Semester at SJSU


SAS Overview

Study with American students! Experience American University life!

We offer advanced English students (iBT 71 /PBT 530 / CBT 197 / IELTS 6) an easy way to take part in one or two semesters of study at San Jose State University without going through the formal admissions process.

Through our Semester at SJSU (SAS) program, students can enroll in 3 to 12 units of undergraduate level SJSU courses. All of the course credits earned are posted to a permanent SJSU transcript which may be transferred to other universities!

How does it work?

Students enroll in our program. Then, after taking the placement tests, they meet with an advisor who will help them select one or more regular SJSU courses. Enrollment in specific courses is subject to space availability and permission of the professor. For a list of currently available courses, please see the SJSU Schedule of Classes. There is an additional fee of $100 per unit for the SJSU courses.

Most students choose to enroll in intensive English classes and SJSU courses at the same time. For example, some students take advanced English academic reading and writing classes to help them complete their SJSU coursework successfully.
Please fax a copy of your official TOEFL or IELTS score report to this number: 408-924-2669 (Attn: Jade Law).

Students who have not yet attained the required (iBT 71 /PBT 530 / CBT 197 / IELTS 6) score will be enrolled in the Academic and Test Preparation program to help prepare them for university courses in a later semester. 

Please click here for more information about SAS program.

Semester at SJSU students may also earn a Global Studies Certificate. For more information on this option, please click here.

SAS Schedule

CourseLast day to check inStart dateEnd dateLength in wksBasic Tuition
Fall 2013August 13August 14December 1818 $5590
Spring 2014January 10January 13May 2218 $5790
SAS Details

SAS Admission Requirements:

In order to be eligible for the SAS program, a student must have a minimum of 71 iBT/530 PBT/197 CBT/ 6.0 IELTS. If a student does not have the required score, he/she must take SAL’s placement test and score a minimum of 530 on that test.

Grade Report

International Gateways courses are non-credit bearing. Students receive a progress report with course grades, writing test score, and TOEFL score at the end of each term. Our grading system is A, B, C, D, F.


Certificate of Completion

International Gateways students with passing grades (A, B, C, or D) receive a “Certificate of Completion” at the end of the term

SAS FAQ

Admissions/Qualifications

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How can I prove that I am eligible for SAS?

Please fax a copy of your score report to this number: 408-924-2669 (Attn: Jade Law).
Your scores will be reviewed and you will be advised as to whether you qualify for SAS.

If I want to be admitted to SJSU as an undergraduate in the future, is SAS a good option for me?

No. Because of current restrictions on admissions to bachelor degree programs, the university will only accept first-time freshmen.  If you take any university courses prior to applying for admission to the university, you will no longer be considered a first-time freshman and would, thus, be ineligible for admission.  Your best course of action would be to take advanced English courses through the Academic and Test Preparation (ATP) Program in order to prepare yourself for the academic demands of university study.

If I am applying for admission to a graduate program at SJSU, may I take pre-requisite courses through SAS while waiting to be accepted to that program?

Yes.  Many of our students do exactly that.  They take upper division courses in the department to which they have applied.  These courses may help them either fulfill requirements or add to their general knowledge of the subject.  It’s important to make contact with the graduate advisor in the department to which you are applying in order to determine an appropriate study plan.  You can learn about various SJSU graduate programs at the Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations website.

I am currently an ATP student in iGateways. I am interested in enrolling in SAS next semester. What should I do?

At the end of this semester, you will be contacted by our Admissions office about applying for next semester.  At that time, you should discuss your options with the SAS Coordinator to see if you are eligible for SAS the following semester.

I have an iBT/pBT/cBT/IELTS score that is less than the minimum requirement, can I still try for SAS?

If your score is less than the minimum requirement, then we recommend that you study in the Academic and Test Preparation (ATP) Program so that you can work on improving your English language skills. If you study in the ATP program and you’re able to reach a certain advanced level in our program, demonstrate a strong academic performance, and achieve the minimum required score, you may be recommended for the SAS program.

Can I take SAS courses during the summer?

The SJSU summer session offers far fewer courses than during the regular academic semesters. SJSU summer courses tend to be condensed into a shorter period of time and highly intense in workload. Therefore, it is recommended that students have at least the minimum score requirement (iBT 71 /PBT 530 / CBT 197 / IELTS 6), as well as previous university experience.

 

**Note: As of April 2012, enrollment for summer 2012 is closed for all new students. **

Fees

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How much does it cost to take SJSU courses while I’m an iGateways student?

SJSU courses cost an additional $100 per unit for iGateways students (up to 12 units). For example, if a course is 3 units, the student needs to pay an additional $300.

SJSU Courses

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What are SJSU course options?

If you are a full-time, advanced level iGateways student with a TOEFL score of PBT 530 / CBT 197 / iBT 71 / IELTS 6 or more, you may take from 1 to 12 SJSU units. We will adjust your iGateways schedule to accommodate those units. If you are an 500-600 level student, you may take a one-unit SJSU activity course as one of your elective classes. Many students take a Communication Studies Workshop, while some students take a Physical Education course or participate in a Music Performance group or take Introduction to Art. These courses help improve listening and speaking skills.

What is a 1-unit activity course?

Intermediate Level students may take a 1-unit activity course in which there is very little reading or writing.

How many SJSU classes can I take while I am an iGateways student?

The answer to this question depends on a number of factors and will be discussed at length during your orientation; however, your English proficiency level is a primary determiner. If your test scores are below PBT 550 / CBT 213 / iBT 80 /6.5 IELTS, you will be advised to limit your SJSU courses to no more than 6 units.

Will my SJSU credits appear on an official transcript and can I use those credits at SJSU or other universities?

Yes, you will have an official transcript of any courses you complete at SJSU. As many as 6 units can be used to satisfy the requirements for a graduate degree at SJSU if the courses meet the specific program requirements. You must ask any other schools outside the California State University (CSU) system whether they will accept your courses for transfer.

 

What happens if I find that my SJSU course is too hard and I can't complete the requirements?

The green sheet (syllabus) that you receive from the professor on the first day of class clearly explains the requirements for the course. If, after reading the green sheet and attending the first class, you feel this course is too challenging or somehow does not meet your needs, you may choose to take iGateways Classes instead.

Can I drop the course later if I'm failing or if I change my mind about studying?

No. As a student on an F-1 student visa, you must be enrolled full-time in a course of study, so you cannot reduce your hours. If you try to drop an SJSU course after the official university drop deadline, you will receive a grade of “F” (Fail). This is the reason why you must consider the courses carefully and make the right decision during the first week of SJSU classes.

Specifically, what courses can I take?

Some courses have pre-requisites which could mean that you are not eligible to take that course. There may be other factors limiting your access to certain courses. The SAS Coordinator will help you determine your eligibility. Check the schedule of courses for information about general availability of courses this semester or next semester: http://info.sjsu.edu/home/schedules.html

If you are not sure about your eligibility, come and talk to the SAS Coordinator.

I found some courses that look interesting, but I’m not sure what the content is. How can I find out?

Go to SJSU’s online catalog and read a description of the course found under each department heading. You may also be able to find on-line syllabi which will give you a preview of the course. You will learn more about the courses during the first SJSU Course Support class meetings.

I need to take specific SJSU classes to transfer back to my university. How can I be sure that I get into those classes?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to guarantee that you can get into any specific course. The class may already be full, there may be particular pre-requisites that block enrollment, or the instructor may have another reason for not granting permission. You can increase your chances of getting into the courses you want by preparing in these ways:

1. Ensure that iGateways has a copy of your TOEFL (or similar) score report as early as possible.

2. Research the course pre-requisites and bring proof that you have satisfied them. This can best be demonstrated with a translated transcript from your university showing the courses you’ve taken, their descriptions, and the grade you received.

3. Contact the professor of the course you are interested in and explain your situation and background. Many American professors are eager to have international students who show enthusiasm for a subject in their classes because it creates diversity and adds a valuable perspective to the classes. On the other hand, these professors are also extremely busy and may not respond to your request. Use good judgment in the type and amount of contact you choose. Contact information is available from the SJSU faculty directory (https://sjsuone.sjsu.edu/sjsuphonebook/)

4. Be prepared to write a short essay in which you describe yourself, your background, your interest in the course, and ways in which you would enrich the class. Some professors, primarily in the Business department, have requested such an essay before granting permission to enroll.

I’m trying to decide between several different classes. How do I know which ones to choose?

Carefully reading through the syllabi for the classes is crucial. You will receive this on the first day of class, but if you would like to view some prior to the first day, iGateways has copies of some syllabi, some can be found online, and the rest usually can be requested at the specific department office. Another useful tip is to spend some time at the bookstore surveying the required texts for the classes. If the textbook seems too easy or too difficult, perhaps that is not the right class or level for you.

I’m interested in getting a degree in software engineering. Whom should I talk to about this?

For the undergraduate program, see this page: http://www.bs.se.sjsu.edu/

If you are already a software engineer with a bachelor's degree, see this site for the graduate program description: http://www.ms.se.sjsu.edu/msse.htm

There are open advising sessions every week with Dr. Dan Harkey. Go to one of those sessions for specific information: 

http://www.sjsu.edu/computereng/academic_programs/ms_se/MSSE_Advising

I am interested in another kind of engineering. Is it hard to get into those programs?

The magazine U.S. News and World Report ranks SJSU's College of Engineering as the 12th best school in the U.S., compared with all schools which do not offer doctoral programs. Some of the departments in the College, like Electrical Engineering, have very high standards for admission. Explore the web site of the College and look at the different departments: http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/

If you don't know exactly which program you want or if you are worried about your qualifications, consider the General Engineering option. See the B.S. and M.S. program description:

http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/gen/

Can I get a master’s degree in computer science if my undergraduate degree is in another field? If I can’t get into the undergraduate program in computer science, can I start in math and switch to computer science? If I’ve worked as a programmer already,

The answer to these and many other questions can be found at the department site. For graduate questions, go to: http://www.cs.sjsu.edu/mscs/faq.html
For undergraduate or second bachelor's degree questions, go to: http://www.cs.sjsu.edu/Programs/bs_in_cs/faq/faq.html

I was a nurse in my country and I want to study nursing here in the U.S. How can I do that?

SJSU’s School of Nursing is currently in impacted status. That means there are many more applicants than there are places in the program. Under impaction rules, only residents of California will be considered for admission; this applies to both the RN and the MSN programs.

If you are on an F-1 visa, you can investigate nursing programs in community colleges or private universities. An advisor can help you with that.

If you are a citizen or permanent resident of California, see these sites for more information:
The Bachelor’s Degree: http://www.sjsu.edu/nursing/Baccalaureate/
The Master’s Degree: http://www.sjsu.edu/nursing/Graduate/

 

I just graduated from high school and I don't know which major I want. How can I decide? Do I have to decide before I begin my studies?

This is a big decision and should take into account your own career plans. If you want to discuss your strengths and interests, contact the main office to get an appointment with Ann. However, it’s not necessary to make that decision now. The first two years of study in SJSU (or any American university) include general education courses outside your chosen major. For more information about GE courses, go to: http://info.sjsu.edu/static/soc-fall/core.html

Advising Hours

 

 

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International University Studies

>> EXPAND

Study in American Language

>> EXPAND

 International University Studies bridges language study and university courses. Enroll in SJSU courses along with English support workshops or prepare for an MBA program.

You'll need strong English skills to take full advantage of these great international experiences at SJSU.

Studies in American Language puts you in the right place to improve your English language skills quickly and easily. You'll be in small classes of international students while interacting with the campus and community to learn more about the culture.

Choose the program that meets your needs.

©2009 International Gateway Programs, SJSU | One Washington Square - IS 227, San Jose CA 95192-0215 
Phone: +1-408-924-2660 | Fax: + 1-408-924-2669