San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University 1600 Holloway Avenue San Francisco, CA 94132 San Francisco, USA Visit web page

Communication Studies

Study detals

: Bachelor's degree : BA (Hons) Communication Studies : Full time : 36 Month

Requirements

Eligibility Requirements for Freshman from a High School Outside of the US

To be eligible for admission to SF State as a freshman, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Be academically prepared for college/university

Complete a secondary/high school curriculum that totals 12 years of primary-secondary education, be qualified to enter a university in your home country and have a good scholastic record from an accredited/recognized school.

2. Meet the GPA requirement

Have a a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) in the 4.0 grading scale or B- average in academic courses completed after 9th grade.

3. Graduate from high school 

​You should have, or will have, the equivalent of US high school completion.

See specific secondary school credentials by country.

4. Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement

See the English Language Proficiency section below for more information.

Eligible English Proficiency Exams

Test Minimum Score
TOEFL iBT Total Score 61
TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition Total Score 61
IELTS Overall Score 6.0
IELTS Indicator Overall Score 6.0
PTE Academic Score 45
SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing 550
ACT English Score 22
IB English A – Language and Literature HL 4
IB English A – Literature HL 4
AP English Language and Composition 3
AP English Literature and Composition 3

For students planning to study in F-1 student visa status, you and/or your sponsor(s) must prove that you have the financial ability to pay for school costs plus living expenses for one academic year. 

You will be asked to submit the following documents:

  • Financial Affidavit Form
  • Proof of finances
  • Passport copy (or national ID card if you do not yet have a passport)

Speciality

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Out-of-State and International students must pay $420.00 PER UNIT in addition to the tuition fees appropriate to their academic level. 

Some other documents we may need for your application:

  • If it has been more than 1 year since you graduated from high school, submit the Gap in Attendance Form
  • If you are a US permanent resident, please submit a copy of your green card. If you have an immigration status other than F-1, you may be asked to submit additional documents to verify your status.
  • If you completed any of the following exams: Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma - Higher Level, you may be eligible to receive additional college credit. Official exam scores will be required to award transfer credit. Visit the Standardized External Examinations page for more information.
  • If you are an official partner-agent with San Francisco State University, submit the Student Consent for Release of Information form.

Pathways Available - International Year One

Additional information

Degree Overview

Students must successfully complete a GWAR (Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement) class to enroll in upper-division Communication Studies courses.

The major includes 8 units of electives. With advisor approval, up to 2 units of lower-division courses may be counted in the electives that were not otherwise counted in the major. Similarly, upper-division courses in Communication Studies not otherwise counted in the major may be counted in electives. Any combination of Projects in the Teaching of Communication (COMM 685), Internship in Communication Studies (COMM 695), and Independent Study (COMM 699) may be used in the electives, but none of these three courses can be repeated for credit in the major. Any course that is used to fulfill the GE Areas A or B4 requirements cannot be counted within the major; however, Fundamentals of Oral Communication (COMM 150) and GE Area A2, or equivalent courses, must be completed as prerequisites to enrollment in any upper-division course in the Communication Studies major.

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