4.6 California State University and University of California Admission Requirements

California State University and University of California Admission Requirements

Students applying for admission to a California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) campus must complete the 15 high school course sequence listed below.  Students who complete the High School Graduation Requirements AND receive a C or better in these classes meet the minimum course requirement for UC/CSU eligibility. Every SFUSD high school has a list of eligible CSU and UC courses; students should consult the school counselor for verification. 

In addition, both CSU and UC have qualifying eligibility requirements based upon the Grade Point Average (GPA) and Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) / American College Test (ACT) scores.  For details on CSU admission, go to the website www.csumentor.edu.  For details on UC admission, go to the website www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions

15 course sequence: a-g Subject Requirements

  • 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.  Only one year of approved ELD English may count towards English credits.
  • c. Mathematics:  3 years required (4 years recommended for UC)
    Three years of college preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry.   
  • d. Laboratory Science: 2 years required (3 years recommended for UC)
    Two years of lab science providing fundamental knowledge in two of these three core disciplines:  biology (which includes anatomy, physiology, marine biology, aquatic biology, etc.), chemistry and physics. 
  • e.  Language Other Than English: 2 years required (3 years recommended for UC)
    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 a language other than English taken in the seventh and eighth grade may be used to fulfill this requirement if your high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.
  • f.  Visual and Performing Arts (VPA): 1 year required
    One yearlong course of Visual and Performing Arts chosen from the following disciplines: Dance, Music, Theater, Visual Arts or Interdisciplinary Arts - or two one-semester courses from the same discipline is also acceptable.  
  • g.  College Preparatory Electives: 1 year required
    One year (two semesters) required from an approved A-G course.

CSU Note:

All required courses (regardless of when taken) must be passed with a C or better. 

Admission requirements may change from year to year.  Please check current information on admission forms or CSU websites.  For details on CSU admission, go to the website www.csumentor.edu

UC Note:

Alternative ways to gain admission to UC campuses can be discussed with your high school counselor. 

For details on UC admission, go to the website admission.universityofcalifornia.edu

 

This page was last updated on November 14, 2022