MUSE - A Spartan Scholar from the Start: Understanding University Terminology
Understanding University Terminology
To navigate through the university successfully, you need to understand
the terminology the university uses to describe the various components
of the degree and the materials available to map your degree plan.
Visit www.sjsu.edu/spartanguide for more terms.
- Academic Advisor
- An academic advisor will help you interpret
what general education requirements apply to you and the correct
way to pick what courses you need according to your major. They
are located in the Student Services Center (SSC).
- Degree
- A degree consists of classes taken in your chosen
major, general education, perhaps a minor, and electives. A minimum
of 120 units is needed to complete a degree. Depending on your major,
more units may be needed.
- General Education (GE) Requirements
- The general education requirements are a broad
spectrum of courses designed to increase your ability to communicate
effectively and acquire knowledge through the study of facts, issues
and ideas. All students must take the general education requirements.
- Major
- A major is a selected academic discipline or subject
in which a student specializes while working toward the degree; a
major normally includes about one-third to one-half of the total undergraduate
units. A minor consists of courses in an area of
interest other than your major. Some majors do not require a minor.
- Major Advisor
- A major advisor is a person in your chosen major
department who will inform you of the requirements needed for the
major and the correct sequence for taking the required courses.
The major advisor is also an important person to consult with about
your educational experience at SJSU and career goals.
- Schedule of Classes
- The Schedule of Classes, published every semester,
lists courses offered each semester and provides key policies and
procedures of the university. Because policies and procedures change
periodically, it is essential for a student to read the beginning
of the Schedule of Classes every semester.
- University Catalog
- The SJSU University Catalog outlines the required
courses for every degree offered at SJSU, the policies and procedures
of SJSU, student rights, and other pertinent information. The catalog
of the year you entered SJSU lists the requirements you will follow
for graduation, even if the requirements change in future catalogs,
as long as your remain in continuous attendance.
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