The University of California Office of the President (UCOP) has announced a change that impacts Long Beach City College (LBCC) students planning to transfer to a UC campus. 

Philosophy 11 (PHIL 11)—listed under Plan C, IGETC (and later LBCC Cal-GETC)—is no longer approved for the “UC-E” designation. As a result, it cannot be used to satisfy the second English Composition requirement for UC transfer. LBCC appealed this decision multiple times, but UCOP has confirmed its decision.  

If you completed PHIL 11 to meet the second English Composition requirement for UC transfer, you’ll need to take an alternative course. Please meet with a counselor as soon as possible to review your options and stay on track for UC transfer. 

Q&A 

My goal is to transfer to a UC school, will PHILL 11 meet admission criteria? 

PHIL 11 is transferable to the UC system and will count towards meeting the minimum 60 units required for UC transfer, but it does not satisfy the IGETC Area 1B (Critical Thinking) requirement, which is necessary for UC admission. 

What other courses can I take for UC admissions if I already completed PHIL 11?  

You can consider taking one of the following courses: 

• ENGL 3, 3H, 4, or 4H 
• HIST 47 
• READ 84 

I took PHILL 11 and I’m transferring to a CSU. Do I need to do anything?  

If you passed PHIL 11 with a grade of “C” or better, you’ve met the CSU Critical Thinking requirement. Be sure and continue working with a counselor to track your progress and update your Educational Plan as needed.  Please see a counselor if you later decide to attend a UC school. 

I was told by a counselor, and the IGETC GE Sheet indicates that PHIL 11 meets the Critical Thinking UC admissions requirement.  What has changed?  

PHIL 11 will help you earn your LBCC Transfer degree, and is noted on LBCC Plan C, IGETC General Education Curriculum, but the University of California has decided that they will not accept the course for meeting the UC Critical Thinking admissions requirement, which is why we are notifying students now.  

I paid for the PHIL 11 course without financial aid, can I get a refund?  

Unfortunately, completed courses at LBCC are not eligible for a refund. Refunds are only available if you officially drop the course before the census date.  

I’m planning to transfer to a UC. Why does my LBCC Degree Planner state that Critical Thinking is met with the PHIL 11 course?  

PHIL 11 is approved to meet the Critical Thinking requirement for your LBCC degree and counts toward the Critical Thinking requirement for CSU transfer, which is why it appears in your LBCC Degree Planner and is functioning correctly for degree tracking purposes. However, for University of California (UC) admissions, PHIL 11 does not meet the IGETC Area 1B (Critical Thinking) requirement.  

Who can I contact if I have additional questions?  

Contact the  LBCC Completions Counseling, Counseling, or the Transfer Center.