American History and Institutions Requirement
Other Pages In General University Requirements
The American History and Institutions requirement is based on the principle that American students enrolled at an American university should have some knowledge of the history and government of their country. Students may meet this requirement in any one of the following ways:
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by achieving a score of 3 or higher on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in American History or American Government and Politics; or
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by passing a non-credit examination in American history or American institutions, offered in the Department of History during the first week of each quarter. Consult the department for further information; or
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by achieving a score of 650 or higher on the SAT: Subject Test in American History; or
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by completing one four-unit course from the approved list (see below).
Courses used to fulfill the American History and Institutions requirement may also be applied to General Education or major requirements, or both where appropriate. Equivalent courses taken at other accredited colleges or universities, in UC Extension, or in summer session may be acceptable. Students who transfer to UCSB from another campus of the University of California where the American History and Institutions Requirement has been considered satisfied will automatically fulfill the requirement at UCSB.
International students on a nonimmigrant visa may petition for a waiver of this requirement and should contact their respective college (L&S, CCS, or COE) in order to initiate the waiver petition.
Courses applicable to the American History and Institutions requirement are listed here: