Unit Requirements

 

What are “units” based on?

Units show the amount of credit you receive for each course. In semester schools like Sac State, most courses are three units. You go to class about 50 minutes per week for each unit you take, so a three unit class like English 1A would meet three days for 50 minutes or two days for 75 minutes.

 

How many units do I need to graduate?

The minimum units for a bachelor's degree is 120 units.

 

How many units can I transfer from my community college?

You can transfer as many courses as you want from community colleges and all of these courses can be applied to GE, major, and other graduation requirements.  However, only 70 community college units can be applied to the total unit requirement.   All of your community college units, even those in excess of 70, are included in calculating your overall GPA.

 

What is the "residence" requirement?

To get a degree from Sac State you must take a certain number of units here. The residence requirement is 30 units, included in that 30 units are other residence requirements:

• 24 upper division units
• 12 upper division units in your major (15 in Business, English and Psychology)
• 9 units in GE

 

I’ve heard there's an upper division unit requirement…

Yes, at least 40 of your total units must be upper division, courses numbered 100-199.  The upper division units you take in your major and in GE apply to this requirement.

 

Is it true that I won't receive credit for some courses I have passed?

You may not receive credit for all courses you have taken at other colleges or at Sac State. While the following types of courses count as part of your work load as a full-time student, they do not apply to graduation requirements or to the total unit requirement (120 units):

• preparatory (remedial) courses in math and English;
• vocational courses (not offered at Sac Satate);
• courses from non-accredited colleges.