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) taken in grade 11, plus successful completion of an approved senior year mathematics course | 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 scoring 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 adviser for placement in an appropriate level course. |
| 48 - 42 | Students must take and complete ESM/MATH 70, Algebra II (3 units), with a grade of C or better. First time freshmen, starting in fall, must participate in the Early Start Program during the summer prior to their first term of attendance. Go to www.sfsu.edu/~advising/esp/home.html for more information. |
| 40 and below | Students must take and complete ESM/MATH 60, Algebra I (3 units), with a grade of C or better. First time freshmen, starting in fall, must participate in the Early Start Program during the summer prior to their first term of attendance. Go to www.sfsu.edu/~advising/esp/home.html for more information. After completing ESM/MATH 60 with a C or better, students must complete MATH 70 with a grade of C or better. |
Grades and units earned in ESM/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, for equivalent ELM scores and appropriate placement into courses. Students may also consult the following web sites for new and/or additional ELM information: www.sfsu.edu/~advising or http://testing.sfsu.edu.
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. Students starting in fall are required to begin their classes in summer through the Early Start Program. 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 Undergraduate Advising Center, www.sfsu.edu/~advising.
Students who register for a GE Quantitative Reasoning course at SF State must: (1) have received a total score of 50 or above on ELM examination; or (2) have obtained one of the approved ELM exemptions listed above; or (3) after scoring below a 50 on the ELM exam, have passed ESM/MATH 70 (Algebra II) with a C or better at SF State, or an equivalent course elsewhere with a grade of credit (CR) or C or better. Note: there are additional prerequisites for entry into MATH 226 Calculus I.
CSU English Placement Test (EPT)
The CSU English Placement Test (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.
Test Exemptions: Students who present proof of one of the following qualify for an EPT exemption.
| Acceptable EPT Exemptions | Score/Grade |
|---|---|
| Augmented English California Standards Test (CSU EAP—Early Assessment Program) taken in grade 11 | Exempt |
| Augmented English California Standards Test (CSU EAP – Early Assessment Program) taken in grade 11 plus successful completion of approved senior year English course | Conditionally 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—English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition 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 |
Directed Self-Placement
While all entering undergraduates are required by the CSU to take the English Placement Test (except those with an acceptable exemption), SF State does not use test results to place students into required First-Year Composition classes (these classes are described in the section of the Bulletin “Written English Proficiency Requirements”). San Francisco State University believes that with good guidance from us, the student is the best person to choose which First-Year Composition course is the most appropriate place to begin meeting SF State’s Written English Proficiency Requirement. SF State has designed an online Directed Self-Placement (DSP) application that will guide students through the steps necessary to choose their First-Year Composition Course.
All entering undergraduates are required to complete SF State’s online DSP before they attend new student orientation and before they can enroll in their first-year composition classes. The DSP application can be accessed at http://dsp.sfsu.edu/
Students required to participate in Early Start will complete the online DSP as part of the Early Start English course.
Early Start Program
Entering resident freshmen scoring below 50 on the CSU Entry Level Mathematics exam or 146 and below on the CSU English Placement Test will need to begin work on becoming ready for college-level mathematics and English before the start of their first term.
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. Students enrolled in Early Start English will meet the Directed Self-Placement requirement as part of the Early Start course.
Composition for Multilingual Students Placement Test (CMSPT)
In addition to the CSU English Placement Test (EPT), all non-native speakers of English (see Written English Proficiency Requirements below) must take the SF State Composition for Multilingual Students 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 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 Students 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.
- First-Year Composition (GE Area A2, Written English Communication I): Two equivalent pathways satisfy the First-Year Composition Requirement: 1) Stretch ENG 104/ENG 105 or 2) ENG 114.
- Second-Year Composition (GE Area A4, Written English Communication II): Prerequisite is grade of Credit (CR) or C- or better in Stretch ENG 104/ENG 105 or ENG 114, or equivalent course. ENG 214, or an equivalent course, fulfills the Second-Year Composition Requirement.
- GWAR: Undergraduate students must complete the CSU Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR). Prerequisite is grade of Credit (CR) or C- or better in ENG 214, or equivalent course.
Written English Proficiency Requirements for Native Speakers of English
First Year Composition for Native Speakers (GE Area A2)
All newly-admitted undergraduate students who have not yet met first-year composition, must complete Directed Self-Placement to determine the pathway by which they choose to fulfill the First-Year Composition Requirement.
Two equivalent pathways satisfy the First-Year Composition Requirement for native speakers of English: Stretch ENG 104/ENG 105 or ENG 114. Either pathway satisfies GE Area A2, Written English Communication I. Students enrolling in stretch English take ENG 104 in the fall and ENG 105 in the spring. Students who enter in spring, must take both ENG 104 and ENG 105 concurrently.
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/ENG 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. Students who receive a NC in ENG 104 in the fall term must enroll in both ENG 104 and ENG 105 during the spring term. Students who fail to complete ENG 104 within one year from the time of enrollment are subject to disenrollment from the University. They may return after completing an equivalent to First-Year Composition elsewhere. For more information contact the Undergraduate Advising Center, www.sfsu.edu/~advising/.
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 English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition 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 - ENG 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.
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/A2 and ENG 214/A4 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 CR 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://ueap.sfsu.edu/wac. Biology majors should consult http://biology.sfsu.edu/content/gwar. Students should consult with their major department if they are uncertain how their department’s GWAR designated course(s) might be used in their major program. All majors have at least one GWAR course, but since adoption of GWAR courses is ongoing, options for completing GWAR may change. 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.
- Multilingual Students 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 ENG 114 and ENG 214 requirements. In order to enroll in a CMS course, students must first take the SF State Composition for Multilingual Students 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. Biology majors should consult http://biology.sfsu.edu/content/gwar. Students should consult with their major department if they are uncertain how their department’s GWAR designated course(s) might be used in their major program. All majors have at least one GWAR course, but since adoption of GWAR courses is ongoing, options for completing GWAR may change. 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. Students should consult their Degree Progress Report (DPR) or their Advanced Standing Evaluation (ASE) 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 U.S. Government and Politics 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 Testing Center, www.sfsu.edu/~testing.
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 who have completed 9 units in Area D but still need to complete the American Institutions requirement, may choose courses in D2 and D3. If they are missing the U.S. History requirement they may also select an upper division course approved as an “Additional US History” course (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
- LTNS 278/ History of Latinos in the U.S. [AERM][SJ]
- HIST 278 History of Latinos in the U.S. [AERM][SJ]
- RRS 240 All Power to the People [AERM][SJ]
- WGS 150 Women and Gender in the U.S. History and Society [AERM][SJ]
Additional US History courses
- AFRS 376 Government, the Constitution, and Black Citizens [AERM][SJ] effective Spring 2016
- AIS 460 Power and Politics in American Indian History [UD-D][AERM][SJ]
- AIS 550 American Indians in Contemporary U.S. 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 455 The Philippines and the United States [AERM][GP][SJ] effective Spring 2016
- HIST 465 American Ethnic and Racial Relations II: 1890-Present [AERM][SJ] effective Spring 2016
- HIST 470 U.S. Constitution to 1877 [UD-C] [AERM][SJ] effective Fall 2016
- HIST 471 U.S. Constitution Since 1877 [UD-C] [AERM][SJ] effective Fall 2016
- HIST 477 American Mass Culture I: Revolution to Railroad [AERM] effective Fall 2016
- HIST 478 American Mass Culture II: Gilded Age to Digital Age [UD-C] [AERM] effective Fall 2016
- JS 449/ American Jewish History [UD-C][AERM][SJ]
- HIST 449 American Jewish History [AERM] [SJ]
- MUS 506 Survey of Jazz [UD-C][AERM]
- RRS 600/ History of People of Color in the U.S. [UD-D][AERM][SJ]
- HIST 466 History of People of Color in the U.S. [UD-D][AERM][SJ]
- HIST 471 U.S. Constitution Since 1877 [UD-C] [AERM][SJ] effective Fall 2016
U.S. and California Government [USG and CSLG] Area D3
- AA S 213 Asian Americans and American Ideals and Institutions [AERM][SJ]
- AIS 205 American Indians and U.S. Law [AERM][SJ]
- LTNS 276 Latina/o, U.S. Government, and Constitutional Ideals [AERM]
- PLSI 200 American Politics
- RRS 250 Race, Ethnicity and Power in America [AERM][SJ]
- WGS 160 Gender, Politics, and Citizenship [AERM]
Additional U.S. and California Government course
- AFRS 376 Government, the Constitution, and Black Citizens [AERM][SJ] effective Spring 2016
- HIST 470 U.S. Constitution to 1877 [UD-C] [AERM][SJ] effective Fall 2016
- HIST 471 U.S. Constitution Since 1877 [UD-C] [AERM][SJ] effective Fall 2016
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 progress 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.
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.
