Navigating General Education at SDSU: A Comprehensive Guide

Embarking on your academic journey at San Diego State University (SDSU) as a future Aztec is an exciting venture. A key component of your undergraduate experience will be fulfilling the General Education (GE) requirements. These requirements are designed to provide a well-rounded education, fostering intellectual development, and equipping you with essential skills for success in a rapidly changing world. This article provides a detailed overview of SDSU's GE requirements, offering guidance on course selection, flexibility, and how these requirements contribute to your overall academic and professional growth.

The Purpose of General Education at SDSU

General Education profoundly influences undergraduates by providing the breadth of knowledge necessary for meaningful work, lifelong learning, socially responsible citizenship, and intellectual development. The General Education program at SDSU prepares students to succeed in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world. Students will live and work in the context of globalization, scientific and technological innovation, cross-cultural encounters, environmental challenges, and unforeseen shifts in economic and political power. To put their breadth of knowledge to work, students gain intellectual and practical skills such as inquiry and analysis, creative and critical thinking, written and oral communication, scientific and quantitative literacy, and technological-information proficiencies.

Core Areas of SDSU's GE Requirements

SDSU’s GE requirements fall into major areas: Communication & Critical Thinking, Foundations of Learning, American Institutions, and Lifelong Learning and Self-Development. These areas are designed to ensure that students gain a broad foundation of knowledge and skills across various disciplines.

I. Communication and Critical Thinking

Courses in the English Communication area are essential skills that underlie all university education. Focusing particularly on argument, courses in this area of General Education help students understand the general function of writing, speaking, visual texts, and thinking within the context of the university at large, rather than within specific disciplines.

Written Communication: Develops effective writing skills for academic and professional contexts.
Oral Communication: Enhances public speaking and presentation abilities.
Critical Thinking: Cultivates analytical and problem-solving skills.

II. Foundations of Learning

The "Foundations of Learning" requirement is the largest and it covers various fields of study. Under this section, you're required to take courses in Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Humanities, Fine Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.

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Physical and Biological Sciences: This area uses the scientific process to study nature and represent an approach to the study of the universe and its natural laws and phenomena. Students achieve basic scientific literacy and thereby understand the scientific process including the value of observation, hypothesis testing, and experiments in the advance of science. Thus students require a general understanding of fundamental concepts and knowledge accumulated by the natural sciences. Some majors require or recommend coursework in astronomy, biology, chemistry, geological sciences, or physics in preparation for the major. Students who have declared one of these majors may substitute those courses for courses listed under either Physical or Biological Sciences in Area 5.
Humanities and Fine Arts: The Humanities and Arts encompass works of the imagination, such as art, literature, film, drama, dance, and music, and related scholarship. Students better understand human problems, responsibilities, and possibilities in changing historical contexts and diverse cultures, and in relation to the natural environment. Students acquire new languages and familiarize themselves with related cultures. They gain the ability to recognize and assess various aesthetic principles, belief systems, and constructions of identity.
Social and Behavioral Sciences: The Social and Behavioral Sciences focus on human behavior, cognition, and organization from anthropological, economic, geographic, historical, linguistic, political, psychological and sociological perspectives. Students gain an understanding of society and culture, as well as individual and social interaction processes. Disciplines within the Social and Behavioral Sciences employ the scientific method and utilize both quantitative and qualitative techniques to analyze the diversity and complexity of human experience.

III. American Institutions

In order to fulfill the American Institutions requirement, you usually need one course each in US History, US Government and California Government.

By passing any combination of courses covering the three topics in American Institutions (1. History and Ideals, 2. Constitution and 3. California State and Local Government). A maximum of six units may be used to satisfy both American Institutions and General Education. Transfer courses from outside California or Advanced Placement credit.

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IV. Lifelong Learning and Self-Development

The Lifelong Learning and Self-Development requirement can be fulfilled with a single course. These courses promote holistic individual well-being and work-life balance.

V. Area 6 - Ethnic Studies

Civil Rights Movement, the field of ethnic studies emerged, seeking to advance the interdisciplinary study of race, ethnicity, and indigeneity, while emphasizing the experiences, contributions, histories, and perspectives of people of color in the United States and beyond. Now, as we enter the third decade of the twenty-first century, the ongoing challenges that racism, marginalization, inequality, and discrimination pose could not be more obvious, nor more urgent. In response, the California legislature passed AB 1460, which made ethnic studies a graduation requirement at the CSU beginning with the 2021-2022 academic year. SDSU strongly believes that ethnic studies is a vital component of the undergraduate experience.

At SDSU, we have innovated two ethnic studies requirements-unusual in higher education. One is a general education requirement, which meets the CSU Executive Order to create a distinct GE category (Area 6), and the other is a general graduation requirement created by SDSU Senate resolution (see Section X of this page). Required ethnic studies courses, as per AB 1460 and CSU Executive Order 1100, are taught only within designated ethnic studies programs. At SDSU, these are the Departments of Africana Studies, American Indian Studies, and Chicana and Chicano Studies, and in the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies. Courses that satisfy Area 6 and Section X are listed on this page. Students must take one class in Area 6, that requirement cannot be waived or substituted.

VI. Explorations of Human Experience

Explorations of Human Experience courses are upper division general education courses which allow concentrated or thematic study. In Explorations of Human Experience, there are three areas of study - Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning, Arts and Humanities, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Among these areas are courses designated as cultural diversity courses.

Explorations of Human Experience courses take the goals and skills of lower division general education. These courses may find expression in one or more of the following pedagogical elements: greater interdisciplinary, more complex and in-depth theory, deeper investigation of local problems, and wider awareness of global challenges. More extensive reading, written analysis involving complex comparisons, well-developed arguments, considerable bibliography, and use of technology are appropriate in many Explorations of Human Experience courses.

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Courses narrowly centered within one aspect of a discipline are more suited to major study than general education, which encourages students to relate their learning across the range of their educational experience. Upper-division general education courses should be restricted to students who have completed 60 semester units or more. In exceptional cases only, a student may enroll in upper division GE courses after they have attained sophomore standing and completed oral communication, English composition, critical thinking and mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning.

One Explorations course in areas Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning/Physical and Biological Sciences, Arts and Humanities, or Social and Behavioral Sciences must be a course in cultural diversity, as indicated by an asterisk (*). Cultural diversity courses focus on the theoretical and practical factors of age, class, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, immigration, nation, race, religion, sexuality, socioeconomic status, and other significant markers of social identity. Courses meeting this requirement examine the complexity of diversity through an analysis of differential inequities, oppression, power, and privilege.

Flexibility in Course Selection

In terms of flexibility, many courses overlap between your major and GE requirements. In other words, a course needed for your major could also fulfill a GE requirement. Additionally, there are many GE options for each requirement, providing you the opportunity to take electives of interest.

One of the benefits of SDSU's GE program is the flexibility it offers in course selection. While certain courses are required, students often have a range of options within each category. This allows you to choose courses that align with your interests and career goals.

Overlapping Courses

Many courses can fulfill both major and GE requirements, allowing for efficient use of your academic credits.

Diverse Electives

A wide variety of electives are available for each GE requirement, enabling students to explore different fields and discover new passions.

Cultural Diversity Courses

Leveraging Academic Advising

That said, specifics can vary depending on your major, so it's a sound idea to reach out to your academic advisor after you've firmly accepted your offer. They can give you detailed information and help manage your four-year plan, ensuring you're taking the right GE courses and still maintaining focus on your major.

Academic advisors play a crucial role in helping students navigate the GE requirements. They can provide personalized guidance based on your major, interests, and academic goals.

Four-Year Planning

Advisors assist in creating a comprehensive four-year plan to ensure you meet all GE requirements while staying on track with your major coursework.

Detailed Information

Advisors offer detailed information on specific course requirements, potential overlaps, and recommended electives.

Transfer Students

Students who have completed one or more areas of CSU General Education pattern at a California community college or another CSU campus, some of the SDSU General Education area requirements may also be met. Transfer coursework from a California community college, CSU or UC campus may be used in the appropriate area of the SDSU General Education pattern, even if the student has not completed any General Education area. For students who transferred from a private college in California or from a non-California college, the requirements listed below must be met.

Maximizing Your GE Experience

Remember, although GE courses might seem unrelated to your major, they aim to provide you a comprehensive set of knowledge and skills - all a part of SDSU's commitment to shaping well-rounded, knowledgeable graduates.

To make the most of your General Education experience, consider the following strategies:

Explore Your Interests

Choose courses that genuinely interest you, as this will enhance your engagement and learning.

Develop New Skills

Use GE courses to develop skills that complement your major, such as communication, critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning.

Embrace Interdisciplinary Learning

Take advantage of the opportunity to explore subjects outside your major, fostering a broader understanding of the world.

Connect with Faculty

Engage with your GE instructors and classmates to deepen your understanding of the material and build valuable connections.

Exercise your strengths

If there is a course or content area that you feel confident about, go ahead and build on your strengths. It is likely that the SDSU General Education course will provide you with new ways and skills for approaching the subject.

Develop a skill or try something new

If there is a course or topic that will challenge you, we encourage you to try it. General Education is designed to give you an expansive educational experience, so delving into an unfamiliar or difficult topic is a great way to embrace the spirit of General Education.

Explore a major or minor

Many General Education courses are also required by specific majors or minors at SDSU. Most students will take their General Education classes within their first two years of study, but some majors will ask students to take General Education classes during later years.

Important Considerations for GE Courses

Prerequisites

Although many General Education courses can be taken without prior coursework, some classes have designated prerequisites - that is, courses that must be completed first. If you have questions about this, please speak with an advisor.

Course Availability

Most General Education courses are offered every term, but some courses are offered during specific terms or years.

Changing Majors

No, General Education classes are required by all majors, so you can change your major and still use completed General Education courses toward your General Education requirements. But please note that some majors require courses that are also on the General Education list.

SDSU's Commitment to General Education

The General Education curriculum is central to South Dakota State University's mission of helping students develop key competencies and ways of thinking necessary for advanced study and engaged citizenship. These courses promote scientific inquiry, quantitative reasoning, communication and an understanding of historical, psychological, social and political structures. They also foster an appreciation for the contributions of cultures to our shared humanity. South Dakota State University and its faculty are committed to helping students acquire the knowledge and analytical skills needed to contribute meaningfully in the workplace and beyond.

SDSU: A Foundation for Success

SDSU is worth the investment. We offer one of the best values in higher education combining academic excellence, affordability, and powerful career outcomes. Ranked among the top colleges nationwide for return on investment, our workforce-ready graduates launch careers at organizations like Google, Amazon, Qualcomm and the City of San Diego. With an average mid-career salary of $127,700 and a 20-year net ROI of $540,000 (PayScale), SDSU offers a smart, future-focused education.

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