You are in the official 2000-2001 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
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Academic Regulations
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California State University, Fresno is authorized to grant the Bachelor
of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master
of Business Administration, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Physical Therapy,
Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Health, and Master of
Social Work degrees. California State University, Fresno, in partnership
with the University of California, Davis also offers a Doctoral Degree (Ed.D.)
in Educational Leadership. See School of Education
and Human Development for public school credentials for which the university
is authorized to recommend candidates.
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Definition of Key Terms
Additional Requirements. Courses from one or more departments
or programs that are required in support of the major. Such courses are
not included in the minimum 2.0 grade point average required in the major
for graduation and may be waived or substituted at the discretion of the
major department or program. Additional requirements normally may be applied
toward a minor. Additional requirements may also be applied toward General
Education unless specifically prohibited by the major department.
Concurrent Enrollment. The term concurrent enrollment is used
to describe several different types of enrollment:
- Open University Enrollment. Nonmatriculated students may enroll in regular California State University, Fresno classes through the Division of Extended Education. (See Extended Education.)
- Concurrent Enrollment at Other CSU Campuses. CSU students may attend two CSU campuses simultaneously. This type of enrollment is not often used by California State University, Fresno students because of the distance to other CSU campuses. (See the registrar for details.)
- Concurrent Enrollment at a Non-CSU College or University. While enrolled at California State University, Fresno, students may enroll for additional courses at another institution outside the CSU system with the written approval of the student's academic adviser. Such approval must be granted prior to the beginning of classes at the other institution. The courseload in the combined enrollment program may not exceed the maximum unit load restrictions for California State University, Fresno. The completed form must be filed by the end of the first week of instruction at the public contact windows, North Lobby, Joyal Administration Building.
Core. A common set of courses within a major or minor that all students
are required to complete.
Double-Counting. Allowing one course to fulfill two separate requirements
concurrently; e.g., allowing one course to fulfill both a major requirement
and the upper-division writing skills requirement, or allowing one course
to fulfill both a major requirement and General Education requirement.
Electives. Courses/units a student selects to complete the total
unit requirement for the baccalaureate degree.
Grade Point Average (GPA). The grade point average is a measure of
academic scholarship and performance which is computed by dividing units
registered into grade points earned. Three separate GPAs are computed:
- Cumulative GPA for all baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate units by degree objective.
- Cumulative GPA for total California State University, Fresno units.
- GPA for that semester only.
A minimum of a C average (2.0 GPA) for units in the major, all
California State University, Fresno units, and total units is required for
a baccalaureate degree. (See Grade Symbols and Grade
Points, Degree Requirements. ) Master's
degree students have a higher minimum GPA requirement. (See Graduate Studies
Advancement to Candidacy, Grade Requirements.)
Major. Set of required courses from one or more departments designed
to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary
to pursue a specific career and/or advanced study. A student must earn a
2.0 grade point average in all courses required for the major, except "additional
requirements," in order to graduate. (Minimum Title 5 requirements:
B.A. degree 24 units of which 12 must be upper division exclusive of General
Education; B.S. degree 36 units of which 18 must be upper division exclusive
of General Education.)
Minor. The minor consists of a set of required courses from one or
more departments or programs. It is less comprehensive than the major. Courses
fulfilling requirements for a minor usually may be counted toward General
Education. Refer to the description of the specific minor for exceptions.
Courses counted toward a minor may not be counted toward a major, except
for those major courses designated as Additional Requirements. In the case
of double minors, students are allowed to double count some coursework to
fulfill both minors. However, each minor must include 12 units, 6 of which
are upper-division, that are not a part of the other minor. A minor may
be earned only at the time a student earns the first baccalaureate degree.
Option. Set of required courses within a major in addition to the
major core courses that emphasizes one important aspect of that school or
college, department, or program.
General Catalog Prerequisite Requirements. Prerequisite courses must
be completed prior to enrollment in the listed course; corequisite courses
must be completed prior to or concurrently with the listed course. Students
who do not meet these requirements may be disenrolled by the instructor
or by the university.
Recommended Courses. Courses that the department faculty believe
would be beneficial for a student to take but are not mandated or required
as part of the major.
Units. A credit or semester unit represents one hour of class work
per week for one semester. It is assumed that two hours of preparation are
required for each hour in class. Three hours of laboratory per week are
the equivalent of one unit. In a limited number of courses two hours of
laboratory per week are the equivalent of one unit. Also, two hours of activity
or studio (art, dance, music, physical education) are normally equivalent
to one unit of credit. One quarter unit of credit is equivalent to two-thirds
of a semester unit.
Units registered and units allowed are terms that appear on the student's
grade report, transcript, and evaluation. Units registered is the column
used for GPA calculation. The units allowed column is used to determine
units completed toward the total unit requirement for the degree.
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Choice of Catalog
Election of Regulations. An undergraduate student must fulfill degree requirements from one catalog, not the most favorable requirements from two or more catalogs. As long as a student maintains "continuous attendance,"* he or she may elect, for purposes of fulfilling graduation requirements, one of the following:
- The catalog in effect at the time a student begins attending a California public community college or California State University campus.
- The catalog in effect at the time a student begins attending California State University, Fresno.
- The catalog in effect at the time the student graduates from California State University, Fresno.
*A student may not begin "continuous attendance" while still
enrolled in high school.
Continuous attendance is defined as being officially
enrolled at least one semester or two quarters during a calendar year regardless
of the number of units completed. Also, a student is considered to have
been in attendance even if he or she registered and totally withdrew from
school during that semester/quarter as long as the official transcript so
indicates. Once a student establishes catalog rights in the CSU or California
Community College system, he or she may attend any accredited college or
university for no more than two years and maintain catalog rights. A planned
educational leave maintains a student's continuous attendance status. (See
Planned Educational Leave of Absence.)
Any break in attendance of one calendar year or longer breaks a student's
continuous attendance status which results in the loss of catalog rights
to all catalog choices prior to the break in attendance. It should be noted
that enrollment in Summer Session, Open University, and extension and correspondence
courses does not establish catalog rights nor contribute toward continuous
attendance to maintain catalog rights. A loss of catalog rights could result
in one or more additional semesters to meet new catalog requirements especially
in the major and/or General Education. Once a student graduates, however,
all rights to the original catalog are terminated.
Graduate (master's) students fulfill requirements based on an approved advancement
to candidacy petition. These requirements are based on departmental and
university requirements as published in the current catalog at the time
of advancement. Continuous enrollment is likewise defined differently for
master's students. (See Graduate Studies.
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Transcript Evaluation
Undergraduate transfer students are generally evaluated under the degree
requirements listed in the General Catalog at the time they enter California
State University, Fresno. Transfer students should contact and adviser in
their major department for an evaluation of prior coursework.
Upon completion of approximately 90 semester units, students should request
a senior evaluation from the Evaluations Office. This evaluation shows
all requirements completed and any remaining baccalaureate degree requirements.
Only one senior evaluation is made for each student. A degree evaluation
is completed during the semester a student files for graduation. (See Graduation and Commencement.)
Students should keep their personal copy current.
All transcripts submitted in support of an application for admission become
the property of the Records Office and are not returnable. Students are
strongly encouraged to obtain duplicate copies of their records from high
school and prior college attendance for their personal file.
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Grade Symbols and Grade Points
A - Excellent. Performance of the student has demonstrated the
highest level of competence, showing sustained superiority in meeting all
stated course objectives and responsibilities and exhibiting a very high
degree of intellectual initiative. (4 grade points per unit.)
B - Very Good. (1) Performance of the student has demonstrated a
high level of competence, showing sustained superiority in meeting all stated
course objectives and responsibilities and exhibiting a high degree of intellectual
initiative. (3 grade points per unit.)
C - Satisfactory. (2) Performance of the student has demonstrated
a satisfactory level of competence, showing an adequate level of understanding
of course objectives, responsibilities, and comprehension of course intent.
(2 grade points per unit.)
D - Unsatisfactory. (2,3) Performance of the student has been unsatisfactory,
showing inadequacy in meeting basic course objectives, responsibilities,
and comprehension of course content. (1 grade point per unit.)
F - Failure. Fails to meet course objectives. Work at this level
does not meet requirements for credit toward a degree. (O grade points per
unit.)
U - Failure Unauthorized Withdrawal. (4) The symbol U indicates that
an enrolled student did not complete course requirements and did not properly
withdraw from the course. It is assigned when, in the opinion of the instructor,
completed assignments or course activities, or both were insufficient to
make normal evaluation of academic performance possible. (O grade points
per unit.)
CR - Credit for units allowed, work of
A, B, or C quality in undergraduate courses and A or B quality in 200-level
courses. (O grade points per unit; units allowed for the degree.)
NC - No credit for units registered for, work of D or F quality in
undergraduate courses and C, D, or F quality in 200-level courses. Replaces
I grade in courses where CR/NC grading is used if required work is not completed
within required time. (O grade points per unit; no units allowed.)
W - Withdrawal after the fourth week of instruction. (Not used in
grade point calculation.)
I - Incomplete. Semester requirements
at least two-thirds complete with work of passing grade. (Not used in grade
point calculation.) See Incomplete Grade Explanation , which follows.
RD - Report delayed. Grade must be cleared before a degree
is awarded. (Not used in grade point calculation.)
SP - Satisfactory Progress. Continuing work in progress. (No units
allowed and not included in grade point calculation until grade is assigned.)
AU - Audit. Grade indicates student's status as auditor and does
not earn degree credit.
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Explanation of Grades
Audit Status (AU). Persons wishing to attend classes without matriculating
or receiving college credit may register as auditors. Auditors register
during the first week of instruction. Students enrolled in audit status
only may not transfer to credit status without completing admission procedures.
This must be done within the first two weeks of instruction.
Matriculated students may audit courses in addition to those in which they
are registered for credit.
Enrollment in a course as an auditor shall be permitted only after students
otherwise eligible to enroll on a credit basis have had an opportunity to
do so. Auditors are subject to the same fee structure as credit students.
Regular class attendance is expected and the student may be required to
participate in any or all classroom activities at the discretion of the
instructor. An audited course is not listed on the student's permanent record
if the requirements for auditing the class are not met. A student who is
enrolled for credit may not change to audit after the fourth week of instruction.
Credit for courses audited will not subsequently be granted on the basis
of the audit. (See the current Schedule of Courses.)
Credit/No Credit Grading (CR/NC).
The credit/no credit grading policy at California State University, Fresno
is designed to encourage academic exploration outside the major field of
study. The policy also recognizes that in certain types of courses, student
performance is best evaluated in terms of credit/no credit grading rather
than through the traditional letter grades.
Neither the CR nor NC grade is included in the calculation of the grade
point average. The grade of CR is assigned if the student's work is judged
to be equivalent to an A, B, or C grade as applicable to regular enrollment
in an undergraduate course or equivalent to an A or B grade in a 200-level
course.
The NC grade is assigned if the student's work is not equivalent to these
standards:
- General conditions and limitations. Some courses are not available for CR/NC grading, (see individual course description), while others are designated as available for CR/NC grading only. All other courses are available for CR/NC grading; however, a student may not enroll in more than 6 units of CR/NC graded coursework per semester. The decision to enroll for CR/NC grading must be made prior to the end of the fourth week of instruction and the decision must be recorded by the student at the Admissions and Records Office.
- Undergraduate Students. A student may not elect CR/NC graded coursework to satisfy requirements for the major unless the courses have been designated CR/NC only. A maximum of 24 semester units at California State University, Fresno of CR/NC evaluated credit, including all coursework taken CR/NC only, may be applied toward the degree.
- Graduate Students. Credit for coursework earned through CR/NC in fall 1978 and in subsequent semesters may not be applied toward the master's degree unless the course has been designated as available for CR/NC only by the Graduate Committee. A maximum of 6 units of CR/NC only credit may be applied to a 30-unit master's degree program and a maximum of 12 units of CR/NC only credit may be applied to a 60-unit program.
See the current Schedule of Courses for further information.
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- Master's degree candidates are reminded that a B (3.0) average is required in the master's degree program and for all courses (related and unrelated; lower division, upper division, and graduate) taken concurrent with the master's degree program.
- Undergraduate students are reminded that a C (2.0) average is required for all college coursework completed, all courses taken at California State University, Fresno, and all courses in the major in order to graduate with a baccalaureate degree. Some majors are subject to more stringent grading requirements.
- Master's degree candidates are remindedthat a D is not accepted toward any master's degree program.
- A U is assigned only for courses graded A through F. The course can be repeated and the new grade may be substituted for the
- U by petition, except for master's degree students. (See Repeating Courses.)
Incomplete (I). The symbol I (Incomplete Authorized) indicates that
a por tion of required coursework has not been completed and evaluated in
the prescribed time period due to unforeseen, but fully justified, reasons
and that there is still a possibility of earning credit. In order to be
eligible for an I grade, the student must have completed at least two-thirds
of the required coursework with a passing grade. It is the responsibility
of the student to bring pertinent information to the attention of the instructor
before the end of the semester and to determine from the instructor the
remaining course requirements that must be satisfied to remove the incomplete.
A final grade is assigned when the work agreed upon has been completed and
evaluated. Reregistration in the course is not used to remove an I grade.
Normally it is expected that the student will make up an I grade during
the next semester; however, it must be made up within one calendar year
immediately following the last day of the semester /session during which
it was assigned. This limitation prevails whether or not the student maintains
continuous enrollment.
Failure to complete the assigned work will result in the I being counted
as a failing grade for grade point average computation. An I grade not made
up within one calendar year after the grade has been recorded is changed
to an F (or an NC if CR/NC grading was approved).
Incomplete grades must be cleared before a degree is awarded. In the absence
of the instructor who has assigned the incomplete, a student seeking to
make up this grade should consult the department chair. A student may not
be required to repeat a course in which an I grade was received unless he
or she wishes to receive credit and the time for making up the grade has
passed.
A short-term extension of time may be granted with justification by contacting
the Office of the Registrar prior to the last day of the second semester/session.
Satisfactory Progress (SP). The SP symbol is used in connection with
courses that extend beyond one academic term. It indicates that work in
progress has been evaluated as satisfactory to date but that assignment
of a final grade must await completion of additional work. The SP may be
used only in courses designated on the approved SP grade course list published
by the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Cumulative
enrollment in units attempted may not exceed the total number applicable
to the student's educational objective.
While completing work on an SP or an I, graduate students not enrolled in
regular session coursework for a letter grade are required to maintain continuous
enrollment at California State University, Fresno. This may be accomplished
through enrollment in "0" unit GS Continuation. Exception: Graduate
students enrolled in Project 298 or Thesis 299 receive an SP at the end
of the first semester of enrollment and are advised to complete work on
the culminating experience during four additional semesters, subject to
the five-year overall time limit for completion of all master's degree requirements.
In addition, if an SP in 298/299 is not replaced by a final grade within
two years as recommended, the student's major department may require him
or her to reregister for the course. (See Graduate
Studies .)
Unauthorized Withdrawal (U). The symbol U indicates that an enrolled
student did not complete course requirements and did not properly withdraw
from the course. It is used when, in the opinion of the instructor, completed
assignments or course activities, or both were insufficient to make normal
evaluation of academic performance possible. For purposes of grade point
average computation this symbol is equivalent to an F. The U will not revert
to any other grade.
Withdrawal (W). The W symbol indicates that the student was permitted
to drop the course after the fourth week of instruction for serious and
compelling reasons with the approval of the instructor and appropriate campus
officials. It carries no connotation of quality of student performance and
is not used in calculating grade point average.
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Grading Policies and Practices
Grading. Students are expected to complete all requirements for
a class by the end of the semester unless an incomplete is permitted by
the instructor in accordance with university policy. Students shall not
be assigned additional work or be allowed to revise previous assignments
in order to improve a final grade.
College Syllabus and Record Keeping. All faculty members shall provide
students at the beginning of each semester a syllabus or outline stating
course goals and objectives including grading methodology, types and number
of projects, written assignments, tests, experiments, etc.
Grade Substitution by Repetition of Courses.
An undergraduate student may repeat an undergraduate course at California
State University, Fresno. If the original grade was D, F, U, or I, and the
subsequent grade is the same or higher, the student may request that the
new grade be substituted for the original grade. If that substitution is
requested and made, only the substituted grade will be used in determining
the student's grade point average. If the student fails to request the substitution,
both grades will be used in computing the student's grade point average.
Grade substitution can be made only once for each course. If the original
grade was C, CR, or better, the course cannot be repeated for grade substitution.
A course in which a grade of NC was earned may be repeated but since the NC grade does not affect the grade point average, no substitution is necessary.
To substitute a grade by repetition at California State University, Fresno, the student must file a Grade Substitution Petition form with the Admissions/Records Office Service Windows, Joyal Administration Building, by the last day of the semester/term during which the course is being repeated. Requests submitted after this date will be assessed a late fee.
A course attempted at another institution may be repeated by enrolling in a regular California State University, Fresno course determined by the Evaluations Office to be equivalent. A course for which grade substitution has been granted at another institution may not be repeated for grade substitution at California State University, Fresno. In addition, a course taken at California State University, Fresno may not be repeated for grade substitution at another institution.
Postbaccalaureate students pursuing (1) a second baccalaureate degree, (2) a second undergraduate major, (3) a teaching credential, or (4) no specific objective, are also free to repeat a course and request grade substitution on the same basis as undergraduates provided the original course was completed when the student had postbaccalaureate standing.
Postbaccalaureate students pursuing a doctoral or master's degree may, with approval of an adviser, repeat a course for academic credit, regardless of what grade was originally earned in the course. However, the student is not eligible to petition for grade substitution. All course work taken, beginning with the first term of the student's doctoral or master's degree program is used in determining the student's grade point average and graduation eligibility.
For further information, see the Schedule of Courses or the Grade Substitution
petition form which is available at the public contact windows, North Lobby,
Joyal Administration Building.
Academic Renewal. Under certain circumstances, the university may
disregard up to two semesters (three quarters) of previous undergraduate
coursework taken at California State University, Fresno or at any other
college from all considerations associated with requirements for the baccalaureate
degree. When such action is approved, the student's permanent academic record
is marked to indicate that no work taken during the disregarded term(s),
even if satisfactory, may apply toward baccalaureate requirements. However,
all work must remain legible on the record ensuring a true and complete
academic history.
In order to qualify for renewal, all of the following conditions must be
met:
- Five years must have elapsed since the most recent work to be disregarded was completed.
- It must be evident that the poor level of work represented by the term(s) under consideration is not representative (see No. 3) of the student's usual academic performance and was due to extenuating circumstances.
- The student must have completed the following in residence at California State University, Fresno since the most recent work to be disregarded was completed: (a.) 15 semester units with at least a 3.0 GPA or ( b.) 30 semester units with at least a 2.5 GPA or ( c.) 45 semester units with a 2.0 GPA. Work completed at another institution cannot be used to satisfy this request.
- It must be evident that it would be necessary for the student to complete one or more additional terms in order to qualify for the baccalaureate degree if the request were not approved, i.e., that the student would have less than a 2.0 grade point average in one or more of the following: (a) Cumulative collegiate coursework (b) All California State University, Fresno coursework (c) Coursework required for the major
- This policy may not be used in concert with any other academic forgiveness policy impacting particular academic term(s).
For further information or to apply for academic renewal, contact the
Admissions Office, (559) 278-2191.
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Planned Educational Leave of Absence Undergraduate
Degree-Seeking Students. A planned educational leave of absence is defined
as a planned interruption or pause in a student's regular education during
which the student temporarily ceases formal studies at California State
University, Fresno, while pursuing other activities that may assist in clarifying
the student's educational goals. The intent of the policy is to make it
possible for a student to suspend his or her academic work and later resume
studies with a minimum of procedural difficulty. A student who is approved
for a planned leave will be considered a continuing California State University,
Fresno student. A student with an undergraduate degree objective may, therefore,
enroll for classes at the end of an approved leave without reapplying for
admission and may continue at California State University, Fresno without
changing graduation requirements.
Since an approved leave does not affect time requirements for completion
of a credential or master's degree, a planned leave normally does not apply
to students seeking such objectives.
Planned educational leaves may be granted for a variety of reasons or projects,
but certain characteristics must be contained in any request for a leave:
- The student must have a definite objective, which in the judgment of the appropriate admissions official, contributes to his or her educational goals and objectives.
- The request must be for a specific period of time which shall not exceed four consecutive semesters.
- The student must plan to return to California State University, Fresno at the conclusion of his or her leave.
The following regulations apply to the planned educational leave:
- A student currently enrolled in a fully matriculated session may be considered for a planned educational leave.
- A student may be granted only one leave as an undergraduate student. Planned educational leaves are granted for up to four consecutive semesters.
- International students must be recommended by the director of international student services and programs; educational opportunity program students by an EOP counselor.
- Petitions for planned educational leaves must be filed (with the appropriate recommendation) at the Admissions Office before the first day of classes for the semester during which the leave is to begin.
- Leaves are not approved for students in disqualified status or on contract to remove academic deficiencies.
- It is expected that a student will devote his or her leave primarily to nonclassroom activities. A leave is not approved if the student plans to attend another institution, unless the coursework the student seeks is not available at California State University, Fresno. Any academic credit earned while on a planned educational leave is accredited by California State University, Fresno only if permission is granted for that credit in advance by the admissions officer.
- Students who do not return to the university at the conclusion of their planned educational leave and those who enroll elsewhere without permission of the admissions officer will be considered to have withdrawn from the university at the end of their last semester of regular enrollment at California State University, Fresno.
Students wishing to apply for a planned educational leave should obtain
a re quest form from the admissions officer, Joyal 106, (559) 278-2191.
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Student Academic Petitions. The Student Academic Petitions Committee
has the authority to permit exceptions to university baccalaureate degree
requirements when fulfilling the degree requirement would prove to be an
undue hardship for the student and/or such an exception can be demonstrated
to be educationally justifiable. The committee will take action only upon
the submission of a formal petition by the student that sets forth the facts
and circumstances that may warrant special consideration.
Petitions and procedural information are available in the Office of Advising
Services. The Petitions Committee does not make decisions pertaining
to substitutions for undergraduate and graduate major requirements. Such
requests are initiated through the student's department. Requests to waive
established university policy governing graduate study may be addressed
to the dean, Division of Graduate Studies. If a request cannot be accommodated,
it is forwarded to the Graduate Committee.
Grade Protests. The Student Academic Petitions Committee also has
the responsibility of handling grade protests for all students, undergraduate
and postbaccalaureate. Students, who believe they have been graded unfairly
or incorrectly by an instructor, should consult first with the faculty member
concerned within the first 15 working days of the following semester and
make every effort to resolve the issue. (On many occasions when students
contact the instructor about a grade thought to be assigned unfairly, they
learn that the instructor actually made a recording error. This will be
remedied when the instructor obtains a Grade Correction Request form from
the departmental secretary and submits the completed form to the Admissions
and Records Office.)
If the issue is not resolved, students should then consult with the department
chair. If a student still believes that the grade was assigned unfairly
or incorrectly after completing this process, the student then may request
that the Student Academic Petitions Committee review the issue. Before requesting
such a review, students should make an appointment with an academic counselor
in the Office of Advising Services (Joyal, Rm. 224; 278-1787) to discuss
their particular situation and to receive a copy of the university's grade
protest policy as well as additional procedural instructions.
Students then must submit a written statement no later than midsemester
setting forth all pertinent details to the director of Advising Services,
who chairs the Petitions Committee.
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Scholarship Status
Satisfactory Scholarship. Satisfactory scholarship means at least
a C average (2.0 grade point average or twice as many grade points as units
attempted) and satisfactory progress toward a degree for undergraduate and
postbaccalaureate students without a master's degree objective. Graduate
(master's degree) students must maintain at least a B average.
A student (undergraduate, postbaccalaureate or graduate) whose grade point
average falls below the satisfactory scholarship level is placed on probation
and is disqualified if the grade point average falls below probation levels.
(For details see next page.) Only the most recent probation or disqualification
action appears on the student's transcript.
Probation. Undergraduate students are placed on academic probation,
a type of academic warning, if their:
- Grade point average (GPA) based on total units attempted at all colleges is below a 2.0 (C average) or
- GPA based on all units attempted at California State University, Fresno is below a 2.0 average.
Students remain on academic probation until both overall and California
State University, Fresno grade point averages are 2.0 or better, or until
they are disqualified under one of the provisions of the disqualification
regulations.
For example, first semester freshmen would be placed on probation if they
carried 12 units (four 3 -unit classes) and earned 1 B, 2 Cs, and 1 F. Students
would then have to earn 3 Cs and 1 B or better (in four 3-unit classes)
the following semester to regain satisfactory scholarship status.
These regulations also apply to all postbaccalaureate students except those
enrolled in master's programs. The latter are expected to maintain a cumulative
GPA of at least 3.0 in all units attempted subsequent to admission to the
master's program. Master's students who fall below the required GPA are
placed on probation.
A student may be placed on administrative-academic probation for withdrawal
from a substantial portion of a program in two successive terms or in any
three terms; for repeated failure to progress toward a degree; or for failure
to comply with an academic requirement or regulation that is routine for
all students or for a defined group of students.
Disqualification. Students are disqualified if they are on probation
and fail to meet the assigned scholarship contract or if they have a cumulative
deficiency on either the overall or California State University, Fresno
record equal to or greater than that indicated below.
- Freshmen, sophomores (0-59 units completed): 15 grade point deficiency
- Juniors (60-89 units completed): 9 grade point deficiency
- Seniors (90 or more units completed): 6 grade point deficiency
- Postbaccalaureate students: 6 grade point deficiency on postbaccalaureate units
For example, new transfer juniors are academically disqualified if they
carried 12 units (four 3-unit classes) and earned 2 Cs, 1 D, and 1 F. If
readmitted, students then would have to earn 1 B and 3 Cs (in four 3-unit
classes) the next semester to be re moved from academic disqualification
and be placed on probation, or 3 Bs and a C or better (in four 3-unit classes)
to regain satisfactory scholarship status. The best way to regain satisfactory
scholarship status is to repeat classes at California State University,
Fresno in which the student previously earned D, F, or U grades, and petition
to have the new grade substituted for the prior grade. Disqualified students
also are advised to take light unit loads in attempting to bring up their
GPA.
Graduate (master's) students are disqualified if their grade point average
on either the overall or the California State University, Fresno postbaccalaureate
record is equal to or greater than six grade points below a B (3.0) GPA.
Students placed on administrative-academic probation may be disqualified
for the following reasons:
- If they fail to meet the conditions for removal of probation,
- Become subject to academic probation while on administrative-academic probation, or
- Again become subject to administrative-academic probation for the same or similar reasons.
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Readmission of Disqualified Students
Undergraduate and Graduate
Students placed on academic disqualification at the end of a semester
must be readmitted to attend the subsequent semester.
An information letter is mailed to disqualified students when semester grades
are available advising them of their options.
The assigned date and time to call, indicated in Telephone Registration
materials, will be invalidated when students are academically disqualified.
However, if students are readmitted they will be eligible to participate
in telephone registration on or close to their original assigned date and
time to call.
Undergraduate. Disqualified California State University, Fresno students
who have been away one semester or longer must submit an application for
readmission in addition to the appropriate petition approved by an academic
adviser. Students readmitted under a special disqualification "probation"
contract must fulfill the terms of that contract or again face disqualification.
Contact (559) 278-2191 for more information.
Postbaccalaureate/Graduate. Disqualified postbaccalaureate students
who have been away one semester or longer must submit an application for
readmission and schedule an advisement interview in the Division of Graduate
Studies, Thomas Administration Building, Room 132. Additionally, students
who seek a master's, second baccalaureate, or credential are asked to obtain
the recommendation of the department/program to which they seek readmission.
Students who are undeclared must have the approval of the dean of graduate
studies to be readmitted to the university.
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Transcripts and Reports
Transcript of Record. Students may request transcripts of their
academic records at California State University, Fresno with payment in
advance. The fee is $4 for the first copy and $2 for each additional copy
(2-10) ordered at the same time. California State University, Fresno transcripts
are not provided to students with admission holds, unpaid financial obligations,
or other administrative holds as determined by university officials. Transcripts
of records from other institutions submitted to California State University,
Fresno are not returned to students.
Reports to Students. An Enrollment mailer will be sent to students
before instruction begins and the third week of each fall and spring semester.
Students may call and get grades via the telephone at the end of each regular
semester. For a nominal fee, students may request a copy of their grades
at the Admissions/Records Service Window, North Lobby, Joyal Administration
Building.
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Enrollment in Graduate-level (200-297) Courses
Enrollment in graduate-level (200-297) courses is limited to those who
have been officially admitted to a graduate degree, advanced certificate,
or credential program. However, there is a special program for last-semester
undergraduate seniors who want to enroll in 200-level courses. All criteria
listed on the Undergraduate Petition to Enroll in Graduate (200-level) Courses
must be met. This petition, available from the Division of Graduate Studies,
should be filed prior to the semester in which the student desires enrollment
in 200-level course(s).
Academic Regulations
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