What is GE Certification?

General Education (GE) Certification is the process by which COS verifies you have completed the lower-division GE requirements for transfer:

• CSU GE Breadth – accepted by California State University (CSU) campuses
  
• IGETC – accepted by most University of California (UC) campuses and California State University (CSU) campuses
  
• Cal-GGETC – accepted by most University of California (UC) campuses and California State University (CSU) campuses 
  

Requesting GE Certification

You may request GE Certification when you’ve been accepted or enrolled at your transfer university, or during your final semester at COS if you plan to transfer right away. Certification requests are processed through COS Admissions & Records after verification by a counselor.

Before you request certification, make sure:

• All official transcripts from every college attended are on file with COS Admissions & Records
• All AP/IB/CLEP score reports are submitted (if used for GE)
• You have met with a COS Counselor to confirm completion (including any pass-along units)
• If clearing IGETC Area 6 (LOTE) or Cal-GETC LOTE with high school coursework, your official HS transcript must be on file
• Students who do not have high school coursework, college coursework, or approved examinations to clear the language equivalent to two years/second level of high school instructions can use this form: COS LOTE Certification (fillable).pdf
• The Articulation Officer has the final determination of coursework and/or external exams applied to GE certification.
• As a courtesy, the Admission & Records, upon your request, will mail or deliver proof of certification to your transfer university free of charge.​
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