Meeting General Education Requirements for UCSD Sixth College Transfers

I'm transferring to UCSD's Sixth College and trying to understand their general education requirements. Can anyone break down what's needed? I want to avoid any surprises once I get there.

Sure, no problem! UC San Diego's Sixth College has unique general education requirements, referred to as Culture, Art, and Technology (CAT). As a transfer student, typically, you need to accommodate 3 quarters of the CAT Writing program for a total of 12 units, if you didn't complete IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) at your community college.

CAT 125 - Practicum in Public Culture is the signature course for transfer students. If you completed IGETC, you will only need to complete CAT 125, which is typically done in your first year at Sixth College.

Also note that Sixth College students must also satisfy all UC San Diego graduation requirements. This includes the university-wide writing requirement, American History and Institutions, Entry Level Writing, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. You can satisfy these requirements with specific courses and few of them might be covered during your IGETC completion.

Don't forget the requirement of a 2-course sequence for foreign language, if not completed in high school. This can be satisfied via coursework or demonstrated proficiency.

Lastly, there is a requirement to take 6 courses split between Natural Sciences/Mathematics and Social Sciences/Humanities/Fine Arts, with at least 2 courses in each category. This is usually covered for students who transfer with IGETC or partial IGETC.

The great thing is that all of these requirements can sometimes be fulfilled simultaneously, which makes them quite flexible. I hope you find the Sixth College academic environment stimulating and intellectually enriching! Good luck with the transition.