Special Major, BA

The Office of Undergraduate Education sponsors undergraduate degrees as a Special Major, BA. The Special Major is designed for situations in which an existing SJSU undergraduate degree major does not adequately accommodate academic professional aims. Students who complete a Special Major shall be able to demonstrate the characteristics of “intentional learners” who can adapt to new environments, integrate knowledge from different sources, and continue learning throughout their life.

The Special Major is an individually designed, interdisciplinary course of study leading to a BA that gives a student who has a specific educational objective the opportunity to accomplish that goal. It is not to be used to bypass normal graduation requirements or projected programs of the University, nor to substitute for a major in which a student is having academic difficulty.

Major Requirements (40 units)
Procedures to Apply for the Special Major BA
Sample of Approved Special Majors

Program Learning Outcomes

The proposed course of study must be a coherent program organized around an academic theme. Students who complete a Special Major shall be able to demonstrate: “the ability to analyze an issue or problem, integrating at least two disciplinary perspectives.” In addition, students identify two or more student learning outcomes related to their specific areas of study in consultation with a major faculty advisor. They demonstrate their attainment of the learning outcomes through a portfolio or senior project completed in a capstone course.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must have both a cumulative and SJSU GPA of at least 2.75, at least sixty units earned (upper division standing), and at least one year of academic work still to be completed to meet minimum degree requirements. Special Majors are considered on a case-by-case basis. Approval is based on the academic merit of the proposed course of study, the applicant’s proposed rationale and potential for successful completion of the program, and the ability of the university to support the proposed program. Students apply for consideration for the Special Major through the Office of Undergraduate Education .

General Education/American Institution Requirements

Courses that meet General Education/American Institution requirements are noted with area designation for required area. For legend please see General Education Attributes .

University Requirements (53 units)

Core Lower Division General Education (39 units)

Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3 or B4 must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Consult with major advisor for details.

Upper Division General Education (9 units)

American Institutions (6 units)

The 6 units of American Institutions (US123) coursework shown below also fulfills GE Areas D2 and D3. Other courses meet the American Institutions requirement, but may not include additional GE areas. The American Studies (AMS 1A /AMS 1B ) and Humanities Honors (HUM 1A /HUM 1B /HUM 2A /HUM 2B ) programs both offer larger integrated packages that meet this requirement. Consult with major advisor for details.

Complete One Sequence From:

Physical Education (2 units)

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

At SJSU, students must pass both the SJSU Writing Skills Test (WST) and a 100W course. Exceptions to the GWAR may be found at Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) .

A grade of C or better (C- not accepted) is required to meet graduation requirement.

Major Requirements (40 units minimum)

Students must formally request admission to a Special Major program through the Office of Undergraduate Education .
The student must cite academic and professional objectives and describe the nature of the proposed major. The student must have at least one year of academic work still to be completed to meet the minimum degree requirements.
Courses used to meet General Education Requirements may not be applied to the major, nor may any courses in the major field be used for GE.
Students must self-identify any disabilities for which reasonable accommodations are necessary to complete the proposed degree program
The student must have both cumulative and an SJSU GPA of at least 2.75.

Procedures

Before, during, and after the initial consultation with the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education , student must complete the following:

A written reflective statement that includes:
1. description of the proposed major;
2. discussion of why existing majors are not suitable;
3. a reflection on what it means to the student to be an “educated person” and how this special major will help the student to become one;
4. description of any disabilities that may require accommodations (if applicable);
5. academic, professional, and personal objectives; and,
6. how does your Special Major help you to meet your academic, professional, and personal objectives?
A major course of study plan that includes:
1. 40-45 total units in the major;
2. 24 units in residence at SJSU; and,
3. 30-40 units in upper division.
Student must meet with department advisor(s) and have a suggested major advisor (Undergraduate Education does not assign advisors, students pick major advisor).
1. Completion of the major course of study plan in consultation with the suggested major advisor and other departments involved in the program;
2. Preparation of the Special Major worksheet and evaluation of General Education and graduation requirements in consultation with the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education . Approval of Special Major Worksheet; and,
3. Approval of modifications in Course of Study by Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education .
If Special Major is approved, students must complete the following:
1. A Change of Major Form;
2. Major Form (will be completed between the student, department advisor(s), and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education );
3. Application for Graduation ; and,
4. Forms must be completed and submitted at least 1 year prior to graduation.
  
  Diploma and transcript will contain the title (Special Major) followed by the exact title of the major listed in the Major Form.

University Electives (27 units)

Total Units Required (120 units)

Sample of Approved Special Majors

Adult Development and Aging - Health Science and Psychology and/or Social Work
Biodiversity and the Environment - Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies
Community Leadership - Two or three of the following: Sociology, Political Science, Urban & Regional Planning
Comparative Racial and Ethnic Studies - Interdisciplinary Social Science and an ethnic studies area like Mexican American Studies, Asian American Studies, African American Studies, or Jewish Studies
Diversity in the Arts - Design Studies or Art History plus Anthropology and/or an ethnic studies area
Education, Learning, and Society - Education, Psychology, and Interdisciplinary Social Science
Environmental Health - Health Science and Biological Sciences
Family Studies - Child and Adolescent Development and Sociology and/or Psychology
Financial Education - Business, Economics, and Sociology or Interdisciplinary Social Science
Game Development - Computer Science, Math, and Art
Global Leadership - Business plus one or two related areas such as Global Studies, World Languages and Literatures, Anthropology, or Interdisciplinary Social Science
Green Technology - Environmental Studies and Technology
Human Services - Social Work and Psychology and/or Sociology
Intercultural Communication - Communication Studies plus World Languages and Literatures and/or Anthropology
Law and Society - Justice Studies and Sociology
Management in various areas - Business plus a substantive area such as Art, Kinesiology, Health, Environmental Studies, or Political Science
Media Studies - Journalism and Mass Communications plus Television, Radio, Film & Theatre and/or Communication Studies
Musical Theatre - Music, Dance, Theatre
Neuroscience - Biological Sciences and Psychology
Peace Studies - History, Communication Studies, and Sociology
Public Health - Health Science and Psychology and/or Sociology
Sustainability - General Engineering plus Environmental Studies and/or Biological Sciences
Technical Writing - English plus a science or technology area such as Computer Science, General Engineering, Biological Science, or Technology
Values in Society - Philosophy plus a values-laden substantive area such as Justice Studies, Economics, Comparative Religions, Women’s Studies, or an ethnic studies area