What's the deal with general ed requirements at SDSU?

Hey folks. Can anyone clear up the specifics about the Gen Ed requirements at SDSU? Like, what classes do I have to take? How flexible might it be in terms of choosing electives I'm actually interested in? Celebrating being a future Aztec, but now a smidge stressed about this, haha.

Hi there, future Aztec! First of all, congrats on your admission to SDSU! Now, when it comes to the General Education (GE) requirements at SDSU, they're designed to give you a well-rounded education. It might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but the choices are often diverse enough that you can find something you're interested in.

Now, in terms of specifics, SDSU’s GE requirements fall into major areas: Communication & Critical Thinking, Foundations of Learning (Physical & Life Sciences, Humanities & Fine Arts, Social & Behavioral Sciences), American Institutions, and Lifelong Learning and Self-Development.

Under "Communication and Critical Thinking," you'll have to take classes in written communication and oral communication, as well as critical thinking. The "Foundations of Learning" requirement is the largest and it covers various fields of study. Under this section, you're required to take courses in Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Humanities, Fine Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. In order to fulfill the American Institutions requirement, you usually need one course each in US History, US Government and California Government. The Lifelong Learning and Self-Development requirement can be fulfilled with a single course.

In terms of flexibility, many courses overlap between your major and GE requirements. In other words, a course needed for your major could also fulfill a GE requirement. Additionally, there are many GE options for each requirement, providing you the opportunity to take electives of interest.

That said, specifics can vary depending on your major, so it's a sound idea to reach out to your academic advisor after you've firmly accepted your offer. They can give you detailed information and help manage your four-year plan, ensuring you're taking the right GE courses and still maintaining focus on your major. Remember, although GE courses might seem unrelated to your major, they aim to provide you a comprehensive set of knowledge and skills – all a part of SDSU's commitment to shaping well-rounded, knowledgeable graduates.

I wish you an exciting and successful journey at SDSU!