Many jobs require a some type of college degree, and having that post-high school education can help bolster job security and salary.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure all students are prepared to go to college. To be eligible to enter a four-year public college (either the California State University or University of California systems), students must meet a series of course prerequisites known as the A Through G (A-G) Requirements. Students must take and pass the 15 specific high school courses with a grade of C or better.
High School Graduation Requirements in California
Meeting the A-G Requirements and high school graduation are two separate achievements. In many California high schools, students don’t need to complete the A-G requirements in order to receive a high school diploma.
This means that even if a student is passing all of his or her classes necessary for graduation, they might be taking the wrong ones for college admission. This would disqualify them from attending California State University or the University of California.
Pre-algebra in the ninth grade, for example, would not be regarded as an A-G class that prepares students for college.
Unfortunately, students and their families are often given this information too late. They aren’t able to catch up and complete the requirements in only four years. Parents must make sure their children are enrolled in and successfully completing all A-G courses from the time they receive their first course schedule as freshmen until they graduate.
What’s Included in the A-G Requirements?
The A-G Requirements are comprised of 15 year-long classes necessary for college admission.
| Course | # of Years | |
| A | History/social science | Two years, including:
One year of world history, cultures and historical geography (either one year-long course or two semesters) One year of US history, or one semester of U.S. history and one semester of American government or civics. |
| B | English | Four years.
Classes must satisfy the requirement of college preparatory English that integrates reading of classic and modern literature, frequent and regular writing, and practice listening and speaking. A year-long, ESL-style course can only be used once to fulfill this requirement. |
| C | Mathematics | Three years of college-preparatory mathematics.
Classes must include topics covered in elementary algebra, advanced algebra, and two- and three-dimensional geometry. Students can also take courses that address the above content areas, and also integrate probability, statistics, or trigonometry. |
| D | Science | Two years.
Courses must provide fundamental knowledge in two of the following disciplines: biology, chemistry, or physics. One year of the requirement can also be satisfied by one year of approved interdisciplinary or earth and space sciences coursework. Courses in applied science, computer science, and engineering can be used as an additional science (usually in the third year and beyond). |
| E | Language Other than English | Two years.
Courses must cover the same non-English language. |
| F | Visual and Performing Arts | One year.
Classes can be chosen from dance, drama/theater, music or visual art. |
| G | College-Preparatory Elective | One year.
Course can be either year-long or two semesters and chosen from courses specific to the elective (G) subject area |
Students must pass all 15 of the A-G courses with a grade of C or better. They’ll also need to maintain a grade point average of at least a C (or at some schools a GPA of 3.0, which is roughly equivalent).
Students should go beyond A-G to be truly ready and competitive for college, especially if they plan on attending a more elite school.
- Take more academic classes than required. University admissions departments generally recommend an additional year of math (ideally getting to the highest level of math – Calculus), laboratory science, and foreign language.
- Take the most challenging classes available. Students should ask to be placed in honors or Advanced Placement (AP) classes. AP classes are considered college-level work and if a student passes the AP exam, he or she can receive college credit for the class.
Aim High & Embrace a Challenge
It’s hard to catch up later.
Sometimes students who don’t have strong grades are told to set their sights lower – take easier classes, then go to a community college and later transfer to a four-year school. That may sound easier now, but it’s harder in the long run.
Many students that go this route never complete their degrees. When they go to community college, they aren’t prepared for the work and instead have to take remedial math and English classes that cost them extra time and money.
Students rise to a challenge. Recent studies have found that when students with weaker grades go directly to a four-year university, they are a lot more likely to graduate than students with similar academics who go to a community college.
Even if students plan to go to community college, they should still be fulfilling the A-G Requirements.
How Can You Make Sure Your Child is Eligible and Ready for College?
- Ask your child’s school if all students need to pass the A-G Requirement classes, and what are their specific plans to make sure your child is eligible for a four-year university.
- When your child is about to start high school, work with the school to make a four-year plan that outlines how he or she will meet all the requirements by graduation (you’ll find a template for this under Helpful Resources below).
- Ask for and encourage your child to take most challenging classes available – honors and AP courses.
- If your child falls behind because they didn’t take or pass a class, ask your school what their plan is to make sure your child has finished all the A-G requirements by the time they graduate.
The most important part of making sure your child is college-ready is having a plan to stay on top of the A-G Requirements.
Helpful Resources
- Search your school’s name to see the list of classes offered that meet A-G requirements.
- A-G Planning Chart – English and Spanish