Unit of Credit
The unit of credit for San José State is the semester unit. Transferred work from a quarter-system college or university will be converted to semester-system units and grade points. Each semester unit is equal to one and one-half quarter units.
Credit Hour
On July 1, 2020, the United States Department of Education changed its definition of the student credit hour. Fundamentally, the change shifted responsibility for credit hour compliance to the accreditation agency and/or to the state.
SJSU defines a credit hour in accordance with the CSU’s accreditor, the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), which publishes its own updated definition of student credit hour and related accreditation processes. The new regulations no longer require an accrediting agency to review an institution’s credit hour policy and procedures. It requireS WSCUC to review an institution’s definition of the credit hour and it’s processes and policies to ensure the credit hour policy is followed.
The CSU/SJSU credit hour definition is consistent with federal law (600.2 and 600.4 revised July 1, 2020) and the requirements of the WSCUC. The CSU defines a credit hour as an amount of work represented in stated learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement. Such evidence is an institutionally established equivalency that:
- Approximates not less than:
- One hour of direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately 15 weeks for one semester or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or
- At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph 1.1 of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours; and
- Permits an institution, in determining the amount of work associated with a credit hour, to take into account a variety of delivery methods, measurements of student work, academic calendars, disciplines, and degree levels. Institutions have the flexibility to award a greater number of credits for courses that require more student work.
As in the past, a credit hour is assumed to be a 50-minute (not 60-minute) period. In some courses, such as those offered online, in which “seat time” does not apply, a credit hour may be measured by an equivalent amount of work, as demonstrated by student achievement.
For purposes of accreditation, all CSUs are required to develop, communicate, and implement procedures for regular, periodic review of this credit hour policy to ensure that credit hour assignments are accurate, reliable, and consistently applied. WSCUC published new draft guidelines that took effect in June 2021. Academic Scheduling & Space Management (AS&SM) notifies departments of courses that are not in compliance, and the department is responsible for the resolution of discrepancies. Institutional Research & Strategic Analytics (IRSA) produces a Class Meeting Time Report with the publication of each regular session semester Schedule of Classes.
Course Numbering System
1-99 Lower-Division Courses (Freshmen and Sophomores)
Lower-division courses are numbered 1-99 and should be designed for freshmen and sophomores. Many lower-division courses have articulation agreements secured with California community colleges. The articulation agreements are available, as well as General Education (GE) articulation agreements. Visit the Articulation webpage for more information.
100-199 Upper-Division Courses (Juniors and Seniors)
Upper-division courses are numbered 100-199 and should be designed for juniors and seniors. It is recommended that upper-division courses have a minimum prerequisite of upper-division standing. Articulation agreements are available between university to university and other regionally accredited colleges and universities. Visit the Articulation webpage for more information.
200-299 Master’s Courses
Master’s courses are numbered 200-299.
300-399 Methods or Professional Courses
Methods or professional courses given by or for other departments. They are allowed upper division credit and are often required for a single subject teaching credential which can also be used for degree credit if embedded in a graduate program such as the Masters in Teaching (MAT). Courses may be graded or credit/no credit (CR/NC).
400-499 Continuing Education Courses
Courses numbered 400-499 are designated as continuing education courses pursuant to policy F25-1. These credit/no credit (CR/NC) bearing courses are not directly applicable to any degree program and are restricted to professional development and continuing education. Continuing education units do not affect grade point totals or average.
500-599 Doctoral Courses
Doctoral courses are numbered 500-599.
180 Individual Study and 184 Directed Reading
Individual Studies (180) and Directed Reading (184) are used for independent study and are generally reserved for majors within a department. Normally, no more than four units of 180 and/or 184 may be taken for baccalaureate credit (see Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements ).
96, 196, 296, and 596 Experimental Courses
Courses numbered 96, 196, 296, and 596 are offered to meet special demands for experimental courses on a temporary basis and are listed in the Schedule of Classes, but not in the academic catalog.
1000 No Degree Credit
Courses in the 1000-series do not earn credit toward any degree program. Examples: courses with pre-college content and units devoted to thesis, project, or dissertation beyond minimum required units. (Effective May 30, 2016)
Repeating Courses
In accordance with CSU requirements and SJSU policy F08-2, the following provisions govern the repetition of courses:
Undergraduate Students: Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students may repeat a course only if the grade earned on the first attempt was below a C (including WU, IC, and NC). Courses designated in the catalog as “Repeatable for Credit” may be repeated even if a C or better was earned. This restriction applies whether the first attempt was at another institution and the second at SJSU, or vice versa. Articulation agreements determine if the course at another institution is considered equivalent to an SJSU course. See the course-to-course articulation information. Undergraduate students may repeat a maximum of 28 units total.
Graduate Students: Graduate students may repeat a course only if the grade earned on the first attempt was below a B (including WU, IC, and NC). Courses that are not repeatable for credit in the catalog may not be repeated if the first attempt resulted in a B or better. Graduate students may repeat a maximum of 9 units total.
The restriction on duplicate credit also applies to credit earned by AP, CLEP, and IB examinations that articulate to specific SJSU courses. When examination credit duplicates course credit, the examination credit will be removed or reduced based on the degree of overlap, consistent with Executive Order 1036.
Financial Aid and Repeating Courses
Retaking courses that have already been completed with a grade of D- or better may have financial aid implications. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with a financial aid representative.
Ineligible Course Repeats
Occasionally, students enroll in a course for which they have already earned degree-applicable credit, whether due to timing issues or other circumstances. If a student earns an additional passing grade in the same course, or in an equivalent, the second attempt is considered an ineligible repeat. Students who repeat a course in which they have previously earned passing credit will not receive additional degree-applicable units for the repeated course. Although the grade earned in the repeat will be included in the calculation of the cumulative GPA, the units will not count toward the total units required for graduation.
Undergraduate students who are within one semester of completing degree requirements should exercise particular caution. For example, a student who needs 120 total units to graduate and enrolls in 12 units during the final semester may discover after grades are posted that one or more of those courses have been designated as ineligible repeats and do not provide additional degree credit. In such cases, the student may fall short of the minimum unit requirement for graduation despite successfully completing all enrolled coursework. Students are strongly encouraged to consult an academic advisor before enrolling in a repeated course to ensure they meet degree-unit requirements.
Enrollment Limits and Excess Units
Enrollment limits for undergraduate students will be set on a semester-by-semester basis. Petitions and information are available at the Registrar’s Office.
Maximum Unit Load
An undergraduate student who enrolls in 12 or more units is classified as full-time for the purposes of financial aid. An average unit load of at least 30 units per academic year (15 units per semester without summer or winter coursework) is required to complete an undergraduate degree in four years. Advising is essential to be able to complete a degree in a timely and efficient manner. Students with work or family responsibilities outside of school should consult with an advisor and plan their study loads appropriately.
The maximum load for graduate students is normally 16 semester units. Reasonable exceptions beyond this number of up to 18 units may be approved by the graduate advisor and department chair, for sufficient cause, but permission must also be garnered from the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies by means of the Graduate Petition for Excess Units. Loads beyond 18 units for graduate students are prohibited by the CSU. The Graduate Studies & Research Committee strongly recommends that graduate students carry no more than 12 units of 200-level work in any one semester. There is no official minimum load for graduate students other than for those who wish to receive financial assistance or other benefits.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regulations on international students require that undergraduates maintain full-time status of 12 semester units and graduate students 9 semester units, excluding summer in both cases. To appeal this regulation, go to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).
Transcript of Record
Transcript Requests
Current and former San José State students have several ways to order official and unofficial transcripts
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Current students should use their MySJSU Account.
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Former students must order from our vendor. You do not need your SJSU ID number to place an order. Please see the information on how to order a transcript on the Office of the Registrar’s Transcript Ordering webpage.
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For an unofficial transcript, log in to your MySJSU Account. See this tutorial. If you no longer have access to MySJSU, you must order an official transcript via Parchment.
Visit the Registrar’s Office website for more information on Transcripts.
Holds
Holds may be placed on your student records by campus departments for various reasons (e.g. fees, books, housing, equipment, or documents).
General Transcript Regulations:
- Transcripts are a complete record of all courses and/or degrees completed at San José State University. Transcripts do not include coursework completed at other institutions. Only the transferable units are reflected on transcripts under “Transfer Credit”. Transcripts from high schools or other colleges cannot be duplicated.
- For students with undergraduate and post-baccalaureate or graduate coursework, please be aware that the transcript cannot be separated into undergraduate or graduate coursework. All coursework will appear on the transcript as it is considered one single official record. However, the single transcript is separated into distinct undergraduate and graduate sections.
- Transcript requests are not accepted by fax or email.
- We do not accept requests for unofficial transcripts. Unofficial transcripts can be obtained through your Student Center page on the MySJSU portal (available to current and newly graduated students only). If you need assistance with your MySJSU account, please contact the IT Help Desk via e-mail: itservicedesk@sjsu.edu. Former students who no longer have access to their MySJSU must order an official transcript through our vendor. See Transcript Requests above.
Verification of Unit Load
In verifying enrollments to the Veterans’ Administration, scholarship boards and loan agencies, the university reports the total number of units enrolled as the official unit load for an undergraduate.
The definition of “full-time student” made by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), Veterans Administration and other agencies may vary. Students concerned about their enrollment status are urged to contact the relevant agency to learn its policies. Full veterans’ subsistence payments require a course load of 12 weighted semester units for undergraduate students. Graduate students require a course load of 8 weighted semester units. Graduate students from foreign countries who are in the U.S. on student visas must normally carry 9 semester units to maintain full-time student status, while undergraduate international students must carry 12 semester units to maintain the required full-time status.
Students may request verification of unit load from the Office of the Registrar located in the Student Services Center.
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