You are in the official 2004-2005 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Registration Process
Program Planning and Registration
Freshmen should plan their programs early, beginning, when
practical, with the selection of a major. Degree requirements
in each major are listed under the appropriate department. Major
information sheets are available for most of our majors. If you
are undecided about a major, indicate Undeclared on the
appropriate forms until a definite decision is reached. For general
information, see Degrees and Credentials.
Depending on the major department's procedure, an academic adviser
is assigned to each student, or selected by the student. Undeclared
majors are advised by the Office of Advising
Services.
It is recommended that all students meet with a faculty adviser
once each semester before registering for classes. A faculty adviser
assists the student in planning an academic program, but the primary
responsibility for meeting all graduation requirements is the
student's.
Recommended
Preparation
Freshmen. Overall excellence of performance
in high school subjects and evidence of academic potential provide
the basis for admission at California State University, Fresno.
Since certain academic majors require high school preparation
in definite subjects, the student should consult the requirements
indicated in the field of his or her choice.
In university majors, such as engineering, natural science, mathematics,
social science and humanities, a maximum number of high school
credits should be obtained in appropriate preparatory subjects.
Transfer Students. Students intending to transfer to California
State University, Fresno should plan their programs while attending
other colleges to meet our General Education and major degree
requirements. Students transferring from a California community
college should complete as many of the CSU General Education requirements
of that college as possible while keeping in mind that a maximum
of 70 transferable units is allowed from two-year institutions
(community/junior colleges). For more information, visit the California Articulation Web site.
A General Education Certification (requested only from California
public community/junior colleges and California State University
campuses) should be sent to California State University, Fresno
along with the final transcripts. Earning an A.A. or A.S. degree
does not necessarily mean one has fulfilled CSU admission and/or
General Education requirements.
After admission to California State University, Fresno, transfer
students with a declared major, entering with 40 or more units
will receive a copy of their advanced standing evaluation, indicating
how previous college units have been applied toward degree requirements
at California State University, Fresno. Questions about one's
evaluation should be directed to the student's adviser or the
Evaluations Office. It is recommended that transfer students bring
with them an unofficial copy of all previous college transcripts
and their CSU General Education Certification when attending New
Student Orientation and Advising Day to ensure accurate advising.
The California Articulation Number (CAN) identifies some of the
transferable, lower-division, introductory (preparatory) courses
commonly taught on California college campuses. The system assures
students that CAN courses on one participating campus will be
accepted "in lieu of" the comparable CAN course on another
participating campus. For example: CAN ECON 2 on one campus will
be accepted for CAN ECON 2 on every other participating campus.
Each campus retains its own numbering system, but adds the CAN
designation parenthetically in its publications. In this catalog,
the CAN is listed parenthetically at the end of the course description.
It is expected that most campuses throughout the state will qualify
courses to use the California Articulation Numbers. Check with
academic advising offices or articulation officers for current
listings of CAN courses and campuses participating in the CAN
system. A CAN Catalog listing campuses and courses is published
biannually.
Registration
Registration is open to new and returning students who have been
admitted and to eligible continuing students in good standing.
Former California State University, Fresno students returning
after an absence of one semester or more must apply for readmission,
subject to university enrollment limitations and filing deadlines.
Students who are returning after an absence of two semesters or
more, and those who have been absent one semester and who have
attended another institution since last registered at California
State University, Fresno are required to pay the $55 application
fee when applying. The Academic Calendar lists dates of
registration.
Registration is complete only when all class selection through
telephone/Web registration is finalized and all fees are paid.
See the Academic Calendar for all deadline
dates.
Registration appointment date and time for all students is determined
by the number of academic units completed with limited exceptions.
After a priority group is processed, then assignments are made
based on the highest number of completed units.
Registration in courses offered by some colleges/schools or
departments may be restricted to students officially enrolled
in certain majors and/or class levels. It is essential that each
student's current major be correctly recorded in the university's
records. Failure to do so may result in enrollment difficulties.
It is the student's responsibility to be sure his or her major
is correct. Undergraduate major changes can be made at the Admissions/Records
service windows, Joyal Administration Building, North Lobby; postbaccalaureate
and graduate changes at the Division of Graduate Studies Office;
and international student changes at the International Admissions
Office.
Class Schedule. An official Class Schedule is listed online
each semester with registration procedures, courses offered, class
hours and locations, and other important deadlines and updated
policy changes as applicable. The schedule is available via the
Web at http://www.csufresno.edu/ClassSchedule/.
Full-time/Part-time Students. Students taking at least
75 percent of the normal academic load are considered full-time
students. Since the normal academic load is 15 semester hours,
students carrying 12 or more semester hours are full-time students.
For purposes of financial aid, graduate (200-level) courses are
weighted for graduate students. Each graduate unit attempted by
a graduate student is considered as 1.5 units.
Full-time (12 or more units)
Three-quarter time (9 to 11.5 units)
Half-time (6 to 8.5 units)
Veterans Certification.
The Registrars Office acts as liaison to the Veterans Administration,
the State Department of Veterans Affairs, and other related agencies
for veterans, dependents, or reservists eligible to receive educational
benefits. A student may obtain information and assistance regarding
certification of benefits, V.A. Work Study, advance pay, and processing
of tutorial assistance paperwork by visiting the Admissions and
Records Office, North Lobby, Joyal Administration Building, Room
106, or by calling (559) 278-7030.
Concurrent Registration 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 Admissions
and Records Office, North Lobby, Joyal Administration Building.
Concurrent Registration at Another CSU Campus. A continuing
undergraduate student who has completed a minimum of one semester
of 12 units on the Fresno campus and is in good standing with
a grade point average of 2.0 or better in all work completed at
Fresno State; or a graduate student who has been and is in an
authorized graduate program in good standing may enroll concurrently
at another CSU campus without any additional fees. Complete information
is available in the Office of the Registrar.
Visitor Registration at Another CSU Campus. A continuing
undergraduate student who has completed a minimum of one semester
of 12 units and has attained a grade point average of 2.0 or better
in all work completed at Fresno State, or a continuing graduate
student who has completed one semester and is admitted to an authorized
graduate program, may register and pay fees at another CSU campus
for one semester without applying for admission to that campus.
Complete information is available in the Office of the Registrar.
Excess Unit/Enrollment Restrictions Undergraduate. Undergraduate
students are cautioned against registering for more than 18 units
without consulting with an adviser, since more than 18 units is
generally considered to be an academic overload. A limit of 16
units applies to graduate students. See the Class Schedule
for details.
To register for 19 units, an undergraduate student must have an
overall grade point average of 2.5; for 20 to 22 units, a student
must have an overall grade point average of 3.0. Exceptions to
these limits must be approved by the chair of the student's major
department. An absolute limit of 22 units (excluding credit by
examination units) is enforced which may be waived only with the
approval of the dean of the college/school of the student's major.
An academic department may restrict enrollment by requiring students
to drop a class if the student has been disqualified from the
major or the student has not achieved a C average in the major
or has not met the stated course prerequisites. This is especially
true in academic areas that are impacted or are in high demand.
Enrollment in upper-division courses is normally restricted to
students with junior, senior, or graduate standing or who have
the necessary prerequisites. Exceptions are subject to the approval
of the instructor and department chair. Only students who have
been fully approved for admission to credential programs may enroll
in certain education courses and qualify for a school service
credential on the basis of the university's recommendation.
Credit in any course is also subject to all restrictions that
may appear in our General Catalog.
Excess Units/Enrollment Restrictions Postbaccalaureate/Graduate.
To enroll in 17 or more units, master's degree students must
demonstrate a GPA of 3.0 or better; credential students must demonstrate
a minimum GPA equivalent to the admission standards of their individual
credential program. However, if the credential program requires
enrollment in graduate-level (200-series) coursework, the students
must demonstrate a 3.0 GPA or better. Second baccalaureate/second
undergraduate major/nonobjective students may enroll in 19 units
if they possess a GPA of 2.5; 3.0 for 20-22 units. Graduate-level
(200-series) courses are unavailable to second baccalaureate/major
and nonobjective students.
Change of Major. Each undergraduate student who wishes
to change his or her major must do so at the Admissions/Records
service windows, Joyal Administration Building, North Lobby, to
initiate the procedure. International students report to the International
Admissions Office. New graduate and postbaccalaureate students
should report to the Graduate Admissions Office and continuing
graduate and postbaccalaureate students should report to the Division
of Graduate Studies Office.
Adding and Dropping Courses. A student is held responsible
for the program of courses in which he or she is officially registered.
A student is urged to consult an adviser before making a program
change. If the class is dropped before the end of the fourth week
of classes, the course is not recorded on the permanent record.
The end of the fourth week is defined as the end of the 20th instructional
day of the semester. Consult the current Class Schedule
for specific add/drop instructions, procedures, and deadlines.
Adding Courses. Once registered, a student may add courses
through the end of the second week of instruction.
Dropping Courses. Through the tenth day of instruction,
a student may drop courses without a serious and compelling reason.
After the tenth day of instruction, a student may drop a course
only for a serious and compelling reason that makes it impossible
for the student to complete course requirements. A serious and
compelling reason is defined as a medical, emotional, or other
condition acceptable to and verified by the dean of the college/school
in which the course is offered. The condition must be stated in
writing on the drop form. Upon signing the form, the course instructor
may add a written recommendation to the college/school dean in
the space provided. The dean may require that the student provide
written substantiation as deemed necessary. Failing or performing
poorly in a class is not an acceptable serious and compelling
reason within the university policy, nor is dissatisfaction with
the subject matter, class, or instructor.
During the final three weeks of instruction, dropping an individual
course is not permitted unless special approval is given by the
registrar in cases such as accident or illness where the cause
of the drop is due to circumstances beyond the student's control.
If the student has completed a significant portion of the required
coursework, incomplete grades are often assigned.
Complete Withdrawal. A student may totally (completely)
withdraw from all courses up to the last three weeks of instruction.
Complete withdrawal is only permitted during the last three weeks
of instruction in cases such as accident or serious illness, where
the cause of withdrawal is due to circumstances clearly beyond
the student's control. If a student withdraws through the first
four weeks of instruction, only the date of withdrawal is posted
on the permanent record. If the student withdraws after the first
four weeks, a W is posted for each class as well as the official
date of withdrawal. For purposes of subsequent registration and
catalog determination, students are considered as having been
enrolled for that semester.
A student who withdraws from the university in good academic standing
(not disqualified) is eligible to enroll the following semester
without reapplying for admission. A student remaining unenrolled
at the university for only one semester and not enrolling at another
accredited institution during the interim must apply for readmission,
may use the short application form available from the Admissions
Office, and is not required to pay the application fee. However,
a student attending another accredited institution or not enrolled
for two or more consecutive semesters must reapply and pay the
application fee. Contact the Evaluations Office regarding possible
consequences if you remain away from California State University,
Fresno more than one calendar year.
Consult the current Class Schedule for specific withdrawal
instructions, procedures and deadlines.
Request for Record Adjustment. The university recognizes
that on rare occasions students will experience exceptional situations
that prohibit them from completing some procedures in a timely
manner. A student may petition for a record adjustment if a documented
hardship occurred during the term for which the adjustment is
requested, or in instances where the student will suffer a significant
academic hardship if the request is not granted. Contact the Admissions
and Records Office for further information.
Nonattendance. During the first week of classes, it
is the responsibility of students to attend each class meeting
of courses in which they are enrolled. Students absent from any
class meeting during this period are responsible for personally
contacting their instructor by the next class meeting to request
being retained in the class.
In addition, as a courtesy to other students attempting to add
and as a courtesy to the faculty, students who decide to drop
a class should do so immediately. Students must not assume that
instructors will exercise their option to submit the Administrative
Withdrawal Card. In short, it still is the responsibility of the
student to withdraw properly from any class he/she does not intend
to complete. Failure to withdraw will result in the assignment
of the appropriate failing grade, WU or NC.
Further, in order to permit students on waiting lists to enroll
in a class, instructors may administratively withdraw from their
classes students who are absent from any class session during
the first week of classes and do not personally notify the instructors
by the next class meeting of their intent to remain in the course.
Admissions, Fees, and Financial Assistance
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