New Student Pathways

Gator Smart Start provides information about academic preparation and placement for English/Written Composition courses and Math/Quantitative Reasoning courses. 

Pathways

The CSU's use multiple measures to place students in one of four pathways for math and English. These pathways appear on your student center as alerts and do not affect your ability to register for a semester.  Even entering transfer students will get these alerts - often as pathway 1 - that shows the computer and advisors that the student has completed their Written English Composition and Quantitative Reasoning/Math requirements.

At SFSU, we supplement your math pathway placement measures with an exercise students complete before their orientation: the First-Year Math Advising exercise.  

Knowing your pathway is important while considering options.

New Student Orientation 

How to find your pathway

  1. Log in to your Student Center.
  2. In the Holds and Alerts section, select Details.
  3. In the Items List, complete both of the following:
    • Math Pathway
      1. Select Math Pathway Alert.
      2. Review the Reason field to identify whether you are assigned to Math Pathway 1, 2, 3 or 4.
      3. Make a note of your math pathway.
    • English Pathway
      1. Select English Pathway Alert.
      2. Review the Reason field to identify whether you are assigned to English Pathway 1, 2, 3 or 4.
      3. Make a note of your English pathway.
  4. If you don't see your pathway posted yet, please email gatorsmartstart@sfsu.edu to request your pathways (please include your student ID number).

The Four English Pathways

The Four English Pathways identify the level of support or coursework needed to complete the Written English Composition requirement.

Pathway 1

English Composition requirement completed; no course needed. Check your Degree Progress Report to be sure that English Composition/Area 1A is met. 

 

For questions, email gatorsmartstart@sfsu.edu.

Pathway 2

Choose single semester course - ENG 114, IR 205, HIST 103, MLL/SPAN 150 or ENG 209 (for multilingual students)

Pathway 3

Choose either the single semester course - ENG 114, HIST 103, IR 205, MLL/SPAN 150 or ENG 209 (for multilingual students) or one of the supported options: the stretch option - ENG 104 + ENG 105 or ENG 201+ ENG 202 (for multilingual students), or the single semester supported option - ENG 106.

Pathway 4

Choose one of the supported options: stretch option - ENG 104 + ENG 105 or ENG 201+ ENG 202 (for multilingual students)

The Four Math Pathways

At SFSU, we supplement your math pathway placement measures with an exercise students complete before their orientation: the First-Year Math Advising exercise. Knowing your pathway is important while considering options, but the list below are just recommendations.

Math Pathways Tool

Use the Math Pathways Tool to confirm which version of math is required by your major before participating in the First-Year Math Advising exercise.

Pathway 1

Math/Quantitative requirement completed; no course needed. Check your Degree Progress Report to be sure that Math/Quantitative requirement Area 2 is met. Certain majors may require further math classes.  

 

For questions, email gatorsmartstart@sfsu.edu.

Pathway 2

Choose single semester course appropriate for major.

Pathway 3

Choose stretch/supported option appropriate for major.

Pathway 4

Choose stretch/supported option appropriate for major.

Frequently asked questions

In addition to being introduced to school resources and policies, students receive an earlier registration date than the general freshmen population — as well as assistance in registering. This means orientation students have more choice of courses and times — and are more likely to sign up for the right courses as advisors are there in person to help.

Learn more about New Student Orientation

Visit the new student orientation page and read their materials.

* Standardized Tests (CAASPP/EAP, ACT, SAT, AP, IB and CLEP)

*High School Grade Point Average (GPA)

*High School and College Coursework (must be completed with a C- or better)

*High School Math GPA

We understand that standardized test scores may not be available due to COVID-19, so placements will be based on high school records.  If you do have scores, though, do have them submitted to SF State if you want them to be factored into your English and math course placement.

The Math Pathway Alert and English Pathway Alert let you know which pathway you are on.  They remain on your student portal until after you have completed your Area 2 and Area 1A requirements. They are merely informational though and will not prevent registration no matter what pathway you are on.  

Email us at gatorsmartstart@sfsu.edu.

If you are interested in the stretch experience, you must take ENG 104 or ENG 201 in the fall.