Open GE Courses (by GE Area):
Note! During the first two weeks of the semester, most classes can be enrolled into WITHOUT a permission number!
Look for classes that state "Permission # not required until 3rd wk of semester" under the "Class Attribute" column.
GE Area 1A
English Composition
GE Area 1B
Critical Thinking
AAS110, PHIL 110, RRS 110
GE Area 1C
Oral Communication
AAS 101, AFRS 120, ENG 210
GE Area 2
Calc-based Majors
GE Area 2
Statistics-based majors
GE Area 2
Business Majors
GE Area 3
Arts & Humanities
#ETHS 120 is reserved for METRO students
GE Area 4
Social Sciences
**ETHS 221 is reserved for METRO students
***ETHS 241 is reserved for METRO students
GE Area 5
Phys/Bio Sciences
GE Area 6
Ethnic Studies
American Institutions
##RRS 250 (Sections 1 & 2) are reserved for METRO students
To get to these lists manually, refer to the online Class Schedule "Advanced Search" function and look for particular GE areas under "Course Attributes"—there are a LOT of open classes still available!
See instructions below...
Go to the online Class Schedule page:
SFSU Home > "Quick Links" tab > "Class Schedule" menu option
Use the "Advanced Search" option—select the following settings:
- For "Term", select "Fall 2025"
- For "Seat Availability" Select "Classes with seats available"
Select Course Attribute - select your option
Skip down to "Course Attribute"—you can choose up to TWO attributes for your search criteria:
- Based on your preferences, you might also want to select "In-Person" classes or one of our online options
Choose the GE Area category to find open classes within that requirement area:
Here are the lower division GE areas appropriate for your first two years:
- Area A - English language Communication and Critical Thinking
- Area B - Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning
- Area C - Arts and Humanities
- Area D - Social Sciences
Area E - Lifelong Learning & Self-Development (Should be completed or waived.)- Area F - Ethnic Studies (A lower division course attribute can be used to identify just the lower division courses)
- US/CA Government - (A lower division course attribute can be used to identify just the lower division courses)
On the Search Results page:
- Find a course you are interested in
- Make sure that it fits your current class schedule
- Note the "Instruction Mode" (In-Person, Hybrid or Online options)
- You will need the "Class Number" to add each course into the "Shopping Cart" on your Student Center
Repeat until you are enrolled into 12-16 units! 15 units keeps you on track for 4 year graduation, but 12 units is full time.