California's A-G Requirements Explained: How to Stay on Track for UC and CSU

If your student wants to apply to a UC or CSU, there is one eligibility requirement that determines whether the application can even be submitted: the A-G requirements. Here is exactly what they are, how they work, and what to do if your student is behind.

What are the A-G requirements?

The A-G requirements are 15 year-long high school courses across seven subject areas that UC and CSU require applicants to complete. Each course must be taken at a school that has had its curriculum approved by the University of California, and each must be passed with a grade of C or better. That last part matters: a D does not count.

The letters a through g refer to the seven subject areas. This is why the requirements are called A-G.

The seven subject areas

The grade requirement that trips families up

This distinction matters because high school graduation requirements and A-G requirements are different systems. A student can earn enough credits to graduate without completing A-G. Many families do not learn this until 12th grade, when there is limited time to address the gap.

GPA requirements: UC vs. CSU

Completing A-G courses with a C or better establishes eligibility, but GPA determines competitiveness:

• UC: California residents need a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA in A-G courses to be eligible. UC calculates a weighted GPA that adds bonus points for approved honors, AP, and IB courses taken in 10th-12th grade (up to 8 semesters). Competitive campuses such as UCLA and UC Berkeley typically admit students with weighted GPAs well above 4.0.
• CSU: California residents need a minimum 2.0 GPA in A-G courses to be eligible. Most CSU campuses are more accessible than UC, and GPA requirements vary by campus and major. Some high-demand programs and campuses have significantly higher minimum GPAs in practice.

How to check A-G progress: CCGI

Every California public high school student has a free account on CaliforniaColleges.edu, the state's college and career planning platform operated by CCGI (California College Guidance Initiative). The Graduation Planner in CCGI shows:

• Which A-G areas have been completed
• Which courses are in progress and counting toward requirements
• Which gaps remain before graduation
• The student's current GPA as calculated for UC/CSU purposes

If your student does not have an active CCGI account, their school counselor can help activate it. CCGI pulls course data directly from many district student information systems, so the planner updates as grades are entered. It is the fastest way to get a current picture of where your student stands.

What if your student is off track?

Options depend on grade level and what the gap is:

• Retake the course. If a student earned a D in an A-G course, they can retake it. The higher grade replaces the lower grade in the UC/CSU GPA calculation.
• Summer school. Many districts offer summer courses for A-G credit. Courses must be UC-approved. Check the UC's A-G course list at hs-articulation.ucop.edu to verify before enrolling.
• Concurrent enrollment at a community college. Under AB 288, high school students can take community college courses that satisfy A-G requirements and earn college credit simultaneously. This is one of the most efficient ways to address a gap in 11th or 12th grade.
• Online A-G courses. UC approves some online course providers. Your school counselor or a college advisor can confirm which courses and providers are currently approved.

What if A-G cannot be completed before graduation?

Students who do not complete A-G are not eligible for UC or CSU first-year admission, but they have strong options. California Community Colleges have open enrollment and do not require A-G. Community college students can complete lower-division coursework and transfer to UC or CSU as juniors, often through the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) pathway, which guarantees CSU admission with junior standing. Many students reach UC through community college transfer as well, particularly through the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) programs at six UC campuses.

The community college pathway is not a lesser outcome. It is a different timeline, often with significantly lower cost in the first two years, and it leads to the same four-year degree. We work with students on both pathways.

Common A-G mistakes to avoid

• Assuming every high school class counts. Only UC-approved courses satisfy A-G. A course can be on the school schedule and on your transcript without being A-G approved. Check the school's UC-approved course list or verify on CCGI.
• Thinking a D is a pass. For A-G purposes, anything below a C does not count. A student can have a C+ average overall and still have an A-G gap if they got a D in one course.
• Waiting until senior year to check. Many A-G gaps are fixable in 10th or 11th grade and become very difficult to address in 12th. Start checking on CCGI no later than the beginning of 10th grade.
• Not taking enough math. Three years of math is the minimum. Most competitive UC programs expect four years, and STEM majors typically require or prefer students who have completed pre-calculus or calculus in high school.