Graduation Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree

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NOTE: Select courses are offered at SDSU Imperial Valley. All courses are available at the San Diego campus.

The university will make every effort to preserve the requirements in this Graduation Requirements section for students subject to this catalog according to the provisions enumerated below. All other parts of the catalog are subject to change from year to year as university rules, policies, and curricula change. It is your responsibility to keep informed of such changes; failure to do so will not exempt you from whatever penalties you may incur.

The requirements appearing in this catalog are applicable to students under the following circumstances:

1. You may remain with the graduation requirements in effect during the academic year in which you entered SDSU, another campus in the CSU system, or a California community college, so long as you have remained in attendance at least one semester or two quarters within a calendar year in either the CSU or community college system. Absence due to an approved educational leave or for attendance at another regionally accredited institution of higher learning shall not be considered an interruption in attendance if the absence does not exceed two years. If you change or declare your majors in subsequent years, however, you must adopt the major and minor requirements in effect at the time of such change or declaration. You may continue with the earlier catalog only with regard to General Education and other graduation requirements. If you are disqualified from San Diego State University, you may maintain catalog rights for General Education purposes only by enrolling immediately in a California community college or another CSU campus. If you are subsequently reinstated after a break in continuous enrollment, you are subject to the requirements of the University Catalog in effect during the semester in which you reenroll in the CSU system or a California community college. If you have been disqualified twice from SDSU, you cannot be awarded an SDSU degree.
2. You may change to the catalog in effect in the year in which you graduate. Thus, students graduating in December 2023, May 2024, or in the 2024 summer term may adopt this catalog by so indicating on their application for graduation.

I. Freshmen Competency Requirements: Mathematics and Writing

All students are required to demonstrate competency in basic mathematics and standard written English. Incoming freshmen must demonstrate competency in written communication and mathematics/quantitative reasoning based on multiple measures of academic proficiency.

Competency requirements are required preparation for a number of specific courses identified in the Class Schedule. No student may graduate until all competency requirements are satisfied.

Mathematics Testing Requirements: Freshmen

The SDSU Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning Assessment requirement is satisfied in one of the following ways:

1. Passing one of the following national or state tests at the minimum score* or level identified below^:
   1. Score of 50 on the CSU Entry Level Mathematics Test (ELM) if taken after February 2002 and before September 2017 or an ELM score of 550 if taken before February 2002.
   2. Score of 570 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test or Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT or SAT Subject Tests level 1 or level 2) in mathematics if taken after February 2016. Score of 550 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test or Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT or SAT Subject Tests level 1 or level 2) in mathematics if taken before March 2016.
   3. Score of 23 on the American College Test (ACT) mathematics section if taken after October 1989.
   4. Score of 3 or higher on the College Board Scholastic Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB or Calculus BC examination, Computer Science Principles, or the Statistics examination.
   5. Score of 4-7 on the International Baccalaureate examination in Higher Level Computer Science, Higher Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches, or Higher Level Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation.
   6. Score of 550 on the College Board Mathematics Achievement Test, Level I or IC or II or IIC if taken before March 2016.
   7. Score of 550 on the College Board SAT II Mathematics Test, Level I or IC or II or IIC if taken before March 2016.
   8. Result of “Standard Exceeded: Ready for CSU or participating CCC College-Level Coursework in Mathematics” on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP), augmented mathematics, taken in the 11th grade as part of the California Standards Test or Algebra II.
   9. Result of “Standard Met: Conditionally Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics” on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) examination and met the conditional requirement. The conditional requirement may be met by completing an approved mathematics course in the 12th grade and earning a grade of “C” or better. Students who do not meet the conditional requirement will need to participate in the SDSU’s FAST summer program, unless exemption was met through one of the following:
      • New SAT: A score between 520-560 on the mathematics section of the new SAT (if taken after February 2016).
      • Old SAT: A score between 490-540 on the mathematics section of the old SAT Reasoning Test (if taken before March 2016).
      • A score between 20-22 on the mathematics section of the American College Test (ACT).

*These scores are appropriate only to those students who satisfy the requirement upon matriculation in this catalog year or who take the examinations during this catalog year.

^Students for whom comparable records or examinations such as SAT/ACT are not available, will be assessed utilizing a campus-based assessment tool for placement in mathematics/quantitative reasoning courses.

OR

2. Based on freshman skills assessment and subsequent placement, students must successfully complete an approved General Education Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning course and associated mathematics academic support course. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) majors and the geography major with an emphasis in geographic information science and technology and the emphasis in water, climate, and ecosystems must successfully complete MATH 140  and MATH 140X . Non-STEM/Undeclared majors must successfully complete one of the following pairs of courses: MATH 110  and MATH 110X ; MATH 210  and MATH 210X ; PSY 280  and PSY 280X ; STAT 119  and STAT 119X ; or ECON 201 /GEOG 104 /LING 270 /PHIL 120 /POL S 201 /SOC 201  and CAL 201X . 

OR

3. Earn a satisfactory score on the SDSU Mathematics Placement Assessment.

OR

4. Earn a C- or better grade in an approved transferable college mathematics course that satisfies CSU General Education in Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning.

Mathematics and Chemistry Departmental Placement Examinations

Prior to enrollment in certain mathematics and chemistry courses, students may be required to pass a Mathematics Placement Assessment or Chemistry Departmental Placement Examination as part of the stated prerequisites. These examinations assess mathematical or chemistry preparation beyond the elementary level. The Mathematics Placement Assessment tests knowledge of algebra and trigonometry as needed in MATH 124 , MATH 141 , and MATH 150 . The Liberal Studies Mathematics Proficiency Assessment tests concepts relating to numbers and operations, geometry, and measurement. The Chemistry Department Placement Examination assesses student preparation to succeed in CHEM 200  or CHEM 202 .

Writing Testing Requirements: Freshmen

The SDSU Written Communication Assessment requirement is satisfied in one of the following ways:

1. Pass one of the following national or state tests at the minimum score* or level identified below:
   1. Score of 147 total on the CSU English Placement Test (EPT) if taken before September 2017.
   2. Score of 550 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test or Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section if taken after February 2016. Score of 500 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test or Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) critical reading section if taken before March 2016 and after March 1995. SAT verbal score of 470 if taken before March 1995.
   3. Score of 22 on the American College Test (ACT) English test if taken after October 1989.
   4. Score of 3 or higher on the College Board Scholastic Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Composition or Literature and Composition Test.
   5. A score of 4-7 on International Baccalaureate examination for the Higher Level English A: Language and Literature or Higher Level English A: Literature.
   6. Score of 600 on the College Board Achievement Test in English Composition with Essay (if taken before March 2016)
   7. Score of 680 or above on the College Board SAT Writing section (if taken before March 2016)
   8. Result of “Standard Exceeded: Ready for CSU or participating CCC College-Level Coursework in English” on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) examination taken in the 11th grade as part of the English Language Arts California Standards Test
   9. Result of “Standard Met: Conditionally Ready for CSU or participating CCC College-Level Coursework in English” on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) examination and met the conditional requirement. The conditional requirement may be met by completing an approved English course in the 12th grade and earning a grade of “C” or better. Students who do not meet the conditional requirement will need to participate in the SDSU’s FAST summer program, unless exemption was met through one of the following:
      • New SAT: A score between 510-540 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section (if taken after February 2016).
      • Old SAT: A score between 460-490 on the Critical Reading section of the old SAT Reasoning Test (if taken before March 2016).
      • A score of 19-21 on the English section of the American College Test (ACT).

*These scores are appropriate only to those students who satisfy the requirement upon matriculation in this catalog year or who take the examinations during this catalog year.

OR

2. Based on freshman skills assessment and subsequent placement, students must successfully complete a two semester writing sequence: RWS 105A  and RWS 105B ; or LING 100A  and LING 100B .

OR

3. Pass with a C- or better an approved transferable college composition course that satisfies CSU General Education in Composition or Critical Thinking.

II. Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)

All undergraduate students must demonstrate competency in writing skills at the upper division level as a requirement for the baccalaureate degree. (Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree in nursing have satisfied the GWAR with their first baccalaureate degree from a college/university accredited by a regional accrediting association.)

Students who transfer from another California State University campus having fulfilled the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement will not be required to repeat it. However, a course listed below may be required for the major. Contact the Office of the Registrar if you believe you have fulfilled this requirement at another CSU.

Approved upper division writing courses:

ACCTG 390W 
A E 403W  
AFRAS 305W 
CCS 300W  
CCS 396W 
CIV E 495W  
COMPE 491W  and COMPE 492W  (both courses must be completed to satisfy the GWAR requirement)
DANCE 481W  
ECON 449W 
ECL 306W  (Liberal Studies majors only)
ECL 308W 
ECL 508W  (Required for English and Comparative Literature majors; open to other majors)
ECL 581W 
ECL 584W 
E E 491W  and E E 492W  (both courses must be completed to satisfy the GWAR requirement)
HIST 390W 
HUM 390W 
JMS 310W 
JMS 312W 
LING 305W 
M E 490W  
MIS 396W 
NURS 307W  
PSFA 305W  
POL S 390W 
RTM 396W 
REL S 396W 
RWS 305W 
RWS 390W 
RWS 392W 
RWS 500W 
RWS 503W 
RWS 508W 
TE 405W  

*Students in majors that will exceed the 120 unit cap and are graduating in AY 23-24 can request a waiver to the Upper Division Writing Requirement.

III. Major and Minor Requirements

1. Preparation for the major. Every major requires a set of introductory and/or skills courses designed to prepare the student for upper division study in that field. Courses taken for this purpose may also be used to satisfy General Education requirements if approved for General Education.
2. Major. Completion of a departmental or an interdisciplinary major is required. Students must meet major requirements in effect at time of declaration of major, provided continuous enrollment has been maintained, except as otherwise provided in the California Code of Regulations, Chapter 5, Section 40401, Election of Regulations. If a major is impacted, students must meet major requirements in effect at time of declaration of premajor, assuming continuous enrollment. A major is an area of specialized study which provides the student with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and its organizing concepts. It consists of 24 or more upper division units for the Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Music; and of 36 or more units for the Bachelor of Science degree. At least half of the units must be completed at SDSU unless specifically waived by the department; however, in no case shall a student be allowed to complete fewer than 12 units in the major at SDSU. Units received through SDSU extension courses, with the exception of courses offered for resident credit during summer term and Open University, spring 1998 and thereafter, are not applicable to the residency requirement. Unless otherwise stated, a student may (with the approval of the department) apply no more than three units of coursework from a basic certificate program toward a major or minor.
   
   A summary list of all majors appears at the close of this chapter; the full statement of requirements for each major can be found through the Index. Upper division courses taken in the major department may not be used to meet requirements in a minor. Courses graded credit (Cr) may not be used to fulfill upper division requirements in the major except for those courses identified in the course listing as graded Cr/NC.
   
   A student may wish to major in up to three departments. If so, the requirements for each major must be satisfied. Units for courses which could satisfy the requirements in one or more majors are counted only once. At the time of graduation, a student with two or more majors will have all of them listed on one diploma. Students that have completed requirements for two or more majors under the same bachelor’s degree will have all majors acknowledged on the diploma. Students that have completed requirements for two or more majors that are under different bachelor’s degrees will have all degrees and majors acknowledged on the diploma. Students may verify their major(s) information with their unofficial SDSU transcript or degree evaluation prior to the last day of the semester/term that they applied for graduation. The diploma and transcript issued will note the degree(s) earned with all majors completed. Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree in nursing are not eligible to declare an additional major. Students admitted to SDSU with an Associate Degree for Transfer who add another major or minor that exceeds 60 units to complete these requirements violate the program’s guarantee of graduation within 60 semester units.
   
   A lower division student may request a change from one premajor to another. An upper division student may request a change from one major to another major. A student may earn two majors in one department only where the specific combinations of majors are authorized by the department and the college. All requirements for both majors must be satisfied; units for courses which could satisfy requirements in both majors can be counted only once. In most cases, students pursuing two majors in one department will be required to file with the Office of the Registrar a master plan approved by the major department.
   
   Time Limit on Completion of Requirements for the Major. As authorized by Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 40401, departments may require that specific academic requirements be met within seven years of granting an undergraduate degree. Such requirements will consist of advanced courses and examinations in areas of knowledge changing so rapidly that information may be obsolete after seven years. In those cases in which a student is required to repeat a course taken more than seven years previously, only the last grade will be used in computation of grade point averages.
3. Minor. Completion of a minor is necessary if required by the major; the decision otherwise to have, or not to have, a minor is left with the student. Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree in nursing are not eligible to declare a minor. Like the major, the minor offers an integrated and coherent pattern of coursework, combining lower and upper division coursework in proportions appropriate to the various disciplines. A student may wish to minor in up to two departments. The minor shall consist of 15-24 units. Normally, 12 units of coursework in the minor will be upper division units. A minimum of six upper division units must be completed at SDSU. The minimum grade point average for awarding a minor at the time of graduation is 2.0 (C) or better in all units applicable toward a minor, including those accepted by transfer from another institution. Courses graded credit (Cr) may not be used to fulfill upper division requirements in the minor except for those courses  identified in the course listing as graded Cr/NC. Courses numbered 296, 496, 596 may be applicable to the minor only with approval of the department chair. A summary list of all minors appears at the close of this chapter; the full statement of requirements for each minor can be found through the Index. Because special prerequisites must be met to qualify for certain minors, checking with the minor department before taking courses is advised. Courses in the minor may not be counted toward the major or another minor, but may be used to satisfy preparation for the major and General Education requirements. The completion of a minor reports only on an SDSU official transcript and does not print on the diploma. Declaration of a minor occurs by obtaining and filing a Declaration of Major or Minor form at the Office of the Registrar, Student Services West, Room 1551.

IV. American Institutions Requirement

Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Article 5, Section 40404 requires that all students demonstrate an understanding of American history, the United States Constitution, and California state and local government.

The American Institutions requirement can be satisfied in any of four ways:

1. San Diego State University courses. By passing any one of the following pairs of courses (a maximum of six units may be applied to General Education):

AFRAS 170A  and AFRAS 170B 
AMIND 140  and AMIND 141 
CCS 120A  and CCS 120B 
CCS 141A  and CCS 141B 
HIST 109  and HIST 110 
HIST 109  and HIST 410 
POL S 101  and POL S 102 
POL S 101  and POL S 320 
POL S 102  and POL S 305 
POL S 102  and POL S 321 
POL S 102  and POL S 422 
POL S 305  and POL S 320 
POL S 305  and POL S 321 
POL S 305  and POL S 422 
POL S 320  and POL S 321 
POL S 320  and POL S 422 
REL S 390A  and REL S 390B 
WMNST 341A  and WMNST 341B  

2. Transfer courses from accredited California colleges and universities.
   1. Full Certification of American Institutions Requirement: Students transferring within California will fulfill the American Institutions requirement by providing certification on a transcript or other official document from a regionally accredited California university, liberal arts college, or community college that the requirement as outlined in Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Article 5, Section 40404 has been satisfied.
   2. Partial Completion of American Institutions Requirement: Transfer credit may be used toward partial fulfillment of the American Institutions requirement.
   3. Certification Based on High School Work: No certification based on high school work can be accepted.
3. Transfer courses from outside California or Advanced Placement credit. Students who have met both the American history and United States Constitution portion of the American Institutions requirement through any of the following:
   1. Advanced Placement (AP) credit in American history or Government/Politics: American.
   2. Course(s) in American history which cover a minimum of 100 years of U.S. history, including the establishment of the U.S. Constitution.
   3. An American history course which covers a minimum of 100 years of history AND a course in American Government.
      Student may elect to complete the California state and local government portion of the American Institutions requirement by either:
      1. Taking the California Government examination available through the Testing Services office,
         OR
      2. Completing one of the following SDSU courses: AFRAS 170B ; AMIND 141 ; CCS 120B , CCS 141B ; HIST 110 *, HIST 410 , HIST 445 ; POL S 102 **, POL S 320 , POL S 321 , POL S 422 ; REL S 390B ; WMNST 341B .
4. The student has previously earned a baccalaureate degree from a college/university accredited by a regional accrediting association. This exemption applies to students who are seeking a second bachelor’s degree in nursing.

*Credit will not be granted for this course if the student has taken an equivalent post-Civil War American history course or United States history AP credit.

**Credit will not be granted for this course if the student has taken an equivalent American government course or Government/Politics: United States AP credit.

V. Language Requirement

Students whose majors lead to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Bachelor of Music degree, Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance, or a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Arts and Sciences in English must satisfy a language requirement in a language other than English as indicated below. Students whose majors lead to other degrees are not subject to this requirement.

Exclusion: Conversation courses may not be used to meet this requirement.

Native speakers from foreign countries where English is not the principal language and who have finished high school or the equivalent in that country will be considered to have satisfied the language requirement and will not be given credit for taking lower division courses in their native language except with advance approval from the department.

1. The Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts and sciences (see exceptions above) requires competency in a language other than English. Such competency can be demonstrated by:
   1. Successfully completing the third college semester or fifth college quarter in a language other than English (minimum competency/units required).
   2. Successfully completing the fourth-year level of high school courses in a language other than English.
   3. Successfully completing a third-semester equivalent proficiency examination in a language other than English.
   4. Graduating from high school (where English is not the major language of instruction) in a non‑English speaking country.
   5. Passing with a score of 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) examination in Chinese language and culture, French language and culture, German language and culture, Italian language and culture, Spanish language and culture or Spanish literature and culture; passing with a score of 4 in Japanese language and culture; or passing with a score of 5 in Latin.
   6. Passing with a score of 4 to 7 on the higher level B examination for International Baccalaureate credit in Arabic, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish, or Swedish.

Students who are majoring in Art History, Asian Studies, Chicana and Chicano Studies, Comparative International Studies, European Studies, Humanities, International Economics, International Security and Conflict Resolution, Jewish Studies, Latin American Studies, Linguistics, Microbiology, and Social Science should also read the section on language requirement under their respective majors for special conditions and limits pertaining to those majors.

Courses offered at San Diego State University which satisfy the language requirement are:

ARAB 101 , ARAB 102  and ARAB 201 , or ARAB 202 
CHIN 101 , CHIN 102 , and CHIN 201 
CLASS 101G , CLASS 202G , and CLASS 303G  (Greek)
CLASS 101L , CLASS 202L , and CLASS 303L  (Latin)
DLE 101 , DLE 102 ,and DLE 201 
FILIP 101 , FILIP 102 , and FILIP 201 
FRENC 100A , FRENC 100B , and FRENC 201  or FRENC 210  or FRENC 221 
GERMN 100A , GERMN 100B ,and GERMN 202  or GERMN 205A  or GERMN 205B 
HEBRW 101 , HEBRW 102  and, HEBRW 201 
ITAL 100A , ITAL 100B , and ITAL 201  or ITAL 211  or ITAL 212 
JAPAN 111 , JAPAN 112 , and JAPAN 211 
KOR 101 , KOR 102 , and KOR 201 
LATAM 110 , LATAM 111 , and LATAM 210  (Mixtec)
LATAM 130  , LATAM 131  , and LATAM 230  (Nahuatl)
PERS 101 , PERS 102 , and PERS 201  or PERS 202 
PORT 101 , PORT 102  (or PORT 110 ), and PORT 203 
RUSSN 100A , RUSSN 100B , and RUSSN 200A 
SPAN 101 , SPAN 102 , and SPAN 201  or SPAN 202  or SPAN 281  or SPAN 282  

2. The Bachelor of Music degree (except the specialization in Jazz Studies and Instrumental Performance) requires the completion of appropriate college level language courses as designated in the following specializations:
   1. Music Education - the first semester in Spanish.
   2. Performance (vocalists only) - the first semester in each of French, German, and Italian.
   3. Global Composition and Professional Studies Track 2 - the first semester in French, German, Italian, or Spanish.
   4. Professional Studies Track 3 - the second semester in French, German, Italian, or Spanish.
      
      Students may demonstrate competency by taking a test of reading knowledge. Consult with a music faculty adviser.
      
      Students with prior competency may take a test of reading knowledge administered by the department for a language other than English concerned in consultation with the School of Music and Dance.
3. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance requires competency (equivalent to that which is normally attained in two semesters of college study) in a language other than English.
4. The Bachelor of Arts degree in applied arts and sciences in English requires competency (equivalent to that which is normally attained in two semesters of college study) in a language other than English.

VI. Unit Requirements

1. Overall unit requirement. The minimum number of units necessary for a bachelor’s degree (excluding courses numbered 99 and below; also courses numbered 397) is 120. Some majors and degrees have requirements that extend beyond the minimum number of units as listed below:

   1. Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Arts and Sciences: 120 units

   2. Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences: 120 units

   3. Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Arts and Sciences: 120 units

   4. Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering: 120-126 units

   5. Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance: 132 units

   6. Bachelor of Music degree: 132 units

   7. Integrated Teacher Education programs: 129-135 units

      The degree which applies to a particular student is determined by the student’s choice of major. Each student should therefore consult the statement of his or her major to establish the applicable degree. The full statement of each major can be found by consulting the Index.

2. Upper division unit requirement. The total number of upper division units necessary for a bachelor’s degree is as follows:

   1. Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Arts and Sciences: 40 units

   2. Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences: 40 units

   3. Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Arts and Sciences: 45 units

   4. Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Applied Arts and Sciences: 48 units

   5. Bachelor of Music degree: 48 unit
      
      Courses offering upper division credit are those numbered 300 through 599. All units from upper division courses (except those numbered 397 in any department) are applicable to the upper division unit requirement, including units from courses in the major and the minor, and from courses used to satisfy the American Institutions and the General Education requirements.

3. Unit limit totals. The maximum number of special units accepted for a bachelor’s degree is as follows:

   1. From transferable community and junior college courses: 70 units

   2. From credit by examination (excluding AP/IBACC credit): 30 units

   3. From a total of all Extension, Open University, and correspondence courses (includes courses taken before and after matriculation): 24 units
      
      (NOTE: Only 24 units from Extension, Open University, and Special Sessions courses combined will be accepted toward the degree when taken prior to admission as a non-matriculated student. There is no limit on Special Session courses completed after matriculation.)

   4. From courses graded credit (Cr)*: 15 units

   5. From topics courses numbered 296, 496, 596: 9 units

   6. From General Studies courses numbered 200 and 400: 6 units

   7. From courses numbered below 100, and courses numbered 397: 0 units

   8. From Special Study courses numbered 299, 499, 599: 9 units
      
      (NOTE: Examination credit awarded for a 299 course is excluded from the nine unit limit.)

   9. From courses numbered 499 from one department (except GEOL 499 ): 6 units

   10. From Aerospace Studies, Military Science, and Naval Science courses: 24 units

   11. From MUSIC 170 -MUSIC 189 , MUSIC 370 -MUSIC 389 , MUSIC 570 -MUSIC 589  (for non-major, music major for B.A. degree, and B.M. degree in Music Education, Global Composition, and Professional Studies): 14 units

   12. From MUSIC 170 -MUSIC 189 , MUSIC 370 -MUSIC 389 , MUSIC 570 -MUSIC 589  (for music major for B.M. degree in Performance and Jazz Studies): 18 units

       *Upper division courses in the major and minor must be taken for a letter grade unless they are offered only credit/no credit.​

4. Units in one department.

   1. Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. The maximum number of units in any one department, lower and upper division combined, which can be applied toward the Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences is 48, except in those majors outlined below:

      1. For students majoring in Art with an emphasis in Studio Arts: 57 units

      2. For students majoring in Chemistry with Certificate of the American Chemical Society: 49 units

      3. For students majoring in Dance (Bachelor of Arts): 59 units

      4. For students majoring in English (courses in Comparative Literature, English, Rhetoric and Writing Studies): 54 units

      5. For students majoring in Geography with emphases in Environment, Sustainability, and Policy; Geographic Information Science and Technology; or Human Geography and Global Studies: 57 units

      6. For students majoring in Mathematics: 60 units

      7. For students majoring in Psychology: 56 units

      8. For students majoring in Russian: 53 units

      9. For students majoring in Social Work: 50 units

      10. For students majoring in Spanish: 52 units

   2. Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance. The maximum number of units in upper division dance courses acceptable toward the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance is 70.

   3. Bachelor of Music degree. The maximum number of units in upper division music courses acceptable toward the Bachelor of Music degree is 70.

VII. Residence Requirements

To qualify for a bachelor’s degree, each of the following unit requirements must be completed at this university:

1. A minimum of 30 units total, of which at least 24 units must be in upper division courses (numbered 300-599).
2. At least half of the upper division units required for the major, unless waived by the major department; however, in no case shall the unit total be fewer than 12 upper division units.
3. If a minor is completed, a minimum of six upper division units in the minor.
4. At least nine units in upper division General Education courses shall be taken within the California State University (CSU) system.
   
   (NOTE: Courses taken in Open University prior to spring 1998, for extension credit, and units earned through credit-by-examination may not be applied to these requirements.)
   
   To qualify for a second bachelor’s degree in nursing, students must complete a minimum of 30 post-baccalaureate units in residence at SDSU, of which at least 15 units must be upper division courses in the nursing major (numbered 300-599).

VIII. Grade Point Average Requirements

Four averages, each 2.0 or better, are required for graduation including those students who are seeking a second bachelor’s degree in nursing:

1. SDSU GPA - An average based on all courses attempted at SDSU.
2. Cumulative GPA - An average based on all courses attempted at SDSU and transferable courses at other universities, liberal arts colleges, and community colleges. The cumulative GPA for students seeking a second bachelor’s degree in nursing is comprised of an average based on all courses attempted at SDSU and transferable courses at other universities, liberal arts colleges, and community colleges for any post-baccalaureate credit.
3. Major GPA - An average based on all upper division courses attempted in the major department. Upper division courses required for the major but taught outside the major department will also be included in the average.
4. Minor GPA - An average based on all units applicable to a minor, if a minor is being completed for the degree.
   
   Information on the computation of averages can be found in the University Policies section of this catalog under Grades.

IX. General Education

For information on General Education Requirements, please review the General Education Requirements  section of this catalog.

X. Ethnic Studies

For information on the Ethnic Studies Graduation Requirement, please review the General Education Requirements  section of this catalog.

Application for Graduation

Graduation is not automatic upon the completion of requirements. Students who intend to graduate must take the initiative. Students should apply to graduate for the term they anticipate completing all degree requirements. Enrolled students apply through my.SDSU, selecting the “Application for Graduation” menu option, and submitting the application and one-time nonrefundable $108.00 filing fee prior to the deadline. Application deadlines are published each year in the academic calendar and on the Apply to Graduate website at www.sdsu.edu/applytograduate. A one-time nonrefundable application fee of $108.00 is required. Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree in nursing must submit an undergraduate application for graduation.

All requirements must be completed by the graduation date. After the degree is granted, changes cannot be made to the undergraduate record. Candidates for graduation are not eligible to register for terms subsequent to the graduation date unless an application for readmission as a post baccalaureate student has been filed with Graduate Admissions.

Students not completing all degree requirements by the end of the term for which they applied to graduate will need to reapply for graduation for a future term during the published filing period. Candidates who wish to change their projected graduation date between May and August may do so by submitting a Graduation Term Transfer application. Changes between December and May or August graduation dates require a new graduation application.

Graduation requirements will be determined by the continuous enrollment regulations. A student not in a period of continuous enrollment at the time of filing for a bachelor’s degree must meet the catalog requirements in effect at the time of filing. Continuous enrollment is defined here as attendance in at least one semester or two quarters within a calendar year. See the Election of Regulations for Graduation section below for complete regulations.

Time Limit on Completion of Requirements for the Major. As authorized by Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 40401, departments may require that specific academic requirements be met within seven years of granting an undergraduate degree. Such requirements will consist of advanced courses and examinations in areas of knowledge changing so rapidly that information may be obsolete after seven years. In those cases in which a student is required to repeat a course taken more than seven years previously, only the last grade will be used in computation of grade point averages.

NOTE: San Diego State University does not backdate degrees. The semester in which all your requirements are completed is the semester in which your degree will be posted to your academic record as long as you have an active application for graduation on file.

Election of Regulations for Graduation

An undergraduate student remaining in attendance in regular session at any California State University campus, any California community college, or any combination of California community colleges and campuses of The California State University may, for purposes of meeting graduation requirements, elect to meet the requirements in effect at San Diego State University either at the time the student began such attendance or at the time of entrance to the campus or at the time of graduation. Substitutions for discontinued courses may be authorized or required by the proper authorities.

“Attendance” is defined here as attendance in at least one semester or two quarters within a calendar year. Absence due to an approved educational leave or for attendance at another accredited institution of higher learning shall not be considered an interruption in attendance if the absence does not exceed two years. When students change or declare their majors, they must adopt the requirements of the major and any minors in effect at that time.

Commencement

Commencement exercises are held once a year at the end of the spring semester for undergraduate and graduate students who graduated fall of the previous year and candidates for graduation in spring and summer of the current year. The president of the university, by the authority of the trustees and on recommendation of the faculty, awards the degrees. Details regarding the exercises are mailed to prospective participants in March and are made available on the Commencement website at https://www.sdsu.edu/commencement.