Baccalaureate Programs, Undergraduate Curriculum Policy
Degrees
Cal Poly is currently authorized to offer the following baccalaureate degree programs:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Science (BS)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
- Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA)
A minimum of 180 quarter units is required for all baccalaureate degree programs.
(Title 5, Sections 40500, 40501, 40505, 40506, 40507)
Maximum number of units
For baccalaureate degree programs in excess of 180 quarter units, a statement justifying the excess units in terms of achieving learning objectives and (as applicable) accreditation requirements may be required. Program faculty are expected to make a good faith effort to limit total units to, or as close as possible to, the minimum, subject to achieving the program's learning objectives and (as applicable) accreditation requirements. This is a policy of the CSU Board of Trustees.
Suggestions and examples of justification statements:
- Use a matrix relating major/support courses to the learning objectives for your program to explain precisely why specific learning objectives cannot be met within the 180-unit requirement.
- Provide specific peer institution data to show how your program's unit requirements align with best practices in the discipline.
Major Program
Definition: A major is defined as a program of study that provides students with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to pursue a specific career or advanced study and leads to a degree in that subject.
Minimum Number of Units Required in the Major
(Title 5, Sections 40500, 40501, 40505, 40507)
BA: 36 quarter units in major, of which at least 18 units are at the 300-400 level
BS / BFA: 54 quarter units in major, of which at least 27 units are at the 300-400 level
BArch / BLA: 68 quarter units in major, of which at least 41 units are at the 300-400 level
Maximum Number of Units in the Major
- determined by subtracting GE units and free electives from the total number of units.
Major Courses
- comprise the basic knowledge in the discipline and are required of all students in the major;
- have the prefix of the major program and/or college, or may be from any other prefix or discipline which is required in the major field of study;
- count toward the major GPA;
- include a common core courses that are at least half of the required number of units in the major (as per California State University ASA 2017-02);
- may be augmented by a concentration, minor, or advisor-approved electives;
- which fulfill General Education requirements shall be listed in the major course category with a reference to the GE area; and
- should include 15 quarter units designated at the 100-200 level.
Support Courses
- are any specified courses that are not listed in the major or do not carry the prefix of the home department, with the exception of advisor/technical/professional electives;
- are optional depending on the nature of the degree program and the judgment of the program's faculty; and
- which fulfill General Education requirements shall be listed in the support course category with a reference to the GE area.
Upper Division Unit Requirement
- Each baccalaureate degree offered by Cal Poly requires a minimum of 60 quarter units at the 300-400 level. (Title 5, Sections 40500 and 40501)
Sources:
Academic Senate Resolution: AS-388-92/CC "Resolution on Curriculum" (PDF). Adopted 26 May 1992.
Undergraduate Curriculum Policy for Semesters, Beginning Fall 2026
1. Course Categories
Curriculum course categories shall be labeled Major Courses, Support Courses, General Education Courses, and Free Elective Courses.
a. Major Courses
i. Definitions
1. Major courses comprise the basic knowledge in the discipline and are required of all students in the major.
2. Courses using the prefix of the major program must count as major courses.
3. Courses from any other prefix or discipline may be designated as major courses.
4. Unless otherwise designated, all major courses will be counted towards the major GPA.
5. Courses in the major which fulfill General Education (GE) requirements should be listed in the Major Course category with a reference to the GE area.
6. The major column comprises all courses in the major core, concentration (if present), and support courses.
ii. Major core
1. For students pursuing the same degree objective, more than 50% of their major courses or course areas must be the same.
2. The major core comprises requirements common to all students earning the degree, addressing a common set of learning outcomes for the program.
iii. Concentrations
1. A concentration is a coherent and specialized course of study within a student's major degree program. Degree programs are not required to include concentrations.
2. Policy on concentrations is given in AS-953-22.
3. No single course should be required in every concentration offered in a given degree program; such courses should be included in the major core or support.
4. The number of units in a concentration must be less than 50% of the sum of all major units (major core, concentration, and support courses).
5. In a program that includes a concentration, an equivalently-sized Individualized Course of Study (ICS) may be included as an alternative.
6. The courses for a concentration or ICS shall appear in the major course column, and are included in the calculation of the major GPA.
b. Support Courses
i. Definitions
1. A support course is any specified course outside of the home department. Courses with the home department prefix shall not appear in the support course category.
2. Support courses which fulfill General Education requirements shall appear in the Support Course category with a reference to the appropriate GE area.
3. Support courses are not included in the calculation of the major GPA.
c. General Education
i. Definitions
1. Those areas and courses designated as fulfilling General Education requirements as defined by the CSU shall appear in the category of General Education Courses. Areas which can be met by major and support courses shall be designated by a comment or footnote such as "Required in Major or Support; also satisfies General Education (GE) requirement."
2. GE courses are not included in the calculation of the major GPA, unless they are also listed in the major core or concentration.
d. Free Electives
i. Definitions
1. Free electives are courses chosen solely by the student with no curricular restrictions.
2. Programs are not required to include free elective units in the degree program.
3. Free electives are not included in the calculation of the major GPA.
2. Required Semester Units for Baccalaureate Degrees
a. Definitions
i. “Major units” include all units earned in major (core), concentration, and support. The number of “major units” equals the total number of units earned less GE and free elective units.
b. Unit requirements
i. The minimum (and maximum, where applicable) numbers of total semester units required for the following baccalaureate degrees offered by Cal Poly are as follow:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA): 120 (Title 5 § 40500)
- Bachelor of Science (BS): 120 (Title 5 § 40501)
- Bachelor of Architecture (BArch): 120-150 (Title 5 § 40505)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): 120-132 (Title 5 § 40506)
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA): 120-150 (Title 5 § 40507)
ii. The minimum numbers of total semester units designated as major courses or course areas required for the following baccalaureate degrees offered by Cal Poly are as follow:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA): 24 (Title 5 § 40500)
- Bachelor of Science (BS): 36 (Title 5 § 40501)
- Bachelor of Architecture (BArch): 45 (Title 5 § 40505)
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA): 120-150 (Title 5 § 40507)
Note: Title 5 does not designate a minimum number of major units for the BFA degree.
iii. The maximum number of total semester units designated as major courses or course areas required for the BFA degree is 70 (Title 5 § 40506).
Note: Title 5 does not designate a maximum number of major units for the BA, BS, BArch, or BLA degrees.
iv. The minimum numbers of upper-division semester units designated as major courses or course areas required for the following baccalaureate degrees offered by Cal Poly are as follow:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA): 12 (Title 5 § 40500)
- Bachelor of Science (BS): 18 (Title 5 § 40501)
- Bachelor of Architecture (BArch): 27 (Title 5 § 40505)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): 18
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA): 27 (Title 5 § 40507)
Note: Title 5 does not designate a minimum number of upper-division major units for the BFA degree.
c. Upper-Division Unit Minimum
i. Each baccalaureate degree offered by Cal Poly requires a minimum of 40 upper- division units.
d. Lower-Division Unit Minimum
i. Each baccalaureate degree offered by Cal Poly requires a minimum of 10 lower- division units.
Sources:
California Code of Regulations: Title 5. Education, Division 5. Board of Trustees of the California State Universities, Chapter 1. California State University, Subchapter 2. Educational Program, Sections 40500-40509.
CSU Coded Memorandum: ASA-2017-02 "Accurate National Enrollment and Degree Reporting." Revised 1 February 2022.
Academic Senate Resolution: AS-959-23 “Resolution on Undergraduate Curriculum for Semester Conversion” (PDF). Adopted 23 May 2023; supersedes AS-388-92; rescinds AS 234-87 and AS 609-04.
Academic Senate Resolution: AS-953-22 "Resolution on Undergraduate Concentrations and Semesters" (PDF). 29 Adopted November 2022; supersedes AS-745-12.
Last updated: 9/11/2023