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Advising FAQ's

Undergraduate Advising FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):

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How do I declare Social Science as my major?
Declaring the major is easy! First of all, make sure whether you want to declare as a Regular Social Science major (very flexible and diverse major) or a Social Science Single Subject major (preparation for teaching high school). Just call the department at 619 594-5262 to schedule a visit with the undergraduate advisor, Dr. Carole Putko, in AH 4212 to change your major and for a signature and an evaluation.

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What is impaction, and how does it affect me?
Because demand for seats at SDSU runs far ahead of supply, many popular majors have had to implement various formulas for enrollment management. In the Social Science Single Subject you are initially admitted as a "pre-major," and earn the opportunity to move into the major by clearing the following "impaction" requirements:

A. Cumulative Grade Point Average and SDSU GPA of 2.5 or higher.
B. Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units.
C. Complete 27 units "preparation for the major" with a C or better in Economics 101, 102; Geography 101, 102; History 100, 101; Political Science 101, 102; and religious Studies 101. These prerequisites may not be taken Cr/NC.

The Regular Social Science major is not impacted.

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What is the difference between a pre-major and a major?
Pre-major is a temporary status assigned while you demonstrate the ability to succeed in Social Science courses. Until you have cleared the impaction criteria (see above), you will remain a pre-major. Once you clear the requirements, you must visit with the department advisor to be moved into the major.

Pre-majors can do nearly everything majors can do. You may take nearly all courses (including upper division) and earn credits toward your BA degree. However, pre-majors cannot apply for graduation. It is therefore imperative that you clear impaction requirements and move into the major before you attempt to graduate.

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Can I take upper division courses even though I am still a pre-major?
It is normally not recommended that freshmen and sophomores enroll in upper division courses. However, if you are nearing completion of your pre-major requirements and you feel competent and confident enough to face the challenge of more advanced course work, you may proceed with 300 or even 400 level course work. In general, you must have completed or be in the semester of completing 60 units before enrolling in upper division courses in the major. Any units you earn as a pre-major will apply to your major (see above).

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How do I move from the pre-major to the major?
YOU are responsible for advancing yourself into the major once you have cleared the impaction criteria! This is NOT automatic, so you must remember to visit the Social Science undergraduate advisor when you clear impaction.

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What are the requirements for the Social Science major?
Regular Social Science is a 54 unit major. Like all Bachelor of Arts degrees, it requires clearance of the writing proficiency and foreign language requirements. In addition, you need 21 lower division and 33 upper division units to include a 15 unit specialization in one department and the remaining 18 units from among three additional departments. Please consult the undergraduate advisor or check the catalog regarding acceptable courses.

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What are the requirements for the Social Science Single Subject major?
Social Science Single Subject is a 69 unit major. Like all Bachelor of Arts degrees, it requires clearance of the writing proficiency and foreign language requirements. In addition, you need 27 lower division and 42 upper division units. This program is designated as an impacted program. See above for impaction criteria. You may schedule an appointment with the Social Science advisor for an evaluation and guideline for the major. It is recommended that you visit the advisor at least once a semester to make sure you are on track. We recommend that you also print out the Social Science pages of the current university catalog as course offerings and requirements may have changed since you purchased your catalog.

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What are the department's rules about writing proficiency and foreign language?
These match university requirements, as spelled out in the "graduation requirements" section of the university catalog. The Social Science department normally approves the use of American Sign Language. You must clear an upper division writing (W) course with a grade of C (2.0) or better or pass the Writing Proficiency Assessment with a score of 10 or above.

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Can I change my catalog year to take advantage of new program requirements?
Yes. If a new catalog reveals changes to your major or minor curriculum that appeal to you, you may adopt the catalog in effect during the year in which you graduate. You can see the Social Science advisor, or you can indicate your preference for the current catalog on your graduation application (e.g., on the "major" line, write "political science, current catalog").

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Can I take Social Science courses for my "explorations" requirement?
If you are a Social Science MAJOR, you can use ONE course which is part of the major to satisfy upper division general education (usually explorations areas B or C).

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Will transfer units from another college or university apply to my minor or major?
Transfer credit depends upon comparability of courses, existing "articulation" agreements between institutions, and quarter versus semester hours. Normally you must wait until the transcript evaluators have determined transferability of your course work from other institutions (usually during your first semester). However, you can easily log on to www.assist.org (the web-based clearinghouse for articulation among California institutions of higher education), to determine if agreements exist for the courses and schools in question. If the Registrar rejects a course you believe should have been transferable, bring supporting documents to the Social Science advisor to determine if that decision can be challenged by petition. Many schools offer equivalents to SDSU's major preparation (lower division) courses.
Note that SDSU need not offer an equivalent course in order to accept transfer credit, particularly at the upper division level. If you have taken Social Science courses elsewhere for which no SDSU equivalents exist, the units can probably be applied toward the major, presuming you can support a petition with relevant documents (e.g., syllabus). You will need to meet with the department advisor to determine field eligibility of the course(s) in question. Under no circumstances will the university allow more than 12 units of upper division course work by transfer to the major

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How do I know if the introductory Social Science courses I took elsewhere are equivalent to SDSU's courses?
While some community and junior colleges offer direct equivalents to all of SDSU's major preparation (lower division) courses, you must not assume all are equivalent. It is best to consult your undergraduate advisor or the advisors in the University Advising Center located in Student Services. Normally you must wait until the transcript evaluators have determined transfer credit (usually during your first semester). If you cannot wait for that determination, log on to www.assist.org (the web-based clearinghouse for articulation agreements among all California institutions of higher education) to determine if agreements exist for your course. "Assist" will tell you if your course is the equivalent of SDSU courses.

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Will units earned on study abroad or foreign exchange apply to my major?
San Diego State University is a recognized leader in international education, and boasts a wide variety of excellent opportunities for study abroad. The Social Science department strongly encourages students of all majors and minors to take advantage of these opportunities for international experience, and strives to accommodate units transferred from overseas institutions and programs.

Most study abroad programs require that you meet first with a major advisor for approval of planned course work. However, final approval of units is done upon your return. Normally you must wait until the international transcript evaluators have determined transferability of your overseas course work, though this process can be facilitated by meeting with the advisor to go over your materials. If the Registrar rejects a course you believe should have been transferable, bring supporting documents to the advisor to determine if that decision can be challenged by petition.

Note that SDSU need not offer an exact equivalent course in order to accept credits from abroad, particularly at the upper division level. When you take courses overseas for which no SDSU equivalents exist, we can usually apply those units toward the major or minor, presuming you can support a petition with relevant documents (e.g., syllabus or catalog description). You will need to meet with a department advisor to determine field eligibility of the course(s) in question. Under no circumstances will the university allow more than 12 units of upper division course work by transfer to the major, or 6 units to the minor (that is, half of your upper division major or minor units must be completed at SDSU). Note that official "SDSU study abroad programs" (such as the London, Paris, and Florence semesters) earn "resident" units, just as if earned on campus.

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What can I do with a degree in Social Science?
The regular Social Science major is a multi disciplinary program which is especially appropriate for students wanting a liberal education based on a broad spectrum of understandings, insights, and appreciations. It is appropriate for many beginning positions in government, and when supplemented with a business administration minor, for careers in business. It is also an excellent preparation for graduate and professional programs in social work, public administration, law, counseling, library science, and the ministry.

The Social Science Single Subject major may be used in policy studies or teacher education. Students who complete the program can go on to complete the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Science in order to teach World History, United States History, Geography, Civics, and Economics at the high school level. Upon satisfactory completion of SDSU’s Social Science Single Subject major, you will also need to turn in a Portfolio to the Social Science advisor in order to receive an Advisor’s Recommendation form to apply to the Credential Program. Students may apply to SDSU’s School of Teacher Education after completing six units of prerequisite courses including Ed 451; SPED 450; and HHS 296. They will also require an Early Field Experience journal based on 30 hours of observation in a high school of your choice and your CBEST scores. For more information on SDSU’s Credential Program, please go to the School of Teacher Education’s web site at: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/STE/teachrev.htm.

If you are nearing graduation and are looking for ways to put your skills to work, we also recommend you take advantage of the data, materials, and services provided by SDSU's Career Services (career.sdsu.edu).


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What is a Portfolio and why is one necessary?
In order to receive an advisor’s recommendation for admission into SDSU’s School of Education credential Program, you will need to present a portfolio of your class work and an unofficial transcript of all courses taken for the major one week before you have a short interview with the advisor.

Your portfolio should include the syllabus and all graded work done in History 409 or 410 as well as graded written work (and a syllabus if possible) from two other courses, other than History, that you have taken as part of the Social Science Single Subject Major.

Please call 594-5262 to make an appointment or you may make one when you drop off your Portfolio and be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to meet all the other deadlines in the College of Education.

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Where can I find answers to other advising questions?
Call the department at 619 594-5262 to schedule an appointment with the Social Science advisor in Adams Humanities 4212. You may also direct inquiries to Socsciad@sdsu.edu.