A: History / Social Science: Two years of college-preparatory history/social science are required, including: one year of world history, cultures or historical 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. All courses approved for the history/social science (A) subject requirement will expose students to primary sources and secondary literature, and promote critical thinking and questioning regarding historical events and perspectives.

B: English / Language Arts: Four years of college-preparatory English composition and literature are required. All courses approved for the English (B) subject requirement will give students full awareness and control of the means of linguistic production -- orally, in writing, and using a range of technologies. Regardless of the course level, approved courses will be expected to stress the reading and writing connection, address each of the core competencies section, and address all of the Common Core College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.

C: Mathematics: Three years of college-preparatory mathematics are required (however, four years are strongly recommended), including or integrating topics covered in: elementary algebra, advanced algebra, two-and three-dimensional geometry. All courses approved for the mathematics (C) subject requirement should prepare students to undertake freshman-level university study. In these courses, students should acquire not only the specific skills needed to master this subject’s content, but also proficiency in quantitative thinking and analysis to engage with coursework in other disciplines.

D:Laboratory Science: Two years of college-preparatory laboratory science are required, including or integrating topics that provide fundamental knowledge in two of these three subjects: biology, chemistry, or physics. One year of approved interdisciplinary or earth and space sciences coursework can meet one year of the requirement. Computer Science, Engineering, Applied Science courses can be used in area D as an additional laboratory science (i.e., third year and beyond). All courses approved for the laboratory science (D) subject requirement will be designed with the explicit intention of developing and encouraging scientific habits of mind important for university-level studies, and aligned with the eight practices of science and engineering identified by the National Research Council Framework and detailed within the California Next Generation Science Standards.

E: Foreign Language (Other Than English): Two years of college-preparatory coursework are required (or through the second level of high school instruction) of the same language other than English (however, three years are recommended). Language levels are defined by the number of years of high school instruction (e.g., Spanish 1= 1 year; Spanish 2 = 2 years, etc.).

F: Visual and Performing Arts: One year of college-preparatory visual & performing arts is required, chosen from one of the following disciplines: dance, music, theater, visual arts (e.g., painting, web/graphic design, film/video, inter/multimedia arts), or interdisciplinary arts. All courses approved for the visual and performing arts (VPA, F) subject requirement will provide students with a meaningful experience with both depth and breadth of knowledge in the arts, so that students may apply their newly gained understanding to the appreciation and creation of art in its diverse forms. Courses must be directed at acquiring concepts, comprehensions, and skills in the arts disciplines, rather than using artistic activities to fulfill non-artistic course objectives. Fundamentally, they will address the major components of the California Arts Standards for Public Schools, K-12.

G: College Preparatory Elective: One year of college-preparatory coursework is required and is chosen from: courses approved specifically in the elective (G) subject area, or courses approved in the A-F subject areas beyond those used to satisfy the requirements of the A-F subjects.

All courses approved for college-preparatory elective (G) must satisfy the following:

1. Be academically challenging.
2. Involve substantial reading and writing.
3. Include problem-solving and laboratory work, as appropriate.
4. Show serious attention to analytical thinking and research skills
5. Develop students’ oral and listening skills.
6. Incorporate learning to develop skills and cultivate interest in the academic enterprise.

Courses specifically approved in the G subject area include those such as political science, economics, geography, humanities, psychology, sociology, anthropology, journalism, speech or debate, computer science, computer programming and others or be interdisciplinary in nature, drawing knowledge from two or more fields.

For more information on A-G Requirements, please visit the University of California A-G Policy Resource Guide