Enrolling and Planning Courses

Core GE

All students must complete their core GE, either by taking a class in each area, or taking courses that can fulfill more than one GE area.

Unless otherwise noted, all courses require a minimum of "D-" or better to be considered as satisfying general education requirements.

Area 1 (1C, 1A, 1B): Oral/Written Communication

  • All areas require a "C- or better" in each individual GE section

  • 1A must be completed before the conclusion of a student's first year.

Area 5 (5A, 5B, 5C): Physical/Biological Sciences

Area 2: Math & Quant. Reasoning

  • Area 2 must be completed before the conclusion of a student's first year, and requires a "C- or better"

Area 3 (3A, 3B): Arts & Humanities

Area 4 (6 Units of Area 4): Social Sciences

  • Completed in at least two different disciplines

Area 6: Ethnic Studies

  • Can be upper-division
  • Requires a "C- or better

Upper-Division Writing Directed Self Placement

At San José State University, all students have to complete an upper-division writing course (100W) in their discipline in order to graduate. The Upper-Division Writing Directed Self Placement (UDW-DSP) is an online exercise designed to help students place in the appropriate upper-division writing course. Upper-division writing course can be challenging and some students may not feel quite ready. To support students' academic success, 100A courses are available to help students prepare for the rigors of 100W and upper division work.

How do I prepare for the UDW-DSP?

In order to complete the UDW-DSP, all you need are:

An internet connection.
10-15 minutes.
A sample college paper that uses sources (i.e., has a Bibliography). This can be from any college, on any subject (in either PDF or Word format). Once you’re ready, click on the link below to complete the exercise and choose your writing course.

How do I choose?

In order to help you choose which writing course is best for you, students are encouraged to complete a brief online exercise called the Upper-Division Writing Directed Self Placement (UDW-DSP). This exercise will provide more information about the two writing courses you are choosing between, and ask you some questions about your experience with college-level writing. The goal is to inform you of your two choices and help you choose your course appropriately. The process takes about 10 minutes!

Upper-Division General Education Requirements

Upper division general education requirements must be fulfilled as a requirement towards graduation. 

Area 2/5: Earth and Environment, and Sustainability

Area 4: Self, Society, and Equality in the US

Area 3: Culture and Global Understanding

Writing in the Disciplines/100w Courses:

  • Minimum Prerequisite: Upper division standing; 1B or equivalent second semester composition course (with a grade of C- or better); completion of core GE. Completion of the UDW-DSP is strongly recommended

  • Requires a grade of "C or better" (C- is not accepted)

 

Leave of Absence

Did last semester not go as planned? Need to go clear your head for a little while? Have other circumstances where you will need to refocus on something for a while?

Students are allowed 1 (one) semester of absence no-questions-asked as long as they were enrolled in the previous semester, and intend to return the semester following the absence. These semesters are Fall and Spring; Winter and Summer do not count. In other words, you can take classes in the Spring, and then take the next Fall semester off, and return the next Spring.

If you need more than one semester off, you'll need to submit a petition. The maximum leave permitted is four semesters.

How do I leave for a semester? - Do not enroll in classes for the next semester. That's it.

Why Take a Leave of Absence?

  • Many H&A Spartans have to work to pay for school. Take a semester off to stay financially stable and have a little more money just-in-case.

  • Life happens. Illness can hit you or someone close to you. Take a semester off to rest and come back hopefully in better health.

  • To reset your head. This semester could have gotten better, but nothing is working to do well in your classes. Take a semester off to do something you've always wanted to. Take a trip. Come back fresh and ready next semester.