Academic Counseling

General Education Patterns

General Education Patterns

There are four (4) different General Education (GE) patterns; the one you follow depends on the specifics of your long-term career and educational goals. The primary GE patterns available are described here. Picking the right pattern is an important decision that should be discussed with an Academic Counselor. The specifics of your degree goal, transfer institution (for those going on to a four-year university), and major will be important in making the right choice.

AS (non-transfer) Degree GE pattern (green sheet)

This pattern is designed for students seeking an Associate in Science degree from Cabrillo. Most often, this pattern is followed by students in occupational programs (horticulture, culinary arts, early childhood education, etc.)

AA (non-transfer) Degree GE pattern (blue sheet)

This pattern is designed for students seeking an Associate in Arts degree from Cabrillo. Most often, this pattern is followed by students seeking a broad-based associate degree (liberal arts and sciences, history, anthropology, etc.), whose immediate goal does not include transfer to a four-year university.

CSU GE pattern (yellow sheet)

This pattern is designed for students planning on transfer to colleges in the California State University (CSU) system. Students seeking a BA/BS degree in high unit majors (biology, engineering, etc.) should meet with a counselor to discuss the need to include courses required by your major in your education plan. This GE pattern can be used to get an AA degree, or in some cases an AS degree as well as the AD-Ts.

IGETC GE pattern (lavender sheet)

This pattern is designed for students planning on transfer to colleges in either the University of California (UC) system or to colleges in the California State University (CSU) system. Students seeking a BA/BS degree in high unit majors (biology, engineering, etc.) should meet with a counselor to discuss the need to include courses required by your major in your education plan. This GE pattern can be used to get an AA degree, or in some cases an AS degree as well as the AD-Ts.

My counselor makes everything so bright! She explains everything in a way that makes sense to me.
-Rosana P., current student
Connect with a Counselor