Undergraduate Graduation Requirements

The following sections include important graduation requirements for undergraduate studies

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.

Acceptable ELM Exemptions	Score/Grade
Augmented Mathematics California Standards Test, i.e., the CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP), taken in grade 11.	Exempt
Augmented CST, i.e., the CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP) plus successful completion of a Senior Year Mathematics Experience (SYME)	Conditionally Exempt
College Board SAT I mathematics section or College Board SAT Subject Tests Mathematics Tests Level I, IC (calculator), II, or IIC (calculator)	550 or above
ACT Mathematics Test	23 or above
College Board Advanced Placement Calculus Examination (AB or BC) or Statistics Examination	3 or above
Completion and transfer of a course that satisfies the General Education Breadth or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) quantitative reasoning requirement	Grade of C or better

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:

ELM Score	Implications
50 or higher	Students may enroll in a GE Quantitative Reasoning course. Consult an advisor for placement in an appropriate level course.
48 - 42	Students must take and complete MATH 70, Algebra II (3 units), with a grade of C or better during their first semester of enrollment. Fall 2012 first time freshmen must participate in the Early Start Program during Summer 2012. Go to www.sfsu.edu/~advising/esp/home.html for more information.
40 and below	Students must take and complete MATH 60, Algebra I (3 units), with a grade of C or better during their first semester of enrollment, and take and complete MATH 70 with a grade of C or better during their second semester of enrollment. Fall 2012 first time freshmen must participate in the Early Start Program during Summer 2012. Go to www.sfsu.edu/~advising/esp/home.html for more information.

Grades and units earned in MATH 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 no later than 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 enrollment are subject to disenrollment from the University. They may return after successfully completing an equivalent intermediate algebra course elsewhere. For further information, contact the Advising Center, ADM 211.

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. Please note, there are additional prerequisites for entry into MATH 226 Calculus I.

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 admitted to SF State Fall 2011 and later who score 147 or above on the EPT may enroll in ENG 114.

Students admitted to SF State in Fall 2012 or later who score between 138 - 146 on the EPT may enroll in ENG 104 - 105 “Stretch”.

Students admitted to SF State in Fall 2013 who score less than 138 on the EPT must participate in the Early Start Program during Summer 2013. Go to www.sfsu.edu/~advising/esp/home.html for more information.

Test Exemptions: Students who present proof of one of the following qualify for an EPT exemption and may enroll in ENG 114.

Acceptable EPT Exemptions	Score/Grade
Augmented English California Standards Test (CSU EAP—Early Assessment Program ) [taken in grade 11]	Exempt
College Board SAT (critical reading)	500 or above
Enhanced ACT English Test	22 or above
College Board SAT II: Writing Test [taken May 1998 or later]	680 or above
SAT Reasoning Test (writing portion)	660
College Board Advanced Placement—Language and Composition or Composition and Literature Examination	3, 4 or 5
Completion and transfer of a course that satisfies the CSU General Education Breadth or the CSU Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) written communication requirement	Grade of C or better

Early Start Program

Beginning with the class of 2012, entering resident freshmen who are not proficient in math or “at risk” in English will need to start the remediation process before their first term. By 2014, all new freshmen students who have not demonstrated college-readiness in mathematics and English will need to begin work on becoming ready for college-level English before the start of their first term.

The goals of Early Start Program are to:

Better prepare students in math and English, before the fall semester of freshman year;
Add an important and timely assessment tool in preparing students for college; and
Improve students’ chances of successful completion of a college degree.

For 2013, resident students will be required to participate in the Early Start Program if their ELM score is below 50 and/or their EPT score is below 138. Newly admitted freshman students who are required to complete Early Start will be notified of the requirement and options for completing the program as part of campus communications to newly admitted students.

Composition for Multilingual Speakers Placement Test (CMSPT)

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 Composition for Multilingual Speakers Placement Test (CMSPT) 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 CMSPT 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 Proficiency Requirements

Note: Non-native speakers of English may follow a different course sequence to fulfill their Written English Proficiency Requirements, which are described below in the section titled “Written English Proficiency Requirements for Multilingual Students”.

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 Composition for Multilingual Speakers Placement Test (CMSPT) prior to enrollment. First-time freshmen who were not able to show English proficiency at entry shall attain such proficiency during their initial college year of study at San Francisco State University.
Written English Communication I (GE Area A2) Two equivalent pathways satisfy the Written English Communication I Requirement: 1) ENG 104 - 105 ”Stretch” or 2) ENG 114. See the Undergraduate Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin for specific course requirements and prerequisites.
Written English Communication II (GE Area A4): Prerequisite is grade of Credit (CR) or C- or better in ENG 104 - 105 or ENG 114, or equivalent course. ENG 214, or an equivalent course, fulfills the Written English Communication II Requirement.
GWAR: Undergraduate students must complete the CSU Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).

Written English Proficiency Requirements for Native Speakers of English

First Year Composition for Native Speakers (GE Area A2)

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: ENG 104 - 105 “Stretch” or ENG 114. Either pathway satisfies GE Area A2, Written English Communication I.

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 ENG 104 - 105 or in ENG 114 satisfies the First-Year Composition Requirement. Students who receive credit for these courses will proceed to ENG 214.

Students who receive a grade of NC for ENG 105 must enroll in ENG 114.

First-time freshmen who were not able to show English proficiency at entry shall attain such proficiency during their initial college year of study at San Francisco State University.

Only those students who can demonstrate one of the following are not required to take First Year Composition at SF State:

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;
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

Second Year Composition for Native Speakers (GE Area A4)

A GE Area A4 course (e.g. ENG 214), should be taken 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 or ENG 114 is a prerequisite to all Area A4 courses.

Area A2 and A4 courses may not be taken concurrently. ABC/NC grading is used in both courses.

Consult the online Class Schedule for the complete list of approved Area A4 courses. They are listed in the section entitled, “English Composition Requirement, Second Year.”

Students 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 satisfy 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). After passing courses in first and second year composition with a grade of Credit or C- or higher, students then are eligible to fulfill GWAR.

Majors require a GWAR-designated course or offer one as an elective in the major. For an updated list of approved GWAR courses, go to http://wac.sfsu.edu/content/approved-gwar-courses. Consult with your major department if you are uncertain how your department’s GWAR designated course might be used in your major program. All majors have GWAR courses. However, adoption of GWAR courses is ongoing so a few majors are continuing to design their course offerings. Students who do not have access to a GWAR course in their major should take ENG 414 to fulfill the university requirement. Please note: students who passed JEPET prior to Fall 2013 have satisfied the GWAR requirement.

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 Composition for Multilingual Speakers Placement Test (CMSPT) before they can enroll in any Composition for Multilingual Students (CMS) courses.

The CMSPT 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 CMSPT scores, not on the basis of any course work or examinations taken at other colleges or universities. Consult the Testing Center Examination Calendar for CMSPT 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 and 214 requirements. In order to enroll in a CMS course, students must first take the SF State Composition for Multilingual Speakers Placement Test (CMSPT) and receive a qualifying score for that course. A student who satisfactorily completes a CMS course may proceed to the next level CMS course without retaking the CMSPT. Non-native speakers of English may complete the GE Oral Communication requirement by taking ENG 210, Oral Communication-Multilingual.

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

ENG 209 for ENG 114
ENG 215 for ENG 214
Majors require a GWAR-designated course or offer one as an elective in the major. For an updated list of approved GWAR courses, go to http://wac.sfsu.edu/content/approved-gwar-courses. Consult with your major department if you are uncertain how your department’s GWAR designated course might be used in your major program. All majors offer GWAR courses. However, adoption of GWAR courses is ongoing so a few majors are continuing to design their course offerings. Students who do not have access to a GWAR course in their major should take ENG 414 to fulfill the university requirement. Students with multilingual backgrounds may substitute ENG 410 for ENG 414 with permission from the CMS coordinator. Please note: students who passed JEPET prior to Fall 2013 have satisfied the GWAR 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.

Transfer students from other California institutions may complete the U.S. History and Government Requirement prior to transfer. Public colleges and universities in California typically cover the entire requirement, often called American Institutions, in two courses in the same way as SF State. However, transfer students from colleges and universities outside of California or from private institutions within California or students who have AP or CLEP credit in U.S. government usually have not studied California government and will therefore need either to pass the California state and local government examination (see below) or to take a course to complete the California State and Local Government component of the U.S. History and Government requirement. Consult your Advanced Standing Evaluation form (ASE) or your Degree Audit Report System form (DARS) to verify completion of the entire requirement.

Students who believe that they can demonstrate a proficient understanding of any part of this requirement based on other coursework they have taken or on their experience (e.g., in state and local government) should consult with the Advising Center, ADM 211.

Students starting SF State as first-time college students in Fall 2014 or later, will satisfy this requirement by completion of Areas D2 and D3 of General Education. Transfer students who need to complete the requirement at SF State, should choose from the lists below.

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. See Advanced Placement Test Scores page. 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. See College-level Examination Program Test Scores page. 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

Students who begin at SF State as first-time college students will complete the American Institutions requirements by completing Areas D2 and D3 of the General Education program. Transfer students may either take courses in D2 and D3 or may select an upper division course approved for American Institutions (see list below). Transfer students who need to fulfill only the California Government component of the requirement may take a course from the CSLG list below.

U.S. History Requirement Courses [USH] Area D2

AA S 210 History of Asians in the United States [AERM]
AFRS 208 Introduction to African American History [AERM][GP][SJ]
AIS 150 American Indian History in the United States [AERM][SJ]
H ED 241 Health and Social Movements in the United States in the 20th Century [AERM][SJ]
HIST 120 History of the U.S. through Reconstruction
HIST 121 History of the U.S. since Reconstruction
HIST 130 Survey of U.S. History for Foreign Students
HIST 278/ History of Latinos in the U.S.
LTNS 278 History of Latinos in the U.S.
RRS 240 All Power to the People
WGS 150 Women and Gender in the U.S. History and Society [AERM][SJ]

Additional US History courses

AIS 460 Power and Politics in American Indian History [AERM][SJ]
H ED 305 Critical History of Public Health in the United States [SJ]
HIST 418 Society and Politics in American History [AERM] [SJ]
HIST 449/ American Jewish History [AERM] [SJ]
JS 449 American Jewish History [AERM] [SJ]
HIST 466/ History of People of Color in the U.S.
RRS 600 History of People of Color in the U.S.
MUS 506 Survey of Jazz

U.S. and California Government [USG and CSLG] Area D3

AA S 213 Asian Americans and American Ideals and Institutions
AIS 205 American Indians and U.S. Law [AERM][SJ]
LTNS 276 Latina/o, U.S. Government, and Constitutional Ideals
PLSI 200 American Politics
WGS 160 Gender, Politics, and Citizenship [AERM]

California State and Local Government Requirement [CSLG]

This course satisfies ONLY the California State and Local Government component of the U.S. History and Government requirement. Students whose ASE or degree audit report indicates that they have not met this component of the requirement should either take a US and California Government course from the list above, the examination in state and local government (contact the Political Science Department) or the following course to fulfill the California State and Local Government component of this requirement.

HIST 450 History of California [CSLG]
PLSI 473 California Politics and Government (4) [SJ]

Undergraduate Education continues in General Education Lower Division.

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