Bulletin Rights
Graduation requirements are determined by the Bulletin year assigned to the student. Once assigned a Bulletin year, a student has Bulletin rights that can be maintained even though there may be changes in University graduation requirements.
If a student maintains continuous attendance in regular sessions at campuses of the California community colleges or the California State University or a combination of the two, the student may elect to meet the graduation requirements for San Francisco State University in effect: (1) at the time the student began his/her studies, (2) at the time the student entered SF State, or (3) at the time the student graduates from SF State. In other words, if a student maintains continuous attendance according to this policy, he/she has a choice of Bulletins.
Continuous attendance for purposes of Bulletin requirements is defined as matriculated attendance in at least one semester or two quarters each calendar year.
Students who change the major after being admitted to SF State or who declare a major after being admitted with an undeclared major, must meet the major requirements in effect at the time the major is changed or declared. Bulletin rights do not apply to course requirements concerning specific prerequisites; consult the department for applicability of course prerequisites.
Unit Requirements
Units to Graduate
An undergraduate student who has completed all of the requirements for graduation and has a total of 120 semester units is eligible to graduate with a baccalaureate degree. Students who exceed the minimum number of units required to graduate will be asked to file an approved degree completion plan each year until they graduate.
Residence Units Requirement
For award of the baccalaureate degree, all students are required to complete a minimum of 30 units in residence at SF State. Of the 30-unit residence requirement, 24 units must be upper-division courses and twelve units, upper-division or lower-division, must be in the major. Nine of these residence units must be earned in Segment III of the GE Program. Units earned for courses awarding extension credit or credit by examination or evaluation do not carry residence credit.
Upper-Division Units Requirement
For award of the baccalaureate degree, all students are required to complete a minimum of 40 upper-division units (courses numbered 300-699 at SF State). Twenty-four of these upper-division units must be completed at SF State, and nine of these upper-division units must be completed in General Education Segment III.
Maximum Units in One Subject Field - This rule suspended effective April 2012.
Students who complete 60 or more semester units in one discipline (e.g., chemistry) or, if transfer work, in the same subject area (e.g., biochemistry) must complete a minimum of 60 semester units outside that discipline in order to earn a B.A. or B.S. degree.
Maximum Credit for Community College Work
The University accepts a maximum of 70 semester units for work completed at a community college.
Maximum Credit for Extension and Correspondence Work
The University accepts a maximum of 24 semester units of extension credit and correspondence courses towards award of a baccalaureate degree. Courses taken through Open University that earn extension units are included in this limitation, as are courses taken through military programs, such as MCI or Dantes. The University does not offer correspondence courses, but accepts correspondence credits transferred from another accredited institution as part of the 24-unit maximum for extension and correspondence work. Credit earned through SF State's Winter Session and Special Session is not included in the 24-unit limitation.
Maximum Credit by Examination or Evaluation
Matriculated students may obtain credit by examination for specific courses as determined by each department and approved by the course instructor and department chair. Interested students should inquire with each department about its credit by examination policy.
The examination is comprehensive and searching. A grade and appropriate grade points are recorded on the student's permanent record. Students must be regularly enrolled in at least one course other than the course they are challenging during the semester they earn credit by examination. It is not advised that students enroll in the course they desire to challenge. If a student is enrolled in a course that s/he has successfully challenged, the student is responsible for dropping or withdrawing from the course, or may be administratively dropped by the instructor.
Units earned via credit by examination are counted as part of the total units registered for a given semester and appropriate fees must be paid. Credit by examination may not be counted towards the residence requirement of the University. A student who registers as an auditor may not earn credit by examination in that course.]
Credit by Evaluation for Experiential Learning
Matriculated students may also earn academic credit through the Credit by Evaluation for Experiential Learning (CEEL) Program. This program is an alternative method for students to earn academic credit for college-level learning experiences for which no academic credit has been awarded. Typical experiences include research projects, significant work or life experiences, volunteer activities, and structured internships. Only undergraduate credit may be earned with a maximum limit of 30 units, six of which can be earned for residence credit. Units are usually applied towards general education or elective areas, but in certain instances, units may be used to fulfill major or minor requirements. An important requirement for earning CEEL credit is to create a learning portfolio that documents and describes the college-level learning that was achieved through these experiences. The portfolio is thoroughly evaluated by a faculty member from an academic area for which the credit is being sought. For further information, contact the Advising Center at (415) 338-2948.
Maximum Units of Credit (CR) Grades
No more than 30% of the units earned at SF State and applied towards completion of the baccalaureate degree may be taken for credit (CR) grades. Students should consult with their major departments for further restrictions on the use of CR grades.
Maximum Units in One Semester
Fall and Spring Semesters
Fifteen units is considered an average semester course load for full-time undergraduate students. During early priority registration, students may register for a maximum of eight units of enrolled and wait-listed courses. During final priority registration and the open registration period, students may register for a maximum of sixteen units of enrolled and wait-listed courses. After instruction begins, students may add a maximum of sixteen units until after the deadline to drop classes. After the drop deadline, students may add up to nineteen units. Undergraduate students who want to enroll in more than nineteen units must submit an approved Petition to Exceed the Maximum Unit Policy for Undergraduate Students to the Registrar’s Office, One Stop Student Service Center, before the end of the fourth week of instruction. They must also have obtained assigned permit number(s) from course instructors.
Undergraduate students who want to enroll in more than nineteen units in one semester must:
- Have a cumulative SF State grade point average of 3.0 or better, and
- Obtain approval of the relevant dean (see below) for their Petition to Exceed the Undergraduate Maximum Unit Policy for Undergraduate Students before the deadline to drop courses for that semester. All petitions must be accompanied by a current SF State transcript.
Undeclared and special majors must receive the approval of the dean of Undergraduate Studies. All other majors must receive the approval of their adviser and the dean of the college in which they are a major.
Requests to take 20 or more units will not be permitted until a signed petition from the relevant dean has been submitted to the Registrar's Office, One Stop Student Service Center.
Students who wish to enroll in 25 or more units in one semester must receive the written approval of their adviser, their college dean, and the dean of Undergraduate Studies. Courses taken in auditor status, or at another university or through SF State's College of Extended Learning must be included on the Petition to Exceed the Maximum Unit Policy for Undergraduate Students.
Nursing majors who participate in the Advanced Placement Option for Registered Nurses are required to file a Petition to Exceed the Maximum Unit Policy for Undergraduate Students if their total unit load for any given semester exceeds nineteen units, including all units earned through the advanced placement credit by examination option for that semester.
Summer Semester
Undergraduate students may enroll in a maximum of seven units in a five-week summer session, twelve units in a ten-week summer session, and a maximum of fourteen units in any combination of summer semester sessions (R1, R2, R3, and R4).
Registration will not permit students to enroll in more than the above unit maximums without prior approval of the relevant dean.
Summer semester petition procedures:
- Obtain a Petition to Exceed the Summer Semester Maximum Unit Policy for Undergraduate Students from the Registrar’s website (forms), or from a college dean’s office.
- Complete the petition, attaching a current SF State transcript.
- Include on the petition all course work taken in auditor status, or at other colleges or through SF State's Open University during the summer semester.
- Submit the petition and request the written approval of the relevant dean to take more than the maximum units allowed. The petition must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office before the official deadline for dropping courses.
- If the petition is for more than 14 units, the petition must be approved by the dean of undergraduate studies after the student has obtained the permission of the college dean.
- You must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative SF State grade point average, or a record of above average academic performance.
The Registrar’s Office will not accept course permit numbers to add courses until a petition has been approved by the appropriate college dean, and the dean of Undergraduate Studies if over 14 units, and entered into the University's academic records system.
Minimum Grade-Point Average
For award of the baccalaureate degree, all undergraduate students must maintain at least a 2.0 grade-point average (GPA) in all college course work, in all SF State course work, and in all major course work. The grade-point average is calculated by dividing the total grade points earned by the total units attempted. CR and NC grades are not included in the calculation of the grade point average. Students who do not meet the minimum 2.0 GPA requirement for SF State course work will be subject to mandatory probationary advising.
Academic Renewal
Academic Renewal may be used for the purpose of disregarding some undergraduate course work from graduation requirements. According to Title 5 (Section 40402), “When, in the opinion of the appropriate campus authority, work completed during a previous enrollment at the campus or at another institution of higher education is substandard and not reflective of the student’s present scholastic ability and level of performance, all work completed during one or two semesters, as the appropriate campus authority shall decide, may be disregarded in the computation of grade point averages and other requirements for graduation.” The conditions for approval noted below must be met for academic renewal to be invoked. These conditions are:
- The student has formally requested such action and presented evidence that substantiates that the work in question is substandard and not representative of her/his current scholastic ability and/or performance level, and
- The previous level of performance was due to extenuating circumstances, and
- All degree requirements except the earning of at least a “C” (2.0) grade point average have or will soon have been met.
- University policy regarding academic renewal is not intended to permit the improvement of a student’s grade point average beyond what is required for graduation.
- Final determination, that one or more terms shall be disregarded, shall be based on careful review of evidence by a committee appointed by the president, which shall include the designee of the chief academic officer and consist of at least three members.
- Such final determination shall be made only when:
- Five years have elapsed since the most recent work to be disregarded was completed, and
- The student has earned in residence at the campus since the most recent work being considered was completed:
- 15 semester units with at least a 3.0 GPA or
- 30 semester units with at least a 2.5 GPA or
- 45 semester units with at least a 2.0 GPA
When such action is taken, the student’s record shall be annotated so that it is readily evident to users of the record, that NO work taken during the disregarded term(s), even if satisfactory, has been applied towards the meeting of degree requirements. However, all work must remain legible on the record. The student’s academic transcript shall have the notation, “Acad Renewal” by each course approved for Academic Renewal with an explanation in the transcript’s legend.
If another institution has acted to remove coursework from consideration, such action shall be honored in terms of that institution’s policy. But, elimination of any coursework’s consideration shall reduce by one term the two semester maximum on the application of academic renewal to a student’s record.
Repeated course work. Another special provision of Academic Renewal allows the student to repeat a course and to have the previous attempt excluded in the calculation of the grade point average. Requests should be directed to the Student Services Center. The following conditions apply:
- This provision is applicable only if it enables the student to meet the minimum grade point average required for graduation.
- Repeat of a course under this policy is permitted only if a grade of D, F, IC, or WU was received on the previous attempt of that course. Grades for both the previous and repeated attempts are recorded on the transcript.
- A maximum of sixteen units may be repeated according to this provision.
- A student wishing to attempt a course for a third time at SF State and have the previous grades disregarded for graduation purposes, under the terms of this policy, must receive permission of the department chair and college dean before repeating the course.
- Students transferring from other colleges where courses were taken and repeated are held to the policy of the college where the course was repeated.
- Students transferring from other colleges where courses were taken and subsequently repeated at SF State may be eligible for consideration under this policy.
- Unless otherwise stated, courses may not be repeated for additional units of credit.
Graduation Procedures and Commencement
Graduation Information and Application Process for the Bachelor’s Degree
A well-planned course of study as well as a clear understanding of requirements will help the student avoid graduation problems and delays. While each student is responsible for meeting all degree requirements and graduation deadlines, assistance is available from faculty advisers assigned through the major department, from staff in the Advising Center, and from a graduation counselor in Undergraduate Admissions.
Degree Dates: Three official graduation dates are scheduled each year one in the fall, one in the spring, and one in the summer. To qualify for graduation, the student must complete all requirements for the bachelor’s degree by the official graduation date listed in the University Calendar published in this Bulletin.
The graduation application and filing fee entitle students to an official graduation evaluation of progress toward meeting baccalaureate degree requirements. If students qualify for graduation by the designated graduation date, they may participate in the annual commencement ceremony.
One Degree with Multiple Majors and/or Minors: Double majors leading to the same baccalaureate degree (B.A. or B.S.) do not constitute separate baccalaureate degrees and only one degree and one diploma will be awarded. Only one application fee of $100 is required for one degree, regardless of the number of majors and minors.
Graduating with Multiple Degrees. A student may be awarded more than one baccalaureate degree (B.A., B.S., B.M.) at the same time provided that requirements of both degree programs have been completed. Students who complete two different baccalaureate degrees may apply for both degrees in a single degree period by submitting separate applications simultaneously. Only one $100 fee is required for the two applications submitted simultaneously. Students who complete concurrently the requirements for two or more baccalaureate degrees will be acknowledged on separate diplomas for each degree earned.
Note: Students may not pursue a baccalaureate and masters degree concurrently.
Students are not eligible to enroll in courses offered through regular university in the term following award of a degree without first applying for admission to the University. Students will be administratively dropped by the Registrar’s Office from courses taken in a post-degree term and must apply for a refund with the Bursar’s Office.
Overview of Steps to Graduation
- Students should meet regularly with their major adviser. Prepare for graduation by checking that all your academic records are complete and accurate; review unofficial transcripts, DARS report and/or Advanced Standing Evaluation (if transfer work not on DARS). At least one semester before applying to graduate, students should review their graduation requirements with the faculty adviser in their major.
- At the beginning of the semester in which all degree requirements will be completed, complete the university exit survey and a SF State Application for Baccalaureate Degree at www.sfsu.edu/~admisrec/gradapp/ga.htm.
- Double majors within the same baccalaureate program do not constitute separate baccalaureate degrees. Only one degree with multiple majors and/or minors will be awarded and one diploma with all earned majors and minors will be issued. The student record will reflect a maximum of three majors and two minors for each baccalaureate degree. Students can designate the order in which their multiple majors and minors will be printed on the diploma by consulting with their graduation counselor in Undergraduate Admissions. Only one $100 application fee is required. A separate form must be submitted and signed for each major and minor. Students may not complete a minor after they have received the B.A. or B.S. degree.
- Students may apply for two different baccalaureate degrees (B.A. and B.S.) during the same degree period provided they submit separate applications for each degree. Only one $100 application fee is required. Students may not complete a minor after they have received the degree. Students who complete concurrently the requirements for two or more baccalaureate degrees will be acknowledged on separate diplomas for each degree earned.
- Complete all forms in the graduation application packet, including the major and minor approval forms (if applicable).
- For each major and/or minor, obtain the faculty adviser and department chair signatures.
- Pay fees for the graduation application at the bursar’s office.
- Submit the graduation application forms to the One Stop Student Services Center together with the bursar’s receipt of payment by the deadline published on the Registrar’s website, http://www.sfsu.edu/~admisrec/reg/ga.htm.
- Participate in the commencement ceremony held at the end of the spring semester if eligible, and if the student chooses to do so.
- Make sure email address and diploma mailing address are current. Students will be notified via email of their status and receive either a preliminary approval or denial email. The diploma will be mailed four to six weeks after the final semester of enrollment and the award of degree is posted on the student’s record.
Commencement Ceremony and Graduation Approval
Graduation Ceremony: The formal commencement ceremony occurs once a year, usually at the end of May. Only those students who graduated the previous summer (August graduation date), those who graduated the previous fall (January graduation date), those who have applied for graduation in current spring (May graduation date), or who have applied by the spring application deadline for graduation in current summer (August graduation date) are eligible to participate in the ceremony. Baccalaureate students must have completed 100 semester units before you can apply for graduation or attend May Commencement. Cap and gown rental is available in the Bookstore at an additional cost.
Participation in commencement does not mean that the student has officially graduated and is qualified for the bachelor’s degree. If, in the final semester, students do not complete a course or earn a satisfactory grade, they still need to complete all courses and requirements required for the degree. Students will need to reapply for graduation, pay the $100 application for graduation fee and obtain faculty adviser and department chair signatures in the semester of actual completion of the outstanding requirement(s).
Courses in Excess of Bachelor’s Degree Requirements
It is the general policy of this University to consider courses taken prior to the award of the baccalaureate degree as undergraduate courses. However, a student may request on the Application for Award of Baccalaureate Degree that up to twelve semester units of upper division and/or graduate level work, taken in the final semester before the award of the baccalaureate degree be granted provisional post-baccalaureate status, providing these units are in excess of those required for the baccalaureate degree.
Even if granted provisional post-baccalaureate status, the decision to accept courses for a graduate degree taken while in undergraduate status, rests with the post-baccalaureate program’s department chair, dean and administrative approval.
It is preferred that such courses taken at this time be upper division courses, leaving graduate course work to be taken after the baccalaureate degree has been officially completed. Seniors may enroll in graduate courses only with special permission of the instructor.
If such a request is filed, the total unit load taken, in all institutions and for all purposes, by the student during that final semester must not exceed the maximum unit load in effect for graduate level students as outlined in the section Maximum Unit Load. Any exceptions must have the approval of the dean of the Division of Graduate Studies in advance of registration for the final term. If the baccalaureate degree is not completed at the end of the term in question, all the work taken is subject to being counted as undergraduate work and the provisional post-baccalaureate status for specified courses voided.
Graduate Student Application for Graduation
Candidates for degrees must file an application for graduation in accordance with the University calendar. The Application for Graduate Degree, which is available at the Division of Graduate Studies, is only provided to students with an approved Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) form on file. The student must pay the graduation fee, complete the application form, and submit it to the Division of Graduate Studies.
Applications will not be approved for a specified term unless all requirements have been met as of the final day of the semester. If a candidate does not complete the requirements as planned in a particular semester, he/she must reapply for graduation to be considered in a subsequent semester and pay the $100 application for graduation fee.
If the student is required to be enrolled the semester of graduation, this requirement must be noted on the ATC. Students should consult with their department to determine whether or not enrollment in an additional course is required once the student has enrolled in the Culminating Experience course. Students who have not registered for the class at the time they apply for graduation will be required to enroll in the following semester and graduation will be delayed or, students can request of the department chair and dean for retro-active registration. Payment of all registration fees will be required.
Graduating with Multiple Graduate Degrees. A student may be awarded more than one masters or doctoral degree (MA, MS, MBA, E ED) at the same time provided that requirements of both degree programs have been completed. Students who complete two different graduate degrees may apply for both degrees in a single degree period by submitting separate applications simultaneously. A fee of $100 is required for each application submitted. Students who complete concurrently the requirements for two or more graduate degrees will be acknowledged on separated diplomas for each degree earned.
Note: Students may not pursue a baccalaureate and masters degree concurrently.
Students are not eligible to enroll in courses offered through regular university in the term following award of a degree without first applying for admission to the University. Students will be administratively dropped by the Registrar’s Office from courses taken in a post-degree term and must apply for a refund with the Bursar’s Office.
