State Colleges. Can someone explain what this is and how it helps with transferring from a community college? How should I utilize this tool effectively?

In California, community college students who plan to transfer to a California State University (CSU) can make use of a tool known as the General Education Transfer Curriculum, often referred to as GE Breadth Requirements. This is a predefined curriculum aiming to fulfill the lower-division general education requirements for the CSU system.

Essentially, it breaks down the general education requirements into different categories, such as social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, mathematics, or English, for example. Each category then lists specific courses you can take at the community college level to meet these requirements. By completing these courses, transfer students can ensure they have satisfied general education requirements upon entering a CSU. This can be very helpful as it outlines a clear path to fulfilling these general education requirements and can aid in a smooth transition to a CSU.

However, keep in mind that this concept doesn’t apply to all programs. Some departments or majors may require certain prerequisites or have additional requirements beyond the GE Breadth. Therefore, it's essential to check the specific prerequisites for your intended course of study.

How you use this tool effectively would be to sit down with your academic advisor or counselor at your current community college and map out your academic plan. Together, review course by course, making sure you’re taking the correct classes that will transfer and fulfill the general education requirements at your intended CSU. This will aid in a smooth transition to the university level and ensure you're not wasting time and resources on classes that won't count.

Ensure that you re-evaluate your academic roadmap periodically, at least once per semester, to track your progress toward meeting the GE Breadth Requirements and adapt to any changes in your plans or offerings at the community college. By doing this, you’ll be well on your way to a successful transfer.