Study Abroad GE Approval Process

The Office of Undergraduate Education (UE) has the authorization to approve study abroad coursework to meet lower division General Education (GE), upper division GE (SJSU Studies), American Institutions (US1-3), 100W (GWAR), or Physical Education (PE) requirements.

Getting Courses approved

 Email undergraduate-education@sjsu.edu the following:

• Full Name: (First Last) — Let us know if you have a preferred first name.
• SJSU ID Number:
• Host Campus & Country:
• Courses You Plan to Take Abroad: List courses and specify which GE/PE/American Institutions Area(s) you are requesting approval for.
• Course Syllabus: Attach syllabus or provide links.

Undergraduate Education will review your request and initiate the Academic Approval Form. You will receive a separate email from DocuSign with the AAF attached.

Pre-Approved Courses by Continent 

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe
• North America
• Oceania (Australia/New Zealand)
• South America

• Sample Email to Undergraduate Education

  • Subject: Study Abroad GE Approval Process

    Dear Undergraduate Education,

    My name is Sammy Spartan (000000001). I plan to study at Yonsei University, South Korea (Spring 2026)

    Here are the courses I am planning to take for GE credit:

    • Korean Food and Culture, IEE2084 - seeking Area C2 credit
    • Table Tennis, UCL1112 - seeking PE credit
    • Society Class and Issue of Inequality, SOC6565 -seeking  Area V credit

    Course syllabus attached (or links to syllabus)

    ---

    Subject: Study Abroad GE Approval Process

    Sammy (preferred Sam) Spartan, 000000001
    Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), South Korea, Spring 2026
    Understanding Asian Culture, ISSS3231
    Area V approval
    Course syllabus attached

• Upper division GE (SJSU Studies) and 100W (GWAR) approval requirements

  • 1. Must have upper-division standing 

    Students with less than 60 (UE) units completed, need to file the "Request to enroll in SJSU Studies with Less Than 60 Units Completed" form.

    2. Completion of Area A3 (or second Area A2) with a grade of C- or better.

• Content Requirement (by Area)

  • Area	Content Requirement
    PE	Physical Education courses need to be activities not lectures
    US1	Focus on U.S. History (at least 100 years)
    US2	American Politics or Government
    US3	Focus on California Politics or Government and History
    1A	English Oral Communication (formerly area A1)
    1C	English writing, with special attention to the nature of writing at the university (formerly area A2)
    1B	English Language Critical Thinking and Writing (formerly area A3)
    5A	Physical Science (formerly area B1)
    5B	Biological Science (formerly area B2)
    5C	Science Laboratory (formerly area B3)
    2	Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (formerly area B4)
    3A	Focus Visual Arts, Architecture, Music, Dance, Theater, and Film  (formerly area C1)
    3B	Focus philosophical, historical, literary, aesthetic, cultural importance, and language: other than English (formerly area C2)
    4	Focus in the understanding of human behavior and social interaction in the context of value systems, economic structures, political institutions, social groups, and natural environments (formerly area D)
    Area E	Human development (infancy, childhood, adulthood) and its physiological, psychological and sociocultural contexts (discontinued after Fall 2025)
    6	NOT APPROVED TO BE TAKEN ABROAD (formerly area F)
    V	Focus  in Cultures and Global Understanding examine multiple aspects of human expression in cultures and societies outside the U.S. and considered upper-division course
    S	Focus on interrelationships of individuals, racial groups, and cultural groups to understand and appreciate issues of diversity, inclusion, inequalities, and justice in the United States and considered upper-division course
    R	Focus courses on the scientific method and quantitative reasoning to engage in ethical, civic-minded inquiry around sustaining the earth, its environments and its inhabitants and considered upper-division course
    100W (GWAR)	Should focus on emphasis on critical thinking and be an upper division intensive writing course (formerly area Z)

• Minimum Writing Requirement (by Area)

  • Area 1A (formerly A1) has a minimum writing requirement of 1,500 words

    Area 1C (formerly A2) has a minimum writing requirement of 8,000 words

    Area 1B (formerly A3) has a minimum writing requirement of 6,000 words

    Area E has a minimum writing requirement of 1,500 words

    Area R require a minimum of 3000 words 

    Area S require a minimum of 3000 words 

    Area V require a minimum of 3000 words

    100W (formerly Area Z) requires a minimum of 8000 words

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

1. What are the course numbering for Study Abroad courses?
   Lower division courses are given a course number of 092 (e.g., JPN 092), upper division courses are given a course number of 192 (e.g., JPN 192), and graduate level courses are given the course number 292 (e.g. JPN 292).
   
   
2. Is approval for a specific SJSU GE course?
   approval is NOT for a specific SJSU GE course, only for GE Area.
   
   
3. What happens if a course is less than 3 units?
   Courses that are fewer than 3 semester units, will need additional course(s) approved to fulfill the GE area unit requirement.
   
   
4. The host campus does not have syllabi available, what can I send to have the course(s) reviewed?
   If the syllabus is not available students must email course description(s).
   
   
5. My approved course is was not offered (or unable to enroll in it), can UE approved a different course?
   Yes, students will need to email UE with the new course information and syllabus.