## Key Sections for Degree Planning The catalog is organized into several sections. To plan your degree effectively, focus on the following key areas: ### Academic Programs and Major Requirements Every major, minor, and credential program offered at CSUF has a dedicated section in the catalog. This page outlines the specific units required to complete the program. It lists core courses that all students in the major must take, as well as elective options. Pay close attention to any minimum grade requirements (such as earning a C or better in specific foundational classes) and the total number of upper-division units required. ### General Education (GE) Requirements All undergraduate students at CSUF must complete a set of General Education requirements. The catalog details the GE pattern, which is divided into different areas such as communication skills, scientific inquiry, arts and humanities, and social sciences. The catalog lists the specific courses approved to satisfy each of these areas.

### Course Descriptions and Prerequisites The course description section provides details for every class offered at the university. When planning your schedule, look up the course descriptions to identify: * **Prerequisites:** Courses you must successfully complete before enrolling in the class. * **Corequisites:** Courses you must take at the same time. * **Unit Value:** The number of academic units the class provides. * **Terms Offered:** Some courses are only offered in the fall or spring semesters. Noting this helps prevent scheduling delays. ## Step-by-Step Guide to Planning Your Degree Follow these steps to build a multi-semester academic plan using the catalog: ### 1. Confirm Your Catalog Year Verify your catalog year through your student portal or by speaking with an academic advisor. This ensures you are following the correct set of graduation requirements.

### 2. Outline Your Major and GE Requirements Create a worksheet or spreadsheet. List all the required courses for your major alongside the required GE categories. Look for opportunities where a single course might satisfy both a major requirement and a GE requirement, often referred to as "double-counting." ### 3. Map Out Course Sequences Identify any course chains where one class is a prerequisite for another. For example, if you must take Course A before Course B, and Course B before Course C, you must schedule these across three consecutive semesters. Map these critical paths first. ### 4. Draft a Multi-Year Plan Distribute your remaining major requirements, GEs, and free electives across your planned semesters. Ensure your term unit loads are balanced and align with your target graduation date. Most undergraduate degrees at CSUF require a minimum of 120 semester units. ## Using the Catalog with the Titan Degree Audit (TDA)

While the course catalog outlines the requirements, the Titan Degree Audit (TDA) is the tool that tracks your individual progress. The TDA is an advising document available through your student portal that compares your completed and in-progress coursework against the requirements of your catalog year. Use the catalog to plan your future courses, and regularly generate a TDA to verify that those courses will apply to your degree as expected. If you notice discrepancies between your plan and your TDA, consult an academic advisor. ## Verifying Your Plan and Seeking Help Because academic requirements and course offerings can change, you should not rely solely on your own planning. * **Consult Academic Advisors:** Meet regularly with major advisors and university GE advisors to review your plan. * **Check the Class Schedule:** The catalog lists all approved courses, but not all courses are offered every semester. Cross-reference your plan with the active class schedule for the upcoming term. * **Verify Exceptions:** Any deviations from the catalog requirements, such as course substitutions, must be officially approved and documented by your department.