GE Frequently Asked Questions - Transfer Information
If you do not find the information you need here, please use the following contacts to assist you:
For Prospective students
If you HAVE NOT been admitted, you should refer to the Cal Poly Admissions web site
Admitted students
If you have already been admitted to Cal Poly, you can send an email to the records office at records@calpoly.edu
Make sure to include the following information on email to records:
- First and Last name
- EmplID#
- Major
- Note - Please always use your Cal Poly e-mail address in all correspondences
Transfer Information for Students
1. Where can I get GE transfer information for California Community Colleges, including CSU, IGETC and UC requirements?
The ASSIST web site is an online student-transfer information system that shows how course credits earned at one public California college or university can be applied when transferred to another. ASSIST is the official repository of articulation for California's public colleges and universities and provides the most accurate and up-to-date information about student transfer in California.
Once you are on the ASSIST web site, type in the college that you plan to attend. Then, refer to the "CSU GE-Breadth Certification List". Select the GE Area, and match the title of the area, not the number.
2. Are Cal Poly's GE Areas the same as the GE Areas listed on GE CSU spread on Assist?
No, Cal Poly's GE areas are different from the GE CSU spread. Refer to Cal Poly's GE Requirements on the GE web site.
3. What does it mean to be GE certified at a community college?
- Area Certification:
This means you have completed all required CSU lower-division coursework in a specific GE area. (For example, if you have completed one approved course in expository writing, one in critical thinking, and one in speech, you have earned Area A certification.) Note: Area D1 may be a special case. Please check with the Evaluations Office to make sure that you have completed all required components of the Area D1 requirement.
- Lower-division GE certification:
This means you have completed all required CSU lower-division GE coursework.
- Upper-division certification:
This means you have completed all required CSU upper-division GE coursework. Community colleges do not offer upper-division courses; you will most likely complete upper-division GE coursework at Cal Poly.
4. What will I need to take at Cal Poly if I come if with a lower-division GE certification?
GE certification means that you have completed all of the lower-division courses in the General Education block. At Cal Poly you will need to earn 12 upper-division units by taking one four-unit GE course in each of the following three areas:
- Area C4: (Arts and Humanities/upper-division elective)
- Area D5: (Society and the Individual/Upper-division elective)
- Area F: (Technology)
- Note: Some majors at Cal Poly require specific GE "support" courses. It is best to check with your advisor in this area.
- Note: Area D1 may be a special case. Please check with the Evaluations Office to make sure that you have completed all required components of the Area D1 requirement.
5. I have been GE-certified in some areas. How will my area certifications count?
Cal Poly accepts all area certifications from California community colleges and CSU campuses. If a community college certifies you in an area (e.g. Area A, Communication), that means you have satisfied the requirement for lower-division GE courses in that area. You may be certified in any (or all) of the following lower-division GE areas:
- Area A: Communication
- Area B: Science and Mathematics
- Area C: Arts and Humanities
- Area D/E: Society and the Individual
Note: Area D1 may be a special case. Please check with the Evaluations Office to make sure that you have completed all required components of the Area D1 requirement.
6. I am not GE certified, but I took some GE courses. How will these count?
In most cases, as long as a GE course appears in the GE area spread for the CSU, UC, or California Community college, the course will transfer as GE into Cal Poly. Check the Assist web site for Community college information, or check the GE spread in the UC or CSU college catalog for more information. Cal Poly’s evaluators will look at your transcript to determine how your courses will count for Cal Poly’s GE requirements. The evaluators try to find the best way to apply any CSU or UC approved transfer courses that you have taken.
- For Admitted students - If you have already been admitted to Cal Poly, you can send an email to the records office at records@calpoly.edu
- For Prospective students - If you HAVE NOT been admitted, you should refer to the Cal Poly Admissions web site
Make sure to include the following information in emails:
- First and Last name
- Emp lID#
- Major
- Note - Please always use your Cal Poly e-mail address in all correspondences
8. What is the policy for transferring upper-division coursework to Cal Poly?
CSU/UC - You may take a GE upper-division course at another CSU or UC campus and earn credit in the same GE area in which the course would earn credit at Cal Poly. Before you decide to take an upper-division course at another campus, please check with your advisor.
9. Where can I find catalogs and course description for courses than are not listed on Assist?
Within California for UC/CSU - Refer to the UC or CSU web site for the College. Generally, you can type in a search for General Education requirements, or look for the course descriptions from their on-line catalog.
Outside California - See the www.collegesource.org web site
10. Where can I get information on other types of academic credit? (AP, IB, Military Credit etc.)
The Cal Poly Records office updates the AP credit information each year.
11. I have been admitted to Cal Poly. Is there an advisor I can see?
There are many advising resources on campus. For more information, refer to the Academic Advising web site
.