Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements

To Qualify for an Undergraduate Degree

The University offers the following undergraduate (or baccalaureate) degrees: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Music (BM), and the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). View the Undergraduate Graduation Requirements Unit Overview . Students must satisfy the specific degree requirements for their undergraduate major  and fulfill the following University degree requirements: 

1. Academic
2. General Education (GE)
3. American Institutions (AI)
4. Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)
5. Physical Education (PE)
6. Units in Residence
7. Upper Division Units
8. Undergraduate Policies & Procedures
9. Apply for Graduation
   Information about the Commencement Ceremony and Conferral of the Degree

University Graduation Requirements earning goals and outcomes are included in the Mission and Institutional Learning Goals  section of the catalog. Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements , including exemptions and waivers, are approved for specific majors and on a case-by-case evaluation only. Students may submit a University Graduation Requirement petition to the Office of Undergraduate Education.

1. Academic

An “All College” average of “C or better” (2.0), a “C or better” average earned in all units taken at SJSU (as indicated on the transcript by “SJSU Cum”), a “C or better” average in both the requirements for the major and the minor (if applicable), a “C- or better” in each of the four GE basic skills courses (Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4), a “C- or better” in Ethnic Studies (GE Area F), and a “C or better” in Writing in the Disciplines (100W/GWAR), are required for graduation with a baccalaureate degree. Upon the completion of their programs, credential candidates must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be recommended for a credential.

A minimum of 120 semester units of credit must be earned for graduation with the baccalaureate degree. Normally, no more than four units of Individual Studies (180) and/or Directed Reading (184) may count for the baccalaureate degree. Exceptions must have approval from the major department.

All requirements listed here may be met either by passing external examinations (Advanced Placement (AP) Exams , College Level Exam Program (CLEP) , or International Baccalaureate (IB) ), waiver examinations, where available, or through the Credit for Prior Learning process, or by coursework. Students should note that success in a waiver examination satisfies a requirement but does not yield unit credit. For information about the examinations, contact the SJSU Testing Office.

Any additional academic requirements are specified on the undergraduate major  catalog pages.

2. General Education (GE)

SJSU’s General Education Program  establishes a strong foundation of versatile skills, fosters curiosity about the world, promotes ethical judgment, and prepares students to engage and contribute responsibly and cooperatively in a multicultural, information-rich society. General education classes integrate areas of study and encourage progressively more complex and creative analysis, expression, and problem solving. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values they need for a lifetime of intellectual and personal growth. Review the learning goals and outcomes , policies , academic advisement information , and previous requirements .

3. American Institutions (AI)

The American Institutions requirement is based on the premise that any student graduating from the CSU should have an understanding of the history and governmental institutions of the United States and the State of California. This requirement, which was put in place by the State of California, is laid out in California State University Executive Order 1061. The original mandate appears in the State Education Code Title 5, Section 40404. Students may complete waiver exams or coursework to satisfy the requirements. Consult the Testing Office for information about the waiver examinations. Students should consult an academic advisor to determine which of the various course combinations are best for their undergraduate major .

Courses in American Institutions should meet one or more of the following requirements: U.S. History, U.S. Constitution, and California Government. Students enrolled in these courses should develop civic skills, interests, and values through exposure to diverse perspectives on the historical events and political processes that have shaped the social, economic, and political systems in which they live. 

Students should be able to apply their values, skills, and knowledge of the historical development of the United States, American institutions and ideals, and the processes of state and local government to multicultural, community, and environmental interests.

4. Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)

The CSU Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) states that all students must demonstrate competency in writing skills as a requirement for graduation. Effective Fall 2023, University Policy S19-3, Amendment B, the Writing Skills Test (WST) is no longer required as a prerequisite for enrolling in Writing in the Disciplines (100W) courses.

Satisfy the GWAR Requirement
All undergraduate students must satisfy the GWAR by either:

1. Passing a Writing in the Disciplines (100W) course with a “C or better” (C- not accepted). View a list of Writing in the Disciplines - 100W Courses,

or

2. Satisfying the GWAR while matriculated at another CSU campus,

​or

3. For students who took the WST before the Fall 2023, earning a waiver score on the WST. This applies only in majors that permitted a waiver score before Fall 2023 (See 2022-2023 catalog for previous GWAR requirements).  

Students should consult with their major advisors or the Exploratory Student Success Center for major-specific advice to satisfy this requirement. Graduate students should refer to the Graduate Policies - Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)  section. 

Writing in the Disciplines Courses (3 units)

Writing in the Disciplines (WID) courses develop students’ abilities to communicate effectively in their major course of study and in their careers. With an emphasis on critical thinking, these upper-division core courses advance students’ understanding of the genres, audiences, and purposes of college writing while preparing them for successful communication in their chosen professions.

Minimum Prerequisite: Upper division standing; A3 or equivalent second semester composition course (with a grade of C- or better); completion of core GE. Completion of the UDW-DSP is strongly recommended. 

Minimum Grade: A minimum grade of “C” or better (C- not accepted).

• AFAM 100W - Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• AMS 100W - Writing in the Humanities & Interdisciplinary Arts  3 unit(s)
• ANTH 100W - Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• ART 100W - Writing Workshop: Fine Arts  3 unit(s)
• BIOL 100W - Scientific Communication Workshop  3 unit(s)
• CHAD 100W - Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• CHEM 100W - Writing Workshop: Chemical Communications  3 unit(s)
• COMM 100W - Writing Workshop: Writing for Influence  3 unit(s)
• CS 100W - Technical Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• DSGN 100W - Writing Workshop: Design  3 unit(s)
• ECON 100W - Writing Workshop: Economic Reports  4 unit(s)
• ENGL 100W - Writing Workshop  4 unit(s)
• ENGL 100WB - Written Communication: Business  3 unit(s)
• ENGR 100W - Engineering Reports  3 unit(s)
• ENVS 100W - Environmental Research and Writing  3 unit(s)
• FORL 100W - Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• FS 100W - Forensic Science Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• GEOG 100W - Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• GLST 100W - Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• HIST 100W - History Writers’ Workshop  3 unit(s)
• HUM 100W - Writing in the Humanities & Interdisciplinary Arts  3 unit(s)
• JS 100W - Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• KIN 100W - Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• LLD 100W - Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• LLD 100WB - Writing Workshop for Business Students  3 unit(s)
• MCOM 100W - Writing Workshop: Mass Communications  3 unit(s)
• METR 100W - Writing Workshop: Meteorological Reports  3 unit(s)
• MUSC 100W - Written Communication II  3 unit(s)
• NUFS 100W - Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• NURS 100WE - Evidence Based Practice Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• PH 100W - Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• PHYS 100W - Methods of Research and Communication in Physics  3 unit(s)
• POLS 100W - Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• PSYC 100W - Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• RECL 100W - Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• RELS 100W - Writing in the Humanities & Interdisciplinary Arts  3 unit(s)
• SCWK 100W - Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• SOCI 100W - Writing Workshop  3 unit(s)
• TA 100W - Writing Workshop: Theatre Arts  3 unit(s)

5. Physical Education (PE)

All undergraduate students who matriculate at SJSU, except those students in majors that are exempt (see Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements ), are required to complete two units of activity courses  that satisfy the Physical Education requirement (University Policy S14-11). Students may satisfy this requirement by either:

1. taking two distinct 1-unit activity courses  (may include 2 units of Intercollegiate Athletics courses), or
2. taking one single activity course  of 2-or-more units.

Veterans who have completed at least one year of active duty in the armed services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or Space Force) have satisfied the physical education requirement (Credit for Military Training in Non-Collegiate Settings  section). Activity courses at SJSU are not repeatable for credit, unless indicated in the course description. KIN 1 - Adapted Physical Activities , specifically designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities, is repeatable for credit with instructor consent. To petition a course to satisfy the Physical Education Requirement, students must submit a petition to the Office of Undergraduate Education, who will consult with the Department of Kinesiology , at least one semester prior to graduation.

6. Units in Residence

For all bachelor’s degrees, a minimum of 30 units shall be earned in residence after matriculation at the campus granting the degree. A minimum of 24 units shall be upper division. Of these upper division units, a minimum of 12 units shall be in the major . Extension credit or credit by evaluation shall not be used to fulfill any of the thirty (30) units in residence. Summer and Winter Session for previously matriculated students earns residence credit; Open University units are not applicable toward the residence requirement.

7. Upper Division Units

A minimum of 40 of the total units required for graduation with the bachelor’s degree must be upper division. For the BA, a minimum of 12 units of upper division credit in the major  is required and for the BS, a minimum of 18 units of upper division credit in the major  is required. Upper division credit will be allowed by the university and applied toward the baccalaureate degree only for SJSU courses numbered 100 or above and for courses from other universities clearly designated as junior or senior level courses.

8. Undergraduate Policies

All Undergraduate Policies & Procedures  apply to students seeking to earn a baccalaureate degree.

9. Apply for Graduation

• You should apply for graduation at least two semesters in advance, after completing at least 85 semester units (must be in good standing). See major  for specific graduation course and unit requirements.
• File your application no later than the Processing Deadline dates. Submitting your application by the priority processing deadline allows us to review your graduation requirements before Advance Registration ends for your last term of attendance.
• MyProgress is used to evaluate completion of undergraduate degree requirements. Please work with your advisor to ensure that MyProgress accurately reflects all of your coursework and test credit. 
• All courses and requirements must be completed by the date of graduation and transcripts received within one month after graduation. Any Incomplete (I)  or Report Delayed (RD)  grade must be cleared before your degree can be awarded. Once your degree has been posted, no grade changes will be made to your record.
• If you are unable to complete the coursework, or if the date of graduation is delayed, a “Graduation Date Change Form” must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office.

Apply by the priority processing deadline dates. Applications will continue to be accepted up to the last day to add classes for the term of graduation; however, delays may occur in the initial and final evaluation of your application and names may not appear in the commencement book if application is received after the priority processing deadline. If we receive your application after the final deadline date for the term for which you are applying, your application will automatically be set up for the next available graduation date. See the Graduation page for further guidance.

Graduation Application Process

Candidates for the baccalaureate degree must file an application for graduation at least two semesters prior to the expected graduation date in order to allow time to make up any deficiencies or correct any discrepancies that may delay graduation. At least 85 semester units must be completed before an application for graduation may be submitted. In addition to fulfilling curricular graduation requirements, a student, to be eligible for a bachelor’s degree, must have a grade point average of at least 2.0 (C) in each one of the following categories:

1. all college work (the overall average),
2. all units attempted at SJSU,
3. all units in the major, and
4. all units in the minor (if any).

Undergraduate students need to check with their major departments or their college success centers when they are ready to apply for graduation. For guidance see the Application for Graduation web page. 

The graduation application for Master’s or doctoral degrees is available to eligible students through their MySJSU account. Eligible students will be messaged once they are eligible to apply online. A tutorial and video instructions for completing the application are available on the GAPE Graduation website under Online Graduation Application.

Those planning to attend a college or university other than SJSU during the final semester must notify the Office of the Registrar. Courses must be completed by the date of graduation and transcripts received within one month after graduation.

If a candidate is unable to complete the coursework as expected, or if the date of graduation is to be delayed for any reason, a Change of Graduation Date form must be submitted, accompanied with the fee, prior to the new expected graduation date.

Commencement Ceremony and Conferral of the Degree

Degrees are conferred three times a year - in August, December and May - at the close of summer, fall and spring terms. The date of the diploma reflects the term during which the degree requirements were completed. There are two graduation or commencement ceremonies each academic year, held at the close of the spring and fall semesters. Students who have completed all requirements in the previous summer and fall semester, or expect to complete their degree requirements in the spring semester, are eligible to participate.