Transfer Student FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions and Good Resources

What classes should I register to take in Fall 2021?

  • If you have not taken the lower division preparatory classes (PH 1, PH 15, PH 67, PH99) at a community college, take those in your first semester in the major.
  • Most transfer students will have taken an articulated class to the following preparatory courses: PH 1, PH 15, and PH 67 at a community college and some for PH99. However, most students will not have articulated classes for PH 102. If you have completed articulated classes for PH 1, PH 15, and PH 67, then we suggest the following courses for your first semester at SJSU:
    • PH 100W (Be sure to take the Directed Self Placement exercise to see in which writing course to enroll https://www.sjsu.edu/wac/wst/students/index.html)
    • PH 99
    • PH 102
    • And any of the following: PH 158, PH 161, PH 167, PH 135, PH 162
    • If you’ve also taken PH99 you can enroll in PH 104
  • If you cannot register for 100W yet, you can still take PH 99, PH 102, PH 158, PH 161, PH 167.
  • You can also take classes for your minor.
  • Also, check out these suggested roadmaps (scroll to Public Health): https://catalog.sjsu.edu/content.php?catoid=10&navoid=755

How can I find out if my community college classes articulate?

  • You can look up your college at this website and check whether the class you completed is currently articulated: http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/artic/all-school-to-school.html
  • Any class that is articulated to STAT 95 can count towards PH 67.
  • Any class that is articulated to CHAD 67/70 can count towards PH 15.
  • If you think a course you took should articulate, but it does not currently list an articulation agreement, check in with an advisor at the beginning of fall semester to review the specific course.

How many units should I register for?

  • We recommend most students take 15 units. That is the number of units you would need to take to graduate in four semesters. However, if you are working many hours or anticipate other obligations, we recommend taking fewer units. You are permitted to register for 18 units without any special permission.

How should I decide what minor to add?

  • If there is another department that you are really interested in, then a minor might be a great option for you. Students in our major take minors throughout the University, including in Human Rights, Nutrition, Psychology, Child and Adolescent Development, Biology, Anthropology and more. You can find out more about minors by looking through the minors offered at SJSU here: https://catalog.sjsu.edu/content.php?catoid=2&navoid=96#minor

What student groups are there for me to join?

  • The Public Health & Recreation Department have a number of active student groups. We recommend you consider joining the Public Health Student Association, Public Health Honors Society, and/or Public Health Peer Advisors. All can be found here: https://www.sjsu.edu/getinvolved/student-orgs/index.php