What are the CSU GE transfer requirements for Saddleback College?

I'm attending Saddleback College and planning to transfer to a CSU. Can someone explain the CSU GE transfer requirements? I want to make sure I'm taking the right courses.

The CSU GE (California State University General Education) requirements represent the breadth of general knowledge that every student at a California State University is expected to have. These requirements are structured into different areas and you're supposed to take specific courses in each area.

1. Area A: English Language Communication and Critical Thinking (totaling 9 units)

- A1: Oral Communication

- A2: Written Communication

- A3: Critical Thinking

2. Area B: Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning (totaling 9 units)

- B1: Physical Science

- B2: Life Science

- B3: Laboratory Activity

- B4: Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning

3. Area C: Arts and Humanities (totaling 9 units)

- C1: Arts (Art, Dance, Music, Theatre)

- C2: Humanities (Literature, Philosophy, Languages other than English)

4. Area D: Social Sciences (totaling 9 units)

5. Area E: Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (totaling 3 units)

These areas form the core of the CSU GE Breadth. However, in total, you will need to complete a minimum of 39 semester units in the GE Breadth, meeting specific distribution requirements among these areas.

It's also very important to know that as a transfer student to a CSU, you must complete the so-called "Golden Four" requirements with a minimum grade of C (or pass if the course is taken pass/fail). Those classes are:

- Area A1: Speech

- Area A2: Composition (English 1A for most community colleges)

- Area A3: Critical Thinking course (often a second English course)

- Area B4: A math course that meets the quantitative reasoning requirement

I would encourage you to work closely with your academic counselor to ensure you're meeting all the CSU GE requirements and the "Golden Four". Every community college might have different courses meeting each requirement, so you should usually be able to look up on your college's website which classes satisfy each requirement, or check with a counselor to make sure. Good luck!