The California Education Code (EC) establishes a minimum set of requirements for graduation from California high schools. The requirements should be viewed as minimums and support regulations established by local governing boards.
The University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU) systems have established a uniform minimum set of courses required for admission as a freshman. The UC has created a Doorways site that provides complete information about the high school courses approved for admission to the university. In addition to the required courses, California public universities have other requirements for admission as a freshman.
|
High School Subject Area |
State Mandated Requirements* |
UC Requirements for Freshman Admissions |
CSU Requirements for Freshman Admissions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
English |
Three Years |
Four years of approved courses |
Four years of approved courses |
|
Mathematics |
Two years, including Algebra I, beginning in 2003–04. (EC 51224.5) |
Three years, including algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra.
Four years recommended. |
Three years, including algebra, intermediate algebra, and geometry. |
|
Social Studies/Science
|
Three years of history/social studies, including one year of U.S. history and geography; one year of world history, culture, and geography; one semester of American government and civics, and one semester of economics. | Two years of history/social science, including one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government; and one year of world history, cultures, and geography. | Two years, including one year of U.S. history or U.S. history and government and one year of other approved social science. |
|
Science
|
Two years, including biological and physical sciences. | Two years with lab required, chosen from biology, chemistry, and physics.
Three years recommended. |
Two years, including one year of biological and one year of physical science with lab.
|
|
Foreign Language
|
One year of either visual and performing arts, foreign language, or career technical education**. |
Two years in same language required. Three years recommended. |
Two years in same language required. |
| Visual and Performing Arts | One year of either visual and performing arts, foreign language, or career technical education**. | One year of visual and performing arts chosen from the following: dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art. | One year of visual and performing arts chosen from the following: dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art. |
|
Physical Education
|
Two years | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
|
Electives
|
Not Applicable | One year*** | One year*** |
|
Total |
13 |
15 (7 in the last two years of high school) |
15 |
