Welcome, students starting SFSU in Spring 2026!
Use this page to search for any GE requirement(s) that you have discovered during your orientation and/or advising session.
Note! If you are still looking for classes during the first two weeks of the semester, most classes can be enrolled in without requiring a permission number!
Look for classes that state "Permission # not required until 3rd wk of semester" under the "Class Attribute" column.
General Education Pattern Fall 2025-Spring 2026
This section is for students who began as First-Year Freshmen at SFSU in Fall 2025 or after.
All Area 1 requirements are highly recommended to be completed within your first year.
Area 2 Quantitative Reasoning (Math) depends on your Math Pathway (1, 2, 3, or 4) and your specific major.
* The Area 4 list above includes classes that also fulfill the "U.S. History" requirement. For a list of only U.S. History classes, use the list below.
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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.