Certificate of Achievement

Certificates of Achievement require 16 or more units of degree-applicable coursework in an approved program. Certificates of Achievement are designed to convey evidence that defined levels of proficiency have been attained in career or technical areas. Certificates are established that are consistent with the mission of Southwestern College, meet a demonstrated need, are feasible, and adhere to all guidelines on student academic achievement. A certificate consisting of 8 or more units of degree-applicable coursework may be created and submitted to the Chancellor’s Office to be approved as a program leading to a certificate of achievement if the program symbolizes successful completion of patterns of learning experiences designed to develop certain capabilities that may be oriented to career or general education despite requiring fewer than 16 semester or 24 quarter units of degree-applicable credit coursework.

To qualify for a Certificate of Achievement, a student must do all of the following:

  • Complete all courses listed for a particular certificate;
  • Achieve a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in all courses required for that specific certificate;
  • Achieve a grade point average of “C” (2.0) for all courses attempted at Southwestern College that are required for that specific certificate;
  • File a petition for Certificate of Achievement; and
  • Satisfactorily complete at least one required course from the certificate program’s list of course requirements at Southwestern College.

Cal-GETC Certificate of Achievement

California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)

Transfer Preparation * (Major Code: 00075)

The California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) is the singular general education pathway for California Community College (CCC) students to fulfill lower-division general education requirements necessary for transfer and admission to both the California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC). 

The California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) is comprised of courses taught at California Community Colleges that satisfy specific areas of general education.  For the full list of courses under each area, visit (put link here).

A minimum “C” grade is required in each college course for Cal-GETC. A “C” is defined as a minimum of 2.0 grade points on a 4.0 scale. A “C-” grade valued at less than 2.0 grade points on a 4.0 scale cannot be used for Cal-GETC certification. Only full Cal-GETC Certification may be forwarded to the CSU or UC.

AREA 1 - ENGLISH COMMUNICATION (See footnotes for Area 1)9
Select three courses: one English Composition, one Critical Thinking and Composition, and one Oral Communication (9 semester or 12 quarter units).
1A: ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1, 2
1B: CRITICAL THINKING AND COMPOSITION 1, 2
1C: ORAL COMMUNICATION 1, 2, 3
AREA 2 - MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS AND QUANTITATIVE REASONING3
Select one course: 3 semester or 4 quarter unit
AREA 3 - ARTS AND HUMANITIES 6
Select two courses: one Arts and one Humanities (6 semester or 8 quarter units).
3A: ARTS
3B: HUMANITIES
AREA 4 - SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES6
Select two courses: two academic disciplines (6 semester or 8 quarter units).
AREA 5 - PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 7
Select two courses: one Physical Science and one Biological Science. One of the two courses must be associated with a one-semester or one-quarter unit laboratory (7 semester units or 9 quarter units).
5A: PHYSICAL SCIENCE
5B: BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE
5C: LABORATORY
AREA 6 – ETHNIC STUDIES3
Select one course (3 semester units or 4 quarter units). Area 6 shall not be waived or substituted.
OPTIONAL – CSU GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: U.S. HISTORY, CONSTITUTION & AMERICAN IDEALS
This area not part of Cal-GETC Certification and may be completed prior to transfer. (6 semester or 8 quarter units)
OPTIONAL – UC GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH
This area is not part of Cal-GETC Certification and may be completed prior to transfer. Proficiency equivalent to two years of high school study in the same language with a minimum grade of “C” or better.
1

Courses in Area 1 (Area 1A: English Composition, Area 1B: Critical Thinking and Composition, and Area 1C: Oral Communication) must be taught and delivered in the English language.

2

External Exams:  International Baccalaureate (IB) score is not accepted for Area 1A: English Composition.  Advance Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) scores are not accepted for Area 1B: Critical Thinking and Area 1C: Composition & Oral Communication.  CLEP is not accepted for Cal-GETC. 

3

Area 1C: Oral Communication:  Communication courses must be approved in this area effective fall 2025.  Reference assist.org for a selection of approved Area 1C courses. Consult with an academic counselor for official guidance.