2019/2020 University Catalog

Welcome to San Diego State University’s catalog! This publication presents detailed information about academic programs and courses. We encourage students and prospective students to reference it when planning their path to graduation. Browse catalog content using the navigation menu in the left of the page.

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Mission of the University

The mission of San Diego State University is to provide research-oriented, high-quality education for undergraduate and graduate students and to contribute to the solution of problems through excellence and distinction in teaching, research, and service.

The university strives to impart an appreciation and broad understanding of the human experience throughout the world and the ages. This education extends to diverse cultural legacies and accomplishments in many areas, such as the arts and technology; the advancement of human thought, including philosophy and science; the development of economic, political, and social institutions; and the physical and biological evolution of humans and their environment.

San Diego State University pursues its mission through its many diverse departments and interdisciplinary programs in the creative and performing arts, the humanities, the sciences, and the social and behavioral sciences.

Academic and Community Engagement

San Diego State University is a community of leaders committed to student success and life-changing opportunities for students, such as study abroad, undergraduate research, leadership training, and entrepreneurial experiences.

SDSU is the oldest higher education institution in the San Diego region, and our deep community roots provide access to internships, mentoring relationships, and volunteer opportunities that complement and enhance the classroom experience.

SDSU is an academically rich university that provides endless possibilities for students: bachelor’s degrees in 96 areas, master’s degrees in 80 fields, and 21 doctoral degrees (Ph.D., Ed.D., Au.D., and D.P.T.). SDSU is a place for the best and brightest to dream of who they will become and to make those dreams a reality.

Education and Global Perspectives

One of our goals at SDSU is to prepare global citizens. From curriculum content and cultural campus activities to international research and exchange programs, we are creating a global experience that will be transformational for our students.

SDSU ranks No. 5 in the nation in the number of students who study abroad to gain new perspectives and to grow personally and intellectually. More than 3,000 SDSU students study abroad each year in more than 70 countries, including the United Kingdom, China, Italy, Mexico, and Spain.

Our campus-based academic programs reinforce this global perspective. These programs include the Center for International Business Education and Research; the Center for Latin American Studies; the International Security and Conflict Resolution degree program; and the International Business program, which ranks No. 12 in the nation.

Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

Diversity is a hallmark of San Diego State University, where students from all backgrounds achieve excellence and success. The university has been recognized nationally for large increases in graduation rates and for nearly eliminating achievement gaps among ethnic
and racial groups.

SDSU’s campus reflects the diversity of our region and the world beyond. Students from more than 90 nations contribute to SDSU’s dynamic mix of ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds.

SDSU tied for No. 7 in the nation for ethnic and racial diversity, received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award for five consecutive years, is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving institution, and is one of the top universities in economic diversity. More than half of our students and 43 percent of our tenure- track faculty members are women. We are a national model for educating military veterans, and we rank as one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly campuses in the nation.

Through our “One SDSU Community” initiative, our campus fosters shared experiences, values, and aspirations that embrace our unique identities, respect our diversity, and recognize our common humanity.

Student Life

SDSU students study hard, but they also know how to have fun outside the classroom. You can join an intramural sports team or an honor society, join one of more than 300 recognized student clubs and organizations, lead a community service project or live on our lively campus or fraternity row. Our Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union - given LEED Double Platinum status for sustainable building and for operations - is a hub for student activities with its Commuter Resource Center, restaurants, bowling alley and game room, meeting spaces and theatre.

You can cheer on 19 NCAA Division I athletics teams, which are setting new standards for success. A record number of Aztec teams are qualifying for post-season competition, and both our men’s and women’s basketball teams have played in the Sweet 16. Our football team has played in nine consecutive bowl games.

Research and Creative Endeavors

San Diego State is a leading public research university with a thriving research agenda and competitive awards totaling over $134 million in 2017-2018 - including funding from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the California Department of Health Services.

Undergraduate research and entrepreneurship are hallmarks of SDSU. Students collaborate with faculty and staff in on-campus laboratories to address national and global challenges, and they create new companies and social enterprises in our entrepreneurship and innovation centers.

More than 90 SDSU students have earned prestigious Fulbright awards since 2005, while other students have received Gilman International Scholarships, Boren Awards for International Study, the Udall Scholarship for environmental work, and Gates Cambridge Scholarships.

Leadership Starts Here

SDSU lives by the ethos “Leadership Starts Here” - a pretty bold statement.

It is also a promise - one that our students keep every day by focusing on academic excellence and engaging society’s challenges.

SDSU’s legacy of leadership is found in research and innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement, and global competition.

SDSU alumni lead governments, businesses and organizations throughout the world. They are legislators, CEOs, company presidents and founders, school administrators, and engineers. Aztecs run biotech companies, accounting firms, restaurant chains, film studios, and hospitals, just to name a few.