Subject and Course Requirements for the
University of California and California State University Systems

San Diego Unified School District high school graduation requirements are described in detail here. The chart below summarizes the SDUSD course requirements for high school graduation in relation to the subject requirements for entrance into the University of California—the UC a–g requirements—and the California State University.

The UC a-g requirements may be summarized as follows:

  1. Two years of history
  2. Four years of English
  3. Three years of mathematics
  4. Two years of laboratory science
  5. Two years of a language other than English
  6. One year of a single visual or performing art
  7. One additional year of study, from the categories above or a list of specially designated college preparatory electives

Detailed information about the UC a-g requirements may be found here. Detailed information about the California State University (CSU) system’s admission requirements may be found here. The UC—not the district—determines which district courses meet its a–g requirements and lists approved courses by individual high school. CSU uses the UC’s lists of approved courses; it does not approve courses on its own.

Not every district course meets the UC a-g admission requirements. Those that do are marked with a P (for college preparatory) or HP for (honors-level preparatory) in the curriculum area sections and individual course descriptions. However, each district high school seeking recognition of these courses by UC or CSU for its students must include the courses on its individual list of UC-approved courses.

In addition to meeting the subject requirements summarized in the chart, prospective students customarily must also satisfy other criteria for college admission. It must be emphasized that college entrance requirements vary; readers should understand that meeting the high school graduation requirements and the subject requirements for entrance described below does not guarantee entrance to specific colleges.

Campuses of the University of California may use some or all of the following criteria for admission:

  • Academic grade-point average (GPA) calculated on all academic courses completed in the a–g subject areas in grades 10–12, including additional points for completion of University-certified honors courses (see fourth bullet below). The grade-point average is calculated by dividing the total a–g units completed in grades 10–12 by the total grade points earned. Grade points are assigned as follows: A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0. The University assigns extra points for up to four units of University-certified honors-level courses taken in grades 10–12. For such courses, extra grade points are assigned as follows: A = 5, B = 4, C = 3. Honors-level courses include:
    • Advanced Placement (AP) courses in the a–g college preparatory subjects, designed to prepare students for an AP examination from the College Board
    • Designated International Baccalaureate (IB) courses offered by schools participating in the IB program.
    • Other courses that meet the University’s specific honors-level criteria; these include the word Honors in their titles.
    • College courses taken as a part of a board-approved high school–college partnership agreement. College courses must be transferable to the University of California to receive weighted credit.
  • Scores on the SAT or the ACT assessments.
  • The number, content of, and student performance in courses completed in academic subjects beyond the minimum specified by the University–s eligibility requirements.
  • The number of and performance in University-approved honors courses, College Board Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate Higher Level courses, and transferable college courses completed.
  • The quality of the senior-year program, as measured by the type and number of academic courses (see the third and forth bullets above) in progress or planned.
  • The quality of student academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available in the applicant’s secondary school.
  • Outstanding performance in one or more specific academic subject areas.
  • Outstanding work in one or more special projects in any academic field of study.
  • Recent, marked improvement in academic performance, as demonstrated by academic grade-point average and quality of coursework (see third and fourth bullets above) completed and in progress, with particular attention given to the last two years of high school.

California State University campuses also require students to take either the SAT or the ACT. Test scores and high school grade point average are combined to determine student eligibility for admission. Grade-point average is based on grades earned in courses completed after grade 9, excluding grades for physical education and military science and including bonus points for each C or higher grade in approved honors courses.

SDUSD High School Graduation Requirements in Comparison to
UC and CSU Admission Requirements

 

 SDUSD Graduation Requirements
(44 credits required)		 University of California Admission Requirements* California State University Admission Requirements*
History–Social Science Six semester credits (three years) in the UC a subject area, as follows:
(1) Two credits in world history 1,2 course.
(2) Two credits in U.S. history 1,2.
(3) One credit in an American government course.
(4) One credit in an economics course. Note: Economics is a district and state requirement, and counts as one semester of UC g. 		a. Two years; including one year of world history, cultures, and historical geography and one year of U.S. history, or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of American government or civics. a. Two years, including one year of U.S. history or one semester of U.S. history and one semester of civics, or American government and one year of social science.
English Eight semester credits (four years) in the UC b subject area, as follows:
(1) Two credits, English 1,2 (or ELD 5,6).
(2) Two credits, English 3,4 or English 3,4 Advanced.
(3) Four additional credits, including one credit in a course that emphasizes a range of American literature and three credits from the prescribed list of English courses as outlined in the English Language Arts section of this publication, or ICC-approved San Diego Community College District courses. 		b. Four years of college preparatory English that integrates reading of classic and modern literature, frequent and regular writing, and practice listening and speaking. b. Four years of college-preparatory English composition and literature.
Mathematics Six semester credits (three years) in the UC c subject area. All students must complete a minimum of two year-long mathematics courses while enrolled in grades 9–12 per Education Code. The six credits are as follows:
(1) Two credits in Integrated Math I A-B or Integrated Math I A-B Advanced.
(2) Two credits in Integrated Math II A-B or Integrated Math II A-B Advanced.
(3) Two credits in Integrated Math III A-B or Integrated Math III A-B Advanced, or San Diego Community College District approved combined sequence of Math 96 and Math 119. 		c. Three years of college-preparatory math, including or integrating the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. c. Three years (four years recommended) including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or higher mathematics (take one each year).
Laboratory Science Six semester credits (three years), as follows:
(1) Two credits in the same life science course approved in the UC d subject area. Must include Biology 1,2 or an advanced-level of biology.
(2) Two credits in the same physical science course approved in the UC d subject area. Must include Chemistry 1,2 or Physics 1,2 or an advanced level of either.
(3) Two additional credits in the same UC d or same UC g (elective science) subject areas. 		d. Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of the three disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. d. Two years, including one biological science and one physical science.
Languages other than English Four semester credits (two years) of sequential courses in the UC e subject area in the same LOTE. e. Two years of the same language other than English, or equivalent to the second level of high school instruction. e. Two years of the same language. American Sign Language is applicable.
Visual and Performing Arts Two semester credits (one year) in the same course in the UC f subject area. f. One year chosen from dance, music, theater, or the visual arts. One year: dance, drama or theater, music, or visual art
College Preparatory Electives No district requirement. The required UC g elective is fulfilled by satisfying the district’s requirement for a third year of science. g. One year chosen from the a–f courses beyond those used to satisfy the requirements above, or courses that have been approved solely in the elective area. One year: an additional year chosen from the school’s UC a–g list.
Physical Education Enrollment in physical education in grade 9 and in at least one of the grades 10, 11, or 12, unless exempted, and four semester credits total earned in grades 9–12. - - - - - - - -
* Must pass with a grade of C or better.