Santa Clara University Undergraduate Bulletin: A Comprehensive Overview

Santa Clara University (SCU) offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs across its various schools and colleges. The Undergraduate Bulletin serves as the primary resource for academic and administrative policies governing undergraduate enrollment. Students are held responsible for understanding and adhering to these policies throughout their academic journey at the University. The University reserves the right to make changes to degree program requirements, academic and administrative policies and regulations, and course offerings published in the Undergraduate Bulletin at any time without prior notice. The University strives to assure the accuracy of the information in the Undergraduate Bulletin at the time of publication. However, the University reserves the right to make corrections as necessary to the Bulletin.

Undergraduate Programs

SCU provides undergraduate degrees encompassing Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), and Bachelor of Science in Commerce (B.S.C.).

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences confers B.A. and B.S. degrees across 35 diverse subject areas. The college also houses a graduate program in pastoral ministries, offering Master of Arts degrees with specializations in Restorative Justice and Chaplaincy, Latina/o Ministry, and Youth and Young Adults Ministry. Additionally, a Graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice and Chaplaincy is available.

Leavey School of Business

The Leavey School of Business offers the B.S. in Commerce, featuring majors in nine distinct fields.

School of Engineering

The School of Engineering grants the B.S. degree, with majors available in nine subject areas.

Minors

A variety of interdisciplinary and discipline-based minors are also offered for undergraduates.

Graduate Programs

SCU extends its academic offerings through various graduate programs across its schools.

School of Law

The School of Law provides programs leading to the Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees. The curriculum encompasses business and commercial law, taxation, criminal law and trial advocacy, environmental law, estate planning, labor law, health law, legal writing and research, and opportunities for externships, clinical work, and professional skill development. J.D. students can specialize in high technology law, international law, and public interest and social justice law. LL.M. degrees are offered in law or international and comparative law.

Leavey School of Business Graduate Programs

The Leavey School of Business provides graduate programs culminating in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with coursework spanning accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, and operations management and information systems (OMIS). The MBA program accommodates both part-time on-campus and online learning. Additionally, the business school offers Master of Science degrees in information systems, business analytics, marketing, and finance & analytics. A 4+1 degree program is available for seniors pursuing MS programs in information systems, business analytics, and finance & analytics. Joint degree programs leading to a J.D./MBA and J.D./MSIS are offered in conjunction with the School of Law.

School of Engineering Graduate Programs

The School of Engineering offers Master of Science (M.S.) degrees in applied mathematics; bioengineering; civil, environmental, and sustainable engineering; computer science and engineering; electrical engineering; engineering management; mechanical engineering; software engineering; and sustainable energy. The Engineer’s degree is available in computer science and engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Doctoral studies are also available, with the School of Engineering offering the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in computer science and engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

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School of Education and Counseling Psychology

The two departments in the School of Education and Counseling Psychology offer credential, licensure, and graduate programs. The Department of Education prepares teachers and leaders for public, private and Catholic schools. It offers programs in teacher preparation leading to credentials (e.g., California preliminary multiple-subject and single-subject teaching credentials), bilingual authorization, and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). Its programs in educational leadership prepare public K-12 leaders for credentials (e.g., Preliminary California Administrative Services credential, California Clear Administrative Services credential) with an opportunity to also receive an MA degree in Educational leadership. The Educational leadership program also offers a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Social Justice Leadership degree with specializations in Higher Education Leadership, PreK-12 Leadership, and Social Impact Leadership. The Department of Counseling Psychology offers three degree programs: MA in Counseling Psychology, MA in Counseling, and an MA in Applied Psychology. The MA in Counseling Psychology can lead to state licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC). The MA in Counseling is for students that wish to pursue work in which they will use counseling skills in non-mental health settings. The MA in Applied Psychology is designed for students who wish to pursue a variety of human service fields or as preparation in applying for graduate level PhD work in any branch of psychology. Emphasis for all three degree programs include Latino Counseling, LGBTQ Counseling, Health Psychology, Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Correctional Psychology.

Jesuit School of Theology (JST)

The Jesuit School of Theology (JST) is one of only two Jesuit theological centers in the United States operated by the Society of Jesus, as the order of Catholic priests is known. It is one of only two Jesuit theological centers in the country that offer three ecclesiastical degrees certified by the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education, and it also offers four advanced theological degrees certified by the Association of Theological Schools.

Academic and Administrative Policies

The Undergraduate Bulletin contains the academic and administrative policies and regulations that govern enrollment of undergraduate students at Santa Clara University. Students are responsible for knowing all academic and administrative policies and regulations affecting their program of study and for abiding by all such policies and regulations during their period of enrollment at the University. Continued enrollment is subject to compliance with the academic and administrative policies and regulations as described herein and otherwise published by the University. Failure to understand the policies and regulations does not relieve a student of his or her responsibility for adhering to the policies and regulations.

Students are governed by the applicable degree requirements of the University and the Santa Clara Core Curriculum in the Undergraduate Bulletin in effect in their entry year as first-year students. Transfer students normally follow the Undergraduate Bulletin of their class cohort as determined by the number of transfer units accepted toward the Santa Clara degree upon admission. All students must fulfill the departmental or program major and minor degree requirements in effect when they declare their major or minor program of study.

Bachelor's Degree Requirements

Candidates for an undergraduate degree at Santa Clara University must complete all requirements for a bachelor’s degree as set forth by the University, their college or school, and academic departments or programs. Failure to understand those requirements does not relieve a student of their responsibility.

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The requirements for a bachelor’s degree include:

Minimum Quarter Units: Completing a minimum number of quarter units as specified below for each degree, no more than half of which may be satisfied with approved transfer credit and/or test credit
- A minimum of 175 quarter units for the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science in the College of Arts and Sciences (a minimum of 193 quarter units for engineering physics majors)
- A minimum of 175 quarter units for the bachelor of science in commerce in the Leavey School of Business
- The minimum number of quarter units specified by the major department for the bachelor of science in the School of Engineering
Upper-Division Courses: Completing a minimum of 60 quarter units of upper-division courses
Grade Point Average: Attaining a minimum grade point average of 2.0 for all courses completed at Santa Clara University and for all courses in the academic major and any academic minor
Residency Requirement: Meeting the residency requirement of a minimum of 45 units at the Santa Clara campus after achieving junior standing
Core Curriculum: Fulfilling the Core Curriculum requirements in effect at the time of initial enrollment
Major and Minor Requirements: Fulfilling the requirements for any declared academic majors and minors, including associated college or school requirements
Pre-graduation Evaluation: Submitting a completed Pre-graduation Evaluation Form for the bachelor’s degree form according to the deadlines and procedures published by the Office of the Registrar

Academic Majors and Minors

Declaring a Major

Students must complete the requirements for a primary academic major in the College of Arts and Sciences, Leavey School of Business, or the School of Engineering, including the Core Curriculum and college or school requirements, to receive a bachelor’s degree. Requirements for academic majors can be found under the departmental listings in the chapters for each respective college or school.

Students must declare their primary academic major by the end of the sophomore year. Students may declare a major at the time of initial matriculation, except in the Leavey School of Business where declaration of a major is normally made during sophomore year. Students who initially matriculate without a declared major must obtain the approval of the department chair of the intended major and submit the online Program Petition form. Students participating in study abroad or domestic public sector study programs must declare a major before participating in the program.

Students may declare a second academic major in addition to their primary major; however, students in the Leavey School of Business may only declare a second major in the College of Arts and Sciences or the School of Engineering. Students who want to declare a second major must obtain the approval of the department chair of the intended major and the college/school for the second major if it is different from the student’s primary major and submit the online Program Petition form. To be awarded a second major, a student must complete all requirements of the Core Curriculum, college or school, and departmental requirements for that major. Requirements for a second major are as binding as those of a primary major and must be completed before a degree will be awarded. If a student decides to drop a second major, he or she must submit the online Program Petition form.

Academic Minors

Students may declare an academic minor from among the departmental minors offered through the college or schools, the general minor in engineering, or one of the interdisciplinary minors offered by the University. Requirements for the academic minors can be found in the chapters of the respective college or school in this Bulletin.

Students who want to declare an academic minor must obtain the approval of the department chair or program director of the intended minor and submit a Program Petition form. Some minors may require an application process and are limited based on space available. To be awarded a minor, a student must complete all requirements of the minor as prescribed. Requirements for a minor are binding and must be completed before a degree will be awarded. If a student decides to drop a minor, he or she must submit the online Program Petition form.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

A student may earn a second bachelor’s degree at Santa Clara University, but may not duplicate a degree (i.e., bachelor of arts, bachelor of science in a natural science, bachelor of science in a social science, bachelor of science in commerce, bachelor of science in engineering). Students whose first degree is from Santa Clara and who are interested in pursuing a second bachelor’s degree concurrently or without interruption must have an academic record showing a strong probability of success and a proposed program of study for the second degree that fulfills the degree requirements in effect at their original date of matriculation. At least half of the units for the second degree must be in addition to those required for the first degree, and must be completed through a Santa Clara program. To pursue a second bachelor’s degree, if a student is returning to the University after an absence, they must meet the criteria outlined above, but they are subject to the degree requirements in effect at the time of re-entry. Approval from the Office of the Registrar is required to resume studies for a second degree after an absence.

Students whose first degree is from an institution other than Santa Clara must submit a formal application for admission to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. The application must specify that the second degree will not duplicate any other degree. Students admitted for a second bachelor’s degree are subject to the degree requirements in effect at the time of admission. At least half the units required for the second bachelor’s degree must be earned through a Santa Clara program.

Graduation with Honors

Candidates for a bachelor’s degree with a grade point average between 3.500 and 3.699 graduate cum laude (with honors); candidates with a grade point average between 3.700 and 3.899 graduate magna cum laude (with high honors); and candidates with a grade point average of 3.900 or higher graduate summa cum laude (with highest honors). For the purposes of calculating Latin honors, grade point averages are not rounded. Awarding of honors is based on all graded undergraduate courses attempted at Santa Clara University that are counted toward the fulfillment of a student’s degree. Honors will not be awarded above those merited by the student’s record at Santa Clara. An indication of honors at graduation contained in the commencement program is unofficial. The final determination will be made after a review of all completed undergraduate courses counted toward the degree.

Participation in Commencement

To participate in commencement, candidates for a bachelor’s degree must have completed all degree requirements (or must be within the equivalent of one quarter - no more than 20 units - see conditions below) and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 as well as a minimum 2.0 GPA in all courses in their academic major(s) and academic minor(s). Candidates must submit a Pre-Graduation Evaluation form, approved by the student’s academic department, to the Office of the Registrar.

Technology Support

SCU offers comprehensive technology support to its undergraduate students.

Computing Services

Undergraduate students are supported with a variety of computing services. Students receive an SCU Username and password that provides access to multiple applications and resources via MySCU. Students also have access to high-speed wired and wireless networks for campus and Internet resources. Students use Workday to enroll in classes, review financial accounts, maintain personal information like addresses and phone numbers, and more. Student employees use Workday to fill out their timesheets, view their paychecks and more.

Information Security

The Information Security Office advocates for the protection of the University’s information assets, and works with campus groups to ensure that students, faculty, and staff have access to all of the information resources they need. This office educates the SCU community on cybersecurity issues, identifies security risks to University networks and data, and works to protect the University against malware, virus outbreaks, and other cyberattacks with modern defense capabilities.

AV/Media Support

Located on the first floor of the Harrington Learning Commons, Media Services offers a broad range of audio and video, online collaboration, graphics, and multimedia equipment, resources, and services. Students have access to equipment and services for class-related projects and co-curricular use. Media Services supports technology in classrooms, conference rooms, and campus events spaces; Zoom web conferencing and Panopto video recording/hosting; campus digital signage; and poster printing for academic needs. Live and on-demand television streaming in the residence halls is provided by Xfinity On Campus.

Instructional Technology Support

Located on the first floor of the Harrington Learning Commons, the Instructional Technology team supports a broad range of resources and services, including the Camino Learning Management System (SCU’s branded version of Canvas); technology tools such as VoiceThread, Hypothesis, and PollEverywhere; multimedia and multimodal student projects; and the Digital Media Lab on the third floor of the Learning Commons.

Technology Help Desk

Located on the first floor of the Harrington Learning Commons, staff are ready to help you with your computing and network needs. During the academic quarter, the Technology Help Desk is typically open seven days a week.

Academic Calendar

Specific class times will be listed in each quarter’s registration information and will be listed on the student quarterly class schedules. Start and end dates could vary by program. Santa Clara University undergraduate academic calendars, including future approved calendars. Browse or search SCU's course catalog bulletin to find all classes and credits offered for every program at SCU.

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