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California State University, Chico

General Education Planning

General Education (GE) Requirements Renamed in 2025

Chico State is adopting a new unified General Education (GE) Pattern effective Fall 2025 in order to provide an equitable experience for all students in the California State University system, the University of California system, and the California Community College system.

How will this impact you?

  • If you were admitted Fall 2025 and after:
    • First Year Students will begin their academic journey using the Unified GE Pattern as represented in the 2025-2026 catalog and Degree Progress Report.
    • Transfer Students will maintain catalog rights to their GE pattern however the new General Education area names and labels will display in all digital degree planning tools including the Degree Progress Report, Degree Planner, and Class Schedule.

Transition to the Unified GE

General Education (GE) Minors and Pathways

GE builds a strong academic foundation for success in all studies, including your major. It fosters a shared intellectual experience, connects disciplines, cultivates appreciation for nature and human creativity, and develops skills for a just society.

Chico State’s innovative and nationally recognized General Education (GE) program organizes courses into thematic pathways and allows the opportunity to earn an interdisciplinary minor that will enhance the resume of students in any major.

To learn more about available interdisciplinary minors and GE course offerings, explore GE Minors and Pathways in the University Catalog.

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    General Education

    43 units of foundational coursework that sets you up for success throughout your academic journey and beyond.

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    Major

    37 to 103 units of major-specific coursework.

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    Electives

    Any additional units completed outside of GE and a declared program plan. You need to reach 120 units total to graduate.

GE can vary based on the year of your admission (i.e. catalog year) and whether you have maintained continuous enrollment after being admitted. To learn more about what constitutes continuous enrollment, see ‘Election of Graduation Requirements and Your Catalog Rights’ for more information.

Your Degree Progress Report, which is accessible through your Student Center in the Portal will outline your specific GE requirements.

If you have any questions, please contact our office.