Basic California State University Subject Requirements
College Preparatory Subject Requirements
The California State University requires that first-time freshman applicants complete, with grades of C or better, a comprehensive pattern of college preparatory study totaling 15 units.
- English, 4 years.
- Mathematics, (algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra), 3 years.
- U.S. history or U.S. history and government, and social science, 2 years.
- Science with laboratory, (biology, chemistry, physics, or other acceptable laboratory science), 2 years.
- Foreign language, 2 years in the same language (subject to waiver for applicants demonstrating equivalent competence).
- Visual and performing arts, (art, dance, drama/theater, or music), 1 year.
- Electives, (English, advanced mathematics, social science, history, laboratory science, foreign language, visual and performing arts),1 year.
Making Up Missing College Preparatory Subject Requirements
Undergraduate transfer applicants who did not complete subject requirements while in high school may make up missing subjects in any of the following ways. One college course of at least 3 semester or 4 quarter units will be considered equivalent to 1 year of high school study.
- Complete appropriate courses with a C or better in adult school or high school summer sessions.
- Complete appropriate college courses with a C or better.
- Earn acceptable scores on specified examinations.
If the applicant has 56 or more semester (84 quarter) units, he or she may complete one of the following alternatives:
- 1987 or earlier high school graduates: complete the CSU General Education requirements in communication in the English language (at least 9 semester units) and mathematics (usually 3 semester units) with a C or better in each course;
- 1988 and or later high school graduates: complete a minimum of 30 semester (45 quarter) units to be with a C or better in each course, chosen from courses in English, arts and humanities, social science, science, and mathematics of a level at least equivalent to courses that meet General Education or transfer curriculum requirements. Each student must complete all CSU General Education requirements in communication in the English language (at least 9 semester units) and mathematics (usually 3 semester units) as part of the 30-unit requirement.
Subject Requirement Substitution for Students with Disabilities
Applicants with disabilities are strongly encouraged to complete college preparatory course requirements if at all possible. If an applicant is judged unable to fulfill a specific course requirement because of his or her disability, alternative college preparatory courses may be substituted for specific subject requirements. Students who are deaf or hearing impaired, are blind or visually impaired, or have learning disabilities may in certain circumstances qualify for substitutions for the foreign language, laboratory science, and mathematics subject requirements. Substitutions may be authorized on an individual basis after review and recommendation by the applicant's academic advisor or guidance counselor in consultation with the director of a CSU disabled-student services program. Although the distribution may be slightly different from the course pattern required of other students, students qualifying for substitutions will still be held for 15 units of college preparatory study. Students should be aware that course substitutions may limit later enrollment in certain majors, particularly those involving mathematics. For further information and substitution forms, please call the director of disabled-student services at your nearest CSU campus.
Waiver of Foreign Language Subject Requirement
The foreign language subject requirement may be waived by applicants who demonstrate competence in a language other than English equivalent to or higher than expected of students who complete two years of foreign language study. Consult with your school counselor or any CSU campus Admission or Admissions Development offices for further information.