Academics

The academic calendar is a helpful resource to stay informed of important dates and deadlines. 

Undergraduate

2016-2017

2017-2018

Graduate

2016-2017

2017-2018

Online

Fall 2017

Spring 2018

Summer 2018

School of Law

2016-2017

2017-2018

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

Students may grant the University permission to release information about their records to a third party (including parents, step-parents, etc.) by adding an authorized user to the FERPA page in the MySanDiego portal. Note: You must complete a separate entry for each parent, family member, or other individual to whom you wish to grant access to information regarding your student records.

1. Login to the USD MySanDiego Portal. 
2. Click on FERPA page under the Torero Hub dropdown.
3. Click on Add Authorized User.
4. After you have added your authorized user's name and email address please go to the Authorizations tab and select the areas you wish to provide access to.

For help logging in, please email help@sandiego.edu or call (619) 260-7900. For questions about FERPA, please email onestop@sandiego.edu or call (619) 260-2700.

At USD, students who wish to restrict the release of directory information about themselves must complete a Request to Restrict Directory Information form. The completed form must be submitted in person to One Stop Student Center and must be accompanied by a photo I.D. A student does not have the right to request non-disclosure to a particular person or group of persons.

Students who wish to restrict directory information should realize that this action could have negative consequences. The names of students who have restricted their directory information will not appear in University publications. Also, employers, credit card companies, scholarship committees and the like will be denied any of your directory information and will be told: I'm sorry, but we have no information available about this person's attendance at USD.

The registration tools box on your My San Diego portal contains a number of useful links to help you during the registration process.  To access these tools please log onto the My San Diego portal.

From the portal you can:

• Plan your schedule for future terms.

• Check for holds that will prevent registration.

  • There are a number of holds that will prevent registration.  Some of the most common include: 
    • Academic Advisor Hold:  This can only be lifted by your Academic Advisor.
    • Student Account Hold:  Student Account Holds are placed anytime you have a past due balance.  If you need assistance understanding why you have this hold as well as how to resolve it please contact the One Stop.
    • Health Center Hold:  Students are required to submit immunization documentation to the Student Health Center.  This hold can only be lifted by the Health Center.  Access your immunization form.
    • Business Career Services Hold:  It is not uncommon for students in the School of Business to have this type of hold.  Not sure why you have this hold and need help resolving it?  Please contact Timothy Novara at tnovara@sandiego.edu or (619) 260-6769.
    • Need Petition to Graduate Hold:  This hold can be resolved by completing your Graduation Petition online via the My San Diego portal on the Senior page.  Please note for undergraduate students the Senior page will become available once you have completed 90 units.
    • Graduation Hold:  Have a graduation hold?  This is normal, so not to worry!  If you are graduating after the current semester this hold will be present on your account to prevent you from registering for future terms.  There is nothing you need to do.  Note:  If you previously petitioned to graduate and the date of your graduation has now changed please email lzullo@sandiego.edu to update your petition.

• Add/Drop courses for eligible terms.

  • The majority of your classes can be added/dropped via the MySanDiego portal.  Instances that require One Stop intervention include: repeat classes, courses for which you have obtained approval to override a pre-requisite, course limit, or upper division requirement.  We are happy to help in person or via email with your requests.  Repeat courses do not require faculty approval unless you are attempting to repeat a course for a third time or you are trying to repeat a course in which you received a grade of C or higher.  If these scenarios do apply to your situation, One Stop will need Dean's approval in order to add you to the course.  Please keep in mind that approvals to override a pre-requisite, course limit, or upper division requirement must be in writing (either on an add/drop form or via email).  Approval in writing from the professor for the course is sufficient for courses in the College of Arts and Sciences.  All Undergraduate courses in the School of Business for which an override approval is needed require approval from the School of Business Advising office.  Contact School of Business Advising Office.

• View your concise and detailed student schedule.

• Review your registration history.

Do you need to take a leave of absence?  If you are an Undergraduate student please contact the Center for Student Success.  They can be reached at css@sandiego.edu or (619) 260-5995.  Also feel free to visit them in person in University Center 114.  If you are a Graduate or Doctoral student please contact your Program Coordinator for assistance.

Have you decided to withdraw from the University?  If you are an Undergraduate student please contact the Center for Student Success to discuss the process.  If you are a Graduate or Doctoral student please contact your Program Coordinator for assistance.

Placement exams may be required for Math and Language courses at USD.  We have compiled the resources below to help you determine when a placement test is needed as well as how to prepare and where to take your exam.  You can verify whether or not a course requires a placement exam by viewing the pre-requisites in the course search.

Placement in a Language Program

All students--with only one exception noted below--must take the Placement Exam before taking any language courses at USD or at another college or university if they intend to transfer it. This is a diagnostic tool, and students should not study for it nor receive any outside assistance. Students who have never been exposed to the language they wish to study may request a waiver of placement in order to enroll directly in 101.

Placement results are valid only for the academic year in which they were obtained. The Placement Exam may only be taken once without the express consent of the Director of Placement or the Department Chair.

Students who place into 202 or upper division have two options to fulfill the Core Curriculum language requirement:

Students who place high are well poised to begin a Major or Minor in the Department of Languages and Literatures.

If you have obtained a Waiver of Placement do not take the placement exam.

The placement policy (exam or waiver) covers classes taken at USD or at other institutions. You may not enroll before receiving a placement determination. No exception to the policy will be granted in the case that your proposed class begins before the exam is evaluated. We will not approve courses for transfer unless this process has been completed prior to taking the class.

Placement notifications are sent to the e-mail address you provide when you take the exam as follows:

• on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday by 5 p.m. during the semester (except on holidays)
• once a week at all other times

The Banner system will block enrollment on campus (with a message about not having met the prerequisite) until placement results are uploaded by ITS staff. This occurs Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 8 a.m. If you experience trouble enrolling after your results should have been uploaded, contact Dr. Rubio-Fernaz, the Director of Placement (santiago@sandiego.edu).

Information About the Exam

It is highly advisable to take the exam early to secure your seat in the correct class. Correct and early placement will save you the trouble of having to make class changes during the very hectic first week of school.

If you enroll in a language class after the beginning of the semester your final grade will suffer due to the strict attendance policies in effect for language classes. It pays to know where you belong before enrolling so that you miss no classes.

The exam is a diagnostic tool designed to obtain a measure of your abilities in the language you want to study. What does this mean? It is not an "achievement" exam. We do not want students to prepare for it. For this reason, we do not provide sample tests or study guides.

We require each student to perform at the best of his or her ability without using dictionaries, grammar aids, friends, relatives, or any other sort of assistance and an electronic or handwritten signature declaring that he or she has observed these rules.

The exam begins with a "Language Background" survey. This is an integral component of the placement process and information obtained from this survey is essential to establish the right placement of each student. Incomplete or contradictory surveys may significantly delay placement results. You are, therefore, strongly encouraged to provide complete and reliable information regarding your language background, including an accurate e-mail address.

This exam is unrelated to the Language Competency Exam. It does not contribute in any way to "testing out" of the Core Curriculum requirement in language (previously known as General Education language requirement).

Students:

Placement exams are evaluated in a batch on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays by 5 pm. Watch your e-mail on these days for your official placement. If you have been given an optional placement and would like to exercise the option, follow the instructions in the e-mail.

Dr. Rubio-Fernaz provides placement results to be uploaded to the registration system. It is the sole responsibility of ITS to post them. This is done each Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8 am (except holidays).

The department does not allow anyone to enroll in a closed class, so it is important that you enroll as quickly as possible.

Advisors/preceptors:

Placement results are uploaded to Banner on Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 8 am by ITS staff.

The Banner system is only able to track primary placements, therefore, if a student wants to exercise an optional placement (if one is offered), the system will block her/him as not having met the prerequisite. In these cases, the students have been advised in their placement notification to tell Dr. Rubio-Fernaz (santiago@sandiego.edu) that they wish to take the optional class. He then authorizes the change. The updated record will appear the next time the ITS staff posts to Banner.

If this is an impediment to completing a student's schedule (especially when the language class is nearly full), s/he may file an Add/Drop form with Dr. Rubio-Fernaz (Founders 138-A). Local students then take it to the One Stop Center. For the Summer/Intersession only, we will forward the forms of out-of-area students to the One Stop Center.

The department does not allow anyone to enroll in a closed class, so it is important that students enroll as quickly as possible. If a class is already closed before a student is eligible to enroll, s/he can get on the waiting list.

It is never guaranteed that we will increase enrollment; however, when an increase is permitted, the enrollment limit in multi-section classes will not be raised until all sections are closed.

Take a Language Placement Exam

Math Placement

Current students are required to take the math placement exam in the computer lab in Serra 205. When you arrive, ask the lab assistant for a password. Lab Hours.

Before you take your first mathematics course at USD, you will be given a Mathematics Placement Exam to place you in the correct course. Below is an explanation of our mathematics requirement and placement exams.

Contents

• USD Math Requirements
• How to Decide Which Placement Exam to Take
• Exam Preparation
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Log In / Take the Placement Exam

USD Math Requirements

USD requires all students to demonstrate basic mathematical competence in order to graduate. This requirement may be fulfilled by passing Investigations in Modern Mathematics (Math 112), College Algebra (Math 115), or a more advanced course such as Calculus (Math 130 or 150). A student may also fulfill the requirement by passing a competency exam (not to be confused with the placement exams). The vast majority of our students satisfy the requirement by taking one of the above courses.

We use placement exams, in conjunction with the previous academic record, to place students in the appropriate course. You will need to choose whether to take the Level 1 or Level 2 placement exam. This choice will be based on the level of mathematics course which seems appropriate for your start. (If you guess wrong don’t worry—we’ll just retest you).

How to Decide Which Placement Exam to Take

Level 1 exam

If you would like to start with Investigations in Modern Mathematics (Math 112) or College Algebra (Math 115), you will need to pass the Level 1 Placement Exam. The Level 1 exam covers the material in an intermediate algebra course (usually the second year of high school algebra). The exam takes approximately 45 minutes.

If you do not do well enough on the exam to place into Math 112 or Math 115, we offer Intermediate Algebra (Math 90) as a review course, or you could take a similar course at a community college and then re-take the placement exam. To take Math 112 or Math 115 at USD you must either pass the Level 1 Placement Exam or pass Math 90 at USD with a C- or better. We do not accept any kind of transfer credit at the Math 90 Level.

Level 2 exam

If you feel that you are ready to start with Survey of Calculus (Math130) or Calculus I (Math 150), take the Level 2 exam. This exam covers the material normally found in a precalculus course. The Level 2 exam takes approximately 60 minutes.

Students taking this exam will be given two different results: preparation for Math 150 based on the entire exam, and preparation for Math 130 for which the trigonometry questions are not counted. If you do not do well enough on the exam to place into Math 130 or Math 150, you should take the Level 1 Placement Exam to see if you are prepared to take College Algebra (Math 115) as a review course before you take Calculus.

Exam Preparation

You do not have to do well on all topics to pass the exams, but of course you will want the exams to show what you do know, and being a little rusty may cause you to miss questions you might have had correct. Further, since the exams test your readiness to take a particular course, you will want to be sure you are comfortable with all the topics on the placement exam before you begin the corresponding mathematics course. If you have not just finished a mathematics course, we expect you to review for the exams so that what you do know is fresh in your mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where, when, and how can I take the Math Placement Exam?
A student may take the exam in Serra 205 any time the lab is open to take the placement exam, except between 12 p.m.-2 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. To allow time for the student to complete the exam before the lab closes, a student may begin an exam no later than 1.5 hours before the lab closes for the evening. You do not need a reservation to do this; just tell a Lab Assistant at the front desk that you want to take a Math Placement Exam. Computing Lab Hours of Operation.

What should I bring to the placement exam?
You should bring your USD student ID and a pencil or pen with you to the exam. You will be given scratch paper at the exam if you like. You may not use your own scratch paper and you may not use a calculator.

How can I get a password to take the placement exam?
You will be given your password when you arrive to our computer lab to take the exam. If you have taken this exam before, you will be given the same password that you used earlier, but you will still be forbidden to access the exam until you have checked in with a Lab Assistant at the front desk of our computer lab.

Is there any way to take my first math class at USD without taking the placement exam?
There are only 5 ways to do this:

• If you have taken the AP Calculus AB test and scored a 3, 4, or 5, then you will receive credit for Math 150. In addition you will be placed into Math 151, with no need for a placement exam. Note that you must make sure the registrar has record of this passing score on your transcript.
• If you have taken the AP Calculus BC test and scored a 3, 4, or 5, then you will receive credit for Math 150 and Math 151. You do not need to take a placement exam to enroll in Math 252. Note that you must make sure the registrar has record of this passing score on your transcript.
• If you are a transfer student to USD and you have taken a math class at another university that will receive transfer credit at USD, then that transferred math course will fulfill the prerequisites for your first math course at USD.
• Incoming freshmen will be placed into a math class based on the math score on their SAT / ACT exam (see below for details).
• Some scores on the IB Mathematics test may be used to place you in your first math course at USD. Please contact the Arts and Sciences Dean's Office to arrange for the appropriate math credit.

I am an incoming freshman at USD. Do I need to take the placement exam?
The summer advisors who enroll you in your classes will choose an appropriate math course for you based on a consideration of your math score on your SAT or ACT exam, your score on an AP Calculus Exam (if any), the math course you've requested on your Freshman Questionnaire, and the requirements of your stated choice(s) of major. The highest level class that your AP Calc / SAT / ACT score will qualify you for is given in the table below.

Incoming students may be placed in a math course by their SAT / ACT scores before their AP exam score arrives to USD. If your AP exam score indicates you should be in a more advanced math course that you have been enrolled in by our summer advisors based on your SAT score, you should meet with your advisor to change your math course to a more appropriate course.

If you feel you should be placed in a more advanced math course than the one you were assigned, you may take the Math Placement Exam from home or once you arrive to campus to attempt to place into a different class.

I am an incoming freshman. How can I decide which math course I should request on my Freshman Questionnaire?
There is a very useful page on the Math/CS Department website which will help you make this decision.

I am transferring to USD, and I have taken a math class at another university that I would like to try to transfer to USD to satisfy the mathematics requirement. Should I take the exam?
If you have taken a class at another university which satisfies your math requirement, and you don't intend to take a math course at USD, then you do not need to take the placement exam. During the summer, you can check DARS to see if your math course will satisfy the math requirement. Otherwise, you must take the placement exam in order to gain entry into an appropriate math course.

I am an incoming freshman or transfer student to USD. How can I take the placement exam if I'm not on campus yet?
Incoming freshmen and transfer students have one chance to take the exam from their home computers. You will receive your login information and instructions for taking the exam via email. Note that this information will be sent to the email address that you gave the university when you applied for admission, so be sure to look in the correct account for this email.

How long is my placement exam score good for?
Placement exam scores never expire.

Can I take the placement exam more than once?
Each year is divided into two periods, between March 1 and September 30 of the same year (Period 1) and between October 1 of one year and Feb 28/29 of the following year (Period 2). You may take the exam at most two times in any one period of the year. Also, you may take the exam at most one time in any 24 hour period.

Will Trigonometry (Math 118) satisfy USD's mathematics requirement?
No. But any other course with course number 112 and above will satisfy this requirement.

Email mathplacement@sandiego.edu if you have questions.

Whether you are you on the road to Graduation or just registering for the next semester your Degree Works audit is an excellent source of information on your degree progress.  You can access your audit by logging onto the MySanDiego portal and going to the My Academics page. Under the My Academics page, the link is located on the right hand side under Degree Audit. If you need to have changes made to your degree audit, your academic advisor or department chair can email dars@sandiego.edu to request the change. 

Need help pulling your audit or understanding how to read it?  Feel free to visit the One Stop.

Need advice on what classes to take after viewing your audit?  Please see your Academic Advisor.  The One Stop is NOT able to provide academic advisement.

Taking classes outside USD? We highly recommend that you submit your Petition for Transfer of Credit E-Form prior to taking a course off campus. Please submit your request at least 30 days in advance as the petition may need multiple approvals. You will receive an email to let you know if your request has been approved or denied.  To check on the status of your petition, please contact your academic advisor.  If your petition is approved please bring your official transcript for the course to One Stop after completion or request that the transcript be mailed to USD.

Please keep in mind if you are hoping to take a class outside of USD within the last 30 units of your program that you will be required to submit the Request for Waiver of Residency Form for approval.

Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Order your official transcript

Law School Students

Order your official transcript

Paralegal Students

Order your official transcript

Professional and Continuing Education Students

Order your official transcript

Are you getting ready to graduate?

Make sure to visit us at Grad Fest I on March 14th and 15th outside of the USD Torero Store. 

At GradFest I you'll have the opportunity to:

• Have your account reviewed by a One Stop Counselor
• Order your Cap and Gown
• Shop for USD Palm Medallion Silk Stoles
• Order Graduation Announcements
• Get a Free Portrait Sitting
• Order the USD Class Ring
• Get Diploma Frames
• Shop for your Lei from Graduation Leis

Also, be sure to visit us on May 4th in the UC Forums for Grad Fest II.

At GradFest II you'll have the opportunity to:

• Meet with a One Stop Counselor to ensure you are clear for commencement
• Pick up your Cap and Gown
• Check the spelling of your name
• Meet with numerous vendors

Also, take a look at the commencement website for all the important ceremony details.

The Registrar's Office will begin to order diplomas once degrees have officially been awarded.  Please allow at least 6-8 weeks from the time your degree is awarded for your diploma to arrive.  Your diploma will be sent to the address designated on your Graduation Petition.

Order Replacement Diploma

Here is a list of some of the important forms you may need quick access too:

Add/Drop Form

If you are unable to add/drop a course online and require assistance from One Stop please email us at onestop@sandiego.edu from your USD email account and include your student ID number and the CRN of the course.  We will accept email approvals from Professors and Deans in order to add you to courses so long as they are in alignment with registration policies.  Alternatively, we also accept paper add/drop forms with the appropriate approval signatures on them in person at the One Stop.  Need to print an Add/Drop form?

Independent Study

Students interested in completing a special project with guidance from a faculty member may consider registering for an independent study. Students should consult a faculty member who has expertise in their interest area and be prepared to explain their intended project or research question(s). The student and instructor agree upon specific requirements. Registration is by consent of instructor and requires the completion of the Independent Study Form.

Verification of Enrollment

If you need to have your enrollment verified for things like: outside scholarships, health insurance or car insurance please submit the Verification of Enrollment Form for completion.  Please keep in mind that USD can only verify semesters for which you are already registered.  Processing time typically ranges from 3-5 days.  Once ready your form can mailed to the address you specify or picked up at the One Stop depending on your preference.

Declaration of Major

All students must formally declare their major. If you are declaring a major, you must obtain the appropriate department approvals. If you are declaring a minor, no signatures are required. Once your form is ready for processing please bring it to the One Stop.  Please allow 2-3 weeks for your Declaration of Major/minor form to be processed and updated on your DARS.  Need to print the Declaration of Major Form?

Overload Summer/Intersession

You may register for a maximum of 13 units during the combined Summer sessions (you may register for 1 unit more than the number of weeks of the class) and a maximum of 4 units during Intersession.

• You may only register for a maximum of 4 units in a 3-week session.
• You may only register for a maximum of 7 units in a 6-week session.

These maximums apply to any combination of courses taken concurrently at USD and another institution.

To apply to take units beyond the maximum please complete and submit an Overload Appeal Form.

Request for Substitution of Graduation Requirements

Request for Waiver of Residency

USD requires that your last 30 units be completed on campus. If you need to appeal to take a course outside of USD in your last 30 units, the Waiver of Residency Form must be completed.

Removal of AP Credit

Are you re-taking a course that you received AP credit for? The Removal of AP Credit Form needs to be completed after you have completed the course you are re-taking. 

Application for Credit by Examination (CLEP)

In order to receive credit for a CLEP exam please complete and submit the Application for Credit by Examination to the One Stop for processing.

Social Security Number/Individual Tax Identification Number Update Form