UNDERGRADUATE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The following sections include important graduation requirements for undergraduate students.

ENTRY LEVEL MATHEMATICS EXAMINATION (ELM)

The ELM and EPT tests must be taken before the first semester of matriculated attendance at SF State.

The California State University (CSU) ELM examination is designed to assess the skill levels of entering CSU students in the areas of mathematics typically covered in three years of rigorous college preparatory courses in high school (Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry). The CSU ELM examination must be completed by all entering undergraduates, with the exception of those who present proof of one or more of the ELM exemptions listed below. Students who do not have an acceptable ELM exemption are required to take the ELM examination before their first semester of matriculated attendance at SF State.

Questions about ELM exemptions should be referred to the Testing Center.

Consult the Academic Calendar on the web for ELM examination times and dates.

NOTE: Since March 22, 2002, ELM is scored on a scale of 00-80. A score of 50 or above represents demonstrated entry-level mathematics proficiency. Students who score 50 or above on the ELM examination are eligible to enroll in a GE Quantitative Reasoning course. Students who score below 50 must complete appropriate remedial mathematics courses before enrolling in a GE Quantitative Reasoning course (see remedial courses below).

Since March 22, 2002, ELM scores have the following implications:

Grades and units earned in MATH 59, 60, and 70 are not applied toward the student’s GPA or the number of units required for graduation. However, they do count for financial aid purposes.

Students who took the ELM examination prior to March 22, 2002, should contact the Testing Center, HSS 206, for equivalent ELM scores and appropriate remedial courses. Students may also consult the following web sites for new and/or additional ELM information: www.sfsu.edu/~advising or www.sfsu.edu/~testing.

Newly admitted undergraduate students who score below 50 on the ELM examination must begin remediation of their mathematics deficiencies during the first semester of matriculated attendance at SF State. All required remedial course work must be completed within one year from the time of admission to SF State. Students who do NOT complete their remedial mathematics course work within one year from the time of admission are subject to disenrollment from the University. For further information, contact the Advising Center, ADM 212.

Students who register for a GE Quantitative Reasoning course at SF State must: (1) have passed the ELM examination with a total score of 50 or above; or (2) have obtained one of the approved ELM exemptions listed above; or (3) after taking and failing the ELM, have passed MATH 70, Algebra II, at SF State, or an equivalent course elsewhere with a grade of credit (CR) or C- or better.

ENGLISH PLACEMENT TEST (EPT)

The CSU English Placement Test (EPT) is designed to assess the level of reading and writing skills of entering undergraduate students so that they can be placed in appropriate baccalaureate-level writing courses or remedial writing courses. The CSU EPT must be completed by all entering undergraduates, with the exception of those who present proof of one of the exemptions listed below.

Students who do not have an EPT exemption are required to take the EPT before their first semester of matriculated attendance at SF State.

Students may enroll in ENG 114 who score 151 or above on the EPT.

Test Exemptions: Students who present proof of one of the following qualify for an EPT exemption.

English as a Second Language Placement Test (ESLPT)

In addition to the CSU English Placement Test (EPT), all non-native speakers of English (see Written English Requirements below) must take the SF State English as a Second Language Placement Test (ESLPT) before they can enroll in Composition for Multilingual Students (CMS) courses. Placement in CMS courses is determined by the CMS coordinator solely on the basis of ESLPT scores and not on any course work or tests taken at other institutions.

WRITTEN ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

All students must demonstrate competency in writing skills as a requirement for graduation. The following information lists the ways available to meet this graduation requirement.

Summary of Written English Requirements for Native Speakers of English:

• Pass EPT with a score of 151 or better, or complete appropriate Integrated Reading-Writing (IRW) course(s).
• Successful completion of first year composition (ENG 104-105, ENG 106, or ENG 114 at SF State).
• Successful completion of second year composition.
• Successful completion of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (see below).

Developmental Written English Instruction for Native Speakers

Course work to bring your writing deficiencies to college level must begin during the first semester of matriculated attendance at SF State. All required developmental writing course work must be completed within one calendar year from the time of admission to SF State. Students who do NOT complete their developmental writing course work within one year from the time of admission will be subject to disenrollment from the University. For further information, contact the Advising Center.

Summary of Written English Requirements

Note: All SF State undergraduate baccalaureate degree candidates are required to complete both First-Year and Second-Year Composition or their equivalent courses.

1. English Placement Test (EPT):   All newly-admitted undergraduate students must take the California State University English Placement Test (CSU-EPT) prior to their first semester of matriculated attendance at SF State, except those with an approved EPT test or course exemptions listed in the University Bulletin. Non-native speakers of English must also take the English as a Second Language Placement Test (ESLPT) prior to enrollment.
2. First Year Composition:   Three equivalent pathways satisfy the First Year Composition Requirement: 1) the ENG 104-105 course sequence or 2) ENG 106, or 3) ENG 114. See the Undergraduate Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin for specific course requirements and prerequisites.
3. Second Year Composition:   Prerequisite is grade of Credit (CR) or C- or better in the ENG 104-105 sequence, ENG 106, or ENG 114, or equivalent course. ENG 214, or an equivalent course, fulfills the GE Segment I, Written Communications requirement.

WRITTEN ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR NATIVE SPEAKERS OF ENGLISH

First Year Composition for Native Speakers

All newly-admitted undergraduate students must take the California State University English Placement TEST (CSU-EPT) prior to their first semester of matriculated attendance at SF State, except those with an approved EPT test or course exemptions listed in the University Bulletin.

Two equivalent pathways satisfy the First-Year Composition Requirement for native speakers of English: Integrated Reading-Writing (ENG 104-105 sequence or ENG 106) or ENG 114.

A. Integrated Reading-Writing (IRW)

1. All entering freshmen who score 141 or below on the CSU-English Placement Test (EPT) must take the ENG 104-105 course sequence, except that entering freshmen who self-identify as non-native speakers of English may take either the ENG 104-105 course sequence, or courses in the Composition for Multilingual Students (CMS) program (see Written English Proficiency Requirements for Non-Native Speakers of English below).
2. All entering freshmen who score between 142 and 150 on the CSU-English Placement Test (EPT) must take ENG 106, except that entering freshmen who self-identify as non-native speakers of English may take either ENG 106 or courses in the Composition for Multilingual Students (CMS) program (see Written English Proficiency Requirements for Non-Native Speakers of English below).

The ENG 104-105 course sequence or ENG 106 must be completed within the first year of enrollment. Because the goals of First-Year Experience (FYE) courses are accomplished in the ENG 104-105 sequence and ENG 106, students who successfully complete the ENG 104-105 sequence or ENG 106 will not receive credit towards graduation for other FYE courses.

Grading in all composition courses will be either ABC/No Credit or Credit/No Credit (CR/NC). A grade of CR or C- or better in the ENG 104-105 sequence or ENG 106 satisfies the First-Year Composition Requirement. Students who receive credit for these courses will proceed to ENG 214.

Students scoring 150 or below on the EPT who receive a grade of NC for ENG 105 or ENG 106 must enroll in ENG 114.

Students who do not complete the ENG 104-105 course sequence or ENG 106 within one year are out of compliance with CSU Executive Order 665 and will be disenrolled from the University. They may be readmitted after successfully completing a First-Year Composition course elsewhere.

B. English 114:

Students who score 151 or above on the EPT should take English 114, prior to completing 30 units of course work. Only those students who can demonstrate one of the following are exempt from English 114:

1. A score of 3, 4, or 5 on either the Language and Composition or Composition and Literature examinations of the College Board Advanced Placement Program;
2. Completion of an equivalent college-level course elsewhere of 3 semester- or 4 quarter-units with a grade of credit (CR) or C- or better.

Grading on all written composition courses will be either ABC/No Credit or Credit/No Credit.

Second Year Composition for Native Speakers

ENG 214, or an approved alternate, should be taken after completion of 24 semester units and prior to completion of 60 semester units by all students who have not received credit for an equivalent test or course.

Successful completion of ENG 104-105, ENG 106, or ENG 114 is a prerequisite to ENG 214 or one of the approved ENG 214 alternatives.

ENG 114 and 214 may not be taken concurrently. ABC/NC grading is used in both courses.

Consult the online Class Schedule for the complete list of approved ENG 214 alternate courses. They are listed in the section entitled, “English Composition Requirement, Second Year.”

Students who have passed for credit the CSU English Equivalency Examination or who have received scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in English will receive six units of college credit and are exempted from the ENG 114 and ENG 214 course requirements.

Upper Division Written English Proficiency Requirements for Native Speakers

Undergraduate students must complete the CSU Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR). Those who began their college studies before Fall 2008 will usually complete the GWAR by taking the SF State Junior English Proficiency Essay Test (JEPET) after completing 48 semester units, and before completing 80 semester units.Those who reach junior status in Fall 2010 or later may choose between the JEPET/English 414 or a GWAR-designated course (see below).

• Students must pass courses in first and second year composition with a grade of Credit or C- or higher before they are eligible to take JEPET.
• Passing the JEPET examination satisfies the SF State upper division written English requirement.
• Students who do not pass JEPET must enroll in ENG 414 the semester immediately following the semester in which they failed JEPET (i.e., fall, spring, or summer). Students who not enroll in ENG 414 in the semester immediately following the semester in which they failed JEPET will lose their course registration priority date for all subsequent semesters until they complete ENG 414. All undergraduate degree objective students must take JEPET before enrolling in ENG 414.
• Passing ENG 414 satisfies the SF State upper division written English requirement for those who did not pass the JEPET examination.
• Students with bilingual backgrounds who have completed all or most of their previous education in the United States may substitute ENG 410 for ENG 414 only if they qualify for ENG 410 on the basis of their ESLPT scores or receive permission from the CMS coordinator.

Consult the Testing Center Examination Calendar for JEPET examination times and dates.

Students who transfer to SF State with 80 or more semester units and who have completed a course equivalent to ENG 214 should take the JEPET examination during their first semester of matriculated attendance at SF State. Students who do not pass JEPET must enroll in ENG 414 in the semester immediately following the semester in which they failed JEPET, or they will lose their course registration priority date for all subsequent semesters until they complete ENG 414. Students who have taken and passed an upper division expository writing course at another institution may apply for a waiver of the JEPET/ENG 414 requirement.

Undergraduate students who begin their studies in Fall 2008 or after will satisfy the GWAR in the way designated by their major. In most cases, this will mean successful completion of a GWAR-designated course as part of their major. Adoption of GWAR courses is on-going. For further information, consult your major department.

Written English Proficiency Requirements for Multilingual Students

• Non-native speakers of English must take the English Placement Test (the CSU EPT) during their first semester of matriculated attendance at SF State.
• Non-native speakers of English must also take the SF State English as a Second Language Placement Test (ESLPT) before they can enroll in any Composition for Multilingual Students (CMS) courses.

The ESLPT is an SF State requirement for placement in all CMS English courses. Placement in CMS courses is determined by the CMS coordinator solely on the basis of ESLPT scores, not on the basis of any course work or examinations taken at other colleges or universities. Consult the Testing Center Examination Calendar for ESLPT and EPT examination times and dates.

Non-native speakers of English who are eligible to take Composition for Multilingual Students (CMS) courses must complete the sequence of CMS courses listed below as substitutes for the English 114, 214, and JEPET requirements. In order to enroll in an CMS course, students must first take the SF State English as a Second Language Placement Test (ESLPT) and receive a qualifying score for that course. A student who satisfactorily completes an CMS course may proceed to the next level CMS course without retaking the ESLPT.

Students on foreign visas and permanent residents may substitute the following courses for the ENG 114, ENG 214, and JEPET requirements.

• ENG 209 for ENG 114
• ENG 310 for ENG 214
• ENG 411 or ENG 410 for the Junior English Proficiency Essay Test (JEPET), but see below for students who begin their studies in Fall 2008 or later.

In order to use ENG 410 or ENG 411 to meet the JEPET requirement, students must take ENG 410 or ENG 411 after they have completed 48 semester units and before completing 80 semester units.

Students with bilingual backgrounds who have completed all or most of their previous education in the United States may substitute ENG 410 for ENG 414 only if they qualify for ENG 410 on the basis of their ESLPT scores or receive permission from the CMS coordinator.

Non-native speakers of English may complete the GE Oral Communication requirement by taking ENG 210, Oral Communication-Multilingual, if they qualify for this course on the basis of their ESLPT scores.

Undergraduate students who begin their studies in Fall 2008 or after will satisfy the GWAR in the way designated by their major. In most cases, this will mean successful completion of a GWAR-designated course as part of their major. Adoption of GWAR courses is on-going. For further information, consult your major department.

BASIC INFORMATION COMPETENCE REQUIREMENT

The faculty at San Francisco State University has long recognized the value of good research skills. Students are expected to be able to find and use information sources effectively. With the fast-paced changes in information technology and the expanding numbers of more powerful, but complex information sources, it is increasingly important for students to be able to effectively navigate in this information environment.

The Basic Information Competence Requirement is a graduation requirement for all SF State undergraduates.The intent of this requirement is to ensure that SF State students have a solid foundation of information competence skills early in their academic careers. Most students will fulfill the Basic Information Competence Requirement by completing OASIS (On-line Advancement of Student Information Skills), a self-paced tutorial on the web (http://oasis.sfsu.edu). First-time freshmen are expected to complete the requirement by the end of their second semester and new transfer students by the end of their first semester at SF State.

For more information about the Basic Information Competence Requirement, the OASIS tutorial, and links to CSU and SF State policies about information competence, please visit the library's web site and select the link to "Information Competence/Library Requirement."

U.S. HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENT

The California State University (CSU) system requires that all graduates demonstrate an understanding of the historical development of American institutions and ideals, the Constitution of the United States, the operation of representative democratic government under that Constitution, and the processes of California's state and local governments. Because this is a competency requirement, it may be satisfied by passing examinations, or by taking courses, or by a combination of examinations and courses. In unusual circumstances, students may be able to demonstrate competency in other ways as well.

Students who believe that they can demonstrate a proficient understanding of any part of this requirement based on other courses they have taken or on their experience (e.g., in state and local government) should consult with one of the following:

• Chair of the History Department for the U.S. History component of this requirement.
• Chair of the Political Science Department for the U.S. Government and the California State and Local Government components of this requirement
• Associate Dean, College of Ethnic Studies, for the U.S. History and Government and the California State and Local Government components of this requirement in cases where the course content is similar to courses offered by the College of Ethnic Studies that satisfy these components.

Units taken to meet the U.S. History and Government requirement at SF State cannot be used to satisfy the University's General Education requirements. Engineering majors should consult the Engineering GE adviser for engineering GE program exceptions.

Satisfying the U.S. History and Government Requirement by Examination

Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations A score of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement examination in U.S. history will satisfy the U.S. history requirement. Students who have achieved a score of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement examination in Government and Politics: United States will satisfy the U.S. government component of the requirement. For more information, go to the College Board website. Satisfactory completion of AP examinations also carries college credit. No AP examination will satisfy the requirement in California state and local government.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Examinations A passing score (50) on the CLEP exam in either U.S. History I or U.S. History II will satisfy the U.S. history requirement. A passing score (50) on the CLEP exam in American Government will satisfy the U.S. government component of this requirement. For more information, go to the College Board website. Satisfactory completion of CLEP examinations will also carry college credit. No CLEP examination will satisfy the requirement in California state and local government.

SF State Equivalency Examination in California State and Local Government This requirement may be met by achieving a passing score on an SF State equivalency examination. This examination may be taken only once. For information about this examination and preparation for it, contact the Political Science Department.

Students may submit any combination of examinations and courses to satisfy this requirement.

Satisfying the U.S. History and Government Requirement by Taking Courses

Taking two three-unit courses at SF State satisfies this requirement. List A presents courses that satisfy the U.S. History requirement. List B presents courses that satisfy the requirement in U.S., state, and local government. All courses in List B fulfill BOTH the U.S. government and the California state and local government components of this requirement. Courses in List C fulfill ONLY the California state and local government components of this requirement.

List A: U.S. History Requirement Courses [USH]

Select one course:

List B: U.S. Government Requirement Courses [USG]

NOTE: In addition to fulfilling the U.S. Government requirement, the courses listed below also satisfy the California State and Local Government component of this requirement.

Select one course:

List C: California State and Local Government Requirement [CSLG]

These courses satisfy ONLY the California State and Local Government component of the U.S. History and Government requirement. Students whose ASE or DARS report indicates that they have not met this component of the requirement should either take the examination in state and local government (contact the Political Science Department) or take one of the following courses to fulfill the California State and Local Government component of this requirement.

Undergraduate Education continues in General Education Requirements.

Visit our General Education Table of Contents or review the Overview of General Education from the beginning of Undergraduate Education.