What's the IGETC transfer plan at Riverside City College?

I'm looking into different transfer options and heard about the IGETC plan at Riverside City College. Can someone explain how this plan works and what steps I need to follow if I choose this path?

The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) at Riverside City College is a series of courses that California community college students can follow to satisfy lower-division general education (GE) requirements for either the UC or CSU system without the need to take additional lower-division GE courses after transfer. It's especially beneficial if you're considering transferring to multiple UC or CSU schools, as it's accepted across all campuses in both systems.

To be on the IGETC path, there are a few steps that you should follow.

Step 1: Meet with a Counselor

Always start with meeting a counselor at RCC. They will help you map out which classes you should take based on your major, the specific requirements of your target schools, and the IGETC.

Step 2: Follow the IGETC Coursework

The IGETC involves taking courses in several areas:

Area 1: English Communication

Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

Area 3: Arts and Humanities

Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Area 5: Physical and Biological Sciences

Each Area has specific courses you can choose from, and you must take a certain number of classes or units in each area to complete the IGETC. The exact number of classes can depend on whether you're aiming for a UC or CSU transfer, as there are some variations between the two.

Step 3: Maintain Your Grade Point Average (GPA)

While you're completing the IGETC courses, it's vital that you maintain a solid GPA to maximize your chances of getting accepted into the university you want to transfer to.

Step 4: Get IGETC Certification

Once you've completed all the IGETC coursework, you must request an IGETC Certification from the Riverside City College. This document is sent to your UC or CSU to show that you have completed your lower-division GE work.

Remember, the IGETC isn't always the best way to prepare for all majors or universities. For some specific majors, such as Engineering and the Sciences, following the specific prerequisites for that particular major can sometimes be a better choice. This can be best assessed by discussing your aspirations with the career counselor, who can guide you to match your course selection with your end goals.