General Education Patterns

What is the importance of General Education (GE)? 


GE Certification is not an admissions requirement to the university. However, getting your GE certified can save you from taking several more GE courses at the university.

GE certification means that Cerritos College tells your university that you do not need to take any more lower-division general education courses at their university. You may still transfer without your certification. However, you cannot graduate from your university after you transfer without the completion of lower-division general education courses. In some cases, the university may not allow you to come back to Cerritos College to get certified after you have started coursework at their university.

Students normally apply for certification during their last semester at Cerritos College . Students who want Plan C (IGETC) certification must meet with a counselor and must process the paperwork prior to transferring to the university. Students who have taken any GE courses at other schools must meet with an Cerritos College counselor for certification.

View GE for students Who begin fall 2025 & beyond

Students who begin their academic journey in Fall 2025 or would like to follow the newest general education patterns

View GE for students who began before fall 2025

Students who have been continuously enrolled prior to Fall 2025 (including starting in summer 2025) may continue to follow previous general education patterns.