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Advising and Career Development Center

General Education (GE)

A student centered in front of a graduation crowd with her fist in the air

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The University General Education Curriculum is designed to give all graduating students basic intellectual competencies in reading, writing, speaking, listen­ing, critical thinking and mathematics. This core body of knowledge requires study in the tools of language and thought, mathematics, natural sci­ences, social and behavioral sciences (including U.S. history and political science), visual and performing arts and humanities.

The California State University System complies with the mandates of Executive Order No. 1065 regarding requirements for California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth) requirements.

Find General Education Patterns below:

Students must complete the General Education pattern based on their catalog rights.

Click the button below for the most recent GE Pattern:

2024-2025 General Education Sheet


Please note: Some programs may have alternative options for GE requirements. Always consult with an ACDC counselor to ensure your courses will complete general education requirements.

Due to changes in General Education requirements each year, students should always consult with an ACDC Counselor regarding their specific requirements:

2023-2024 GE Sheet   2022-2023 GE Sheet   2021-2022 GE Sheet

2020-2021 GE Sheet   2019-2020 GE Sheet   2018-2019 GE Sheet

1999-2017 GE Sheet

Students who attended prior to 1999 should make an appointment with an ACDC counselor in the University Advising Center to determine if you are eligible to use the 1988-89 through 1998-99 General Education Pattern.

1988-1999 GE Requirements     "Capstone" Courses

Students often have questions about General Education (GE) requirements, which are courses designed to provide a broad, well-rounded education. Below are some commonly asked questions:

1. What are GE requirements at Fresno State?

  • GE requirements consist of courses in different subject areas that all students must complete, regardless of their major. The GE program includes general areas covering communication, science, math, humanities, social sciences, and lifelong learning.

2. WHY do I need to take GE requirements at Fresno State?

  • Because the great state of California says so. General Education is mandated by Title V of the California Education Code and ensures that all Fresno State graduates have a broad skillset in the workforce. General Education is also a great opportunity to explore coursework for possible minors/majors, take something different each semester, or just enjoy a fun class.

3. How many GE units do I need to graduate?

  • Most students need 48 units of GE coursework to graduate. Some majors may require additional GE courses or allow substitutions/exemptions for GE areas.

4. What are the different GE areas?

The GE program at Fresno State is divided into:

  • Area A: Communication & Critical Thinking (Oral, Written, Critical Thinking)
  • Area B: Scientific Inquiry & Quantitative Reasoning (Math, Science, Lab)
  • Area C: Arts & Humanities (Literature, Philosophy, Fine Arts)
  • Area D: Social Sciences (History, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology)
  • Area E: Lifelong Learning & Self-Development
  • Area F: Ethnic Studies (Required for students starting in Fall 2021 or later)
  • Upper-Division GE (IB, IC, ID): Taken after reaching junior standing (60+ units)

5. Can I double count GE courses for my major?

  • Yes, some majors allow students to "double count" certain GE courses toward both GE and major requirements. Check with your academic advisor for specific details.

6. Do I need to take GE courses in a specific order?

  • Some GE courses (like Area A) should be completed early because they are prerequisites for upper-division courses. Upper-division GE (IB, IC, ID) must be taken after reaching junior standing (60+ units) and/or completing the respective lower-division area (e.g. Area B must be completed prior to taking Area IB)

7. What is the new Ethnic Studies requirement (Area F)?

  • Students who started in Fall 2021 or later must complete a 3-unit Ethnic Studies course (Area F), focusing on the history, culture, and contributions of marginalized racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. This area replaced the D3 Social Sciences area. Students who began taking college coursework prior to Fall 2021 should consult with an advisor regarding Area F.

8. Can I take GE courses at a community college?

  • Yes, many lower-division GE courses can be completed at a California Community College and transferred to Fresno State. Use ASSIST.org to check course equivalencies. Students may also complete GE courses through CSU Fully Online.

9. What happens if I fail a GE course?

  • If you fail a GE course, you may need to retake it or choose a different course within the same GE category. Speak with an advisor to explore your options and policies regarding course repeats. For most GE areas a D grade is considered passing. 

10. How can I check my GE progress?

  • You can track your GE progress through your Degree Progress Report (DPR) or by consulting an ACDC counselor.

11. Do transfer students need to complete GE requirements?

  • Transfer students may have already completed some or all lower-division GE requirements at their previous institutions. Upper Division GE requirements cannot be completed at a California Community College. CSU, UC, or Private four-year institution transfers should consult with an ACDC Counselor.

12. What about PLSI 2, MI, or the Writing Requirement?

  • While these requirements are not general education courses, they are required for all majors. It is easiest then to consider these areas as similar to GE since most majors will allow any course and are outside of major requirements.

13. Where can I get GE advising help?

  • Students can always visit the Advising and Career Development Center (ACDC) for help with GE planning and other questions!

Transfer Coursework:

CSU General Educationrequirements may be completed at California Community Colleges or other CSU campuses. ASSIST.org allows students  students to find equivalent lower-division general education requirements at any CCC or CSU campus. Alternatively, students may find CCC general education coursework and GE patterns (useful for completing GE areas not requiring specific courses) on the CCCTransfer website. Always consult with an ACDC counselor to ensure that there are no issues with transfer coursework.


To learn more about General Education Requirements, please visit the Fresno State catalog.



Degree Requirements

1. 120 units, minimum

  • Units comprised of General Education, Major & Electives

2. GPA of 2.0+ in three areas:

  • in the major (some majors require a C grade in every class)
  • in all Fresno State coursework
  • total/cumulative units

3. "Additional Degree Requirements" (State/University requirements)

  1. English Composition
  2. US History
  3. US & California Constitution
  4. Multicultural/International Course

4. Upper Division Writing Skills

  • All students must pass a "W" course with a grade of C/CR or higher. Some programs require a specific "W" course. All GE courses have an iterative writing component, but only W Courses (e.g. HHS 116W) will clear the writing requirement.

5. Residence units (30 units total; 24 are upper division, 12 are in the major, and 9 in G.E.)

6. ePortfolio Submissions

7. File graduation application by using the online Undergraduate Degree Check out process through their student center during specific filing periods.

Click below for the list of courses that clear the Upper-Division Writing requirement:

W Courses

Click below for the list of courses that clear the Multicultural/International requirement:

MI Courses



Catalog Rights

Catalog Rights at Fresno State refer to the set of degree requirements a student must follow to graduate, based on the academic catalog in effect at the time they first enroll in a California State University (CSU) or California Community College. These rights protect students from unexpected changes to graduation requirements. Generally, catalog rights are default to the year a first-time or transfer student begins at Fresno State, and default to the Fall semester of the academic year (e.g. a Spring transfer student who begins Spring 2025 will have a catalog of "2024-2025").

Per the Fresno State catalog, "As long as a student maintains “continuous attendance,” [they] may elect, for purposes of fulfilling graduation requirements, one of the following:

  1. [Entrance Catalog] The catalog in effect at the time a student enters a California community college or a campus of the California State University system.
  2. [Transfer Catalog] The catalog in effect at the time a student enters California State University, Fresno.
  3. [Graduation Catalog] The catalog in effect at the time the student applies to graduate from California State University, Fresno."

Continuous attendance is defined as being officially enrolled at least one semester or two quarters during a calendar year. Students must demonstrate progress toward fulfillment of degree requirements to maintain registration eligibility as a continuing student. A student may not begin “continuous attendance” while still enrolled in high school."


Key Points About Catalog Rights, in simpler terms:

How Do Catalog Rights Work?

Catalog rights are effectively a contract with the University that ensures the requirements for a degree can't be changed suddenly while attending Fresno State. If a student begins in Fall 2025, they are entitled to graduate after completing whatever the requirements for their program were in the 2025-2026 academic year, even if the requirements change between matriculation and graduation. 

  • The default catalog is "Entrance Catalog," where students may graduate under the catalog in effect when they first enroll, as long as they maintain continuous enrollment. 
  • Alternatively, they may choose to follow the catalog in effect when they graduate ("Graduation Catalog") or the catalog when they first began attending a California Community College or another CSU campus, if they transferred from another school ("Transfer Catalog"). Students must request these catalogs and should consult an advisor prior to doing so.

What Is Considered Continuous Enrollment?

  • Students must enroll in at least one semester per academic year (fall or spring).
  • Summer enrollment does not count toward maintaining continuous enrollment.
  • If a student stops attending for more than two consecutive semesters, they lose their catalog rights and in most cases must follow the requirements of the catalog in effect when they return.

Why Are Catalog Rights Important?

  • They ensure students are not required to complete additional coursework due to curriculum changes.
  • They provide stability in major, minor, and General Education (GE) requirements.

Do Catalog Rights Apply to All Degree Requirements?

  • Yes, for major, minor, and general education requirements.
  • Note: While catalog year may impact required general education areas (e.g. students with catalog years after 2021 must take Area F), because each area has different learning outcomes general education courses that have moved to a different area will only clear the GE area for the year they were completed (e.g. Even if WGSS 110 was an IC course when a student started at Fresno State, if the course was taken while WGSS 110 meets MI it cannot be used to clear IC since the learning outcomes no longer meet those of area IC)

How Can Students Check Their Catalog Rights?

  • The Degree Progress Report (DPR) or unofficial transcript on MyFresnoState shows the catalog year a student is following.
  • Academic advisors can confirm catalog rights and explain options if a student is returning after an absence.

For more details, visit the Fresno State Catalog.