The DeCal Program (or just DeCal) is a student-run democratic education program at the University of California, Berkeley – here, students create and facilitate their own classes on a variety of subjects, many of which are not addressed in the traditional curriculum.

Each semester we support over 150 courses facilitated by students, for students, on topics ranging from Taiwanese Language to Simpsons and Philosophy. These are accredited Pass / No Pass courses on our campus, and range from 0.5-2 units of academic credit.

Around 3000-4000 UC Berkeley students take DeCals each semester. DeCals are a excellent way of meeting the University’s minimum unit requirement, developing a new or past interest, and meeting peers in a small, comfortable environment. The DeCal Program is undoubtedly one of the many unique aspects of Berkeley’s undergraduate program, and all students are encouraged to consider taking a course!

The DeCal Board provides student support, outreach, and publicity. The DeCal Board is not responsible for the academic and administrative aspects of DeCal courses, but we’re more than happy to help people understand them.

We …

• .. manage the online course listing / this website.
• .. help facilitators get funding from the ASUC, get publicity, make copies for their course, or simply help them fill out the paperwork.
• .. put on pedagogical workshops, connect people to UC FTR resources, foster an academic dialogue on education.

We do not …

• .. regulate or approve DeCals; this is done by corresponding department and the Academic Senate
• .. have control over enrollment or grades. These decisions are made by individual course facilitators and their sponsoring departments.

Still got questions? Contact us.