Upon registration for fall 2025 classes, students may notice that course numbers and titles in six major subjects, communication studies, English, political science, psychology, mathematics, and statistics, are being updated.
Fullerton College is implementing a statewide Common Course Numbering system to make transferring to California State University, the University of California, or other colleges easier. The changes will appear in the online class schedule and catalog starting with fall 2025 registration. Students can view the updated course numbers in the Fullerton College CCN catalog.
I’m a student registering for the fall 2025 semester. What do I need to know?
For returning students, any courses you completed before fall 2025 will stay on your transcript with the original numbering. New courses you enroll in for fall 2025 and beyond will appear with updated course numbers. For brand-new students, you’ll only see the new course numbers and won’t need to adjust.
Will I still be able to find the classes I need?
Yes. The course content, transferability, and degree applicability remain the same. Only the course name and number are changing to match a standardized system across all California community colleges.
According to John Ison, chair of the curriculum committee at Fullerton College, students should not worry when they see new course numbers. The content remains consistent, and the new naming structure is designed to make things clearer.
“Despite a few other changes, it’s virtually the same course, students will get credit just as if they took the older version, and the general education and transfer value will stay the same, ” Ison said.
What subjects are affected by this change?
The initial rollout, primarily targeting general education coursework, includes 13 courses across six subjects: Communication Studies (COMM), English (ENGL), Political Science (POLS), Psychology (PSYC), Math (MATH), and Statistics (STAT).
Why is statistics listed separately from math?
While statistics is a branch of mathematics, the CCN system classified it as its own subject area to better reflect its specialized focus. For example, MATH 121: Introduction to Statistics will now be listed as STAT C1000: Introduction to Statistics. This helps students and transfer institutions more clearly identify it as a statistics-focused course, rather than general math.
How will this appear when I register through MyGateway?
The new course numbers will be listed in the fall 2025 schedule. For example, what was once ENGL 100 F will now be listed as ENGL C1000. Be sure to look carefully at the new format or check with a counselor if you’re unsure.
Why is Fullerton College doing this?
The CCN system is part of Assembly Bill 1111, passed in 2021. The goal is to streamline course articulation and make transferring between community colleges and four-year universities simpler and more transparent for students. Ison explained that this change is “designed to make it easier for students to transfer and also make it easier for students who are going to multiple community colleges to ensure their courses are accepted.”
What is Cal-GETC, and how does it connect to CCN?
Cal-GETC stands for California General Education Transfer Curriculum. It’s a new transfer GE pathway that combines CSU and UC general requirements. It replaces the old IGETC and CSU GE Breadth and will take effect in the 2025–26 academic year. CCN supports this new system by ensuring course alignment statewide, reducing duplication and confusion for transfer students. To learn more, visit the ICAS Cal-GETC Framework or CSU GE Comparison Trifold.
What should I do now?
Students are encouraged to check the updated catalog to become familiar with the new course numbers and meet with a counselor to make sure their academic plan stays on track. The courses students need are still available, just under new names.
For questions, contact the Fullerton College Counseling Center at counseling@fullcoll.edu or (714) 992-7084.
