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General Education Requirements

Muir general education requirements help you develop academic skills that address broad skills for learning and academic achievement, as defined by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). You can review our Learning Objectives on our Inventory of Educational Effectiveness Indicators. For more information, see the Muir Academic Advising Syllabus.

In order to graduate, students must complete all major, college, and university requirements. See your Muir college requirements based on your admission status:

General Education Requirements for First Years (Admitted FALL 2021 and Later).

Muir Writing

Muir College Writing Program (2 courses, 8 units)

  • MCWP 40 
  • MCWP 50

MCWP courses must be taken for a letter grade.

First-pass enrollment priority will be given to first year students during their first six quarters at UCSD. Beyond that, you will only be eligible to enroll during the second-pass enrollment period. 

Area I: Math or Natural Sciences

Choose 3 courses from one of the following themes. You cannot mix and match themes. (3 courses, 12 units)

  1. Math and statistics: CSE 4GS; COGS 14A, 14B; HDS 60; MATH 3C, 4C, 10A, 10B, 10C, 11, 18, 20A, 20B, 20C, 31AH, 31BH, 31CH; POLI 30/30D; PSYC 60, 70; SOCI 60
  2. Computing and logic: COGS 3, 8, 9, 18; CSE 3, 5A, 8A, 8B, 11, 12; CSS 1, 2; ECE 15; LIGN 6, 17; MAE 5, 8; PHIL 10, 12
  3. Biological Sciences: ANTH 2 (or ANTH 102*), 43; BILD 1, 2, 3, 10, 12, 18, 20, 22, 26, 30, 32, 36, 38, 42, 44, 46, 60; COGS 17
  4. Chemistry, Physics, and the Environment: CHEM 4, 6A/6AH, 6B/6BH, 6C/6CH, 10, 11, 12, 13; ENVR 30, 105, 110, 120, 140, 142GS; PHYS 1A+AL, 1B + 1BL, 1C+CL, 2A, 2B, 2C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13; SIO 1, 3,  10, 10GS, 12, 15, 16, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 45GS, 46GS
*Indicates cross-listed courses.  Students may choose either course, but may not receive credit for both.

Area II: Social Sciences

Choose 3 courses from one of the following themes. You cannot mix and match themes. (3 courses, 12 units)

  1. Culture, Society and Social Justice: AAS 10; ANTH 1 (or ANTH 103*), ANTH 3 (or ANTH 101*), 21, 23, 105; CGS 2A, 2B, 105, 112 (or ETHN 127*); EDS 25; ETHN 1, 2, 3, 20; SOCI 1, 2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50
  2. Language and Communication: COMM 10; DSGN 1; LIGN 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 9GS, 101, 105, 108, 149GS, 175, 176, 177, 178; MGT 18
  3. Mind and Cognition: COGS 1, 2, 10, 11; HDS 1; PSYC 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
  4. Government and Economics: ECON 1, 2, 3, 138; POLI 10/10D, 11/11D, 12/12D, 13/13D; USP 1, 2, 3, 5, 15, 25
*Indicates cross-listed courses.  Students may choose either course, but may not receive credit for both.

Area III: Fine Arts, Humanities, or a Language other than English (Must choose TWO)

Fine Arts (3 courses, 12 units)

If you choose fine arts as one of your two topics, choose 3 courses from one of the following themes. You cannot mix and match themes. 

  1. Music: MUS 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 4, 5, 6, 7 8, 8GS, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 (if taken for 4 units), 19, 20, 126, 127, 150
  2. Theatre and Dance: TDAC 1; TDDE 1; TDDM 1, 5; TDGE 1 ,3, 5, 10, 11, 12, 25, 127, 131 (or ETHN 163F*); TDPW 1; TDTR 10, 15, 20; TDHD 20, 21; TDHT 21, 22, 23; TDHT 103, 107, 109, 110 (or ETHN 132*), TDHT 111 (or ETHN 133*), TDHT 120 (or ETHN 163G*), TDMV 2, 20
  3. Visual Arts: USP 6; VIS 1, 2, 3, 11, 20, 21A, 21B, 22, 30, 40, 41, 60, 70N, 84
*Indicates cross-listed courses.  Students may choose either course, but may not receive credit for both.

 

Humanities (3 courses, 12 units)

If you choose humanities as one of your two topics, choose 3 courses from one of the following themes. You cannot mix and match themes. 

  1. Historical Narratives: GSS 20; HILD 2A, 2B, 2C, 7A, 7B, 7C, 10, 11, 12, 14, 20, 30, 40, 41, 42, 43, 50; HIUS 103 (or ETHN 103A*), HIUS 108A (or ETHN 112A*), HIUS 108B (or ETHN 112B*), HIUS 112, HIUS 113 (or ETHN 154*), HIUS 125 (or ETHN 163J*), HIUS 125GS, HIUS 128, HIUS 136 (or ETHN 153*), HIUS 157, HIUS 158 (or ETHN 130*), HIUS 159 (or ETHN 131*), HIUS 180 (or ETHN 134*); LATI 10, 50
    *Students with AP US History credit may choose ONE course from Historical Narratives to satisfy a Humanities GE theme. 
  2. Literary Narratives: AWP 10; GSS 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 132; LTCS 50, 119 (or CGS 119*); LTEN 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 171, 178 (or ETHN 168*), 181, 185; LTWL 19A, 19B, 19C; LTWR 8A, 8B, 8C; TDHT 10
  3. Philosophical Perspectives: MGT 16; PHIL 1, 13, 14, 15, 25 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 35, 155, 156, 165, 170
*Indicates cross-listed courses.  Students may choose either course, but may not receive credit for both.

 

Language other than English (3 courses, 12+ units)

If you choose a language other than English as one of your two topics, choose 3 courses from one of the following languages. You cannot mix and match languages. Proficiency or fluency in a language other than English cannot clear this general education requirement. 

  1. American Sign Language:  LISL 1A+1AX, 1B+1BX, 1C+1CX, 1D+1DX
  2. Arabic: LIAB 1A+1AX, 1B+1BX, 1C+1CX
  3. Arabic (for Arabic speakers): LIHL 16, 116F, 116W, 116P, 136F, 136W, 136P
  4. Chinese (Mandarin): CHIN 10A, 10B, 10C, 20A, 20B, 20C, 100A, 100B, 100C, 165A, 165B, 165C, 169A, 169B, 182A, 182B, 182C, 185A, 185B, 185C
    *Placement interview required. See Chinese Studies Department website for placement information, heritage speakers tracks or course availability.
  5. Filipino (for Filipino speakers): LIHL 112F, 112W, 112P, 132F, 132W, 132P
  6. French: LIFR 1A+1AX, 1B+1BX, 1C+1CX, 1D+1DX; LTFR 2A, 2B, 2C, 50
  7. German: LIGM 1A+1AX, 1B+1BX, 1C+1CX, 1D+1DX; LTGM 2A, 2B, 2C, 50
  8. Greek (Ancient): LTGK 1, 2, 3
  9. Hebrew: JWSP 1, 2, 3
  10. Hindi: LIHI 1A+1AX, 1B+1BX, 1C+CX, 1D+1DX
  11. Hindi (for Hindi speakers): LIHL 119F, 119W, 119P, 139F, 139W, 139P
  12. Italian: LIIT 1A+1AX, 1B+1BX, 1C+1CX, 1D+1DX; LTIT 2A, 2B, 2C, 50
  13. Japanese: JAPN 10A, 10B, 10C, 20A, 20B, 20C, 130A, 130B, 130C, 140A, 140B, 140C, 150A, 150B, 150C
  14. Korean: LTKO 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, or 2C
  15. Korean( for Korean speakers): LIHL 115F, 115W, 115P, 135F, 135W, 135P
  16. Latin: LTLA 1, 2, 3, 100
  17. Persian (for Persian speakers): LIHL 17, 117F, 117W, 117P, 137F, 137W, 137P
  18. Portuguese: LIPO 1A+1AX, 1B+BX, 1C+1CX
  19. Russian: LTRU 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, or 2C
  20. Spanish: LISP 1A+1AX (or LISP 5A*), 1B+1BX (or LISP 5B*), 1C+1CX (or LISP 5C*), 1D+1DX (or LISP 5D*), 15, 16, 17, 18; LTSP 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 100A, 100B. 
  21. Vietnamese (for Vietnamese speakers) : LIHL 114F, 114W, 114P, 134F, 134W, 134P

Most language courses are offered in a year-long sequence that begins in Fall quarter. Please see the Linguistics Language Program for details on course availability and placement.


General Education Requirements for First Years (Admitted FALL 2020 and Earlier)

Muir Writing

Muir College Writing Program (2 courses, 8 units)

  • MCWP 40 
  • MCWP 50 

MCWP courses must be taken for a letter grade.  

First-pass enrollment priority will be given to first year students during their first six quarters at UCSD. Beyond that, you will only be eligible to enroll during the second-pass enrollment period.

Area I: Math or Natural Sciences

Choose from one of the following options. You cannot mix and match. (3 courses, 12+ units).

  1. Choose 3 from BILD 7, 10, 12, 20, 22, 24, or 26
  2. BILD 10 or ENVR 30 | CHEM 4 or 11 | PHYS 8 or 10
  3. CHEM 6A or 6AH, CHEM 6B or 6BH, CHEM 6C or 6CH
  4. CHEM 11, 12, 13
  5. ENVR 30 | Choose 2 from BILD 18, PHYS 12, SIO 25 or ENVR 140
  6. MATH 10A or 20A; MATH 10B or 20B; MATH 10C or 20C or 11
  7. PHYS 1A+1AL; PHYS 1B + 1BL; PHYS 1C + 1CL
  8. PHYS 2A, 2B, 2C
  9. PHYS 4A, 4B, 4C
  10. Choose 3 courses from PHYS 5, 7, 9, 13
  11. Choose 3 from PHYS 8, 10, 11 or 12
  12. Choose 3 from SIO 1, 10, 20 or 30

Area II: Social Sciences

Choose from one of the following options. You cannot mix and match. (3 courses, 12+ units)

  1. ANTH 1, 21, 23, or 103 | ANTH 2 or 102 | ANTH 3 or 101 
  2. COGS 1 | Choose 2 courses from COGS 10, 11, 17, or DSGN 1
  3. CGS 2A | CGS 2B | CGS 101, 103, 105, 106, 112, or 114
  4. ECON 1, 2, 3
  5. ETHN 1, 2, 3
  6. Choose 3 from LIGN 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 17
  7. Choose 3 from POLI 10/10D; 11/11D; 12/12D; or 13/13D
  8. Choose 3 from PSYC 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, or 7
  9. Choose 3 from AAS 10, COMM 10, ETHN 20 or MGT 18
  10. SOCI 1 | SOCI 2 | SOCI 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50
  11. USP 1, 2, 3

Area III: Fine Arts, Humanities, or Foreign Language (Must choose TWO)

Fine Arts (3 courses, 12 units): Choose from one of the following options. You cannot mix and match.

  1. MUS 1A, 1B, 1C
  2. MUS 2A, 2B, 2C
  3. MUS 4 | Choose 2 from MUS 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18 (if taken for 4 units)
  4. MUS 126 | MUS 127 (taken twice for two different topics)
  5. TDGE 1 | Choose 2 from TDAC 1, TDDE 1, TDPW 1, or TDGE 3, 5, 10, or 11
  6. Choose 3 from TDHT 10, 21, 22 or 23
  7. VIS 11 | Choose two from VIS 1, 2, or 3
  8. Choose 3 from VIS 20, 21A, 21B, or 22
  9. VIS 22 | VIS 84 | VIS 151, 152D, 154, 156, 194S

Humanities (3 courses, 12 units): Choose from one of the following options. You cannot mix and match.

  1. HILD 2A, 2B, 2C; (AP US history and IB History of the Americas units only apply to this sequence.)
  2. HILD 7A, 7B, 7C
  3. HILD 10, 11, 12
  4. Choose 3 from LTEN 21, 22, 23, 25, or 26
  5. LTEN 27, 28, 29
  6. LTWL 19A, 19B, 19C
  7. LTWR 8A, 8B, 8C
  8. Choose 3 from PHIL 1, 13, 14, or 15
  9. Choose 3 from PHIL 10, 12, 15, 25, or 32
  10. Choose 3 from PHIL 13, 26, 27, 28, or 33
  11. PHIL 31, 32, 33
  12. Choose 3 from GSS 21, 22, 23 or 25

Foreign Language (3 courses, 12+ units): Choose from one of the following options. You cannot mix and match. Proficiency or fluency in a language other than English cannot clear this general education requirement.

  1. Choose 3 from CHIN 10A, 10B, 10C, 20A, 20B, 20C
  2. Choose 3 from JAPN 10A, 10B, 10C, 20A, 20B, 20C
  3. JWSP 1, 2, 3
  4. LIAB 1A+1AX, 1B+1BX, 1C+1CX
  5. Choose 3 from LIFR 1A+1AX, 1B+1BX, 1C+1CX, 1D+1DX; LTFR 2A, 2B, 2C, 50
  6. Choose 3 from LIGM 1A+1AX , 1B+1BX, 1C+1CX, 1D+1DX; LTGM 2A, 2B, 2C, 50
  7. Choose 3 from LIIT 1A+1AX , 1B+1BX, 1C+1CX, 1D+1DX; LTIT 2A, 2B, 2C, 50
  8. LIPO 1A+1AX, 1B+BX, 1C+1CX
  9. Choose 3 from LISL 1A+1AX, 1B+1BX, 1C+1CX, 1D+1DX
  10. Choose 3 from LISP 1A+1AX , 1B+1BX, 1C+1CX, 1D+1DX; LTSP 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 50
  11. LTGK 1, 2, 3
  12. Choose 3 from LTKO 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, or 2C
  13. LTLA 1, 2, 3
  14. Choose 3 from LTRU 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, or 2C
  15. 3 quarters of a heritage language

Most language courses are offered in a year-long sequence that begins in Fall quarter. Please see the Linguistics Language Program for details on course availability and placement.

General Education for Transfer Students

Muir College general education requirements will vary depending on your transfer agreement. Transfer agreements – including but not limited to IGETC and Partial-IGETC – apply exclusively to students admitted as transfers. They may not apply to students admitted as first-year students.

Please review the options below to learn more about how your transfer agreement affects your college requirements.

If you have IGETC

  • MCWP 40 and the Muir GE sequences are waived.
  • You must complete 1 upper-division writing course: MCWP 125.  We also accept the lower-division course, MCWP 50 to clear this requirement.
    • First-pass enrollment priority will be given to transfer students during their first three quarters at UCSD. Beyond that, you will only be eligible to enroll in MCWP courses during the second-pass enrollment period.

If you have Partial IGETC

  • MCWP 40 and the Muir GE sequences are waived.
  • You must complete the one or two classes that match your missing IGETC areas.
  • You must complete 1 upper-division writing course: MCWP 125*. We also accept the lower-division course, MCWP 50 to clear this requirement.
    • First-pass enrollment priority will be given to transfer students during their first three quarters at UCSD. Beyond that, you will only be eligible to enroll in MCWP courses during the second-pass enrollment period.
    • If you are missing IGETC Area 1B, you must complete both MCWP 40 and MCWP 50. If you need to take MCWP 40 and 50, you will have 6 quarters of enrollment priority.

If you have UC Reciprocity

UC Reciprocity verifies completion of all lower-division general education/breadth requirements at another UC prior to transferring to UCSD. To be verified for UC Reciprocity, an academic advisor from your UC must send a letter on official university/college letterhead to Muir College Academic Advising (muiradvising@ucsd.edu) to be reviewed and posted to your records.

  • The Muir GE sequences will be waived. 
  • You must complete the Muir College Writing Program requirement: MCWP 40 and/or MCWP 50.  
    • You may petition to use writing courses completed at other UC campuses to count toward one or more of the Muir College Writing Program courses required for graduation, but approval is not guaranteed.
    • Transfer students receive 3 quarters of enrollment priority for each required course. If you petition a course successfully, you will have 3 quarters of priority starting from your first enrolled quarter (even if you petition after your third quarter). If you need to take MCWP 40 and 50, you will have 6 quarters of enrollment priority.
    • For questions about enrollment, please contact the Muir College Writing Program through the Virtual Advising Center (VAC).

If you transferring without a certification

If you transferred from an academic institution without a certification, an academic advisor will review your transfer courses to determine which GE requirements you have fulfilled, as well as the courses still needed. It is very likely that you will need to petition some of your transfer courses for credit.

In addition to your remaining GE requirements, you will also need to complete the Muir College Writing Program. See Enrollment Information for Transfer Students.