Associate Degree General Education Pattern

The Associate Degree General Education (GE) requirements at Fullerton College are designed to provide students with a well-rounded education that fosters critical thinking, communication skills, and an understanding of diverse perspectives. The GE requirements are meant to complement students' major coursework, ensuring they develop essential knowledge and competencies regardless of their chosen field of study.

Twenty-two (22) units total minimum requirement

Three (3) units in each of the following six (6) sub-categories, ONE (1) unit from Area 7.

  • AREA 1: ENGLISH COMPOSITION, ORAL COMMUNICATION, AND CRITICAL THINKING (6 units)
    • 1A - English Composition (3 units)
    • 1B - Oral Communication and Critical Thinking (3 units)
  • AREA 2: MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS AND QUANTITATIVE REASONING (3 units)
  • AREA 3: ARTS AND HUMANITIES (3 units)
  • AREA 4: SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (3 units)
  • AREA 5: NATURAL SCIENCES (3 units)
  • AREA 6: ETHNIC STUDIES (3 units)
  • AREA 7: LIFELONG LEARNING AND SELF-DEVELOPMENT (1 unit)

NOTE: This list does not meet the requirements for UC or CSU transfer.
NOTE: Courses can be used only in one area (Area 1 to 7).


Associate Degree General Education Requirement

AREA 1: ENGLISH COMPOSITION, ORAL COMMUNICATION, AND CRITICAL THINKING (6 units)

1A - English Composition (3 units)
Business Communications3
Academic Reading and Writing
Academic Reading and Writing-Honors
Academic Reading and Writing
Enhanced College Writing for Non-Native Speakers (beg F'20)5
Reporting and Writing3
1B - Oral Communication and Critical Thinking (3 units)
Public Speaking for Business4
Critical Reasoning and Writing for Business (formerly Writing for Business) (beg F'17)3
Honors Critical Reasoning and Writing for Business (formerly Honors Writing for Business)
Introduction to Public Speaking
Small Group Communication3
Essentials of Argumentation3
Introduction to Information Systems (beg F'17)4
Honors Introduction to Information Systems
Introduction to Radio, TV and Film3
Introduction to Programming Concepts in C++4
Critical Thinking and Writing
Critical Thinking and Writing-Honors
Critical Thinking and Writing Through Literature
Mass Media Survey3
Honors Mass Media Survey
Logic and Critical Thinking3
Critical Thinking and Writing3
College Reading: Logical Analysis and Evaluation3

AREA 2: MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS AND QUANTITATIVE REASONING (3 units):

Math Proficiency Exam (see catalog and/or counselor for information);
Personal Financial Management (beg F'20)3
Business Mathematics3
Introduction to Python Programming (beg F'26)3
Liberal Arts Mathematics3
Honors Liberal Arts Mathematics
College Algebra for Business Calculus4
Calculus for Business4
Calculus for Business with Support5
Precalculus6
College Algebra4
Honors College Algebra
Trigonometry4
College Algebra with Support5
Trigonometry with Support5
Calculus I (formerly MATH 150AF)4
Honors Calculus I (formerly MATH 150HF)
Calculus II (formerly MATH 150BF)4
Honors Calculus II
Discrete Structures5
Discrete Mathematics4
Introduction to Linear Algebra3
Mathematics for Future Elementary Teachers3
Multivariable Calculus (formerly MATH 250AF)4
Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (formerly MATH 250BF)4
Linear Algebra3
Ordinary Differential Equations3
Elementary Statistics for Behavioral Science4
Honors Elementary Statistics for Behavioral Science
Introduction to Probability and Statistics4
Introduction to Statistics
Introduction to Statistics - Honors
Introduction to Statistics

AREA 3: ARTS AND HUMANITIES (3 units):

American Sign Language I (beg F'24)4
American Sign Language II (beg F'24)4
American Sign Language III (beg F'24)4
American Sign Language IV4
American Deaf Cultures3
Fundamentals of Art3
Color Theory3
Basic Design3
Three-Dimensional Design3
Ceramics: Beginning Handbuilding (formerly ART 150AF)3
Ceramics: Beginning Throwing3
Fundamentals of Sculpture3
Beginning Jewelry Fabrication3
Drawing for Non-Art Majors3
Basic Drawing3
Expressive Drawing3
Beginning Life Drawing3
Beginning Watercolor Painting3
Beginning Painting3
Life Painting3
Painting: Narrative3
Survey of Art from Prehistory to the Medieval Era
Survey of Art from the Renaissance to Contemporary
Survey of Art from the Renaissance to Contemporary - Honors
Introduction to Visual Culture (formerly ART 110 F)3
Africa, Oceania, and Native American Art History3
American Art History3
Asian Art History (formerly ART 212 F)3
Gender and Women in Art History (formerly ART 211 F)3
Global Contemporary Art History3
Latin America - Mexican Art History (formerly ART 116 F)3
Latin America - Ancient/Indigenous Art History (formerly ART 213 F)3
Latin America - Colonial-Contemporary Art History3
Western Art History - 19th to 21st Century (formerly ART 114 F)3
Honors Creative Arts - Art3
The Museum Experience (formerly ART 115 F)3
Introduction to Liberal Studies (beg F'13)3
History of Video Games3
Media Aesthetics3
American Cinema to the 1960s3
World Cinema to 19453
World Cinema 1946 to Present3
Contemporary American Cinema (formerly Contemporary Cinema)3
Dance Appreciation3
Dance History3
Dance Appreciation: A Classical Ballet Retrospective3
Multicultural Dance in the U.S. Today3
Introduction to Literature
Introduction to Literature - Honors
Introduction to Creative Writing3
Introduction to Dramatic Literature3
Introduction to Poetry3
The Short Story3
Introduction to Film Studies3
Intermediate Creative Writing (beg F'19)3
Introduction to Language Structure and Use3
British Literature to 18003
Honors British Literature to 1800
British Literature since 18003
Honors British Literature since 1800
American Literature to the Civil War3
Honors American Literature to the Civil War
American Literature from the Civil War to the Present3
Honors American Literature from the Civil War to the Present
World Literature through the Early Modern Period3
Honors World Literature through the Early Modern Period
World Literature since the Early Modern Period3
Honors World Literature since the Early Modern Period
Introduction to Shakespeare3
Honors Introduction to Shakespeare
Survey of Children's Literature3
Survey of Young Adult Literature3
Folklore and Mythology3
Honors Folklore and Mythology
The Bible as Literature3
The Novel3
Science Fiction3
Survey of Chicano/a Literature3
Survey of African American Literature3
Introduction to Native American Literature formerly (Survey of Native American Literature)3
Introduction to Asian American Literature3
Introduction to Queer Literature3
African-American History I (beg F'02) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors African-American History I
Chicana/o History I (formerly ETHS 141 F) (beg F'22) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
American Indian History (formerly History of the Native Americans) (beg F'21) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Asian Pacific Islander American History (beg F'20) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Fashion History - The Evolution of Dress, Culture and Style (formerly Fashion History of Costume)3
Elementary Chinese - Mandarin I5
Elementary Chinese - Mandarin II5
Intermediate Chinese - Mandarin III4
Intermediate Chinese - Mandarin IV4
Elementary French I5
Elementary French II5
Intermediate French III4
Intermediate French IV4
Elementary German I5
Elementary German II5
Intermediate German III4
Intermediate German IV4
Elementary Italian I5
Elementary Italian II5
Intermediate Italian III4
Intermediate Italian IV4
Elementary Japanese I5
Elementary Japanese II5
Intermediate Japanese III4
Intermediate Japanese IV4
Korean For Korean Speakers (beg F24)5
Intermediate Korean III (beg F24)4
Intermediate Korean IV (beg F24)4
Elementary Portuguese I5
Elementary Portuguese II5
Elementary Spanish I5
Honors Elementary Spanish I
Elementary Spanish II5
Honors Elementary Spanish II
Spanish for the Spanish Speaker5
Intermediate Spanish III4
Intermediate Spanish IV4
Introduction to Spanish Literature3
Introduction to Latin American Literature3
Children's Literature/Spanish3
United States History to 1877 (beg F'16) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)
United States History to 1877 - Honors
United States History since 1865 (beg F'16) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)
United States History since 1865 - Honors
Western Civilizations to 1550 (formerly Western Civilization I) (beg F'15) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors Western Civilizations to 1550 (formerly Western Civilization II)
Western Civilizations Since 1550 (formerly Western Civilization II) (beg F'15) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors Western Civilizations Since 1550 (formerly Honors Western Civilization II)
World Civilizations to 1550 (formerly World Civilizations I) (beg F'02) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors World Civilizations to 1550 (formerly Honors World Civilizations I)
World Civilizations Since 1550 (formerly World Civilizations II) (beg F'02) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors World Civilizations Since 1550 (formerly Honors World Civilizations II)
Ancient Egypt NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Women in United States History (beg Spr'06) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors Women in United States History
History of Architecture and Furnishings I (formerly History of Architecture I)3
Music Fundamentals3
Introduction to College Music Theory3
Music Theory I (formerly Harmony)3
Electronic Music I: Beginning Music Production3
Jazz History - An Appreciation3
Music Appreciation3
Introduction to Opera3
History of Rock Music3
Survey of Music History3
Introduction to Philosophy3
Honors Introduction to Philosophy
Introduction to Religious Studies3
Honors Introduction to Religious Studies
World Religions3
Honors World Religions
Social and Political Philosophy3
Introduction to Ethics3
Women's Issues in Philosophy3
Introduction to Christianity (beg F'11)3
History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval (beg F'11)3
Honors History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval
History of Philosophy: Modern and Contemporary (beg F'11)3
Honors History of Philosophy: Modern and Contemporary
Introduction to Judaism (beg F'11)3
The Holocaust (formerly PHIL 198AF)3
Honors The Holocaust
The American Religious Experience (beg F'17)3
Honors American Religious Experience
The Religion of Islam (beg F'11)3
Introduction to Asian Religions (beg F'11)3
Honors Introduction to Asian Religions
Introduction to Photography3
Introduction to Photography from Analog to Digital3
19th Century Photography (beg F'24)3
20th and 21st Century Photography (beg F'24)3
Introduction to the Theatre3
Introduction to Theatre Appreciation3
Musical Theatre History (beg F'12)3
Modern Dramatic Literature3
Theatre History I3
Oral Interpretation3
Honors Creative Arts - Theatre (formerly THEA 196HF)3

AREA 4: SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (3 units):

Ethics in Accounting3
Cultural Anthropology3
Honors Cultural Anthropology
Introduction to Archaeology (beg F'11)3
Honors Introduction to Archaeology
Language and Culture3
Honors Language and Culture
World Prehistory3
Anthropology of Magic, Witchcraft and Religion3
Honors Anthropology of Magic, Witchcraft and Religion
Cultures of Latin America3
Honors Cultures of Latin America
Celtic Cultures3
Honors Celtic Cultures
Global Issues in Anthropological Perspective3
Introduction to Business (beg F'14)3
Principles of International Business3
Business Economics3
The Entrepreneurial Mindset (formerly Business Plan Development) (beg F'17)3
Legal Environment of Business (beg F'12)3
Honors Legal Environment of Business
International Business Law3
Business Law I (formerly BUS 241AF)3
Human Relations in Organizations (formerly Human Relations in Business)3
Child Development3
Infant and Toddler Development and Observation3
Child in the Home and Community3
Interpersonal Communication (beg F'20)3
Intercultural Communication (beg F'25)3
Career and College Success (formerly Career/Life Planning) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Diversity in the World of Work NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Personal Growth and Life Success NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics - Honors
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors
American Ethnic Studies NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors American Ethnic Studies
Women of Color in the U.S. NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors Women of Color in the U.S.
Introduction to African American Studies NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors Introduction to African American Studies
African-American History I (beg F'11) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors African-American History I
African-American History II NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Introduction to Chicana/o Studies (formerly ETHS 140 F) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors Introduction to Chicana/o Studies
Chicana/o History I (formerly ETHS 141 F) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Chicana/o History II (formerly ETHS 141 F)3
Chicana/o and Latina/o Contemporary Issues (formerly ETHS 142 F) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors Chicana/o and Latina/o Contemporary Issues
Introduction to American Indian Studies3
American Indian History (formerly History of the Native Americans) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Introduction to Federal Indian Law and Policy3
Introduction to Asian Pacific Islander American Studies NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Asian Pacific Islander American History NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Chicana and Latina Feminisms3
Race, Ethnicity and Popular Culture3
Ethnic Studies for Educators Seminar NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Mental Health in Black Communities3
U.S. Racial Liberation Movements (formerly Contemporary Social Justice) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors U.S. Racial Liberation Movements (formerly Honors Contemporary Social Justice Movements)
Global Geography3
Honors Global Geography
Global Environmental Problems3
California Geography3
Cultural Geography3
Economic Geography3
United States History to 1877 NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)
United States History to 1877 - Honors
United States History since 1865 NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)
United States History since 1865 - Honors
Western Civilizations to 1550 (formerly Western Civilization I) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors Western Civilizations to 1550 (formerly Western Civilization II)
Western Civilizations Since 1550 (formerly Western Civilization II) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors Western Civilizations Since 1550 (formerly Honors Western Civilization II)
World Civilizations to 1550 (formerly World Civilizations I) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors World Civilizations to 1550 (formerly Honors World Civilizations I)
World Civilizations Since 1550 (formerly World Civilizations II) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors World Civilizations Since 1550 (formerly Honors World Civilizations II)
African Civilizations to 18803
African Civilizations since 18803
Survey of United States History (formerly Survey of American History)3
Survey of British History I (beg F'11)3
Survey of British History II (beg F'11)3
Ancient Egypt NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Asian Civilizations I (formerly HIST 160AF)3
Asian Civilizations II (formerly HIST 160BF)3
Introduction to the Middle East (beg F'11)3
Honors Introduction to the Middle East
History of the Americas I (formerly HIST 162AF)3
History of the Americas II (formerly HIST 162BF)3
Women in United States History NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors Women in United States History
United States Environmental History3
United States Environmental History
History of California (beg F'11)3
Introduction to Marketing (beg F'14)3
Sports and Society3
American Government and Politics
American Government and Politics - Honors
Contemporary American Politics (beg F'11)3
Honors Contemporary American Politics
Introduction to Political Theory3
California Government and Politics3
Introduction to the Study of Politics3
Comparative Politics (beg F'07)3
Government and Politics of the Middle East3
Introduction to Public Administration3
Honors Introduction to Public Administration
Introduction to International Relations (beg F'07)3
Gender and Politics3
Introduction to Public Law (beg F'11)3
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Psychology - Honors
Human Sexuality3
Cross Cultural Psychology3
Developmental Psychology: Life Cycle3
Child Psychology (beg F'1)3
Research Methods in Psychology (beg F11)4
Honors Research Methods in Psychology
The Brain and Behavior NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Abnormal Psychology (beg F'11)3
Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination3
The Psychology of Adjustment (beg F'12)3
Social Psychology (beg F'11)3
Honors Social Psychology
Introduction to Sociology3
Honors Introduction to Sociology
Social Problems3
Dying and Death3
Sociology of Gender3
Honors Sociology of Gender
Sociology of Aging3
Sociology of the Family3
Honors Sociology of the Family
Sociology of Religion3
Honors Sociology of Religion
Media, Culture and Society3
Drugs and Society3
Honors Drugs and Society
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity3
Honors Sociology of Race and Ethnicity
Introduction to Criminology3
Honors Introduction to Criminology
Social Inequality3
Honors Social Inequality
Introduction to Research Methods (beg F'25)3
Introduction to LGBTQ Studies3
Introduction to Women's Studies3
Honors Introduction to Women's Studies

AREA 5: NATURAL SCIENCES (3 units):

General Human Anatomy (beg F'12)4
Human Physiology5
Biological Anthropology3
Honors Biological Anthropology
Principles of Biology (beg F'11)4
General Biology5
Honors General Biology
Human Biology3
Biology of Insects and Spiders3
Plants and People (beg F'11)3
Genetics and Biotechnology in Society3
Marine Mammal Biology and Conservation3
Organismal Biology5
Introduction to Biotechnology3
Marine Biology3
Cell and Molecular Biology (beg F'11)4
General Ecology4
Chemistry for Daily Life4
Chemistry for Allied Health Science5
Chemistry in a Changing World3
Preparation for General Chemistry5
General Chemistry I5
General Chemistry II5
Physical Geology3
Earth Science Survey3
Historical Geology4
Geology of National Parks and Monuments3
Introduction to Weather and Climate3
Earth Science for Educators4
Introduction to Climate Science3
Astronomy3
Honors Astronomy
Geology of California3
Introduction to Oceanography3
Honors Introduction to Oceanography
Environmental Geology3
Environmental Biology3
Physical Geography3
Honors Physical Geography
Health Science3
Applied Botany4
Applied Entomology3
Plant Pathology3
Medical Microbiology4
General Microbiology5
Human Nutrition3
Honors Human Nutrition
Relativity for Poets3
Elementary Physics4
Physics for the Life Sciences I4
Physics for the Life Sciences II4
Physics with Calculus for the Life Sciences I4
Physics with Calculus for the Life Sciences II4
General Physics I4
General Physics II4
General Physics III4
The Brain and Behavior NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3

AREA 6: ETHNIC STUDIES (3 units):

Substitutions with courses completed prior to Fall 2023 are not permitted.
American Ethnic Studies NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors American Ethnic Studies
Women of Color in the U.S. NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors Women of Color in the U.S.
Introduction to African American Studies (beg F'26) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors Introduction to African American Studies
African-American History I (beg F'26) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors African-American History I
African-American History II NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Introduction to Chicana/o Studies (formerly ETHS 140 F) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors Introduction to Chicana/o Studies
Chicana/o and Latina/o Contemporary Issues (formerly ETHS 142 F) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors Chicana/o and Latina/o Contemporary Issues
American Indian History (formerly History of the Native Americans) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Introduction to Asian Pacific Islander American Studies (beg F'26) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Asian Pacific Islander American History NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Ethnic Studies for Educators Seminar NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
U.S. Racial Liberation Movements (formerly Contemporary Social Justice) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Honors U.S. Racial Liberation Movements (formerly Honors Contemporary Social Justice Movements)

AREA 7: LIFELONG LEARNING AND SELF-DEVELOPMENT (1 unit):

Any PE or Dance ACTIVITY course
Weaponless Defense1
Living in an Online World3
Creativity Matters! (beg F'20)3
Financial Investments (beg F'20)3
Introduction to Personal Computers (beg F'20)4
Honors Introduction to Personal Computers
Introduction to Leadership Development (beg F'20)3
Career and College Success (formerly Career/Life Planning) (beg F'20) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Diversity in the World of Work (beg F'20) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
Academic Success (formerly COUN 060 F) (beg F'22)3
Personal Growth and Life Success (beg F'20) NOTE: Course can only be used in one area (AREA 1 to 7)3
The Practice of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion3
Mindfulness in Everyday Life3
Sports Nutrition3
Stress Management (beg F'20)3
Techniques and Principles of Coaching (beg F'20)3
Sports Management (beg F'20)3
Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology ((formerly Psychology of Sport) (beg F'20)3
Fitness for Living (formerly Physical Fitness as a Lifelong Concept) (beg F'20)3
The Body-Mind Connection (beg F'20)3
Stress Management and Relaxation Training2

*“Equivalent Disclaimer” – Courses taken at another college must be equivalent to courses offered at Fullerton College.