To become IGETC certified do I have to complete the CSU requirement areas even though I’m only planning on applying to a UC?
You complete the IGETC courses for the UC’s if you have no plans to apply to the CSU’s. See the main differences below:
https://www.calstate.edu/AcadSen/Committees/GEAC/documents/UCandCSUGEComparison.pdf
IGETC is designed for students who intend to transfer to California State University (CSU) or the University of California (UC), or who are unsure if they will transfer to a CSU or UC campus. Students who complete this pattern of courses with a grade of “C” or better in each course, will complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) and satisfy all lower division general education units required by the CSU and UC. However, this certification may not be advisable for some majors at certain CSU and UC campuses. Courses on the IGETC list are approved for a specific academic year only. A course cannot be certified unless it was on the IGETC list when it was taken by the student. It is important to check the ASSIST website regularly for any changes to the approved General Education pattern as course additions occur throughout the year. ASSIST should not take the place of a counselor. It is intended to help students and counselors work together to establish an appropriate path toward transferring from a public California community college to a public California university.