You are in the official 2007-2008 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.
Regular advising is key to the successful and timely completion of a degree.
Depending on the major department's procedure, an academic adviser is assigned
to each student, or selected by the student. The Office
of Advising Services (Joyal Administration Building, Room 224) advises
undeclared majors and can advise all students on General Education and non-major
related degree requirements. At a minimum, all undergraduate students are
expected to review their "roadmap" to graduation with an adviser
from their major department by the end of the term in which they complete
75 units. Some departments require advising earlier and more often.
Undergraduate students entering the university without a major are strongly
encouraged to declare a major before the end of the term in which 45 units
are completed toward a degree. Students must declare a major no later than
the term in which 60 units are completed. Undergraduate transfer students
with 60 or more units must declare a major upon entry or before course registration
begins for their second semester at the university. Students may contact
the Office of Advising Services for further information (Joyal Administration
Building, Room 224, or call 278.1787).
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. A continuing student
is eligible to register for a subsequent semester if he/she was enrolled
by the eleventh day of instruction and had paid registration fees for the
previous semester. Students must make progress toward fulfillment of degree
requirements to remain in good standing. Students who enroll and withdraw
and do not complete coursework for two or more consecutive semesters may
lose their continuing student status. 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 Student Services Office.
Class Schedule. An official Class Schedule is available for purchase at the bookstore and 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,
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. The courseload
in the combined enrollment program may not exceed the maximum unit load
restrictions for California State University, Fresno.
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 Student Services 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/Dropping Courses. Once registered, a student may add and drop
courses through the tenth day of instruction.
After the tenth day of instruction and through the 20th day of instruction,
a student may add a class with a permission number and may drop a class
with the instructor's approval. After the 20th day of instruction, adding
is no longer allowed. 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
during the last three weeks of instruction is only permitted 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 after the tenth day of instruction
and who is 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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