Components of Your Degree
Components of Your Degree
Bachelor's degrees are comprised of a number of components which together complete the requirements for a degree. Your degree is more than only your major requirements but also consist of General Education, American Institutions, Physical Education, and Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR). There are also overall unit and GPA requirements for graduation.
General Education (GE)
GE provides students with a breadth of knowledge across many disciplines and equips them with the knowledge skills, and values they need to be life-long learners. If you are missing any GE requirements, Success Advisors can help you make a plan to complete the requirement prior to graduation. Lower division GE will not be offered through SJSU Online but can be completed at a community college.
SJSU Studies is the upper division GE requirement and will be offered through SJSU Online. Some SJSU Studies courses may overlap with the major. Visit: General Education Overview Links to an external site.
American Institutions Requirement
The California State University requires every student receiving a bachelor's degree to be knowledgeable about the Constitution of the United States, American history, and state and local government. This requirement is generally known as the American Institutions and Ideals Requirement. If you have not completed this requirement, advisors can help you make a plan. Visit: American Institutions Requirement Overview Links to an external site.
Physical Education Requirement
All undergraduate students who matriculate at SJSU, except those students in majors that are exempt (see Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements Links to an external site.), are required to complete two units of activity courses that satisfy the Physical Education requirement.
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)
The CSU Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) states that all students must demonstrate competency in writing skills as a requirement for graduation. SJSU Online students will satisfy the GWAR by passing a Writing in the Disciplines (100W) course. This course must be completed with a "C or better" (C- not accepted).
Academic Unit and GPA Requirements
A minimum of 120 semester units of credit must be earned for graduation with a bachelor's degree.
Visit: Review Units in Residence and Upper Division Units Links to an external site.
A GPA of 2.0 or higher in all GPA's: Cumulative GPA (all colleges attended), SJSU GPA, and major GPA. See major requirements for minimum grade and GPA requirements for your major.
This is to give you an overview of the requirements for graduation Links to an external site.. Note questions that you have and contact your advisor regarding questions.