SAS FAQ

If you are a full-time SAL student at the advanced level 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 SAL schedule to accommodate those units. If you are an Expansion 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.

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

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.

Please fax a copy of your score report to this number: 408-924-2669 (Attn: Ann S.)

Yes. If you take regular SJSU classes, you must take a special class for SAS students, SJSU Course Support, which involves several workshops to help you understand the process and to support your academic success.

SJSU courses cost an additional $50 per unit for SAL students.

Yes, you will have a formal transcript of any courses you complete at SJSU, whether you are taking the courses through extended studies or as a matriculated student. As many as 24 SJSU units may be used to satisfy the requirements for an undergraduate degree at SJSU and up to 6 units for a graduate degree. You must ask any other schools outside the CSU system whether they will accept your courses for transfer.

The green sheet (syllabus) that you receive on the first day of class clearly explains the requirements for the course. During the first two weeks, the SJSU Course Support class will help you decide if the work is too difficult. If so, you may change your mind and take SAL classes instead, before you are formally registered for the SJSU course. For this reason, attendance at all SJSU Course Support class meetings is absolutely mandatory.

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. There are also deadlines after which dropping the course is not possible without a grade of "F". This is the reason why you must come to all SJSU Course Support class meetings and make the right decision in the first week.

Some courses have pre-requisites which could mean that you are not eligible to take that course. Ann or Kristin 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

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.

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 SAL 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.

Carefully reading through the syllabi for the classes is crucial. You will receive this on the first day of class, but if you’d like to view some prior to the first day, SAL 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.