A- G Requirements
What is A-G?
Colleges want to know that you have taken the kinds of classes that will prepare you to do well when you arrive at their campus.
Which courses they count and which they don’t might vary from one college to another, so the best way to be sure that you are eligible at any college you might want to apply to is to satisfy the UC and CSU’s required courses.
These are known as the A-G requirements. If you satisfy them, you will have the courses you need to meet the basic eligibility requirements for almost any university.
Click HERE to view SVHS approved list of A-G courses
A: History / Social Science (2 years)
2 years of history/social science, including
1 year of world history, cultures and geography
1 year of US history or 1/2 year of US history and
1/2 year of Civics or American Government.
B: English (4 years)
4 years of college-preparatory English.
C: Math (3 years required; 4 years recommended)
3 years of college preparatory mathematics; the minimum pattern is Algebra I, Geometry, & Algebra II (Math Int. 1, Math Int. 2 & Math Int. 3)
D: Laboratory Science (2 years required; 3 years recommended)
2 years of laboratory science in at least two of these three subjects: biology, chemistry, and physics.
E: Language Other than English (2 years required; 3 years recommended)
Two years of the same language other than English.
F: Visual and Performing Arts (1 year)
A single yearlong visual or performing arts class such as dance, drama, music, or visual art (drawing, painting, etc.).
G: College Preparatory Elective (1 year)
One year chosen from additional "A-F" courses beyond those used to satisfy the requirements above, or courses that have been approved elective classes.
Subject requirement (A-G)
To meet minimum admission requirements, you must complete 15 yearlong high school courses with a letter grade of C or better — at least 11 of them prior to your last year of high school.
Keep in mind that taking approved high school (A-G) courses isn't the only way to satisfy these requirements. You also may meet them by completing college courses or earning certain scores on various acceptable exams.
|
HIGH SCHOOL SUBJECT AREA |
BPUSD GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Students can earn grades of “D” or better to pass courses |
A-G REQUIREMENTS FOR UC/CSU Students MUST earn grades of “C” or better in courses |
|
A: SOCIAL SCIENCE |
3 YEARS 30 CREDITS World History US History Government (1 semester) Economics (1 semester)
|
2 YEARS 20 CREDITS including one year of U.S. history or U.S. history and government and one year of other approved social science. |
|
B: ENGLISH |
4 YEARS 40 CREDITS ENGLISH 9,10,11,&12 (including Honors & AP Courses)
|
4 YEARS 40 CREDITS ENGLISH 9,10,11,&12 (including Honors & AP Courses)
|
|
C: MATHEMATICS |
3 YEARS 30 CREDITS Math Int. 1, Math Int. 2, Math Int. 3 or higher level |
3 YEARS 30 CREDITS *4 years recommended Math Int. 1, Math Int. 2, Math Int. 3 or higher level |
|
D: SCIENCE |
2 YEARS 20 CREDITS Life Science (Biology) Physical Science (Chemistry, Conceptual/Physics)
|
2 YEARS 20 CREDITS *3 years recommended including one year of biological and one year of physical science with lab |
|
E: WORLD LANGUAGE
|
1 YEAR 10 CREDITS World Language OR Fine Arts |
2 YEARS 20 CREDITS *3 years recommended in same language required |
|
F: FINE ARTS |
1 YEAR 10 CREDITS Fine Arts OR World Language
|
1 YEAR 10 CREDITS of visual and performing arts chosen from the following: dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art. |
|
G: ELECTIVES |
65 CREDITS |
1 YEAR 10 CREDITS chosen from additional "A-F" courses beyond those used to satisfy the requirements above, or courses that have been approved elective classes. |
|
PHYSICAL EDUCATION |
2 YEARS 20 CREDITS
|
Not Applicable |
|
HEALTH |
1 SEMESTER 5 CREDITS |
Not Applicable |
FAQ - A-G Requirements
Q: What are the differences between college requirements and graduation requirements?
A: Graduation requirements are not the same as college requirements. Usually, you can graduate from high school but be a few courses short of meeting the A-G requirements. Graduation requirements might include courses that colleges don’t care about like PE or Health. One of the biggest things to remember is that, while many high schools consider a D to be a passing grade for graduation, UC’s and CSU’s don’t. A class must be passed with a C- or better for a UC or CSU to count it.
Q: How do I know if a class counts?
A: Good ways to check which classes at your high school will count for college are to ask your counselor or to check for yourself on the University of California A-G Course List website. If your school does not offer all the classes you need to satisfy the A-G classes, a good way to get them is to take them at a community college.
Q: I heard that colleges count my GPA differently than my high school does, is that true?
A: This is true. UC’s and CSU’s, for example, will count only the grades from your A-G courses, and only from your sophomore and junior years. The grades you earned freshman year don’t count in your GPA for UC’s and CSU’s, although you still have to get at least a C- to get credit for freshman classes. Some colleges will give an extra point to Honors, GATE, AP, or IB courses as well, so your GPA for college admissions might be a little different from the GPA on your transcript.