General Education Plans

MiraCosta College students have three general education plans from which to choose. In order to select the most appropriate plan for their individual goals, students are strongly encouraged to consult with a college counselor.

Plan A. MiraCosta College General Education Requirements (see Plan A)

Plan B. California State University (CSU) General Education-Breadth (see Plan B)

Plan C. Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) for California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) (see Plan C)

While a course might satisfy more than one general education requirement, it may not be counted more than once for these purposes. However, courses may be used to satisfy both a general education and a major requirement. 

Plan B. CSU General Education-Breadth

Certification

MiraCosta is authorized to certify up to 39 lower-division GE-Breadth units. Certification means that the CSU will accept the courses approved to meet the CSU GE-Breadth areas on Plan B. Students should request certification of course work that meets CSU GE-Breadth requirements because certification ensures students will not be asked to complete additional lower-division general education courses after they transfer.

MiraCosta can certify each subject area (Area A, B, C, D, or E) or the whole pattern. Students may apply for full or partial certification at the MiraCosta Admissions and Records Office at the time they request a transcript be sent to a CSU campus. The specific rules that apply for CSU GE-Breadth Certification are as follows:

• All courses taken in Area A and B4 must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. A grade of "P" (Pass) is acceptable if it is equivalent to a grade of "C" or higher at the institution where the work was completed.
• Courses taken at another California community college will be applied to the subject areas in which they are listed at the institution where the work was completed.
• A course taken at a regionally accredited institution (which does not maintain a CSU GE-Breadth certification list) may be approved for certification if that course is equivalent to a MiraCosta College course or it has been approved for general education in a comparable category at the institution where the work was completed.
• Courses completed at foreign institutions are not acceptable for CSU GE-Breadth certification.

After transfer to a CSU campus, students will need to complete the nine additional general education units that are taught at the upper-division level.

Certificate of Achievement

Students who complete the CSU General Education Breadth certification pattern of courses are eligible to receive a Certificate of Achievement in CSU General Education. These courses, which satisfy lower-division general education requirements to any CSU campus, are listed on Plan B. This program may not be appropriate for some majors at some CSU campuses. Students should consult with a MiraCosta College counselor to develop an appropriate educational plan.

Plan C. IGETC for CSU and UC

Certification

Prior to transfer from MiraCosta, students can request certification of the IGETC pattern. Certification ensures students will not be asked to complete additional lower-division general education courses after they transfer. The following rules apply to IGETC Certification:

• All courses must be completed with a "C" or better. A grade of "P" (Pass) is acceptable if it is equivalent to a grade of "C" or higher at the institution where the work was completed.
• Courses taken at another California community college will be applied to the subject areas in which they are listed at the institution where the work was completed.
• A course taken at a regionally accredited private institution will be placed in the subject area for which MiraCosta College or another community college has an equivalent course.
• Courses completed at foreign institutions are not acceptable for IGETC except for certification of language proficiency (Area 6).
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Partial IGETC Certification

Students who have completed all but two courses on the IGETC pattern may apply for partial certification. Each CSU/UC campus will inform students who submit partially certified IGETC of the specific timelines and courses needed to complete the IGETC after transfer. Once a student has transferred, it is the transfer institution's responsibility to verify that the missing IGETC course work has been completed. Students can request IGETC Certification from the MiraCosta Admissions and Records Office when they request transcripts be sent to their intended transfer institution.

Certificate of Achievement

Students who complete the IGETC certification pattern of courses are eligible to receive a Certificate of Achievement in IGETC. These courses satisfy lower-division general education requirements at California State University and University of California campuses. This program may not be appropriate for some majors. Students should consult with a MiraCosta College counselor to develop an appropriate educational plan.