Earning your Bachelor's degree

Entering CSULB students who desire a baccalaureate degree take particular kinds of courses to fulfill those requirements. Entering freshmen take University 100, a kind of orientation to academic life.  All students must fulfill General Education  (GE) and major requirements with courses taken at CSULB or transferred into the University. In addition, students take enough elective units to complete their requirements for graduation.  While most students can graduate within four years, some take longer to persist to graduation.

Following is a total program plan form that describes the components of a CSULB baccalaureate degree.

Components of a CSULB Baccalaureate Degree

The 120 (to 140) minimum units includes courses taken
 at CSULB as well as transferred credit.

University 100 - This course is an introduction to the mission and history of higher education in the United States.  The course also includes career planning and instruction in the uses of the CSULB library.  Currently, all entering freshmen are required to complete University 100 during their first year on campus.  Students will not be allowed to return for a third semester if they did not take University 100 in their first year.

General Education - The General Education requirements at CSULB are the University's attempt to ensure that students acquire a certain breadth of knowledge and vision and certain critical thinking skills during their years in this University. Several different but similar sets of General Education requirements are in effect at CSULB. The admissions notice and an academic advisor in the Academic Advising Center can assist in General Education requirement placement.

Major - The major will lead students to focus on more specific knowledge in a particular area of study.  A major is completed by taking a prescribed number of lower division (100-299) and upper division (300-499) courses to fulfill major requirements.

Electives - Elective units are those which are not used for General Education or major requirements, but are needed to meet the full unit requirements for graduation, 120-140 units depending on the major. Electives can be used toward a minor consisting of 18-24 units, a certificate indicating a specialized study or for any courses in which you have a particular interest.

Co-Curricular Activities - Although not part of graduation requirements, co-curricular activities add to the joy of obtaining the degree. Students involved in University clubs, organizations, and events tend to do better in classes.

Earning a Bachelor's degree in four years

Depending upon the academic major, between 120 and 140 semester units of credit are required for completion of the bachelor's degree.  At a minimum, that means successful completion of an average of 15 baccalaureate level semester units through eight academic terms (four years).

The key factors affecting course load for most students are:

• the availability of the courses needed,
• the times these courses are available,
• the number of units undertaken in a given term.

Courses may not always be taught by preferred instructors or offered at optimum times, but if students are flexible about their courses, instructors, and availability of times of day or evening, completing a bachelor's degree in four years is possible.

Through good academic planning and by taking a number of the following steps, students can reach their four year graduation goal.

1. Complete, in high school, a comprehensive pattern of college preparatory courses and be prepared for baccalaureate level courses.

2. Meet often with University advisors for both GE and major advisement.

3. Read the CSULB Catalog carefully.

4. Complete between 15 and 18 units of academic credit each semester, depending on the total number of units needed for the major.

5. Be willing to take courses any time during the day or evening including Saturday classes.

6. If the first choice courses are not available, be flexible enough to accept second and third choices that meet specific major, GE, or graduation requirements.

 

Second Bachelor's/Baccalaureate degrees for students with degrees from outside and within the United States

Students with a baccalaureate degree from a college or university outside the United States, who are seeking a second baccalaureate degree from CSULB, will be required to complete the CSULB General Education requirements.

Effective Fall 2007, CSULB is accepting applicants for a second BA/BS to non-impacted majors and the Accelerated Nursing/Entry Level MSN program. Please note that Nursing is open to applications in the Fall term only, not Spring. Check the Enrollment Services web site or the academic department for more and up-to-date information.