Preprofessional Programs
Entrance into professional schools is becoming increasingly competitive; therefore, it is imperative that students begin planning their curriculum at the earliest possible time in conjunction with the appropriate academic adviser and your preprofessional adviser.
Students who hold undergraduate degrees who wish to take courses for professional schools may do so through Open University with SDSU Global Campus.
Prelegal Curriculum
The prelegal program is pursued in conjunction with a degree program. There is no specific prelaw program leading to a bachelor’s degree. Students interested in the legal profession should consult with the university prelaw adviser regarding the entrance requirements of the specific law school they hope to attend.
The following curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of standard American schools of law for a broad and liberal education, while at the same time providing desirable flexibility in the individual programs. A focus on a rigorous curriculum of courses for those interested in law and legal issues is strongly recommended.
There are two patterns of concentration which will usually be indicated for the prelegal student, either of which may be selected, in consultation with the adviser, to fit best the interests of the student. These are the major-minor pattern and the liberal studies major pattern. Subject to individual variation, the fields of political science, history, criminal justice, English, communication and philosophy should receive first consideration when choosing the pattern of concentration as being the most effective background for later professional study in law.
The following courses of study are recommended. Lower division: POL S 101 and POL S 102 , and a year course in history. Upper division: In the junior and senior years students will plan their course with the counsel of their adviser in terms of the field of law in which they plan to work, but keep in mind the entrance requirements and examinations for admission to schools of law. The following list should receive prime consideration by all prelegal students in the selection of courses, though it is to be thought of as flexible in accordance with student needs. PHIL 341 , PHIL 342 , POL S 320 , POL S 346 , POL S 347A , and/or POL S 347B , SOC 443 / SOC 543 , AFRAS 380 . Additional: ECON 380 , HIST 536 , POL S 301A and/or POL S 301B , POL S 348 , POL S 541 .
In addition to the courses taken in the fields of concentration, upper division electives in English, philosophy, psychology, rhetoric and writing, sociology, and speech communication are recommended. A mastery of English (for written and oral communication) is essential. A certificate in Public Law is also recommended so students can diversify their studies by obtaining multiple perspectives on the use of law to regulate social problems.
Students interested in pursuing a legal career are counseled by the university prelaw adviser. Through this office, prelegal students receive information and advice concerning law school application and admission procedures. The university prelaw adviser can be contacted through the Department of Political Science.
Health Professions Advising Office
The Health Professions Advising Office provides information and guidance for predental, premedical, preoptometry, prepharmacy, prephysician assistant, and preveterinary students as they prepare and apply for admission to professional programs. There is no premed major. Students work with their major adviser and the prehealth adviser to establish an academic plan that includes prehealth requirements as part of, or in addition to, degree requirements. Most prehealth students major in the sciences, but students may pursue any major as long as they also complete coursework required for their chosen health profession.
Prehealth professions students must attend a health professions information session to learn about general requirements and establish a file in the Health Professions Advising Office. Prehealth students should meet each semester with the prehealth adviser. Special topics courses are offered for prehealth students and the many campus prehealth student organizations provide opportunities for students to learn more about specific health professions.
Students may sign up for a health professions information session and open a file any time after the beginning of the semester. The Health Professions Advising Office is located in GMCS 323. Contact the office at 619-594-3030 or visit http://hpao.sdsu.edu. NOTE: Prephysical therapy and preoccupational therapy students should contact an adviser in the School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, located in ENS 353 or call 619-594-5161, for additional information.
Preoccupational Therapy
Students interested in a career in occupational therapy may major in a variety of areas including psychology, kinesiology, art, or biology. There are several schools in California that offer B.S. or M.S. degrees in occupational therapy. Students must complete certain courses required by each school; in general, these include courses in the humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, and social sciences. For further information, contact the American Occupational Therapy Association at http://www.apta.org.
Prephysical Therapy
The prephysical therapy curriculum is pursued in conjunction with an established major. Students ordinarily select a major in kinesiology (emphasis in prephysical therapy) and complete selected coursework in other departments. Another major often selected is biology. Prephysical therapy students should confer with their departmental adviser prior to initial registration, and at least once each semester regarding their program progress. Course requirements for entry to a graduate program in physical therapy vary according to the institution. Information regarding entrance requirements for specific physical therapy schools is available through the American Physical Therapy Association website at http://www.apta.org. Each student should consult the major adviser for the level of course required when there are alternatives. It is recommended that students consult at least two years prior to graduation with the physical therapy schools to which they are planning to apply in order to learn the details of the entrance requirements for those particular institutions. Students should expect to fulfill the following general requirements for admission: (1) specific course requirements as outlined above; (2) volunteer experience in a hospital or clinical physical therapy program, under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist; (3) satisfactory completion of the GRE examination; (4) overall GPA of 3.0 or better (the average GPA of applicants accepted to a physical therapy program is 3.5) and; (5) grades of “B” or better in basic science courses (biology, chemistry, physics).
Preparation for Other Professions
Full programs of professional study in other fields, such as agriculture, forestry, architecture, and theology, are not available at San Diego State University. However, students who may wish to take some undergraduate work in liberal arts at this university can also begin coursework in preparation for such programs. Students are advised to consult the catalog of the university to which they expect to transfer to determine requirements before arranging the program. Further information may be obtained from the assistant dean of students in the appropriate college at San Diego State University.
Preprofessional Advising
It is recommended that students contact their preprofessional adviser in their first semester at SDSU. Advisement for students planning to attend professional schools is available for the following programs:
Predental
- Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science, Room 323, 619-594-3030
Prelaw*
- Nasatir Hall, Room 126, 619-594-6244
Premedical
- Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science, Room 323, 619-594-3030
Preoccupational Therapy
- Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, Room 331, 619-594-5161
Preoptometry
- Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science, Room 323, 619-594-3030
Prepharmacy
- Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science, Room 323, 619-594-3030
Prephysical Therapy
- Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, Room 359, 619-594-5161
Prephysician Assistant
- Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science, Room 323, 619-594-3030
Prepodiatric Medicine
- Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science, Room 323, 619-594-3030
Presocial Work
- Hepner Hall, Room 109, 619-594-0780
Preveterinary Medicine
- Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science, Room 323, 619-594-3030
* Advisers in prelaw are not available during the summer months.
Certificate Programs
Basic Certificate
The purpose of the basic certificate program is to provide individuals whose educational objectives do not require a degree program the opportunity to participate in university academic activities designed to meet specific educational needs.
Ordinarily, credit certificate programs are available to matriculated and nonmatriculated students. Students seeking a certificate must apply for admission according to the guidelines set forth by the individual certificate programs. Graduate students interested in a basic certificate should first consult with the appropriate department and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships regarding course requirements and financial aid implications.
Coursework for a basic certificate shall not duplicate in content and level the student’s prior educational experience. Unless otherwise stated, a student may apply no more than six units of coursework from a basic certificate program toward a major or minor with the approval of the department.
For a complete listing of certificate programs offered by San Diego State University, refer to the Curricula Summary section of this catalog.
Graduate Certificate Programs (Advanced Certificate - Post-Baccalaureate)
The advanced certificate at the post-baccalaureate entry level provides students a program of coursework leading to a specific applied goal. The general educational background of a bachelor’s degree with a major in the appropriate field(s) of study is prerequisite to such a certificate. Courses taken for an advanced certificate program may be applied to a master’s degree with the recommendation of the program adviser and approval from the College of Graduate Studies. A student wishing to be admitted to an advanced certificate must meet the criteria specified under General Admission Requirements. The student must also meet the professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards prescribed by the appropriate department and the Graduate Council. Advanced certificate students are governed by the same regulations as master’s degree students when accepting courses taken prior to matriculation. Students in an advanced degree program that wish to add the advanced certificate concurrently must be formally admitted no later than halfway through the units required master’s degree and no less than halfway through the completion of the advanced certificate. Students are ineligible to pursue two advanced certificates concurrently. Courses applied toward one advanced certificate cannot be used toward the completion of a second advanced certificate.
It is the student’s responsibility to maintain a grade point average of at least a 3.0 in all certificate courses, earn at least a grade of C (or better if specified by the department) on courses required for the certificate. A certificate must be completed within six years and a student must maintain good academic standing. With the recommendation of the program adviser and approval of the College of Graduate Studies, a student may include up to six units of 596 and 696 courses toward the fulfillment of the requirements. Courses used toward the fulfillment of a basic certificate cannot be used to fulfill the requirements for an advanced certificate.
Graduate students interested in a basic certificate should first consult with the appropriate department and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships regarding course requirements and financial aid implications.
Cyber Tech Academy Certificates
SDSU’s Homeland Security Graduate Program hosts the unique certificates-granting Cyber Tech Academy program designed to immediately assist practioners and future practioners in cybersecurity concerns through self-paced, modular certificates where the teacher is also a mentor for the students.
The certificates (https://cyberonline.sdsu.edu/) are fully online and are done in a hands-on, applied learning modality so the students actually learn to do cybersecurity as a skill set. This program does not require a degree or lead to a degree.
Each certificate is focused on learning skill sets that are applicable to the cybersecurity world for both people with and without prior experience in the field to able to demonstrate skills and obtain career positions in cybersecurity.
The teachers are experienced cybersecurity professionals who want to share their expertise within this customized experience offered as a collaboration between SDSU College of Sciences, the SDSU Research Foundation, SDSU Global Campus, and the professional services of Noodle.com.
For more details about the Cyber Tech Academy, please contact the program and we will connect you to the appropriate person to answer your questions.
Available Cyber Tech Academy Certificates
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Cyber Security in Healthcare Certificate:
As the healthcare landscape evolves, the digitization of patient information and care delivery requires a stronger security infrastructure. Designed for entry-level healthcare and cyber security professionals, the Cyber Security in Healthcare certificate develops your ability to assess, respond to and prevent cyber vulnerabilities.
Through hands-on coursework and case studies, you will gain a new understanding of the healthcare delivery landscape, master healthcare information regulation and advance your knowledge to reduce the risk of cyber incidents within health organizations.
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Artificial Intelligence for Cyber Security Certificate:
As the most critical technology integral to the success of the U.S., artificial intelligence has the power to reshape everything we do. Explore the history, function and future of artificial intelligence as an industry-agnostic tool through the Artificial Intelligence for Cyber Security certificate.
This career-specific certificate will prepare you with an advanced understanding of how to use AI, and how to secure against risks and the growing presence of AI as a national security concern. Special topics include deepfakes, social media and the role of AI in cyber attack and defense.
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Cloud Security and Governance Certificate:
The Cloud has completely changed the way we share and exchange information. While the convenience of the Cloud provides new business models, creates new opportunities and sets the stage for further innovation, the Cloud also presents new risks, new governance challenges and a need to fundamentally rethink the way we operate.
With the Cyber Tech Academy Cloud Security and Governance certificate, you’ll review traditional cyber principles in the context of the Cloud and explore new adaptations security professionals need to unlock the value of the Cloud while managing the risk.
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Cyber Governance and Risk Management Certificate:
Explore the motivations, assets and capabilities of cyber attackers to learn how to organize and defend against similar threats through the Cyber Tech Academy’s Cyber Governance and Risk Management certificate.
Through real-world case studies involving breaches like SolarWinds and the Colonial Pipeline, you’ll develop an agile understanding of cyber threats and the problem-solving frameworks needed to protect against similar attacks on the national and international level.
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Ethical Hacking Certificate:
The rate of global cybercrime is climbing, and companies need to implement proactive security measures to prevent data breaches, intrusions by malicious hackers, malware installation and more. With the Ethical Hacking certificate, you can provide the first line of defense against cyber security threats by learning hacking tools to identify vulnerabilities in networks, systems, web applications and databases.
Over the course of the 14-week, 100% online Ethical Hacking certificate program, you’ll learn to think like an adversary and act like a white hat, or ethical hacker, from wherever you are. Using Haiku Pro, a full network training lab environment, you will master hacking tools to perform penetration tests that audit the strengths and weaknesses of systems, networks, services and web applications, while identifying security measures to protect against cyber threats.
Professional Certificate
The purpose of the professional certificate is to provide students with professional development opportunities through SDSU’s Global Campus. Professional certificate programs do not carry academic credit transferable toward a degree at SDSU. For more information and a list of certificates offered, please visit SDSU Global Campus.
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