Nov 23, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Interdisciplinary Studies, Educational and Community Leadership Concentration, BA (SJSU Online)




Fully Online Degree Completion Program

The mission of SJSU Online is to expand higher education access and degree attainment for learners requiring a fully online degree pathway. This upper division degree completion program is offered through a special session that requires a separate application process. 

The Interdisciplinary Studies BA Concentration in Educational and Community Leadership, offered by the Department of Educational Leadership , empowers students to take a role in promoting change for social justice in their communities. The program is designed to enhance students’ opportunities for professional advancement in careers in the fields of education, child and youth services, community organizations, and social services with a curriculum that brings together a variety of academic disciplines that explore societal inequities and methods to accentuate strengths of a community and of its members.

Program Delivery

The program is delivered completely online. Classes will be delivered fully online both asynchronously (no designated days/times) and synchronously (designated days/times).   

Summary of Degree Units

Transfer Units 60
University Graduation Requirements  9
Major Core Requirements 21
Specialization Requirements 15
University Electives 15
Total 120

Program Roadmaps

The 2-Year and 3-Year Roadmaps are available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). 

Transfer Units (60 units)


All applicants are required to have completed at least 60 transferable semester or 90 quarter units with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better. Applicants must also have completed the Core Lower Division General Education Requirements  (39 units), including all four CSU-approved Basics Skills courses, each with a C- or better:

(A1) Oral Communication/Speech
(A2) Written English Composition
(A3) Critical Thinking/Logic
(B4) Math/Quantitative Reasoning (above the level of intermediate algebra)

GE Area F - Ethnic Studies must be completed with a C- or better to meet the requirement at San Jose State University.

Applicants interested in selecting the Early Childhood Education Specialization must have or find access for field placement in a suitable early childhood setting.

University Requirements


Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education , American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment, and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements  are noted with an area designation (see Course Note Abbreviations ).

Core Lower Division General Education


The Core Lower Division General Education Requirements  (39 units) must be completed before transferring from a community college or any university. 

Upper Division General Education (9 units)


Of the 9 units required by the university, 0 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult your major advisor before selecting courses to satisfy the Upper Division General Education Requirements .

American Institutions


Recommend completion before transferring from a community college or any university. The American Institutions (AI) Requirement (US123)  is normally satisfied with the completion of General Education Area D. Consult your major advisor to confirm you have satisfied the requirement.

Physical Education


The Physical Education Requirement  (2 units) is recommended to be completed before transferring from a community college or any university. All SJSU undergraduate students, regardless of major, have an opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in physical activities. To accommodate students’ needs and interests, the university offers a diverse selection of activity courses .

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement


At SJSU, students must pass a Writing in the Disciplines (100W) course with a grade of C or better (C- not accepted) to meet graduation requirements. Exceptions to the GWAR may be found in the Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements (GWAR)  section. 

This requirement is fulfilled in this major with: 

Major Requirements (36 units)


University Electives (15 units)


May include lower or upper division, at least 9 units must be upper division.

Total Units Required (120 units)