IGETC, the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum, is the general-education pattern that lets a California community college student satisfy lower-division GE for both UC and CSU before transferring. As of fall 2025, it is being replaced by a new single pattern called Cal-GETC. Here is what to know either way.
What IGETC is (and why it helps)
Completing a full GE pattern at your community college means you transfer with lower-division general education done, so you can focus on your major after you transfer. IGETC was the long-standing pattern accepted by both UC and CSU.
The IGETC areas
- Area 1: English Communication (English composition, critical thinking, and oral communication for CSU).
- Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning.
- Area 3: Arts and Humanities (3A Arts, 3B Humanities).
- Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences.
- Area 5: Physical and Biological Sciences (one course must include a lab).
- Area 6: Language Other Than English (a UC requirement).
What Cal-GETC changes for fall 2025 transfers
Cal-GETC is a single statewide GE pattern that replaces both IGETC and CSU GE Breadth for students transferring in fall 2025 and later. The headline changes: it adds a required Ethnic Studies course, it tightens the math and English requirements, and it removes the UC-specific Language Other Than English GE requirement. The total is a streamlined pattern of roughly 34 semester units.
Because the exact area-by-area requirements and unit counts are being finalized and can vary by catalog year, confirm your specific pattern with a community college counselor or the official Cal-GETC standards before locking in courses.
Which pattern applies to you?
Your pattern generally follows your catalog year and transfer term. Students transferring in fall 2025 or later follow Cal-GETC. Students who already completed IGETC under an earlier catalog may be able to use it. When in doubt, a counselor or a verified transfer plan will tell you which applies.
Frequently asked questions
What is IGETC?
The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum: a community college GE pattern that satisfies lower-division general education for UC and CSU transfer. It is being replaced by Cal-GETC starting fall 2025.
Is IGETC going away?
For new transfers, yes. Cal-GETC replaces IGETC and CSU GE Breadth for students transferring in fall 2025 and later. Students under earlier catalog years may still use IGETC.
Do I have to finish the whole GE pattern before transferring?
It is not always required, but completing the full pattern means you transfer with lower-division GE done and can focus on your major. It is almost always the stronger play.