Bulletin

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

BULLETIN RIGHTS

Graduation requirements are determined by the "Bulletin year" assigned to the student. Once assigned a Bulletin year, a student has "Bulletin rights" that can be maintained even though there may be changes in university graduation requirements. Below are some definitions and answers to frequently asked questions about Bulletin rights.

Where are students' Bulletin rights listed?

Letter of Admission: When a student is admitted to SFSU, s/he receives a letter of admission. The earliest Bulletin to which the student has rights is highlighted in the upper right hand corner of this letter.

Advanced Standing Evaluation (ASE) Form: Transfer students who enroll at SFSU are issued an ASE by the end of their first semester of attendance. The earliest Bulletin to which transfers have rights is listed on this document. Copies can be obtained from the Registrar's counter in ADM 253.

How are Bulletin rights defined for purposes of meeting General Education and other university graduation requirements?

If the student maintains continuous attendance in regular sessions at campuses of the California community colleges or the California State University or a combination of the two, s/he may elect to meet the graduation requirements for San Francisco State University in effect: (1) at the time the student began his/her studies, (2) at the time the student entered SFSU, or (3) at the time the student graduates from SFSU. In other words, if a student maintains continuous attendance according to this policy, s/he has a choice of Bulletins.

What is continuous attendance?

Continuous attendance for purposes of Bulletin requirements is defined as matriculated attendance in at least one semester or two quarters each calendar year.

How are Bulletin rights defined for purposes of meeting major requirements?

If a student was admitted after Fall, 1986, and s/he changes the major after being admitted to SFSU, or the student declares a major after being admitted with an undeclared major, s/he must meet the major requirements in effect at the time the major changed or was declared.

ENTRY LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

Failure to take either the ELM or EPT test, as required, before the end of the first semester of enrollment may lead to administrative probation, which, according to Section 41300.1 of Title 5, California Code of Regulations, and CSU Executive Order 393, may lead to disqualification from future attendance.

Information bulletins and registration materials for the EPT and ELM will be mailed to all students subject to the requirements. The materials may also be obtained from the Registrar's Office or the Testing Center.

ENTRY LEVEL MATHEMATICS (ELM) EXAMINATION
What is the ELM?
The ELM examination tests for entry level mathematics skills acquired through three years of rigorous college preparatory mathematics course work (normally Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry). ELM is not an admission requirement; results will not affect admission eligibility.

Who is required to complete the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Examination?

Students who do not have an ELM exemption are required to take the ELM examination before or during their FIRST semester at SFSU.

Students who register for a GE quantitative reasoning course at SFSU must: (1) have passed the ELM examination with a total score of 550 or above; or (2) have obtained one of the approved ELM exemptions listed below; or (3) after taking the ELM, have passed Algebra II at SFSU (MATH 70) or an equivalent course elsewhere with a grade of credit (CR) or C– or better. Students who fail ELM may elect to: (1) take appropriate remedial mathematics courses at SFSU (see below); or (2) retake it, if they scored between 480 and 540; or (3) take appropriate remedial course work at a California community college, or (4) take and pass a course that is certified by a California community college as meeting the CSU Quantitative Reasoning requirement. Students who failed the ELM examination, but passed Algebra II or a higher level college mathematics course with a grade of credit (CR) or C– or better may be eligible to enroll in an SFSU quantitative reasoning course. Students who passed an intermediate algebra course, but who did not take the ELM examination will not be permitted to take a GE quantitative reasoning course until they take the ELM examination. No exceptions will be granted. Students who have questions about ELM exemptions should contact the Testing Center, ADM 152.

San Francisco State University offers several remedial mathematics courses. Students who do not pass the ELM examination need to enroll in one or more of these courses. Students who score 370 or below on the ELM should enroll in ETHS 50 and MATH 60 through the Intensive Learning Program before attempting MATH 70 in preparation for quantitative reasoning. Contact the Intensive Learning Program, ADM 227, for assistance.

ETHS 50 Pre-Algebra Mathematics Skills Development (3) [ELM score 370 or below]
MATH 60 Algebra I (3) [ELM score 380–470]
MATH 70 Algebra II (3) [ELM score 480–540]
Who is exempt from ELM?

Students who have one or more of the scores listed below qualify for an ELM exemption.

ELM TEST EXEMPTIONS							EXEMPTION SCORE
College Board Advanced Placement Mathematics Test (AB or BC) 		3 or above 
Scholastic Aptitude Test—Mathematics (SAT–Math) 			560 or above 
American College Test (ACT)–Math [taken  prior to October 1989] 	24 or above 
American College Test (ACT)–Math (Enhanced) [taken after Oct. 1989] 	25 or above 
College Board Mathematics Achievement  Test: Level 1 or Level 2 	560 or above 
ELM Course Exemption
Transfer students are exempt from ELM if they completed and transferred to the CSU a course in college mathematics above the level of Algebra II with a grade of C or better that was certified by the transferring institution as meeting the General Education–Breadth Requirement or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum requirement in Quantitative Reasoning.

ENGLISH PLACEMENT TEST (EPT)

What is the EPT?

The EPT measures the reading and writing ability of entering SFSU students. The results of EPT will be used to place students in English composition and, in some cases, reading courses appropriate to their needs. EPT is not an admission requirement; results will not affect admission eligibility. The EPT, however, must be taken prior to placement in appropriate university English course work.

Who must take the EPT?

Students who do not have an EPT exemption are required to take the EPT during their first semester of attendance at SFSU. It is not necessary to pass EPT since the results will be used to place students in appropriate English composition courses.

Who is exempt from the EPT?

Students who have one of the scores that follow qualify for an EPT exemption.

EPT TEST EXEMPTIONS				  EXEMPTION SCORE
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT–Verbal) 			470
American College Test ACT English Usage Test 
	(taken prior to October 1989) 			22 or above
American College Enhanced Test–ACT English Test 
	(taken after October 1989) 			25 or above
College Board Achievement Test—English Composition 
	with Essay 					600
College Board Advanced Placement Composition and 
	Literature or Language and Composition 		3, 4, or 5
CSU-English Equivalency Examination			Passed for Credit (6 units)
							or Passed for EPT Exemption
EPT Course Exemption
Transfer students are exempt from EPT if they completed and transferred an acceptable college course in English composition of four quarter or three semester units with a grade of C or better.

English as a Second Language Placement Test (ESLPT)
In addition to the CSU English Placement Test (EPT), all non-native speakers of English (see Written English Requirements below) must take the SFSU English as a Second Language Placement Test (ESLPT) before they can enroll in ESL courses. Placement in ESL courses is determined by the ESL Coordinator solely on the basis of ESLPT scores and not on any course work or tests taken at other institutions.

COMPETENCY/SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS

Written English Requirements for Native Speakers of English: Summary
Remedial Written English Instruction for Native Speakers
Students who score between 150 and 142 on the English Placement Test (EPT) will be required to take ENG 50, Writing Skills Workshop, or an equivalent course elsewhere. Students who score 141 or below on the English Placement Test will be required to take both ENG 49 and 50, a special two-semester sequence of composition instruction. Units and grades earned in these courses will not count towards meeting graduation requirements. Successful completion of ENG 49 and/or 50 by students needing them is a prerequisite for enrollment in ENG 114.

Lower Division Written English Proficiency Requirements
ENG 114 should be taken prior to the completion of 30-semester units of course work by all students who have not received credit for an equivalent test or course. ENG 214 or an approved alternate should be taken after completion of 24-semester units and prior to completion of 60-semester units by all students who have not received credit for an equivalent test or course. Successful completion of ENG 114 is a prerequisite to ENG 214, or one of the approved ENG 214 alternatives. ENG 114 and 214 may not be taken concurrently. ABC/NC grading is used for both courses. Consult the current Class Schedule for approved ENG 214 alternatives.

Students who have passed for credit the CSU English Equivalency Examination or who have received scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination will receive six units of credit and are exempted from the ENG 114 and 214 requirements.

Upper Division Written English Proficiency Requirements
Undergraduate students must complete the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement by taking the Junior English Proficiency Essay Test (JEPET) after completing 48-semester units, and before completing 80-semester units. Students must pass ENG 114 and 214 or their equivalents before they are eligible to take JEPET. Those who pass the JEPET examination will have satisfactorily met the upper division written English requirement. Those who do not pass JEPET must enroll in ENG 414 before completing 90 semester units. All undergraduate degree objective students on this campus must complete JEPET (pass or fail) before enrolling in ENG 414. Passing ENG 414 satisfies the upper division written English requirement for those who did not pass JEPET. Consult the Examination Calendar in the Class Schedule for JEPET examination dates.

Students who transfer to this university with 80 or more semester units completed should take the JEPET examination during their first semester of enrollment at San Francisco State. Students who have taken and passed an upper division expository writing course at another institution may apply for a waiver of the JEPET/ENG 414 requirement. Students who do not complete this requirement in accordance with the above stipulated provisions may not be able to graduate in the term planned. Questions regarding this requirement can be directed to the Composition Office, HUM 209, or to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, ADM 449.

Written English Proficiency Requirements for Non-Native Speakers of English
Non-native speakers of English must take the English Placement Test (CSU-EPT) during their first semester of attendance at SFSU. Non-native speakers of English must also take the SFSU English as a Second Language Placement Test (ESLPT) before they can enroll in ESL courses. The ESLPT is an SFSU requirement for placement in any ESL English course. Placement in ESL courses is determined by the ESL Coordinator solely on the basis of ESLPT scores, not on the basis of any course work or examinations taken at other campuses. Please consult the Testing Center Examination Calendar in the Class Schedule for ESLPT and EPT examination times and dates.

Non-native speakers of English who are eligible to take English as a Second Language (ESL) courses must complete the sequence of ESL courses listed below as substitutes for the English 114, 214, and JEPET requirements. In order to enroll in an ESL course, students must first take the English as a Second Language Placement Test (ESLPT) and receive a qualifying score for that course. A student who satisfactorily completes an ESL course may proceed to the next level ESL course without retaking the ESLPT. The sequence of ESL courses is: ENG 208, 209, 310, 411 or 410.

Students on foreign visas and permanent residents who have been in the United States less than six years may substitute the following courses for the ENG 114, ENG 214, and JEPET requirements:

In order to use ENG 411 or 410 to meet the JEPET requirement, students must take ENG 411 or 410 after they have completed 48 semester units and before completing 80 semester units.

Non-native speakers of English who have lived in the United States more than six years and whose previous education was not predominantly in English may be eligible to make the above ESL course substitutions for the ENG 114, 214, and JEPET requirements. If they wish to do so, they should take the English as a Second Language Placement Test (ESLPT) and then consult the ESL Coordinator in the English Department.

Students with bilingual backgrounds who have completed all or most of their previous education in the United States may substitute ENG 410 for ENG 414 only if they qualify for ENG 410 on the basis of their ESLPT scores.

NOTE: Non-native speakers of English must also complete the oral communication requirement (General Education–Segment I: Basic Subjects). Students may meet this requirement by taking ENG 210 (instead of SPCH 150), if they qualify for this course on the basis of their ESLPT scores.


More Undergraduate Graduation Requirements


Bulletin 1994-96 Table of Contents, SFSU Home Page

last modified January 13, 1995