Academic Clubs

The Alcalá Review is the official literary journal of USD, committed to fostering creative community by showcasing exceptional creative works by undergraduate students, and through  hosting a variety of literary events through USD’s English Department.

A student-run organization founded in 2015, The Alcalá Review is published semi-annually.  Read more at their website: alcalareview.org.

Organization Contact

The Anthropology Club encourages students from all disciplines, who are interested in Anthropology, to join. Club events, such as pizza parties, coffee with professors and lectures encourage Anthropology Club members to interact with fellow students as well as faculty and guest lecturers. Future outings will include off-campus excursions to the world-famous San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park.

Organization Contact

Asian Students Association is a space for students of Asian descent to come together and share their common culture. Asian Students Association will also serve as an umbrella for all students with Asian ethnicity as well as students who would like to learn more about Asian ethnicity. We hope to form a safe space for community, representation, comfort, identity, and family. We hope that through the celebration of cultural diversity, awareness, and pride, ASA will join together in long lasting friendships and relationships. Asian Students Association also promotes each member to thrive successfully in their education, passions, and self-discovery at the University of San Diego. ASA represents the voice of Asians on the campus of the University of San Diego.

Organization Contact

USD AEP is a student chapter of California AEP that helps foster connections between students and environmental professionals in San Diego. The chapter regularly hosts guest professional speakers in all fields related to environmental planning and analysis. AEP is dedicated to the continued improvement of the environmental profession.

USD AEP often attends networking events in San Diego, such as the annual AEP Awards Banquet and Holiday Party, which is a great way for students to begin growing their professional network in their field of interest.

AEP memberships for students are free. More information is available on the AEP San Diego Chapter website. 

Organization Contact

USD's Changemaker Hub fosters a university-wide ecosystem that strengthens the collective capacity of our students, faculty, staff and community partners to address humanity’s most urgent challenges through meaningful, sustainable, and innovative collaborations. What will you do while you are at USD to be in the service of an issue that matters to you? Whatever it is, we encourage you to work with other like-minded individuals to make a positive difference for your community and to leave a legacy and a path for others to follow.

Contact Changemaker Hub at changemaker@sandiego.edu

The purpose of this organization is to create a platform for cross-cultural student interactions, help international students from China to adjust to academic life in America, enhance the learning and immersion of Chinese language and culture for the USD community, promote mutual understanding, and build friendship that goes beyond linguistic and cultural confines. This organization will not only share various dimension of the Chinese culture with our students, faculty and alumni, it also reaches out to our communities.

Organization Contact

The Chinese Language Union is a club dedicated to familiarizing American students with Chinese culture along with the language. We do this by hosting events that help students practice their language skills outside of a classroom setting. Whether it be meeting with international native speakers, watching Chinese movies, or even doing cultural exchanges where we integrate language practice with fun Chinese activities, we aim to help students feel more comfortable with their language skills.

Interested in joining?

We encourage people of all skill levels to attend our events. Having a range of skill levels enables us to help pair people together to practice speaking in addition to adding diversity to the dynamic of the club. We hope to see you at our next event!

Organization Contact

CSSA stands for organizing variable activities that introduce Chinese culture, language, and custom to all USD community. Our goal is to reinforce cultural diversity among USD community, enrich personal experience of a distinct culture. 

Organization Contact

The Environmental Integration Lab is a part of the University's strategic initiative funding and Investment Policy with Laudato Si'. They emphasize Care for our Common Home by developing strategic collaborations to deliver integrative and innovative solutions to urgent challenges related to climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice.

The pillars of the EIL are learning, scholarship, leadership, and engagement, which empower both students and the surrounding community to address environmental challenges through curriculum advancement, research opportunities, professional development, and partnerships.

Contact EIL at eil@sandiego.edu

Everthinkers is a philosophy club that aims at providing a safe environment for students to explore and discuss influential topics. We offer a variety of insightful guest lectures, mind-blowing discussion, and a weekly study session. We invite all students of any major to join us for amazing conversations! 

Organization Contact

Fashion Forward Club works to promote sustainable fashion at USD and beyond by providing the resources necessary to create and innovate. The club works with many organizations to host a multitude of events, so stay tuned and come tap into your creative spirit!

Contact the Fashion Forward Club at fashionforwardusd@gmail.com

Raison d'Etre du Club

Le Club français est ouvert aux étudiants de USD qui s'intéressent à la langue et à la culture française et francophone. Il n'est pas nécessaire de savoir parler français pour participer aux activités du club qui sont ouvertes aux membres et à leurs amis. L'inscription au club est gratuite, mais certaines activités peuvent demander une modeste participation aux frais (cinéma, musée, restaurant…). N'hésitez pas à contacter le président du club Claire Wagner si vous avez des questions.

The French and Francophone Studies Club is open to all USD students who are interested in the French language and French and francophone culture. It is not necessary to be fluent in French in order to participate in the club's activities, which are open to our members and their friends. Enrollment in the club is free, but some of its activities may require a modest participation fee (movies, museums, restaurants etc.).

Organization Contact

Whether you're studying German, have German heritage or are simply curious about German culture, our club welcomes students from all backgrounds and experience levels. You can practice the language, explore traditions through community-building cultural events and movie nights and connect with fellow students who share your interest in all things German.

Organization Contact

The History Club at USD brings together history majors, minors, history graduate students, prospective majors or minors, alumni, faculty and students and anyone interested in the study of history for formal and informal activities that build a sense of a community and promote history at USD.

It organizes excursions, speakers, film screenings, events around various history months, academic panel discussions and guest lectures, social gatherings and further dialogue between faculty and students. It may also act as informal resource and support network for history students, e.g. by facilitating the sharing of advice, helping history students find resources, connect to the alumni community and organizing graduate school or job application workshops focused on the skills and resources you bring as a history major/minor.

Membership is free.

Note: Students can be a member of both the History Club and History Honors Society

Join USD's History Club by registering through Associated Students.

Organization Contact

The Honors Club is designed to welcome Honors students into a community focused on extracurricular programming, social events, and philanthropy.

The Honors Club also administers the Peer Mentor Program. Anyone in the Honors Program is free to join the Honors Club. Being a member of the Honors Club involves meeting to share and develop ideas, hosting events, and serving as an ambassador to prospective Honors students.

Organization Contact

The Honors Student Board was established in 2002 (and restructured in 2019) with the purpose of enhancing student participation in the Honors Program and promoting student interaction with the Honors Director and Assistant Director. The Board provides advice about the Honors curriculum, voices student views about the structure of the program, plans social and philanthropic activities, and works to draw prospective students. The Board also runs the Honors Club.

Honors Student Board leaders include: President, Vice President, Club Coordinator, Events Chair, Communications Chair, Peer Mentor Program Chair, and student representatives from the 1st and 2nd year cohorts.  Students who wish to serve on HSB should join the Honors Club and reach out to HSB leaders for opportunities to become involved.

Organization Contact

This is a cultural and social organization for USD students interested in getting to know Italian culture. The organization will  promote social gatherings, activities and events related to Italian culture.

Organization Contact

The purpose of this organization is to promote Japanese culture (language, entertainment, technology, customs, sports, cuisine, etc.) to the USD community and to allow students to interact with similarly interested individuals through activities and social development.

Organization Contact

The Liberal Studies Club serves the intellectual, ethnic, cultural, physical and social needs of the liberal studies majors. Each member takes on the commitment to strengthen the unity between students, faculty, staff and community. The club meets once a month and is responsible for developing, organizing and implementing social activities as well as events for professional development.

Organization Contact

The MAIR GSA connects the graduate students of the MAIR program to the wider University of San Diego (USD) Graduate Student Life program, alumni, and local and international communities and organizations. Through communication and engagement, the MAIR GSA and its Officers represent and advocate on matters of student life and affairs. The desired end goal for MAIR GSA plans and actions is to enhance the education, networking, and career development opportunities for students.

Organization Contact

MathEx is a forum for anybody who's interested to Experience Mathematics through Explorations and Expositions! MathEx also aims to Expose community members to the joy of mathematics through outreach events!

On a biweekly basis general body meetings will be held for students to meet, eat, and mingle with others interested in Mathematics. At a meeting, we may have a group discussion, play some math games, or piece apart some math, this is fully the members choice!

On a weekly basis, students can opt to use books, and other resources (like their peers) to prepare for math competitions like the Putnam Exam, or the Math Modeling Competition! 

Organization Contact

Project Mathigami was inspired by the complementary relationship that exists between origami and mathematics. For example, mathematics has been instrumental in the evolution of origami, and origami provides a medium to model mathematical concepts. Project Mathigami aims to give children, college students and educators positive experiences in mathematics that ignite their curiosity and stimulate them to create and explore meaningful questions. Through the creation of origami models, richly diverse teaching teams composed of educators and college students work with K-12 students to examine mathematical concepts and develop habits of mind that lead to deep understanding. The collective intelligence of our diverse teaching teams enriches each individual’s capacity. Mathigami also exposes the participants to the applications of both mathematics and origami to other areas including medicine, robotics and architecture, enhancing their perspectives and broadening their world view.

Organization Contact

Model United Nations is a student-led activity in which participants learn to simulate the workings of the United Nations and its various agencies. Our delegates attend several conferences each semester alongside representatives from other universities. Students regularly attend conferences in major cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, and represent USD annually at the two premier North American conferences (both hosting delegations from around the world): Harvard University National MUN, and New York MUN (with sessions in the UN General Assembly). Model UN is open to all USD students, and students may enroll in the one-credit course POLS 480 (which is repeatable, open to all students, and counts as an elective toward the POLS and IREL majors) to help them prepare for conferences.

Organization Contact

The NCB Club is a student-run organization that sponsors many Neurocience, Cognition and Behavior-related educational and social events each year. Events include invited talks by neuroscientist working in a variety of different settings and panel discussions on graduate school options.

Membership

Membership in the NCB Club offers students a number of benefits:

• Get to know other NCB majors that share your goals and interests outside of the classroom. Members find a support system of students interested in pursuing graduate study or careers in neurocience, cognition and behavior. 
• Interact with USD faculty in a small group setting. NCB club members find out about research opportunities with USD faculty and learn more about how to get involved in other research-related activities in San Diego.
• See guest speakers and USD alumni discuss hot topics in neuroscience, cognition and behavior and career options for students post-graduation. The wide variety of topics that our speakers address are not only interesting, but often inspire students to consider career options of which they were not previously aware.

For information on how to get involved please contact Dr. Jaqueline Bonds jbonds_09@sandiego.edu 

Organization Contact

Pre-Health students get involved in student organizations at the University of San Diego for different reasons based on their individual needs and desires. 

American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
Pre-Dental Club
Pre-Nursing Club
HOSA - Future Health Professionals
Pre-Physician Assistant Club
Pre-Veterinary Club
Phi Delta Epsilon (Pre-medical Fraternity)
Pre-Physical Therapy and Occupatioal Therapy Club
RX for Success (Pharmacy Club)
Medical Brigades
Pre-Optometry Club

Five Reasons to Get Involved

• Growth
• Recognition
• Achievement
• Participation
• Enjoyment

Benefits of Getting Involved:

• Learn about their intended career or to explore other career options
• Work with groups (running effective meetings, learning delegation skills, using public relations, etc.)
• Develop Interpersonal skills (communicating, managing conflict, listening, etc.)
• Make a difference on campus and in our surrounding community
• Learn and practice leadership skills (delegating, communicating, managing time, setting goals, etc.)
• Have fun and network with other students who share their same interests

Organization Contact

The USD Psychology Club is a student-run organization that sponsors many psychology-related educational and social events each year. Events include invited talks by psychologists working in a variety of different settings and panel discussions on graduate school options. 

Membership

Membership in the Psychology Club offers students a number of benefits:

• Get to know other psychology majors that share your goals and interests outside of the classroom. Members find a support system of students interested in pursuing graduate study or careers in psychology.
• Interact with USD faculty in a small group setting. Psych club members find out about research opportunities with USD faculty and learn more about how to get involved in clinical and other psychology-related activities in San Diego.
• See guest speakers and USD alumni discuss hot topics in psychology and career options for students post-graduation. The wide variety of topics that our speakers address are not only interesting, but often inspire students to consider career options of which they were not previously aware.

Organization Contact

USD's Society of Physics Students (SPS) is a vibrant and active club designed for any student interested in the wonders of physics. SPS members gather for organizational meetings and social activities, host K-12 outreach events, attend scientific conferences, design t-shirts and masks, and much more! Our SPS chapter and members have won several national awards over the past few years including the Blake Lily Award for Outreach and Diversity in Physics, the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award, the Outstanding Chapter Award, and the Notable Chapter Award.

Organization Contact

Meetings consist of participating in cultural activities and discussing events. ¡Bienvenidos!

Organization Contact

The USD Surfrider Club is dedicated to engaging the USD community in education and activism surrounding the issues of plastic pollution, ocean protection, beach access, coastal preservation, and clean water in the local San Diego area. They aim to promote and complete projects that fulfill the National Surfrider Foundation's mission towards the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches, for all people, through a powerful activist network. The USD Surfrider Club is affiliated with the National Surfrider Foundation.

Contact usd@clubs.surfrider.org for more information. 

Organization Contact

Sustainability Club is an innovative, eco-minded student voice that promotes an ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable campus. Their goal is to encourage sustainability as a way of life to reduce the University's collective impact. Sustainability Club is committed to reducing USD’s waste and water consumption through marketing campaigns, community service and outreach, and eco-events. Sustainability Club's purpose consists of the following:

● Expand campus awareness and commitment to sustainability
● Foster integration among academics and sustainability
● Build campus infrastructure that promotes sustainability
● Cultivate the capacity of individuals to promote sustainability
● Serve as a suitability resource for the San Diego community
● Engage internal and external partnerships that promote sustainability
● Commitment to make the campus more sustainable
● Increase environmental stewardship among students, faculty, and staff at USD

Organization Contact

The CBL Physics Identity Program (PIP) at USD supports and helps build a strong community of physics and biophysics majors. This program provides students the opportunity to build their physics identity through professional development interactive events, networking opportunities with professionals in physics and biophysics, social physics book club discussions, coffee hours and outreach efforts. Learn more.

Organization Contact

The Philosophy, Politics and Economics Society is an international organization that students can join.

About

Our mission is to enrich the studies of majors/minors within the Department of Art, Architecture, and Art History (DAA+AH) beyond the classroom, as well as invite all students from USD to engage in various workshops and events emphasizing the study of fine art. 

We hold weekly meetings where students may further develop their artistic skill outside of the classroom through instructional sessions and peer critiques. We also allow members to share and sell their artwork through a digital platform accessible across the world. 

Join us in our community of artists and makers!

Organization Contact

The USD Biology Club is a student-driven academic organization whose purpose is to provide opportunities for students interested in Biology to learn how to be effective biologists through elucidating different aspects of biology, lab and research trainings, and guest speakers.  Also, the USD Biology Club serves as a means to cultivate a strong Biology community between students and the faculty members in the Biology Department by planning social events throughout the academic year.

Organization Contact

USD Chemistry and Biochemistry Club invites a community of aspiring chemists and biochemists at USD to promote science outside of the community, scientific and non-scientific, through outreach activities. We are a great source of community service opportunities and social events.

Organization Contact

The purpose of the University of San Diego (USD) College Democrats will be to pursue the ideas of liberty, justice, and freedom for all regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, ability, religion (or lack thereof), gender identity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. We shall pursue these ideas through support of the candidates and ideas of the Democratic Party.

Organization Contact

The USD College Republicans hope to serve as the hub of conservative values and activism on campus. To achieve this end, the CRs strive to bring conservative speakers to campus, help students of all political viewpoints register to vote, engage in organized, civil debate with fellow on-campus political organizations, assist students in finding conservative internships and campaign positions, and encourage active participation in our democracy at both the national and local levels.

We strive to be a Big Tent party, and as such, our members do not take a litmus test. Regardless of your political opinions on a certain issue, there is a place for you in College Republicans.

USD College Republicans shall register itself with the appropriate National and State chapters so as to operate as an official campus chapter of the College Republican National Committee (CRNC). 

Organization Contact

The USD Film Society is a club for students who are passionate about cinema. The aim of our club is to open up a discussion about film criticism, film theory, and filmmaking. We plan to screen films that span across different eras, cultures, and themes. Our club activities include film screenings, film discussions, and student filmmaking collaborations. We encourage our members to pursue their filmmaking endeavors. The club will invite filmmakers, actors, and producers to campus to host film screenings and discussion panels. 

Organization Contact

Become a member of the USD Sociology Honor Society and join fellow students interested in the field.

Membership Requirements

• Minimum overall GPA of 3.0, or by faculty nomination
• Serious interest in the field of sociology

Application Form

Organization Contact

USD Student Media consists of USD Radio, USDtv, and the USD Vista, the official campus newspaper. All content is produced and run by USD undergraduate students.

USD Radio

USD Radio was founded in 2009 as a platform to nurture student voices and to inspire student engagement with current events as well as student affairs. USD Radio brings audiences a wide variety of content including music, event coverage, album reviews, artist interviews, talk shows, and much more.

USD Radio supports the belief that freedom of expression is a right and a responsibility. As such, USD Radio strives to foster a safe environment in which the student body is encouraged to express their opinions and ideas.

Please email radiodirector@sandiego.edu to get involved!
Instagram: @usdbeats

USDtv

USDtv is the student-run television station at the University of San Diego. The organization offers informative, entertaining, and educational content to benefit the USD community and beyond. USDtv teaches students broadcast journalism in a real-world environment. In a time where journalism is under fire, USDtv stands by its mission – to bring our community the unbiased truth.

If you are looking to get involved in to USDtv please email usdtvmanager@sandiego.edu or usdtvexecproducer@sandiego.edu for more information. We film every Thursday at 12:30 in IPJ Studio so feel free to stop by and ask questions.

Instagram: @usdtvnews

X: @usdtv

Facebook: USDtv News

USD Vista

The USD Vista is the official student-run newspaper of the University of San Diego. Their mission statement is to bear the responsibility of journalism, to serve the USD community through quality storytelling, to build a cohesive staff of watchdog reporters, and to apply interview and production skills to journalistic writing. They aim to inform the USD community through impactful and intellectual content, and to catalyze conversation across USD's campus.

Come to our pitch meetings to get involved every Tuesday at 12:30pm in SLP 403B or email vistaeditor@sandiego.edu.
Instagram: @theusdvista
X: @USDVista

Organization Contact

USD Votes is a committee composed of students, faculty, and administrators who support the mission of the University of San Diego by working to increase civic awareness and voter participation in the USD community.

We participate in the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement, and use the information collected in that study to guide our efforts to register voters on campus.

2018/2014 NSLVE report for the University of San Diego
2016/2012 NSLVE report for the University of San Diego
2014/2012 NSLVE report for the University of San Diego

USD participates in two college voter-participation competitions. We participate in the All In Campus Democracy Challenge. We received a Bronze Seal for having voter turnout above 50% in 2016, and a Gold Seal for having voter turnout above 40% in 2018.

Join us
Follow our Instagram account @usdvotescampaign, where we frequently post updates and highlight members of our USD community. 

Organization Contact