If you're entering as a freshman, you have to complete general education coursework, consisting of Lower Division, Upper Division, and a Diversity Requirement. General Education requirements consist of five blocks, covering basic subjects, biological, physical and natural sciences, the humanities, the social sciences, and lifelong understanding. You must also complete an Introduction to Higher Education course, an advanced WPE during your first 135 units of coursework, and two courses designated as meeting diversity requirements. This takes two (2) years.

After those two years, you must make the final decision on your major, and then spend the remaining two years or more specializing in the field of study you have chosen. You'll finish your studies in four or more years, or rarely less, depending on the speed of your educational progress and what type of major you have.

If you transfer from another institute, your GE courses can transfer over and you can go right to specializing in your major.