Graduation Requirements
University Requirements
In addition to Major (to majors list) and college (GE page) requirements. To earn a bachelor’s degree, you must fulfill the following requirements:
Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR)
You must demonstrate proficiency in English composition by the end of your first year at UC San Diego. Prior to enrollment you may do this any one of the following ways:
- Score 680 or higher on the SAT-II Reasoning Test (Writing Section)
- Score 3 or higher on the English Composition and Literature or English Language and Composition Advanced Placement exam
- Score a combined 30 on the ACT (English and Writing Section).
- Score 5, 6, or 7 on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level English exam. OR Score a 6 or 7 on the Standard Level English exam.
- Pass the California State University and College English Equivalency Examination.
- Complete an acceptable transferable college credit English composition course with a grade of C or higher, taken prior to registration at UC San Diego.
- Pass the UC Analytical Writing Placement Exam, which may be taken only once.
If you took but did not pass the Analytical Writing Placement Exam, and have not cleared the requirement in another way, you must take the course at UC San Diego (SDCC 1). Only students who failed the exam may enroll in the course. To pass the course you must earn a grade of C or higher and pass the exit exam at the end of the course. The course counts for workload credit for minimum progress and financial aid, but does not count toward graduation credit.
You will not be allowed to enroll in any other writing courses (like MMW) until you fulfill the requirement. You must clear the requirement by the end of your third quarter at UC San Diego.
If English is not your native language, the results of your Analytical Writing Placement exam may require you to take a course in English as a Second Language (SDCC 4) at UC San Diego before enrolling in the course. Students in need of ESL course work may have up to three extra quarters of residence in which to satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement.
American History and Institutions (AH&I)
A knowledge of American History and federal and state institutions is required of all degree candidates. If you graduated from a California high school your AH&I requirement is considered complete. Students from other states may ask the UC San Diego Admissions Office to clear the requirement if they completed comparable course work in high school.
If neither of the above applies to you, please refer to the UC San Diego General Catalog under “Academic Regulations” for courses that can be taken to clear the AH&I requirement.
International Students should consult with Academic Advising.
Additional Graduation Requirements
- To graduate with a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.) degree you must complete
- At least 180 quarter units with a cumulative and major grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.
- A minimum of 60 units (15 four-unit courses) must be at the upper-division level. (Lower-division courses are numbered 1-99; upper-division courses are numbered 100-199.)
- You must complete a departmental or interdisciplinary major. You will need to complete a minimum of 12 upper-division courses (48 units) in addition to lower-division prerequisites, although some majors will require additional course work. A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be maintained in your major course work.
- At least 35 of your last 45 units must be taken at UC San Diego to meet the senior residency requirement.
Getting Ready to Graduate?
Useful Links
2009-2010 Latin honors
Summa Cum Laude
3.885 - 4.0
Magna Cum Laude
3.774 - 3.884
Cum Laude
3.623 - 3.773
