The A–G coursework is a set of high school classes you need to complete if you want to apply to most four-year colleges and universities, especially the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) schools. Your school might require you to take most of these courses regardless for your high school graduation. The letters A through G stand for seven different subject areas, like English (B), math (C), or science (D). Keep track of your progress in each subject area each semester and ask your counselor to add classes to your schedule, if you need to satisfy a particular requirement!
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Each A–G class must be:
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Passed with a grade of C or better:
D's and F's will not satisfy the requirement. Aim to earn as many A’s and B’s as possible.
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Taken in the correct subject area:
It will take at least 15 units with grades of “C” or better in each course. Check each of the subject areas to see how many courses (years) you will need to take to satisfy each requirement. At least 11 of the 15 units must be completed by the end of junior year.
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From a school-approved course list:
Visit the UC A-G Course List to see if your classes meet A-G requirements. You will need to look up your high school (make sure it is the correct one) and then select the academic year in which you took the course(s).​
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12th-grade grades DO COUNT! Colleges and universities send out “Conditional Acceptances” and permanent acceptance will be based on all of the grades posted on your final transcript. If there are any D or F grades, the college or university may rescind your conditional acceptance.
a
History/Social Science
2 years of history/social science class required.
(1 year of world history, cultures or historical geography) AND
(1 year of U.S. history) OR (1/2 year of U.S. history & 1/2 year of civics/American government)
b
English
4 years of college preparatory English composition and literature required, integrating extensive reading, frequent writing, and practice listening and speaking with different audiences. Students may only use 1 year of ESL/ELD English.
c
Mathematics
3 years of college-preparatory mathematics.
(Four units are strongly recommended), including or integrating topics covered in elementary algebra, advanced algebra, and two-and three- dimensional geometry.
d
Science
2 years of laboratory science are required.
(Three units are strongly recommended), providing fundamental knowledge in two of the following: biology, chemistry, or physics. A yearlong interdisciplinary, or integrated, or earth and space science course can meet one year of this requirement.​
E
Language Other Than English
2 years (or through the second level of high school instruction) of the same language other than English (Three units recommended). LOTE levels are defined by the number of years of high school instruction. e.g. LOTE1= 1 year; LOTE2= 2 years, etc.
f
Visual/Performing Arts
1 year required, chosen from one of the following categories: dance, music, theater, interdisciplinary arts, or visual arts (e.g. painting, web/graphic design, film/video, inter/multimedia arts).
Two one-semester courses from the same discipline is also acceptable.
g
College Preparatory Elective
1 year chosen from the "a-f" courses beyond those used to satisfy
the requirements of the "a-f" subjects, or courses that have been approved solely in the elective area.