In California state universities and in many other U.S. states as well, all students in order to graduate are required to demonstrate a knowledge of U.S. history and the constitution, including American institutions and the principles of state and local government. These requirements can be fulfilled by completing the following two courses.

HIS 101: History of the United States (3)
POL 101: American Institutions (3)

This requirement can be completed at any time prior to graduation and does not necessarily have to be done in the first two years of university study, although it is often advantageous to do so.