Understanding Academic Programs/Majors

The list that you see in the New Majors dropdown menu presents every certificate and degree you can earn at Cabrillo College. These are known as Academic Programs or Majors.

What does CSU and IGETC mean in the title of many of the programs?

Those terms refer to the general education pattern required for that specific degree:

CSU (California State University): The GE pattern accepted by colleges in the California State University (CSU) system. If your goal is to transfer to a college in the CSU system, you should pick a program that uses the CSU GE pattern.

IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum): The GE pattern accepted by colleges in both the CSU and UC (University of California) systems. If your goal is to transfer to a college in the UC system, or you are not sure if you are headed toward UC or CSU, you should pick a program that uses the IGETC pattern.

What are the AA-T and AS-T degrees?

The Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or the Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. Students completing these degrees are guaranteed admission tot the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major.

What are the differences between all of these AA and AS degrees?

AA Degree-CSU: An AA degree using the CSU GE pattern.

AS Degree-CSU: An AS degree using the CSU GE pattern.

AA-T Degree-CSU: An Associate in Arts for Transfer degree using the CSU GE pattern.

AS-T Degree-CSU: An Associate in Science for Transfer degree using the CSU GE pattern.

AA Degree-IGETC: An AA degree using the IGETC GE pattern.

AS Degree-IGETC: An AS degree using the IGETC GE pattern.

AA-T Degree-IGETC: An Associate in Arts for Transfer degree using the IGETC GE pattern.

AS-T Degree-IGETC: An Associate in Science for Transfer degree using the IGETC GE pattern.

AA Degree-Non Transferable: An AA degree using the 30-unit “non-transfer” GE pattern. These degrees do not build into them the courses needed to meet university admission requirements.

AS Degree-Non Transferable: An As degree using the 21-unit “non-transfer” GE pattern. These degrees do not build into them the courses needed to meet university admission requirements.

What are the certificate programs?

Skills Certificate: Skills Certificates are awarded to students who acquire a set of career-relevant skills through the completion of one or more specified courses. These are typically low-unit programs (fewer than 18 units).

Certificate of Achievement: Certificates of Achievement provide an opportunity to pursue a concentrated course of study in a particular career area. These programs typically require more that 18 units, and often require and English composition course.

If my goal is to transfer to a university to earn a bachelor’s degree, but I am not sure of my major or transfer school, which Academic Program should I select?

Liberal Arts AA Interdisciplinary Studies-IGETC

What if I know my major and that I will be transferring to a CSU?

Cabrillo’s academic departments present model programs in the college catalog. If your program/major is listed, then use the catalog model program, www.assist.org, and consultation with a counselor as a guide in selecting courses for your major. Also, the program/major that you select should end in CSU. For example, if you are seeking a BA degree in communications, then your program/major would be: COMM-Communications Studies AA Degree-CSU.

What if I know my major and that I will be transferring to a UC?

Cabrillo’s academic departments present model programs in the college catalog. If your program/major is listed, then use the catalog model program, www.assist.org, and consultation with a counselor as a guide in selecting courses for your major. Also, the program/major that you select should end in IGETC. For example, if you are seeking a BA degree in communications, then your program/major would be: COMM-Communications Studies AA Degree-IGETC.