ISSM is a purpose-based major. Learning pathways are organized around the learning outcomes each student needs to achieve academic and life goals. Because CSUMB is outcomes-based, this chronological pathway lists each target outcome first either as an MLO (Major Learning Outcome) or ULR/GLO (University Learning Requirements / Graduation Learning Outcomes). It then shows courses aligned with those outcomes along with credits and an indication of when they are offered. For more information on a course-including title, credits, description, and prerequisites-click its number. For more information on an outcome, click on its abbreviated name.

As an Integrated Studies Special Major, in consultation with your ISSM 300: Major ProSeminar instructor and your advisors, you will develop an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) with a custom set of 11 MLOs. 3 MLOs are ISSM, and the remaining are those selected from across the curriculum. Of these eight MLOs, two can be ones that students create with approval of the ISSM Director as part of the ILP developed in the Proseminar, ISSM 300: Major ProSeminar. It is imperative that you meet with the director of the ISSM program as soon as you become interested in this major. First -year students are encouraged to apply, and all students should apply as soon as possible. Because your ILP will be highly personalized, this pathway organizes upper-division coursework around your learning goals developed in ISSM 300: Major ProSeminar (please see Requirements). It indicates that, in addition to ISSM courses, you will take three or four courses each semester that fulfill your personally selected MLOs.

This pathway, intended as a reference, models graduation with 120 credits. It is unlikely that your actual pathway will look exactly like the model due to several factors:

  • Any required remedial courses such as MATH 098 and WRT 095
  • Actual availability of courses during a given semester
  • Personal choices you make in your Individual Learning Plan-in consultation with your First Year Seminar professor, and lower-division and major advisors-including the decision to pursue more than the minimal learning requirements
  • Travel abroad (many ISSM students pursue this option)

You must earn nine upper-division General Education credits after you have reached upper-division status. Upper-division GE courses taken when you are a lower-division student do not count toward this requirement.

Courses by Requirement

Degree requirements are considered a guideline for graduation, and cannot replace the feedback of an academic advisor. Learn more about degree requirements at CSUMB.

Course units may only be counted once, when a course meets multiple requirements, the letter 'C' means that the completed course units were counted elsewhere.

First Year Seminar

RequirementCourseUnits
First Year Seminar FYS 100: First Year Seminar3
Total:3

University Learning Requirements

RequirementCourseUnits
Community ParticipationAny approved course4
Creative/Artistic ExpressionAny approved courseC
Democratic Participation HCOM 212, HCOM 213, HCOM 214C
Engcom AAny approved course4
Engcom B HCOM 212, HCOM 213, HCOM 2144
EthicsAny approved course4
Literature and Popular CultureAny approved course4
MathcomAny approved course4
Science ContentAny approved course4
Science Methods LabAny approved course
Science Methods LectureAny approved course4
U.S. HistoriesAny approved course3
Vibrancy ActivityAny approved course1
Vibrancy TheoryAny approved course
Total:36

Upper-division General Education

Graduation Learning Outcomes

RequirementCourseUnits
Culture & EquityAny approved courseC
GWARAny approved course4
Language 1Any approved course4
Language 2Any approved course4
Language 3Any approved course4
Language 4Any approved course4
Tech/InfoAny approved course4
Upper Division Service LearningAny approved course4
Total:28

Major Learning Requirements

RequirementCourseUnits
MLO 4 Self-Selected MLOAny approved course4
MLO 5 Self-Selected MLOAny approved course4
MLO 6 Self-Selected MLOAny approved course4
MLO 7 Self-Selected MLOAny approved course3
MLO 8 Self-Selected MLOAny approved course9
MLO 9 Self-Selected MLOAny ILP-approved3
Total:27

Major Core Courses

Major Concentration Courses

Additional Courses

RequirementCourseUnits
ISSM 300: Major ProSeminar3
ISSM 395: Special Topics3
ISSM 397: Independent Study option2
ISSM 400: Senior Capstone: Indep Study3
Travel Abroad Option encouraged; 0-10 units can be earned through ISSM 397: Independent Study 0
Total:11

Total: 120 units