American Institutions

As mandated by Title 5 and explained in CSU Executive Order 1060, the US History component of the American Institutions requirement may be met either by examination (AP, CLEP, or SF State competency exam) or by taking a course meeting the following content requirements and their corresponding student learning outcomes. All courses approved for the US History requirement must cover:

• significant events occurring in the entire area now included in the United States of America during a period of “a minimum time-space of approximately 100 years,” including the relationships among regions within that area and with external regions and states;
• the role of major ethnic and social groups in such events and the contexts in which the events have occurred, with attention to the multiple heritages of US culture, including Native American peoples and cultures;
• the events presented within a framework which illustrates the continuity of American experience and its derivation from other cultures including consideration of three or more of the following: politics, economics, social movements, and geography; and
• basic American values and ideals, including freedom; equality of opportunity, equality before the law, equality of moral regard for each other; and social fairness.

American Institutions Requirement

The California State University (CSU) system requires that all graduates demonstrate an understanding of the historical development of American institutions and ideals, the Constitution of the United States, the operation of representative democratic government under that Constitution, and the processes of California's state and local governments. Because this is a competency requirement, it may be satisfied by passing examinations, by taking courses, or by a combination of examinations and courses. In unusual circumstances, students may be able to demonstrate competency in other ways as well.

Transfer students from other California institutions may complete the U.S. History and Government Requirement prior to transfer. Public colleges and universities in California typically cover the entire requirement, often called American Institutions, in two courses in the same way as SF State. However, transfer students from colleges and universities outside of California or from private institutions within California or students who have AP or CLEP credit in U.S. government usually have not studied California government and will therefore need either to pass the California state and local government examination (see below) or to take a course to complete the California State and Local Government component of the U.S. History and Government requirement. Students should consult their Degree Progress Report (DPR) or their Advanced Standing Evaluation (ASE) to verify completion of the entire requirement.

Satisfying the U.S. History and Government Requirement by Examination

Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations

A score of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement examination in U.S. history will satisfy the U.S. History requirement. Students who have achieved a score of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement examination in U.S. Government and Politics will satisfy the U.S. government component of the requirement. For more information, go to the College Board website. Satisfactory completion of AP examinations also carries college credit. See Advanced Placement Test Scores page. No AP examination will satisfy the requirement in California state and local government.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Examinations

A passing score (50) on the CLEP exam in either U.S. History I or U.S. History II will satisfy the U.S. History requirement. A passing score (50) on the CLEP exam in American Government will satisfy the U.S. government component of this requirement. For more information, go to the College Board website. Satisfactory completion of CLEP examinations will also carry college credit. See College-level Examination Program Test Scores page. No CLEP examination will satisfy the requirement in California state and local government.

Satisfying the U.S. History and Government Requirement by Taking Courses

Students who begin at SF State as first-time college students will satisfy US History by completing Area D2 of the General Education program. Transfer students who have not completed these requirements prior to admission can see the list of courses below that satisfy this requirement. Please note, multiple classes fulfill both the upper-division GE requirement and American Institution Requirements. Transfer students who need to fulfill ONLY the California Government component of the requirement may take a course from the CSLG list below.

U.S. History Requirement Courses (USH)

U.S. and California Government (USG and CSLG)

California State and Local Government Requirement (CSLG)

This course satisfies ONLY the California State and Local Government component of the U.S. History and Government requirement. Students whose degree progress report indicates that they have not met this component of the requirement should either take a US and California Government course from the list above, the examination in state and local government or the following course to fulfill the California State and Local Government component of this requirement.

Undergraduate Education continues in General Education Lower Division.

Visit our General Education Table of Contents or review the Overview of General Education from the beginning of Undergraduate Education.