University Graduation Requirements Petitions

Go to: American Institutions | Core GE | Intensive Science Plan | Intensive Music Plan | Physical Education | SJSU Studies | Written Communication II

Note: DocuSign template forms require an active one.SJSU account. If you do not have an active account, please contact us at undergraduate-education@sjsu.edu for an electronic copy of the petition.

Lower Division CORE GE Equivalent Course

Regardless of major the General Education curriculum is required for all undergraduate degrees. Some majors General Education is fulfilled upon completion of some degrees (see major exceptions in Catalog).

• Purpose

  • Petition to have a course assigned a GE area.

    If a CCC or CSU course is course-to-course articulated to an SJSU course that has been placed in a different GE than the course being transferred into SJSU, this petition may also be used to request a change from the articulated GE area to the GE area of the SJSU course.

    Note that the course(s) need NOT be identical to an SJSU course in the particular GE Area, but it must address the content objectives and learning outcomes of that particular GE Area.

• Eligibility Requirements
  • 1. Must be an undergraduate students who has matriculated (admitted and enrolled) at SJSU for one full semester,
    2. Equivalencies for Basic Skill (A1, A2, A3, B4) will not be granted unless passed with a grade of "C- or better".
    3. Coursework must address the particular GE Area's Learning Outcomes. Articulation agreements already define all such course equivalencies.
    4. Transfer courses need to be showing on MySJSU account.

    For CCC courses, see www.assist.org. For CSU courses, contact the CSU for their approved list during the time period when the course was taken.

• Required Attachments
  • 1. Personal statement explaining the reasoning for submitting the request;
    2. Supporting evidence/ documentation
       
       1. minimally a catalog description from the year when the course was taken, ideally a syllabus as well
       2. Writing samples will be required for Area A2 and A3;
       3. General Education Breadth (see Articulation)
    3. Transcripts - from the institution where the coursework was taken with the relevant course(s) highlighted (unofficial transcripts acceptable);
       Note: The official transcript showing the course you are petitioning must have been submitted at the time of admission, or before submitting this petition if taken concurrently with SJSU coursework
• GE Area Reviewer and Area Petition Form

  • For learning outcomes, see the University's Institutional Learning page's General Education section.

    Area A1: Oral Communications[DocuSign]. The assigned area review is the Department Chair, Communication Studies. The minimum writing requirement is 1500 words.

    Area A2: Written Communication I [DocuSign]. The assigned area reviewer is the Director of Composition, English Department. The minimum writing requirement is 8000 words.

    Area A3: Critical Thinking[DocuSign]. The assigned area reviewer is the Director of Composition, English Department. The minimum writing requirement is 6000 words.

    Area B1: Physical Science[DocuSign]. The assigned area reviewer is the Associate Dean, College of Science. No minimum writing requirement.

    Area B2: Life Science[DocuSign]. The assigned area reviewer is the Associate Dean, College of Science. No minimum writing requirement.

    Area B3: Life/Physical Science Lab Only[DocuSign]. The assigned area reviewer is the Associate Dean, College of Science. No minimum writing requirement.

    Area B4: Mathematical Concepts[DocuSign]. The assigned area reviewer is the Department Chair, Mathematics & Statistics Department. No minimum writing requirement.

    Area C: Arts (C1) and Letters (C2)[DocuSign]. The assigned area reviewer is the Associate Dean, Humanities & the Arts. No minimum writing requirement.

    Area D: Social Science [DocuSign]. The assigned area reviewer is the Associate Dean, College of Social Sciences. No minimum writing requirement.

    Area E: Human Understanding & Development[DocuSign]. The assigned area reviewer is the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education. The minimum writing requirement is 1500 words.

    Area F: Ethnic Studies. There are no waivers or substitutions allowed for Area F courses, per the CSU GE Breadth Requirements (EO 1100).  

    Designee Reviewers are assigned by the Office of Undergraduate Education

Intensive Science Plan Sequence

Students, who have completed in-depth coursework in science that is not certified for GE, may request an alternative package to satisfy Core Physical Science (B1), Life Science (B2), and/or Laboratory Science (B3) that have not already been met by approved GE Courses. Must be an Undergraduate student who are matriculated (admitted and enrolled) at SJSU for one semester.

Students who have completed the Intensive Science courses with a "C-" or better, will be allowed to use these courses to fulfill the requirement in B1/B3 or B2/B3.

• PHYS 50, PHYS 51, or PHYS 52, and CHEM 1A; or
• PHYS 2A, PHYS 2B and CHEM 1A; or
• CHEM 1A, CHEM 1B and a physics course; or
• three courses from BIOL 30, BIOL 33, BIOL 65, BIOL 65O, BIOL 66, MICRO 20; or
• Two physical courses and CHEM 1A

• What can be petitioned?

  • (1) grades below "C-" (very rarely approved); or

    (2) other Intensive Science courses not on the list of approved intensive science courses; or

    (3) Two or  physical courses (as long as they are B1/B3) and a CHEM 1A;  or 

    (4) physics/chemistry/biology courses equivalent that are intensive science but are not articulated to SJSU. 

• Intensive Science Course Reviewer

  • The assigned area reviewer is the Associate Dean, College of Science

• Required Attachments 

  • 1) Personal statement explaining the reasoning for submitting the request;

    2) Supporting documentation - minimally a catalog description from the year when the course was taken and a course syllabus;

    3) Transcripts - from the institution where the course work was taken (unofficial transcripts acceptable);

    Note: official transcript showing the courses you are petitioning must have been submitted at the time of admission, or before submitting this petition if taken concurrently with SJSU coursework, ideally the course is showing on your MySJSU account.

    4) Enter all courses that are part of the Intensive Science Plan sequence in the petition.

    5)Completed form includes all courses that are part of the Intensive Science plan.

• Petition Form

  • Intensive Science [DocuSign]

Intensive Music Plan Sequence

 Students, who have completed in-depth coursework in music that is not certified for GE, may request an alternative package to satisfy CORE Area C. 

• Petition Instructions

  • Completed the Intensive Music courses, MUSC 4A, MUSC 4B, and MUSC 12, with a “C-" or better, will be allowed to use these courses to fulfill the requirements of Area C.

    Students may petition to have:
    (1) grades below "C-" (very rarely approved), or

    (2) other Intensive Music courses not on the list of approved intensive music courses.

    The assigned area reviewer is the Associate Dean, Humanities & the Arts.

• Required Attachments
  • 1. Personal statement explaining the reasoning for submitting the request;
    2. Supporting evidence/documentation - minimally a catalog description from the year when the course was taken and a course syllabus;
    3. Transcripts - from the institution where the course work was taken (unofficial okay);
       Note: The official transcript showing the course you are petitioning must have been submitted at the time of admission, or before submitting this petition if taken concurrently with SJSU coursework, ideally course is showing on your MySJSU account
• Petition Form

  • Intensive Music Plan [DocuSign]

Upper-Division GE (SJSU Studies) Equivalent Course

For learning outcomes, see the University's Institutional Learning page's General Education section. 

• Eligibility Requirements

  • SJSU Studies areas include:

    Area R: Earth and Environment (UD Area B: Science);
    Area S: Self, Society & Equality in the U.S. (UD Area D: Social Science);
    Area V: Culture, Civilization & Global Understanding (UD Area C: Humanities)

    Eligibility Requirements: 

    Must be an undergraduate student who matriculated (admitted and enrolled) at SJSU for at least one semester;

    Written Skills Test (WST), ENGL/LLD 100A course (C or better), Directed Self Placement (WST-DSP), or GWAR at another CSU must be fulfill prior to submitting petition

    Course must be an approve upper-division California State University General Education course, or

    1. If course was approved for an upper division GE one semester before and/or after course was taken (rarely approved); or
    2. SJSU Studies Aggregate GPA of 2.0 GPA was not obtain (rarely approved), or
    3. Courses are less than 3 units (policy requires 9 semester units); or
    4. Non-GE course from SJSU (rarely approved); or
    5. SJSU Studies course(s) were not taken for letter grades (rarely approved).
       Exception courses taken in Spring 2020 due to temporary change in policy.

    Petition will NEVER be approved for lower-division, private-school, out of state, or international courses.

    The minimum writing requirement is 3000 words. 9 units of upper-division GE are required to fulfill residency (see Catalog)

• Required Attachments

  • If you are a recent transfer student, we recommend waiting for courses to be posted to your MySJSU records before petitioning.  Should credit not be granted for SJSU Studies, please complete this petition and attach items listed below :

    1. Personal statement explaining request;
    2. Supporting documentation
       1. GE Breadth list/checklist (i.e. MyProgress report, website/URL to GE listing).
       2. minimally a catalog description from the year when the course was taken and/or a course syllabus. 
    3. Transcripts (unofficial accepted);
       Note: The official transcript showing the course you are petitioning must have been submitted at the time of admission, or before submitting this petition if taken concurrently with SJSU coursework, ideally the course is showing on your MySJSU account.
    4. Completed petition form.
       Petition will be DENIED if (1) the course is a lower division; (2) required attachments are missing; (3) transcripts have not been submitted to SJSU; (4) course is a non-GE CSU course.
       Course information must be entered as shown on the external transcript not as posted on SJSU student account. 
• Petition Form

  • SJSU Studies Equivalent Course [DocuSign]

Written Communication II (100W)

The California State University (CSU) junior-level writing requirement is known as the “Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement” (GWAR). At SJSU, the GWAR is satisfied by (1) passing the Writing Skills Test (WST) or passing with a “C or better” the designated 100A course or by completing the WST Directed Self Placement exercise; and (2) passing with a “C or better” (C- not accepted) the designated 100W course.

• Learning Outcomes, Content Objectives, and Minimum Writing Requirement

  • Written Communications II (100W) - Courses must develop advanced proficiency in college-level writing and appropriate contemporary research strategies and methodologies to communicate effectively to both specialized and general audiences.

    Produce discipline-specific written work that demonstrates upper-division proficiency in language use, grammar, and clarity of expression. Explain, analyze, develop, and criticize ideas effectively, including ideas encountered in multiple readings and expressed in different forms of discourse. Organize and develop essays and documents for both professional and general audiences. Organize and develop essays and documents according to appropriate editorial and citation standards. Locate, organize, and synthesize information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose, and to communicate that purpose in writing

    Assignments will total a minimum of 8000 words.

    Area reviewer: Thomas Moriarty, Director of Writing Across the Curriculum, English Department.

     

• Petition Eligibility Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements:

    1. Undergraduate students who are matriculated (admitted and enrolled) at SJSU for one semester;
    2. Receive a waiver score of 11 or 12 on the Written Skills Test (WST);
    3. Demonstrate exceptional writing ability (e.g., published expository writing);
    4. Completed the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) at another CSU; **
    5. Completed an upper-division composition course (Intensive Writing Course). 

    **Note: Coursework already given credit in GE Area A2 (e.g. ENGL 1A) or second-semester composition (e.g. ENGL 1B or ENGL 2) or lower division writing course may not be used as a basis for this petition.

    A WST score of 11/12 earns a waiver of the SJSU 100W course requirement, with the caveat that a major degree program may require a 100W course as part of the major (see Major Exceptions in Catalog). The WST Directed Self Placement (WST-DSP) exercise is NOT eligible for a 100W waiver.

• Required Attachments

  • Category 1: Scored an 11 or 12 on the Written Skills Test (WST)

    1. Copy Written Skills Test (WST) scores. Note: major department chair can submit a memo/email in lieu of petition to Undergraduate Education for waiver of 100W course base on WST score.

    ---

    Category 2: Demonstrate exceptional writing ability (rarely approved)

    1. Personal statement explaining the reasoning for submitting the request;
    2. Attach writing samples or publish works (please work with the Undergraduate Education Office).

    ---

    Category 3: Completed the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) at another CSU.  Please wait for the course to be posted to MySJSU, as credit is usually given automatically. 

    1. Personal statement explaining the reasoning for submitting the request;
    2. Attach information from institution showing writing course fulfills a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) or documentation showing that GWAR was completed; 
    3. Attach school transcript(s) (unofficial acceptable). An official transcript showing the course must have been submitted at the time of admissions before submitting this petition.

    ---

    Category 4: Completed an upper-division composition course (Intensive Writing Course)

    1. Personal statement explaining the reasoning for submitting the request;
    2. Attach catalog course description from year course was taken and course syllabus;
    3. Attach school transcript(s) (unofficial acceptable). An official transcript showing the course must have been submitted at the time of admissions before submitting this petition.
• Petition Form

  • Written Communication II (100W) [DocuSign]

American Institutions (US1, US2, US3) Equivalent Course

Completion or plan to complete coursework that satisfies one or more of the State of California American Institutions (AI) requirements that are not currently articulated.

• Learning Outcomes and Reviewer Information

  • The petition is reviewed by Dr. Glen Gendzel, Department Chair of History, except for political science courses, which are always reviewed by Dr. Garrick Percival, Department Chair of Political Science.

    US 1: American History - Courses should fulfill at least 100 years or both pre- and post-Civil War time period.

    US 2: American Government/Politics - Courses should be able to describe (1) how political decisions are made, (2) describe the links between the people and government, and (3) the U.S. Constitutions.

    US 3: California Government/Politics - Courses should (1) The relationship between state and local government in California, (2) the basic issues of California politics, and (3) changes on the history and politics of the state.

• Petition Eligibility Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements:

    Course(s) do not need to be identical to an SJSU course in American Institutions Area but must address the content objectives and learning outcomes of a particular AI Area.

    Courses in American Institutions should meet one or more of the following requirements:

    1. U.S. History, U.S. Constitution, and California Government. Students enrolled in these courses should be exposed to alternative interpretations of the historical events and political processes that have shaped the social, economic, and political systems in which they live.
    2. These courses will provide a multicultural framework, including both conflict and consensus perspectives, of the choices and options available to individuals and groups in their social, economic, and political relations.
    3. The focus of the courses is the growth of a multicultural society and the interactions, including cooperation and conflict, as these many and varied peoples have dealt with social, economic, and political issues.

    SJSU accepts all articulated courses for American Institutions from California Community Colleges (CCC) at the time at which the courses were taken. Please be aware that if errors were made in the CCC evaluation, SJSU is not obligated to accept previous agreements unless the courses are articulated per the CCC-CSU agreements, which can be found on assist.org.

    Other ways to satisfy American Institution requirements include the College Level Exam Program (CLEP, US1, US2, 3-6 units granted) or waiver exam (California government, US3, no units of credit granted. Contact the Testing Office for information on CLEP and/or Waiver exams). This petition is not required for these options.

    Articulated course(s) have been transferred but don’t show up on your Transfer Credit Report, you must contact the Evaluations Office (eval@sjsu.edu) before submitting this petition.

• Required Attachments
  • 1. Personal statement explaining the reasoning for submitting the request;
    2. Supporting evidence/ documentation - (minimally a catalog description from the year when the course was taken, ideally a syllabus as well);
    3. Transcripts - from the institution where the coursework was taken with the relevant course(s) highlighted (unofficial transcripts acceptable);
    4. Completed petition form

    Note: The official transcript showing the course you are petitioning must have been submitted at the time of admission, or before submitting this petition if taken concurrently with SJSU coursework

• Petition Form

  • American Institutions [DocuSign]

Physical Education Requirement

Online physical education (PE) options are now available at SJSU and many community colleges. PE requests based on the need to avoid in-person classes will be denied.

• Petition and Reviewer information

  • 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 [pdf]). 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.
    3. 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).
    4. 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.

    Petition Form can be submitted to petition a course to satisfy the Physical Education Requirement, to be exempt of requirement (1 or 2 units) based on extenuating circumstances that interfere with the completion of requirement, or to substitute one or both units. Students can challenge one or more units of the requirement by demonstrating a variety of competencies. View University Policy S14-11 [pdf] for full details.

    Consult with Dr. Seung Ho Chang, Physical Activity Program Coordinator, Department of Kinesiology for challenge procedure. 

• Required Attachments
  • 1. Personal statement explaining the reasoning for submitting the request;
    2. Supporting documentation:
       1. catalog description from the year when the course was taken and course syllabus (international courses, documents must be in English).
       2. the Healthcare Provider Verification of Medical Condition [pdf] for any medical reasons, must have dates of when the the restrictions will starts and/or end.
       3. for challenging courses please consult with Dr. Seung Ho Chang for required attachments
    3. Transcripts - from the institution where the course work was taken (unofficial OK). Official transcript showing the course must have been submitted at the time of admission, or before submitting this petition if taken concurrently with SJSU coursework.
    4. Petition will be DENIED if support documentation, personal statement are missing or the form is incomplete.
• Petition Form

  • Physical Education Requirement Form [DocuSign]

Please visit the FAQ page for additional information or email your question to undergraduate-education@sjsu.edu.