The Subject Requirements (aka "The A-G Requirements")

At a minimum, applicants for freshman admission to the California State University and the University of California must meet the universities' subject requirements. These are classes, covering multiple subject areas, that applicants are expected to complete prior to high school graduation. The University of California refers to these as the '"a-g" requirements. You may look up your school's list of "a-g" courses at https://admissions.ucop.edu/doorways/list/ . (For colleges and universities other than the CSU or UC, refer to the institution's admissions requirements.)

Note: The number of years required in each subject area below apply to both the CSU and UC systems; the number of years recommended are for the UC system, but would help make a student more well-prepared for admission to any university.

"a" History/Social Science — 2 years required.
Two years of history/social science, including one year of world history, cultures and geography; and one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.

"b" English — 4 years required.
Four years of college preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature. Not more than two semesters of ninth-grade English can be used to meet this requirement.

"c" Mathematics — 3 years required, 4 years recommended.
Three years of college preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades that your high school accepts as equivalent to its own math courses.

"d" Laboratory Science — 2 years required, 3 years recommended.
Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in two of these three core disciplines: biology (which includes anatomy, physiology, marine biology, aquatic biology, etc.), chemistry and physics.The final two years of an approved three-year integrated science program may be used to fulfill this requirement. Not more than one year of ninth-grade laboratory science can be used to meet this requirement.

"e" Language Other than English — 2 years required, 3 years recommended.
Two years of the same language other than English. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition and culture. Courses in language other than English taken in the seventh and eighth grade may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if your high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.

"f" Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) — 1 year required.
One year of visual and performing arts chosen from the following: dance, drama/theater, music or visual art.

"g" College Preparatory Electives — 1 year required.
One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in "a-f" above, chosen from the following areas: visual and performing arts (non-introductory level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the "e" requirement or two years of another language).