California “a-g” requirements
 Who uses them?
 What are they used for?
 What are they, and how
will my child meet
them?
 Does VHS offer
everything my child will
need to meet them?
Who uses the “a-g” requirements?
California State System
• www.csumentor.edu
University of California System
• www.universityofcalifornia.edu
(Only public, state schools use the “a-g” requirements.
Private colleges and universities each have their own
admission requirements.)
California State Universities
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California Polytechnic University, Pomona
California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
California State University, Bakersfield
California State University, Channel Islands
California State University, Dominguez Hills
California State University, East Bay
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Sacramento
California State University, San Bernardino
California State University, San Marcos
California State University, Stanislaus
Chico State University
Fresno State University
Humboldt State University
Maritime Academy
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
San Jose State University
Sonoma State University
University of California Campuses
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University
University
University
University
University
University
University
University
Barbara
University
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
California,
California,
California,
California,
California,
California,
California,
California,
Berkeley
Davis
Los Angeles
Merced
Riverside
San Diego
San Francisco
Santa
of California, Santa Cruz
What are the “a-g” requirements used for?
“The intent of the "a-g" subject requirements is to ensure
that students can participate fully in the first-year program
at the University in a wide variety of fields of study. The
requirements are written deliberately for the benefit of all
students expecting to enter the University, and not for
preparation for specific majors. UC faculty consider the
Subject Requirement to be effective preparation, on many
levels, for undergraduate work at the University. This
pattern of study assures the faculty that the student has
attained a body of general knowledge that will provide
breadth and perspective to new, more advanced study.
Fulfillment of the "a-g" pattern also demonstrates that the
student has attained essential critical thinking and study
skills.”
(http://www.ucop.edu/a-gGuide/ag/a-g/welcome.html)
How will my child meet these
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.
How will my child meet these subject
requirements?
“b” English
(4 years required)
Four years of college-preparatory English
that include frequent and regular writing
and reading of classic and modern literature.
(None of VHS’s ELA courses can be used
to meet this requirement.)
How will my child meet these subject
requirements?
“c” Mathematics
(3 years required, 4 years recommended)
Three years of college-preparatory
mathematics that include the topics covered
in elementary and advanced algebra and
two- and three-dimensional geometry.
How will my child meet these subject
requirements?
“d” Laboratory Science
(2 years required, 3 years recommended)
Two years of laboratory science providing
fundamental knowledge in two of these three core
disciplines: biology, chemistry and physics.
Advanced laboratory science classes that have
biology, chemistry or physics as prerequisites and
offer substantial additional material may be used
to fulfill this requirement.
How will my child meet these subject
requirements?
“e” Language Other than English
(2 years required, 3 years recommended)
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 languages other than English
taken in the seventh and eighth grades may be
used to fulfill part of this requirement.
How will my child meet these subject
requirements?
“f” Visual and Performing Arts (VPA)
(1 year required)
A single yearlong approved arts course from
a single VPA discipline: theater, music,
performing or visual arts.
How will my child meet these subject
requirements?
“g” College Preparatory Electives
(1 year required)
One year/two semesters, in addition to those
required in "a-f" above, chosen from the following
areas: visual and performing arts (nonintroductory level courses), history, social science,
English, advanced mathematics, laboratory
science and language other than English (a third
year in the language used for the "e" requirement
or two years of another language).
Does VHS offer everything my child will
need to meet the “a-g” requirements?
“a” History/Social Studies
(2 years required)
Modern Civilizations AP World History or AP European
History (10th grade)
US History or AP US History (11th grade)
American Government or AP American Government (12th grade)
(2 ½ years available at VHS)
Does VHS offer everything my child will
need to meet the “a-g” requirements?
“b” English (4 years required)
English 9A/B or Honors English 9 A/B (9th grade)
English 10 A/B or Honors English 10 A/B (10th grader)
American Lit. or AP English Lang. & Comp. (11th grade)
Science Fiction, Shakespeare, Humanities, Legends of
King Arthur, Sports Literature, Bible as Literature, Film as
Literature, Mythology and Folklore, or AP English
Literature & Composition (12th grade)
(4 years available at VHS)
Does VHS offer everything my child will
need to meet the “a-g” requirements?
“c” Mathematics
(3 years required)
Algebra A/B/C
Geometry A/B/C, Geometry 1A/1B, or H Geometry 1A/1B
Algebra II A/B
or
Trigonometry/Statistics
Algebra II/Trig. A/B or H Algebra II/Trig
Pre-Calculus A/B or H Pre-Calculus A/B
AP Calculus AB (Calculus I) or AP Calculus BC (Calculus I & II)
AP Statistics
(4 years available at VHS)
Does VHS offer everything my child will
need to meet the “a-g” requirements?
“d” Laboratory Science (2 years required)
Biology 2A/B
Biology A/B
Material Science A/B
Chemistry A/B or H Chemistry A/B
Physics A/B, AP Phsyics B, or AP Phsyics C
AP Environmental Science
Human Anatomy/Physiology or H Human Anat/Phys.
Marine Studies A/B
Microbiology/Molecular Genetics or H Microbiology /Molec. Genet.
4 years available at VHS
Does VHS offer everything my child will
need to meet the “a-g” requirements?
“e” Language other than English
(2 years required)
French I A/B, French II A/B, French III A/B
American Sign Language I A/B, Amer. Sign Language II A/B
(Amer. Sign Language is NOT considered a foreign language at most
PRIVATE colleges/universities)
Spanish I A/B, Spanish II A/B, Spanish III A/B, AP Spanish
4 years of Spanish available at VHS
Does VHS offer everything my child will
need to meet the “a-g” requirements?
“f” Visual & Performing Arts (1 year required)
Visual Arts: Art 1 A/B, 2D Art A/B, AP Studio Art,
Ceramics A/B, Graphic Design A/B, Photography 1 A/B,
Photography II A/B, ROP Commercial Photography (two
semesters), and Video Productions 1 A/B
Performing Arts: Alto/Soprano Chorus, Mixed Chorus,
Concert Choir, Small Vocal Ensemble, Guitar A/B,
Marching/Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Theater Arts I
A/B, Theater Arts II A/B, and Theater Arts III A/B
Miscellaneous: Music Appreciation A/B and AP Art History
4 years available at VHS
Does VHS offer everything my child will
need to meet the “a-g” requirements?
“g” College Prep. Electives (1 year required)
One extra year (two semesters) chosen from “a” – “e”
or
One year (two semesters) of AP Human Geography, AP
Psychology, AVID Senior Seminar, Advanced Journalism,
Astronomy, Comedy & Satire, Constitutional Law, Earth
Science A/B, Economics, Honors Economics, Journalism,
Meteorology, Psychology, or Speech
or
One year (two semesters) of 2D Art A/B, AP Studio Art,
AP Art History, Photography II A/B, Theater II A/B, or
Theater III A/B (if not used as “F” requirement)
“a-g” Requirement Websites
 VHS “a-g” courses:
https://admissions.ucop.edu/doorways/list/
 “a-g” courses-general informaion:
http://www.ucop.edu/doorways/
College Admissions Testing Required by
UC and CSU Systems
 SAT Reasoning Test (3 parts: Math, Critical
Reading, and Writing)
or
 ACT Assessment plus Optional Writing (5 parts:
Math, Reading, Science, English and Writing)
 The UC System also requires two (2) SAT Subject Test
Scores. These must be in two different areas, chosen from
the following: English, history/social studies, mathematics
(Level 2 only), science or language other than English.
Important Testing Websites
 Scholastic Aptitude Testing (SAT):
www.collegeboard.com
American College Testing (ACT):
www.act.org
www.actstudent.org