University Studies Transfer Advising Guide (22-23)

Transfer Advising Guides are for planning purposes only. This Advising Guide does not replace the need for regular and timely meetings with your assigned Pathway Advisor.

Visit the University Studies web page for detailed program information.

What is University Studies?

University Studies involves taking courses outside of your major organized around a specific theme, or cluster. You will also complete a Senior Capstone, a project with a community partner that addresses a current challenge in the Portland area, giving you real-world experience before you graduate.

University Studies is a nationally-recognized approach to interdisciplinary curricula designed to teach students problem-posing, investigating, and conceptualizing—all in order to become active, self-motivated, and empowered learners.

Why take courses outside of my major?

Taking courses outside of your major leaves you better prepared to solve problems in work and life by seeing complex issues such as sustainability or immigration from multiple angles.

You will learn how to think critically, communicate clearly, adapt to new situations, and work with people unlike yourself — highly valued skills in the workplace.

General Education

All universities have a general education curriculum included as part of the baccalaureate degree. The goal of general education curricula is to ensure that all graduates have a common set of coursework designed around the university's educational goals. At PSU, students have the choice of the University Honors College and University Studies for fulfilling their general education requirements. Deciding which path to take is a personal choice based on your goals as a student. Familiarizing yourself with the two programs and seeking advice is highly recommended before making your decision.

Your general education requirements will depend on how many credits you transfer to PSU before your first term of classes. To learn more about your options for completing your requirements as a transfer student, refer to the Undergraduate Advising Resource Center webpage or make an appointment with an Academic Advisor.

Planning Your Transfer

Courses taken to meet Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science requirements are great options for courses to be taken at the community college in advance of your transfer. You can complete all of your BA or BS requirements at any Oregon community college.

Most of your major course work, all of your Sophomore Inquiry and/or Upper Division Cluster courses, as well as your Senior Capstone, will be completed at PSU.

If you are participating in a co-admission program, your placement may need to be adjusted. For more information, please contact askdars@pdx.edu.

Sophomore Transfers (31-89 Transferable Credits)

Take at least one sophomore inquiry course (4+ credits). The number of Sophomore Inquiry courses (SINQ) will depend on your number of transfer credits.
Move onto Upper Division Cluster and Capstone courses.

Junior Transfers (90+ Transferable Credits)

Take three courses outside of your major from one Upper Division Cluster (12 credits).
Select one community-based Senior Capstone (6 credits).

University Studies Placement by Total Number of Transfer Credits
Credits Transferred	University Studies Requirements to complete
0 - 29	Freshman Inquiry: UNST 1X1, 1X2, 1X3
30 - 74	Two Sophomore Inquiry Courses: UNST 211 - 299
75 - 89	One Sophomore Inquiry Courses: UNST 211 - 299
90- 134	Three Upper-Division Cluster Courses (12 credits) and Senior Capstone
135+	One Senior Capstone (6 credits)

Sophomore Inquiry & Upper Division Cluster Themes

American Identities
Community Studies
Design Thinking/Innovation/ Entrepreneurship
Environmental Sustainability
Examining Popular Culture
Families and Society
Freedom, Privacy, and Technology
Gender and Sexualities Studies
Global Environmental Change
Global Perspectives
Healthy People/Healthy Places
Interpreting the Past
Knowledge, Values, and Rationality
Leading Social Change

Explore SINQ & Clusters Themes

Senior Capstone Projects

In Capstone courses, students bring together the knowledge, skills, and interests developed to this point through all aspects of their education, to work on a community project. Students from a variety of majors and backgrounds work as a team, pooling resources, and collaborating with faculty and community leaders to understand and find solutions for issues that are important to them as literate and engaged citizens.

Just a few Capstone examples:

You can find a complete list of Senior Capstone course offerings online.

Capstones Abroad

Study abroad options include Capstone-specific programs as well as the option to add a Capstone to certain existing programs.

How do I choose which courses to take?

You can use your University Studies courses to meet the requirements for a minor. If you are considering a minor, choose a cluster that aligns with it and you can double dip.
Do something you’ve always wanted to do, but thought you didn’t have room for. You can take courses from Art History to Oceanography to Women’s Studies.
Complement your major. Add a focus on sustainability to a business major or a focus on children and families to a psychology major.