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Course Selection Strategies for Undeclared Students

Any or all of the following strategies can help you select your classes:

Keep as many "doors" open as possible while you're undeclared. Be open to new experiences and ideas. Sample a variety of courses in General Education (GE). If, for example, there is an introductory GE course that will also count in a major or minor you're considering, think about taking it. All courses that satisfy GE requirements are identified with an asterisk* in the University Catalog.

Are you in a High Unit Major? Check the GE modification list to determine if the major you are considering has modifications to GE. Depending upon your major, you may not be required to take courses from all areas of GE.

Take the four  Area A courses in the GE Foundation. These include communication in the English language, both oral and written; critical thinking, considering common fallacies in reasoning; and mathematical concepts and their applications. When selecting GE Foundation courses (both Area A and Area B), consider taking courses that are associated with GE Pathways in which you might be interested.

Choose a variety of courses by picking one each from the five lower-division disciplinary areas (Arts, Humanities, Individual & Society, Societal Institutions, Learning for Life).

For a list of courses that meet GE requirements, check the 2012-13 Catalog.

Select courses which you must complete in order to meet specific University Graduation Requirements

  • POLS 155, American Government: National, State and Local;
  • HIST 130, United States History;
  • A United States Diversity (USD) course (consider choosing one that also counts toward GE);
  • A Global Cultures course (consider choosing one that also counts toward GE);

Earn elective units for graduation by enrolling in skill and special interest courses such as:

Explore! Try signing up for an introductory GE course in a subject that sounds interesting to you. First, read the course description. Remember, you can always drop the course during the first two weeks of the semester if you don't like it, so there's no risk in trying. Many students find their major or minor by using this strategy.