UC San Diego
Current Students
SearchMenu

How to Enroll in Special Studies Classes (Undergraduates)

Find out how to enroll in Special Studies classes 97-99 and 197-199. Special Studies Classes help you learn about subjects not taught in regular classes. You can also engage in field, lab, and library research.

Note: The official university deadline to add classes is Friday of Week 2. Requests to add classes after Week 2 are only considered under extraordinary circumstances and require a petition, appropriate documentation, and approval from the academic department, college, and the Committee of Educational Policy.

  1. Find out if you are eligible for Special Studies classes.

    1. If you have completed between 30 and 90 units:
      • You must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
    2. If you have completed more than 90 units:
      • You must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.

    Read the Academic Senate policy on Special Studies classes.

  2. Plan your class.

    1. Meet with the advisor in the department with which you want to do a Special Studies project. Discuss:
      • Which faculty instructor is doing research in your field
      • How you can make an appointment to meet that instructor
    2. Meet with your potential instructor to design a project that fits your academic plan. Discuss:
      • The nature of the project
      • How often you will meet
      • Your knowledge of the subject
      • How you will be evaluated

  3. Complete the application.

    1. If you have between 30 and 90 units:
    2. If you have more than 90 units:
    3. Fill out the appropriate sections of the application.
    4. Include your project plan and prerequisite knowledge.

  4. Obtain the necessary approvals.

    1. Have your instructor sign the form.
    2. Get a department stamp from the sponsoring department.
    3. Check the Special Studies form you downloaded in step 3 and the Academic Senate Regulations to see if the approval of the provost is needed to enroll. If it is, obtain the provost's approval.
    Note: See your college for exceptions and provost approval.

  5. Submit your signed and stamped application.

    1. Keep a signed copy for your records.
    2. Hand deliver the application to:
      Registrar's Office, 2nd floor, Student Services Center (map)

  6. Confirm that you have been enrolled in the class.

    1. Check your Weekly Planner inside the Classes and Wait List tool on TritonLink to confirm your enrollment.

If you have questions,

please contact the appropriate resource: