SDSU Course Catalog Guide 2026: Academic Programs, GE Requirements, And Class Planning

The San Diego State University (SDSU) General Catalog serves as the official repository of academic policies, degree requirements, program curricula, and course descriptions for students attending the San Diego main campus and the SDSU Imperial Valley campus. Navigating the 2026 catalog effectively is critical for undergraduate and graduate students aiming to complete their academic pathways efficiently, fulfill Cal-GETC and university general education standards, and build schedule strategies within the my.SDSU portal.

Navigating the 2026 SDSU General Catalog Architecture

The SDSU General Catalog is updated annually to reflect changes in accreditation, curriculum modifications, new degree offerings, and updated California State University (CSU) systemwide mandates. Understanding how the catalog is organized helps students interpret prerequisites, credit structures, and graduation pathways.

Course Numbering System and Academic Level Codes

SDSU utilizes a standard four-tier numerical classification system to designate academic depth and enrollment eligibility across all academic departments:

• 100–299 (Lower-Division Undergraduate): Introductory courses designed primarily for freshmen and sophomores. These courses establish foundational concepts in majors and satisfy lower-division General Education (GE) breadth requirements.
• 300–499 (Upper-Division Undergraduate): Advanced undergraduate coursework intended for juniors and seniors. These classes require prerequisite completion, focus on specialized major topics, and satisfy upper-division GE requirements or upper-division writing rules.
• 500–599 (Graduate / Advanced Undergraduate): Mixed-level courses open to upper-division undergraduates with high academic standing and graduate students. Prerequisites are strictly enforced.
• 600–799 (Graduate Level): Master’s-level seminars, advanced research projects, and specialized coursework restricted to admitted graduate students.
• 800–899 (Doctoral Level): Seminars, clinical practice, and dissertation research open exclusively to doctoral candidates (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D., DPT).

Key Catalog Indicators and Abbreviations

When reviewing course listings within the catalog, specific notations dictate course mechanics, grading structures, and registration constraints:

• Prerequisites: Requirements that must be successfully completed (typically with a grade of C or better) prior to enrolling in the target course.
• Corequisites: Courses that must be taken simultaneously during the same academic term.
• Units: The semester hours of credit awarded upon successful completion. A standard 3-unit lecture course represents three hours of direct instruction per week plus approximately six hours of independent study per week during a 15-week term.
• C-1 through C-21 Classifications: Official CSU course component codes defining whether a class operates as a lecture, laboratory, activity, clinical, or independent study session.

Degree Requirements and Curriculum Frameworks

Earning a degree at San Diego State University requires completing three overlapping curricular frameworks: University Graduation Requirements, General Education (GE) Requirements, and Major Preparation/Upper-Division Major Requirements.

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Curriculum Alignment Notice Every graduating undergraduate student at SDSU must fulfill a minimum of 120 total semester units, of which at least 40 units must be at the upper-division level (300-numbered courses or above). Residence requirements state that a minimum of 30 units must be completed through SDSU coursework.

General Education (GE) and Cal-GETC Standards

For students entering SDSU in 2026, General Education follows state-aligned frameworks designed to ensure broad interdisciplinary competence. Transfer students and native undergraduates follow updated General Education pathways, including the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) framework for transfer readiness and systemwide alignment.

The standard SDSU GE structure includes:

1. Communication and Critical Thinking (Area A): Oral Communication, Written Communication, and Critical Thinking.
2. Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (Area B1): Foundations in mathematics, statistics, and logical reasoning.
3. Physical and Life Sciences (Areas B2, B3, B4): Physical science, life science, and associated laboratory experiences.
4. Arts and Humanities (Area C): Literature, philosophy, visual arts, performing arts, and foreign language study.
5. Social and Behavioral Sciences (Area D): Historical perspectives, economic systems, social structures, and psychological behavior.
6. Ethnic Studies (Area F): Comparative focus on the histories, cultures, and contemporary experiences of African American, Asian American, Native American, and Latina/o American populations.

Major Academic Plans (MAPs)

SDSU provides Major Academic Plans (MAPs) accessible alongside the General Catalog. MAPs detail semester-by-semester roadmaps tailored to each specific major and emphasis. Following an updated 2026 MAP ensures students satisfy critical impaction criteria, milestone courses, and prerequisite sequences without extending their time-to-degree beyond four years.

Comparative Breakdown: SDSU Course Classifications and Prerequisites

The table below outlines the primary course tiers within the 2026 SDSU General Catalog, their intended student audience, default credit limits, and enrollment enforcement rules.

Step-by-Step Guide: Mapping Courses and Registering via my.SDSU

To move from reviewing the General Catalog to executing class registration, SDSU students utilize the my.SDSU portal powered by the PeopleSoft administration platform. Follow this operational workflow during registration windows:

1. Access the Catalog and Audit Tool: Log into my.SDSU and generate an updated Degree Evaluation report. Cross-reference unfulfilled degree requirements against the 2026 SDSU General Catalog to identify necessary course codes.
2. Verify Impaction and Prerequisite Status: Check course details in the catalog to confirm you meet all listed prerequisite requirements and minimum grade thresholds (e.g., minimum C grade in prerequisite sequences).
3. Search Class Schedule via my.SDSU: Navigate to the "Class Search and Enroll" tile within my.SDSU. Input the subject code (e.g., CS, MIS, PSY, BIOL) and course number to view real-time seat availability, section times, instructors, and delivery formats (In-Person, Hybrid, or Online).
4. Add Courses to Shopping Cart: Select open class sections and add them to your registration Shopping Cart. Validate your selections within the portal to flag any immediate scheduling conflicts or missing prerequisite credentials.
5. Check Registration Appointment: Review the "Enrollment Dates" section on my.SDSU to identify your specific registration appointment time.
6. Execute Enrollment: When your enrollment window opens, navigate to your Shopping Cart and click "Enroll." Confirm that the status icon displays a green checkmark indicating successful registration.

Strategic Academic Planning and Common Registration Pitfalls

Effective academic management at SDSU requires navigating policies surrounding course repeats, registration holds, and unit limits.

Course Repeat and Grade Forgiveness Policies

SDSU allows undergraduate students to repeat a limited number of courses for Course Repeat with Grade Forgiveness, subject to specific parameters:

• Grade Forgiveness Limit: Undergraduates may repeat up to 16 semester units at SDSU for grade forgiveness. When forgiven, the earned grade from the subsequent attempt replaces the original grade in the calculation of the cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA), though the original attempt remains visible on the transcript.
• Unit Cap for Course Repeats: Beyond the 16 units of grade forgiveness, students may repeat up to an additional 12 units under the Course Repeat with GPA Averaging policy. In these instances, both grades are factored into the cumulative GPA calculation.
• Third Attempt Limits: Repeating a course for a third time requires formal petition approval from the department chair and college dean. Third attempts are rarely granted without documented extenuating circumstances.

Academic Advising Recommendation Students facing academic difficulty in core major preparation courses should contact the Office of Advising and Evaluations or their specific department advisor before enrolling in a repeat attempt. Unplanned course repeats can negatively affect financial aid eligibility and delay degree progress.

Managing Registration Holds and Prerequisites

Before each registration period, students must log into my.SDSU to clear administrative and academic holds. Common registration obstacles include:

• Advising Holds: Applied to specific majors requiring mandatory advising prior to enrollment each semester.
• Immunization and Health Holds: Managed through the Student Health Services portal to ensure compliance with university health mandates.
• Financial Holds: Resulting from outstanding tuition balances, housing fees, or library fines exceeding threshold limits.
• Prerequisite Violations: my.SDSU automatically checks automated registration system rules. If an automated system check cannot confirm completion of a prerequisite (e.g., transfer coursework pending final transcript evaluation), registration will be blocked until manual articulation is processed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I access the official SDSU General Catalog online?

The official SDSU General Catalog is published digitally by San Diego State University and accessible through the main SDSU web platform at curriculum.sdsu.edu or catalog.sdsu.edu. Students should select the 2025-2026 or 2026-2027 catalog issue depending on their matriculation term to ensure accurate degree requirement mapping.

How do I know which catalog year I should follow for my degree?

Your catalog year is typically determined by the academic year you first enrolled at SDSU or a California Community College, provided you maintained continuous enrollment. You may elect to follow the requirements of a later catalog year if major or general education requirements change, but you must consult an academic advisor before altering your official catalog rights.

What is the difference between my.SDSU and the SDSU General Catalog?

The General Catalog is the official reference document outlining academic policies, degree requirements, course descriptions, and major roadmaps. my.SDSU is the interactive student portal used for actual course registration, viewing real-time class schedules, checking grades, managing financial accounts, and tracking degree progress through Degree Evaluations.

What happens if a course required in my catalog is no longer offered?

If a required course listed in your official catalog year is retired or not offered during a given academic cycle, your major department will establish an approved course substitution. You must meet with your departmental advisor to submit a formal Course Substitution Petition form to ensure your Degree Evaluation updates correctly.

Can upper-division courses count toward General Education requirements?

Yes, SDSU requires students to complete upper-division General Education coursework (Explorations of Human Experience) across three domains: Natural Sciences/Quantitative Reasoning, Arts and Humanities, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. These 300-level or 400-level GE courses must be taken outside of your primary major department unless explicitly permitted by specific program guidelines.

Strategic Action Plan for Student Success

Maximizing academic performance and maintaining an efficient path toward graduation requires proactive engagement with SDSU academic tools. Review your Degree Evaluation at the start and end of every semester, consult your official Major Academic Plan (MAP) within the 2026 General Catalog, and schedule routine advising appointments with the Office of Advising and Evaluations or your department major advisor prior to your registration window.