MATH REQUIREMENT OPTIONS
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The Math requirement (also known as B4 Quantitative Reasoning) is loosely defined as at
least three semester units of Math for which Intermediate Algebra is a pre-requisite. Our program
allows people to waive the general education Math entrance requirement for transfer students;
however, in order to graduate with your Bachelor’s degree, you must complete an acceptable
course or a recognized alternative. There are several ways to fulfill this requirement, but which
you choose depends on your comfort with Math and how recently you have taken your last math
course.
You must take the course for a grade. If you take the requirement before entering our
program, or more than two semesters after finishing, you must get a “C” or better. If you are a
current student, enrolled in our program (not just admitted to it) or within two semesters of
finishing, this drops to at least a “D” in order fulfill the requirement. Though this naturally affects
your GPA, consider that if your GPA for your other 116 units is 3.0, getting a “D” in a 4-unit class
lowers your GPA to 2.93, or .07 of a point, still within tolerances for getting into many grad
schools. However, a higher grade may be expected for some post-graduate programs such as
teacher training, so do your best.
Choosing a Class: If you plan to go on to graduate school, some programs, such as SSU’s
Counseling certifications (MFT and school counseling), require a statistics course as a prerequisite. They may want you to pass with a “C” or better rather than the “D” minimum for the
BA. Please check with your target institution and department for their specific requirements.
Community College: This option usually involves a diagnostic test and placement in the
appropriate class, sometimes in a remedial course. There are several different approaches you can
use. You can take a basic course to get the juices flowing again before taking an online course that
fulfills the requirement. You can work all the way through the classes they recommend. Or you
could work your way up to Intermediate Algebra and then take the GE class at SSU, which is a
friendly environment (see below).
If you are already at or over the 70-unit limit that you can transfer from a community
college, these units won’t count towards the 120 you need to graduate (anything Intermediate
Algebra and below won’t transfer either). However, if this option is easiest for you or if you have
enough units from other sources to make up the difference, go ahead.
Sonoma State University: Tuition is more expensive at Sonoma State but you can choose
alternative classes, including Symmetry in the Sciences and Art, Studies in Mathematics,
Ethnomathematics, Modern Mathematics, or Mathematics and Politics, which cover Math from
unusual viewpoints. If you have not completed Intermediate Algebra, you must take the Entry
Level Mathematics (ELM) test, offered 7 times a year. This test is designed to assess the level of
your math skills. If your score is 50 or higher, you can then take whatever GE class strikes your
fancy. Many of them are offered during Summer Session, or you can take one via Open University
(Extension) at a per-unit fee. If your score is lower than their cutoff level, you must take the
recommended remedial class(es). An excellent website to help you prepare for the ELM is:
http://www.csumathsuccess.org/exam_prep.
Math Tutors: You may want to work one-on-one with a tutor to help you through a course, to
prepare for tests, or to give support over the rough spots. The usual charge is about $25/hour.
Check with your community college tutorial center for names or in the Yellow Pages under
Tutoring. There are also on-line tutor services; you may want to check credentials to make sure
the tutors have the degrees they say they do. If you feel independent, you might try a Math tutorial
software program; look for titles at a software dealer or search the Web under Educational
Software. I do not have a specific recommendation.
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On-line Courses: Many community and four-year colleges offer on-line courses. If you find a
course that is not listed here, please check with me before signing up so I can be sure it transfers
before you invest time, money, and effort. Cost varies, but many do not charge out-of-state fees to
distance learners.
Some list pre-requisites: I have noted those whose requirement is only high school algebra
with (HS) after the course title. If, after reading available materials, you feel you can take the
course anyway, check with the instructor and you may be able to bypass this phase.
Courses differ in the amount of support you receive; check the college’s drop and refund
policies before signing up so if you feel you’re in over your head you have a chance to bow out
gracefully.
Some courses begin and end in traditional semesters; some offer continuous enrollment
and allow you up to a year to complete them. Some may have restrictions on how quickly you can
complete them!
Most distance-learning programs also offer review courses; these will not count for credit
but they may help you hone your skills.
Community Colleges:
College of Marin (CA)
www.marin.cc.ca.us/distance
MATH 115
Against All Odds: Probability & Statistics
3 units
1 good review: self-paced. “Quizzes based on knowledge rather than a specific number of
correct answers; it decides whether you’ve learned enough to move on.”
Taft College (CA)(2 years HS algebra)
www.taftcollege.edu/newTC/DLI/index.html
Statistics
10
Statistics (2 yrs HS algebra) 5 quarter units (=3.33 semester)
Four-year Institutions:
Brigham Young University
http://is.byu.edu/site/courses
Math
110
College Algebra (HS)
Statistics
121
Principles of Statistics (HS)
Up to a year to complete; some difficulties reported with workload.
UC Berkeley (2 years of High School Algebra)
www.learn.berkeley.edu
XB2
Introduction to Statistics (HS)
Seems to have improved lately; reported as more do-able than BYU.
Adams State University
Math
104
Finite Mathematics (Online)
http://www.adams.edu/extended_studies/undergrad/math.php
Note: University of Phoenix is not on this list because they do not give proctored exams.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP): The following tests are accepted at SSU. If you
do not receive a passing score, you can take the test again 6 months later. For more information
about preparation, local test sites, and registration procedures, check www.collegeboard.com/clep.
Some test sites collect their own separate fee.
College Algebra
College Algebra-Trigonometry
Precalculus
Calculus
3 units
4 units
3 units
4 units
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