American History and Institutions Requirements 

Berkeley students must enroll in an American History and Institutions course (usually more than one course) in order to graduate. This is not a transfer requirement but since these subjects also fulfill GE it is to your benefit to kill two birds with one stone. NOTE: Keep in mind this requirement is also in effect at at the other UCs.

You may fulfill American History and American Institutions in the following ways:

1. High School Course Work: Satisfy the portion of the area “History/Social Science (a)” requirement for freshman admission that consists of one year of U.S. history -or- one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government with letter grades of C or better.
2. SAT Exam: Pass SAT Subject Test in US history with a score of 550 or better.
3. Advanced Placement: (1) AP US History with a score of at least 3 covers both courses; AP US Government/Politics’ exam with a score of at least 3 fulfills only the American Institutions course.
4. International Baccalaureate Exam: IB Higher Level (IB-HL) History of the Americas exam with a score of 5 or higher.
5. Other College or University Course Work:  Prior to transfer, complete two pre-approved UC-transferable courses (one course for American History and another for American Institutions) of at least 3 semester or 4 quarter units, with at least a C grade or a Pass. CCC students may complete an approved equivalent to Berkeley’s HISTORY 7A or HISTORY 7B, as well as an approved equivalent to POL SCI 1. Use assist.org to find the matching courses.
6. Other UC Campus:  Passing any course or courses that satisfy the American History and Institutions requirements of that campus. If you only need American History, take an equivalent to HISTORY 7A or HISTORY 7B. If you need American Institutions, take the equivalent to POL SCI 1.

Use this guide to match courses. If you are planning on attending another UC and are not sure which course to take use the Berkeley guide.

Exemption for Non-immigrant Visa Status

Students with a current non-immigrant Visa Status (F is the most common) are exempt from this requirement once they complete 90.5 units,  assuming their visa status does not change prior to graduation.

For students with non-immigrant visa status who plan to apply for residency while at Berkeley, it is advisable to complete American History and Institutions to avoid a delay in graduation graduation should residency be approved before completing the final term.

Berkeley’s American Cultures Requirement 

This is a requirement needed for graduation only at Cal. Again, if you hope to attend Berkeley try to fit it into one of the IGETC/GE courses, so you won’t need to take it later. Basically it’s any ethnic course — such as, Asian-American film, Black History in America, American jazz, Latino culture in America — that includes an ethnic group in America. You can easily find this by looking up the IGETC courses at your CCC that fulfill Area 7 (ethnic). Keep it related to the U.S. If you are not at a CCC or are hoping to use a course from another institution, use the above as a guide.  You should also reach out to a Cal advisor for approval if unsure.

AM&I source: https://guide.berkeley.edu/undergraduate/colleges-schools/letters-science/american-history-institutions-requirement/

American Cultures history: https://americancultures.berkeley.edu/node/165