San Diego State University Undergraduate Pathway Program (SDSU UPP)
Start earning credits toward your SDSU undergraduate degree by joining the SDSU Undergraduate Pathway Program!
SDSU’s Undergraduate Pathway Program (UPP) guarantees students admission into an SDSU degree program upon successful completion of their UPP studies. One advantage of the SDSU UPP is that students have the opportunity to begin earning credits towards their SDSU degree program prior to matriculation. The SDSU UPP combines SDSU’s credit-bearing courses with additional ESL instruction, one-on-one academic advising, and immersive academic and cultural experiences. Our dedicated SDSU UPP team will help students smoothly transition into life as a student in the United States and at San Diego State University.
If students would like to focus on improving their academic English before enrolling in any SDSU credit courses, we invite them to apply to our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program. Eligible international students can receive conditional admission through the EAP program without taking any SDSU credit-bearing courses. Visit our EAP page for more information.
Contact Information
Contact one of our UPP staff if you have any questions regarding this program.
Email: ali@sdsu.edu
WeChat: ALIsdsu
- Overview
- UPP Requirements
- Sample Curriculum
Overview
San Diego State University has designed a comprehensive Undergraduate Pathway Program (SDSU UPP) to help international students transition from an academic preparation program to an SDSU degree program. This program is designed for international students who want to apply to SDSU as first-time freshmen but don’t currently meet the SDSU minimum English language proficiency requirements.
While enrolled in the SDSU UPP, you’ll be able to take between 3 to 12 units of credit-bearing SDSU classes in the spring or fall semesters, and 3 to 6 units in the summer semester. You’ll be placed into one of three different UPP tracks depending on your current English proficiency level. Through a suite of comprehensive student services – including ESL classes, university support classes, academic advising, and homework tutoring – SDSU Global Campus will provide you with the support you need to get the most out of your time as an SDSU UPP student. Best of all, the credits you earn in your program will count towards your graduation requirements at SDSU – which means that you can get ahead and graduate sooner.
Once you fulfill all the program requirements, you’ll be able to:
- Matriculate to SDSU for full-time undergraduate study; or
- Advance to a higher track within the UPP program.
Contact one of our UPP staff if you have any questions regarding this program.
Email: ali@sdsu.edu
WeChat: ALIsdsu
UPP Requirements
There are three different tracks for the UPP program. Students will be enrolled in a specific UPP track based upon their English proficiency level.
SDSU Global Campus will give students a placement test before the start of the semester for the purpose of advising and class placements. Students will also be assigned a certain number of ESL support classes according to the number of SDSU courses they are enrolled in, as well as their English proficiency.
Each semester, students will enroll in a set number of credit-bearing units, depending on which track they are in.
- Track A: 6 Units
- Track B or C: 3 Units
| Track A | Track B | Track C | IEP Only | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum English Proficiency | TOEFL 71 – 79 IELTS 6.0 Duolingo 95 – 100 | TOEFL 61 – 70 IELTS 5.5 Duolingo 85 – 90 | TOEFL 49 – 60 IELTS 5.0 Duolingo 80 | No minimum required |
| Maximum credits earn towards degree per semester | 12 | 9 | 6 | 0 |
| Program schedule | Preset | Preset | Preset | Preset |
| Length of program (Before matriculate) | 1 semester (spring or fall) | 2 semesters | 3 semesters | Varies |
| Progression Requirements | See Matriculation and Progression Requirements for more details | |||
Matriculation And Progression Requirements
At the end of each semester, students who fulfill all program requirements can 1) matriculate to SDSU for full-time undergraduate study; or 2) progress into a higher track within the UPP program.
| Track A | Track B | Track B | Track C | IEP Only | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progress into | SDSU | SDSU | Track A | Track B or A | Track C or B |
| SDSU Classes GPA1 | 2.0 – 2.5 | 2.0 – 2.5 | 2.0 – 2.5 | 2.0 – 2.5 | N/A |
| ESL / Supportive Class GPA | 3.0 (no grades below 2.7) | 3.0 (no grades below 2.7) | 3.0 (no grades below 2.7) | 3.0 (no grades below 2.7) | 3.0 (no grades below 2.7) |
| Waiver of English Proficiency | Complete during the program | Need to provide proof of English proficiency2 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
1 Some majors and colleges may require a higher GPA for admission into their programs in their junior year (3rd year). SDSU Global Campus will make you aware of any higher GPA requirements upon arrival.
2 Provide TOEFL (80), or IELTS (6.5), or Duolingo (105)
Contact one of our UPP staff if you have any questions regarding this program.
Email: ali@sdsu.edu
WeChat: ALIsdsu
Sample Curriculum
Please note that schedules can vary each semester – check with one of our UPP Advisors for the most current schedule.
| Track A | SDSU Classes | ESL Supportive Classes |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | GEN S 150 TFM 160 LING 251 GE | University Success Research Skills |
| Track B | SDSU Classes | ESL Supportive Classes |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | PSFA 280 LING 101 TFM 160 | University Success Research Skills Academic Reading & Writing, and/or Academic Listening & Speaking |
| Second semester | GEN S 150 LING 251 GE GE | University Success Research Skills |
| Track C | SDSU Classes | ESL Supportive Classes |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | PSFA 280 LING 101 | Academic Reading & Writing, Academic Listening & Speaking Grammar Communicative Reading & Writing Communicative Listening & Speaking |
| Second semester | GEN S 150 TFM 160 | University Success Research Skills Academic Reading & Writing, Academic Listening & Speaking |
| Third semester | LING 251 GE GE GE | University Success Research Skills |
Other GE classes include (but not limited to):
- ECON 101
- ECON 102
- SOC 101
- HIST 100
- REL S 101
- COMM 103
If students have been admitted to the program and decide before the add/drop deadline that they do not want to take any SDSU classes after arrival, they will be placed into a full-time Intensive English Program (IEP).
Contact one of our UPP staff if you have any questions regarding this program.
Email: ali@sdsu.edu
WeChat: ALIsdsu