GE 2026 Comprehensive Guide - Office of the Registrar - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Google Tag Manager Cal Poly Global Site Tag * Skip to Content * ? * Current Students * Prospective Students * Parents * Alumni my CalPoly login * Contact * * Office of the Registrar Cal Poly and Cal Poly Maritime Academy * Home Registrar Home CLOSE MENU * Plan Your Degree Tools and Resources * Upcoming Training Opportunities * Degree Flowcharts and Curriculum Sheets * Degree Planner * Degree Progress Report * Minors * Change your major * First Year at Cal Poly * Returning Former Students * Double Major * College Advising Centers * Courses-Term Typically Offered Academic Requirements * Catalog * Course Descriptions * GE 2026 Guide * US Cultural Pluralism (USCP) * Graduation Writing Requirement * The American Experience (D1) * Minimum GPA * Academic Residence Other Types of Credit * AP/IB/CLEP Credit * Transfer Credit * Study Abroad * Military Credit (DD214) * Credit By Examination Graduation * Graduation * Commencement * Diplomas CLOSE MENU * Register For Classes Registration Information * Enrollment Appointments * Newly Admitted First-Year Students * Newly Admitted Transfer Students * CSU Fully Online * Academic Progress Gauge * Tuition and Fees * Graduate Students * Leave of Absence * Withdrawal * Degree Planner How to Register * Registration Overview * How to Register with Schedule Builder * Student Center * Class Search * Degree Progress Report (DPR) Resources and Tools * AP/IB/CLEP Credit * Grades * Credit / No Credit Grading Information (CR/NC) * Transfer Credits * Repeating a Course * Special Topic Courses * Summer at Cal Poly * College Advising Centers CLOSE MENU * Student Records Student Records Overview * Transcripts * Grades * Transfer Credits * Dean’s List and Honors * Diplomas Enrollment * Enrollment Verification * Returning Students * Leave of Absence * Withdrawal * Academic Probation and Disqualification Records Resources * Student Privacy (FERPA) * Cheating and Plagiarism Veterans * Veteran Services CLOSE MENU * Forms Forms * Student Forms * Faculty Forms CLOSE MENU * Calendars Calendars * Current Academic Year * All Calendars Academic Year * 2024-2025 Summer through Spring * 2025-2026 Summer through Spring * 2026-2027 Summer through Summer * Calendar Guidelines Important Schedules * Enrollment Schedules * Planning Calendars * Final Exam Schedules CLOSE MENU * Faculty and Staff Curriculum * Courses-Term Typically Offered * Courses Approved for Online Delivery * Topic Courses * Curriculum Handbook * Updates to the Current Catalog * Articulation Academic Scheduling * CourseLeaf CLSS FAQ * Virtual Instruction * Academic Scheduling Overview * Approved Scheduling Time Patterns * Final Exam Schedule * University Lecture Rooms * Resources for Department Schedulers Event Scheduling * University Events: Master Calendar * Facilities and Event Request Form Resources * Upcoming Training Opportunities * Enrollment Monitoring * Summits and Open Forums * Training Guides * Academic Forms * FERPA * Academic Policies * Using Adobe Sign * Student Communications Calendar * Faculty and Staff Communications Calendar CLOSE MENU * Contact Contact Listing CLOSE MENU GE 2026 Comprehensive Guide Understanding Cal Poly’s New General Education Program General Education (GE) is changing at Cal Poly. This change, known as GE 2026 , simplifies Cal Poly’s GE requirements and creates a single consistent pattern for all Cal Poly students. GE 2026 begins in Fall 2026 with the 2026-28 catalog and will apply only to students following degree requirements for the 2026-28 or later catalogs.  You may stay on your current catalog (that is, continue to follow your same degree requirements) or switch to the 2026-2028 catalog, which also marks Cal Poly’s transition to the semester calendar. Whatever your choice, this website will help guide you during this transition period. If you plan to take GE classes during the 2025-26 academic year or in Summer 2026, whether at Cal Poly or elsewhere, you should carefully review the information below. Summary of the Significant Changes (Applying to Students Following the 2026-28 Catalog) * One unified GE pattern for all majors (there are two GE patterns on the 2022–26 and earlier catalogs).      * College of Engineering,   ARCE, and BRAE  will now take three Social Sciences courses (one more than before).     * All GE area letters and numbers are changing from letter-first to number-first * Example: GE A2 → GE 1A. * Requirements for each area remain the same; only the labels are different.  * Science lab requirement * Becomes a 1-unit course requirement (currently 0 units) * May be embedded in a 4-unit Lower-Division Physical or Life Science class or taken in conjunction with a 3-unit Lower-Division Physical or Life Science course. * Total of 7 semester units across these three Lower-Division science areas.    * Lower-Division Arts and Humanities * The elective requirement is being removed; only two courses will now be required at the Lower-Division level.  * There will be no prefix requirement for the two Lower-Division Arts and Humanities courses.    * Area E (Lifelong Learning and Self-Development) will no longer be required. * GE Electives  (8 units) currently required in the Standard Template will no longer be required.    * Total units required decreased from 72 quarter units (2022–2026 and earlier catalogs) to 43 semester units (2026–28 catalog and later). * All GE courses for 2026-2028 catalog can be found in the catalog We realize this transition can be confusing, so we have created several tools to explain how areas and requirements have changed. We’ll give you a GE area-by-area breakdown below. What You Will Need to Know To successfully navigate these upcoming GE changes effectively and select the right courses, it is essential to know which catalog year you are following.  HOW TO CHECK YOUR CATALOG YEAR: * Log in to your Cal Poly Portal. * Click the Academics tab. * Under Degree Information, you'll see your catalog year listed.   GE PATTERNS The New GE 2026 Pattern (PDF) If you want to compare the new GE 2026 pattern to the current GE patterns, the current patterns can be found below:  GE 2020: Standard Template (PDF) GE 2020 High-Unit Template (PDF)   GE AND YOUR MAJOR CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS  Because almost all Cal Poly majors specify some GE requirements (specific courses) within major and/or support requirements, you should review how the changes to GE map onto your major curriculum. This is particularly important as the curriculum for many degree programs are being adjusted for the semester conversion in Fall 2026. To review how your degree requirements are changing on the new catalog, click on your program in the 2026-28 catalog . Once you have selected your program, you can click on the "Requirements" and "Flowcharts" tabs within your major.    UNDERSTANDING THE CHANGES TO GENERAL EDUCATION (GE) AREAS If you are a continuing student, it is important to know which GE pattern you are following. Click on the appropriate link below to review the GE Pattern Guidelines that apply to you:  * Staying on QUARTER Catalog: GE Pattern Guidelines    * For students completing GE requirements under the quarter GE pattern. * Switching to SEMESTER Catalog: GE Pattern Guidelines  * For students following the semester GE pattern.  These guidelines explain how semester courses apply to GE requirements and how GE areas align between the quarter and semester systems. Additional information is available in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section below.    CHANGES TO INDIVIDUAL GE AREAS: Area A Area A is now Area 1.  General Education categories are being renamed and renumbered, but their content remains the same. All students must complete 9 semester units of coursework in Area 1 with a grade of C- or higher.  The differences: * Area A1 becomes Area 1C (Oral Communication) * Area A2 becomes Area 1A (Written Communication)  * Area A3 becomes Area 1B (Critical Thinking) Area B The current Area B: Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning is being divided into two new areas :  * Area 2: Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning * 3 units must be completed with a grade of C- or higher. * Area 5: Physical and Life Sciences * 7 Lower-Division units must be completed in this area.  How Current Area B Subareas Map to GE 2026: Current area b subareas ge 2026 area Area B4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning Area 2 Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning Area B1  Physical Science  Area 5A Physical Science Area B2 Life Science Area 5B Life Sciences Area B3 Laboratory Activity  Area 5C Laboratory * In GE 2026, Area 5C is a 1-unit requirement that can be completed as part of a 4-unit Area 5A or 5B course, OR as a stand-alone Area 5C course. Upper-Division B Upper-Division 2/5 * This requirement can be met with either an Upper-Division Area 2 course or an Upper-Division Area 5 course. Only one Upper-Division 2/5 course is required. Area C Area C is now Area 3.   All students will complete 9 semester units in Area 3.    Lower-Division Requirements:  * On the 2020-21 through 2022-26 Cal Poly catalogs, students completed three Lower-Division courses, each with a different course prefix.  * C1: Arts, C2: Humanities, A third course in either Arts or Humanities * On GE 2026 , only two Lower-Division course are required:  * Area 3A: Arts & Area 3B: Humanities  * No prefix requirements applies in the GE 2026 pattern.    Upper-Division Requirements:  * Upper-Division C is now Upper-Division 3 .  * Student must complete one Upper-Division Arts or Humanities course .  Area D Area D is now Area 4. All students must complete 9 semester units (3 courses) in Area 4 with courses coming from at least two different course prefixes (e.g. three courses—each with a HIST prefix—cannot fulfill Area 4).  Area 4 requirements:  * Area 4A - American Institutions  * Formerly D1 * NOTE: American Institutions is a special requirement . If you plan to complete it anywhere but at Cal Poly, or if you have partial credit from AP or transfer credit, consult your college Advising Center, the Mustang Success Center, or the Evaluations Unit of the Office of the Registrar. * Area 4B * Formerly D2 * Upper-Division Area 4 * Formerly Upper-Division D Area E Area E will be discontinued in the GE 2026 pattern.   No Area E courses will be offered at Cal Poly as of fall 2026.  Continuing students who move to the 2026-28 catalog may count any previously completed Area E course as free elective units.  For more information, see also "If I choose to stay on my current Cal Poly catalog, what is happening to Area E?" below.  Area F Area F is now Area 6.   All students will complete 3 semester units of coursework in Area 6.  GE Area Electives The 8 units of GE Area Electives will no longer be required on the GE 2026 pattern.  For continuing students who partially or completely fulfilled the Area Electives and are moving to the 2026-28 Cal Poly catalog, the course or courses will count as free electives. However, the course or courses will only count as free electives if the course/courses only satisfies GE. In many instances, the GE Elective course is also required in major/support. If that is still the case on the 2026-28 catalog, then the course will continue to fulfill major/support as appropriate.    INDIVIDUAL GE COURSES A list of all GE courses, what GE areas they fulfill on the 2022-26 and prior catalogs, and what GE areas they fulfill on the 2026-28 catalog is listed below, organized alphabetically. Use this list to determine how completed and/or planned GE courses fulfill GE requirements on your catalog. GE credit will depend in some cases on when the class was completed, so be sure you navigate to the correct column. NOTE : You will always receive GE credit based on a course’s GE status at the time it was completed . Some courses will gain GE approval effective Fall 2026 ; others will lose their GE status effective Fall 2026 ; and some will change the GE area that they are approved for effective Fall 2026 . Cal Poly will honor previously earned GE credit for the area you need but cannot grant GE credit for courses not approved in that area when completed. INDIVIDUAL GE COURSES - LISTED ALPHABETICALLY If You Stay on Your Current Catalog (2022-26 or Earlier):     * Your GE requirements will not change .  * You must still complete all requirements with their existing stipulations:  * Three courses in Lower-Division Area C , each from a different course prefix * Three courses in Area D , from at least two different course prefixes * NOTE: if you are in the College of Engineering, ARCE, or BRAE, please see the FAQ on this topic in the FAQs below * GE Area E  (see FAQ below) * 8 units of GE Electives   in Areas B, C, and D  (standard template): select from two different areas (B, C, and D) * Course descriptions in the catalog and Schedule Builder descriptions will show both old and new GE designations so that you can make the right choices based on your catalog. You will continue selecting classes using the GE Area numbers you’re already familiar with on your curriculum display or Degree Progress Report (DPR). Be sure to pay attention to which catalog you are following and to the corresponding course descriptions for that catalog. * Example: if you still need to complete a B4 (Math/Stat) requirement, simply look for B4-approved classes in Schedule Builder—just as you do now. If I choose to stay on my current Cal Poly catalog, what is happening to Area E? If you choose to stay on your current Cal Poly catalog, you are strongly encouraged to complete your Area E requirement by summer 2026. As of fall 2026, no Area E courses will be offered . If you have not completed Area E before fall 2026, you will instead fulfill it by taking an additional Area 4B course in fall 2026 or any subsequent term.  To clarify: even if you have already completed an extra D2 course beyond what was required to satisfy your D2, you must take another 4B class in fall 2026 or after to fulfill Area E. There will be no exceptions to this policy.  Frequently Asked Questions Why are all the GE letters and numbers changing? The entire CSU system is realigning its GE letters and numbers. This effort has been mandated by the California legislature to streamline the pathway for transfer students and to have a uniform GE pattern throughout California.  I am a first-year student on the 2022-26 Cal Poly catalog. Should I switch to the 2026-28 catalog to follow the new GE pattern? You do not need to take any action.  All departments and majors have been consulted to determine the best catalog placement for students admitted in fall 2025 , taking into account both the semester conversion and the GE 2026 changes. Every major confirmed that the 2026-28 catalog is the best fit for the fall 2025 class .  As a result, the Office of the Registrar will automatically move all fall 2025 first-year students to the 2026-28 catalog with no paperwork required . You will see this catalog change reflected in your Student Center and Degree Progress Report on or shortly after August 17, 2026 .  If I am being moved to (or choose to move to) the 2026-28 Cal Poly catalog, what should I know when planning my winter 2026 and spring 2026 schedules? Do not take courses —at Cal Poly or elsewhere—to fulfill any of these GE area:  * Lower-Division Area C Elective (Arts and Humanities) * Area E * GE Electives (8 units on the standard template) These areas will not be part of the new GE 2026 pattern.  If you believe you should take courses in any of these areas because they also satisfy major or support requirements on your current Cal Poly catalog, please consult with an academic advisor before enrolling.  Who will follow the new GE 2026 pattern, and who will not? New Students Entering Cal Poly in Fall 2026 * All first-time first-year students entering Cal Poly in Fall 2026 will follow the new GE 2026 pattern.  * Transfer students entering in Fall 2026 will be placed on the Cal Poly catalog that provides the most benefit for their degree progress.  Students Who Entered Cal Poly in Fall 2025 * All first-time first-year students who entered Cal Poly in Fall 2025 will be switched to the 2026-28 Cal Poly catalog (which includes the GE 2026 pattern ).  * Some transfer students admitted in Fall 2025 may also be moved to the new catalog. * If you are a Fall 2025 transfer student, please speak with your advising center for more details.  Students Who Entered Cal Poly Prior to Fall 2025 * Students who c hoose to move to the 2026-28 Cal Poly catalog , or whose departments recommend they do so, will also follow the GE 2026 pattern .  Important Notes * The GE 2026 pattern reduces the number of GE requirements, which may benefit many students. * However, certain courses completed on the previous GE pattern will not apply to GE areas in the GE 2026 pattern. If you choose to move to the 2026-28 Cal Poly catalog, please be aware that GE courses you completed while following a previous Cal Poly catalog may not apply to GE areas in the GE 2026 pattern. These courses include: * Lower-Division Area C elective courses * Area E courses * Courses used to fulfill GE Electives (on the standard template) * On the GE 2026 pattern, these courses will instead count as free electives. In some cases, you may benefit more by remaining on your current catalog, especially considering the semester conversion of major curricula. I'm concerned about this new 7-unit requirement in Lower-Division Area 5. If I've already completed or started my Physical Science, Life Science, and Lab course requirements under the old