Norco College Semester by Semester Education Planner
A working document for building your full program plan
Riverside Community College District
Where you are is information, not a verdict. You are not behind. You are developing.
Start Here
This planner helps you map out the courses you will take each semester so you can graduate, transfer, or finish your certificate without losing time. It is a working document. You can update it any time your goals or schedule change.
Choose your pathway below. If you are pursuing one of the 28 Associate Degrees for Transfer at Norco, the planner can fill in your major requirements and suggest matching Cal-GETC general education courses. Color coding shows you which areas are met, in progress, or still missing.
Met requirement complete
In progress course is planned but not yet taken
Missing requirement still needs a course
GPA Tracker Updates automatically as you enter grades
As you complete courses, add grades using the dropdown next to each course in your major requirements list and your semester planner below. Your GPA will calculate automatically. Why this matters: Norco requires a 2.0 cumulative GPA for an associate degree, and a grade of C or better in every major course. Cal-GETC requires C or better in each general education area (a C minus is not acceptable).
Cumulative GPA
—
No grades entered yet
Major GPA
—
Add grades to major courses
Transfer GPA
—
Across all graded courses
How GPA is calculated: Letter grades use the standard 4.0 scale (A=4.0, A-=3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0, B-=2.7, C+=2.3, C=2.0, C-=1.7, D+=1.3, D=1.0, F=0.0). Pass/No Pass (P/NP), Withdrawal (W), and In Progress (IP) grades are excluded from GPA calculations but P counts toward course completion. Norco follows the Riverside Community College District grading policy.
To save your plan: Click Print or Save as PDF when you are done. You can save the PDF to your phone, email it to yourself, or share it with your counselor. Print a paper copy to bring to your counselor appointment.
Step 1. Choose Your Pathway
Your pathway determines which general education pattern you complete. You can change it later if your plan changes.
AA or AS Degree pathway selected. You will complete 60 degree applicable units, 24 units of RCCD General Education (Plan A) across seven areas, and 18 units in one Area of Emphasis. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 required. Each major requirement course needs a grade of C or better.
Step 1.5. Choose Your Transfer Major (Optional)
If you are pursuing one of Norco's 28 Associate Degrees for Transfer, select it below. The planner will fill in the required courses for your major and suggest the matching Cal-GETC general education courses. You can edit anything that does not fit your situation.
About these suggestions: The course requirements come directly from the 2026 to 2027 Norco College catalog. Course offerings, articulation agreements, and major requirements can change between catalog years. Suggested courses appear with a verification badge. Always confirm your final plan with a Norco counselor before registering.
All 28 Associate Degrees for Transfer offered at Norco College for the 2026 to 2027 catalog year
Step 2. Your Information
Fill in what you know. You can come back and update this later.
The year you started using catalog rights
From the 8 areas of emphasis or specific AS program
From your GUI 47 work
Your Progress at a Glance
These numbers update automatically as you fill in your plan. Use this to make sure you are on track.
Total Planned Units
0
Goal: 60 units
GE Units Planned
0
Goal: 24 units
Major Units Planned
0
Goal: 18 units in area
Transferable Units
0
Goal: 60 units to transfer
GE Areas Met
0 of 7
RCCD GE Plan A
Step 3. General Education Requirements
Pick a course from each area below. You can also type in courses you have already taken at another college. The color of each box tells you whether the area is met, in progress, or still needs a course.
Step 4. Major Requirements
List the courses required for your major or Area of Emphasis. You can find these in the Norco College catalog under your specific program. Add as many rows as you need.
Where to find your major requirements: Open the Norco College catalog and search for your major or Area of Emphasis. For Areas of Emphasis you need 18 units across the listed courses with a grade of C or better. For specific AS degrees check the program page. For transfer majors check assist.org for the lower division courses required at your transfer school.
Required Courses for My Major
For each course: enter course code, units, your status (planned, in progress, or completed), and your grade once you finish the course.
Course Name and Number
Units
Status
Step 5. Plan Your Semesters
Map out the courses you plan to take each semester. Aim for 12 to 15 units per fall and spring semester to stay on track for two year completion. Mark the GE area or whether the course counts toward your major.
Pacing tip: Most students complete an associate degree in two academic years by taking 15 units in fall and spring with optional summer or winter sessions. If you work or have other responsibilities, a three year plan at 12 units per semester is also a strong path. The plan that fits your real life is the right one.
Step 6. Application and Graduation Timeline
Mark these dates on your calendar. Missing an application window can delay your transfer or graduation by a full year.
Transfer Application Windows
CSU applications: Open October 1, due November 30 for the following fall term. Apply at calstate.edu/apply.
UC applications: Open August 1, due November 30 for the following fall term. Apply at universityofcalifornia.edu/apply.
UC TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee): Apply September 1 to September 30 for fall transfer the following year. Six UC campuses participate. Apply at uctag.universityofcalifornia.edu.
Private and out of state schools: Most use the Common App at commonapp.org. Deadlines vary widely. Check each school individually.
Norco College Graduation Application Windows
Fall graduation: Apply between the first day of the fall term and October 15.
Winter graduation: Apply between the first day of winter term and February 1.
Spring graduation: Apply between the first day of spring term and April 1.
Summer graduation: Apply between the first day of summer term and July 15.
To walk in commencement: Apply by April 1 and have no more than 9 units remaining.
How to Apply
Log into MyPortal or WebAdvisor. Choose Degree Application or Certificate Application from the Students menu. Make sure all official transcripts from previous colleges are on file with Norco Admissions and Records before applying.
Step 7. Questions for My Counselor
A counselor can verify your plan, check articulation agreements, and catch anything you missed. Bring this document with you. Use the space below to write down questions before your appointment.
State law update (effective February 13, 2026): Norco College must offer every non exempt student a comprehensive education plan by the end of their first academic year. You have a right to this plan. If you have not met with a counselor yet, schedule an appointment through the counseling office.
Important Things to Remember
Grade Requirements
Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.0 to earn an associate degree from Norco.
Major courses: Each course in your major or Area of Emphasis must be completed with a C or better, or a P if taken on a pass no pass basis. A C minus does not count.
Cal-GETC courses: All courses must be completed with a C or better. C minus does not count.
CSU minimum transfer GPA: 2.0. Many impacted majors require higher.
UC minimum transfer GPA: 2.4. Most majors require 3.0 or higher.
Residence and Unit Rules
Associate degree: 12 units must be completed in residence within the Riverside Community College District.
Pass No Pass limits: No more than 14 semester units of P grades may be used toward Cal-GETC certification.
Transfer: CSU and UC require a minimum of 60 transferable units.
Double counting: One course cannot satisfy more than one GE area, even if it is listed in multiple areas.
If Your Plan Changes
Career goals and majors change. That is normal. If your direction changes, update this document and meet with a counselor to revise your formal Student Education Plan. Your catalog rights protect the requirements that were in effect the year you started, as long as you stay continuously enrolled.