Not sure what classes to take in your first term at PSU? Use the guides below for suggestions, and connect with your academic advisor if you need more help. You can also email sipathway@pdx.edu.
GENERAL SUGGESTIONS:
- Full-time is 12 credits. Most courses are 4 credits, so three courses is typically considered full-time. You should also budget 2-3 hours per credit outside of class for homework and studying.
- Consider the times when courses are offered and how they fit in your personal schedule/preferences. If you are not a morning person, you may want to avoid 8 am courses. If you have school-aged children, how does that impact your choices?
- You can earn either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Black Studies. Consider your future goals and whether having a language background will be helpful to you.
First-Year Students:
| For BA degree | For BS degree | Advisor Pro Tips |
|---|
| UNST 1XX First Year Inquiry or Honors 101 The Global City (5 credits) | UNST 1XX First Year Inquiry or Honors 101 The Global City (5 credits) | These are yearlong sequences, so check out the First Year Inquiry Planning Guide and Honors website for descriptions and bios, and pick a theme that interests you. |
| Language course (4-5 credits) | MTH 105Z, 211, STAT 243Z or a science course (4 credits) | Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199. |
BST 206 Caribbean Studies OR BST 211 African Studies OR BST 214 Race & Ethnic Relations | BST 206 Caribbean Studies OR BST 211 African Studies OR BST 214 Race & Ethnic Relations | BST 202-Intro to Black Studies is a required course, so be sure to grab it in a future term! If none of these BST classes work for your schedule, don't forget that you will be required to take 1-3 electives this year. Don't be afraid to take something you are interested in! For elective options this year, choose from this list of introductory classes. |
Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
Transfers with 30-89 credits:
| For BA degree | For BS degree | Advisor Pro Tips |
|---|
Sophomore Inquiry
(UNST 2XX) or HON 260 Honors Writing (4 credits) | Sophomore Inquiry
(UNST 2XX) or HON 260 Honors Writing (4 credits) | Refer to descriptions on the websites linked and pick a theme that interests you. If you are in Honors and cannot take HON 299 due to scheduling issues, take HON 202 instead. |
| Language course (4-5 credits) | MTH 105Z, 211, STAT 243Z or a science course (4 credits) | Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199. |
BST 206 Caribbean Studies OR BST 211 African Studies OR BST 214 Race & Ethnic Relations | BST 206 Caribbean Studies OR BST 211 African Studies OR BST 214 Race & Ethnic Relations | Be sure to take BST 202-Intro to Black Studies in a future term! In addition to BST 202, Black Studies requires 8 credits (2 classes) at the 200 level. You don't have to take them all in your first term, but any of the Fall classes are great to choose from. |
1If you are transferring in Black Studies coursework, please contact the department at blackstudies@pdx.edu for help determining equivalency.
Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
Transfers with 90-134 credits:
| For BA degree | For BS degree | Advisor Pro Tips |
|---|
| Upper Division Cluster course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits) | Upper Division Cluster course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits) | You must take cluster classes outside your major. There are many many great cluster options, depending on your interests. |
| Language course (4-5 credits) | MTH 105Z, 211, STAT 243Z or a science course (4 credits) | If you have completed language or math requirements, replace this class either with another honors/cluster class, or with another class in your major. Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199. |
BST 206 Caribbean Studies OR BST 211 African Studies OR BST 214 Race & Ethnic Relations | BST 206 Caribbean Studies OR BST 211 African Studies OR BST 214 Race & Ethnic Relations | Look at 400-level Black Studies classes. If you haven't taken BST 202-Intro to Black Studies, be sure to take it in a future term! In addition to BST 202, Black Studies requires 8 credits (2 classes) at the 200 level. You don't have to take them all in your first term, but any of the Fall classes are great to choose from. |
Helpful video: How to search for Cluster courses
1If you are transferring in Black Studies coursework, please contact the department at blackstudies@pdx.edu for help determining equivalency.
Transfers with 135 or more credits:
| For BA degree | For BS degree | Advisor Pro Tips |
|---|
| Upper Division course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits) | Upper Division course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits) | If you are doing UNST, you only need Senior Capstone, but don't take it during your first term. |
| Language course (4-5 credits) | MTH 105Z, 211, STAT 243Z or a science course (4 credits) | If you have completed language or math requirements, replace this class either with another honors/cluster class, or with another class in your major. Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199. |
Look at 400-level Black Studies classes. BST 206 Caribbean Studies OR BST 211 African Studies OR BST 214 Race & Ethnic Relations | Look at 400-level Black Studies classes. BST 206 Caribbean Studies OR BST 211 African Studies OR BST 214 Race & Ethnic Relations | Look at 400-level Black Studies classes. If you haven't taken BST 202-Intro to Black Studies, be sure to take it in a future term! In addition to BST 202, Black Studies requires 8 credits (2 classes) at the 200 level. You don't have to take them all in your first term, but any of the Fall classes are great to choose from. |
1If you are transferring in Black Studies coursework, please contact the department at blackstudies@pdx.edu for help determining equivalency. We strongly recommend meeting with your academic advisor to create a plan for your degree completion.
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