Academic Policies and Regulations
ACADEMIC ADVISING
You are responsible for knowing and meeting all degree requirements
and for making every reasonable effort to obtain academic advising.
Frequent communication with your faculty adviser will help insure that
you have current academic information and are making adequate progress
toward your educational goals. All departments require that you see
your adviser at least once a semester.
In some major programs, it is important to specify your area of specific
interest within the major when you request your adviser.
If you are a new or readmitted student, you are required to see an
adviser either prior to your initial registration or during the first
two weeks of the semester you first enroll.
If you change your major, you are required to see an adviser to which
you are changing and obtain his or her approval on the Change of Major
form.
ACADEMIC HONESTY AND ATTENDANCE
You are expected to maintain a high standard of academic honesty. Dishonesty
may bring grade reduction or other sanctions
You are expected to attend classes regularly. You should discuss absences
with your instructors, but you may report an absence of more than a
week’s duration to the Office when it results from circumstances beyond
your control, such as illness or accident. The office will then send
notification of your absence and the reason for it to your instructors.
Instructors can, if they choose, drop you from a course for non-attendance.
CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS
Students Auditing Courses
You may audit classes by paying the normal registration fee. An auditor
is a student who enrolls in a course for informational purposes only.
Regular attendance in classes is customary, but you do not take examinations
and do not receive credit for the course.
As an auditor, you may not change to credit status after the last
day to add classes without special permission. Normally, if you are
enrolled for credit, you may not change to audit after the second week
of classes.
Class levels are the categories used to classify
students on the basis of units completed.
- Freshmen or First Year Students are those who
have completed fewer than 30 semester units (45 quarter units).
- Students who have completed 30 to 59 semester units (45 to 89.9
quarter units) are considered Sophomores.
- Juniors are those who have completed 60 to 89 semester
units (90 to 134.9 quarter units).
- Students who have completed 90 or more units (135 quarter units)
have achieved Senior status.
- Graduate Students are those who have graduated with
a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
COURSE CREDIT POLICIES
Academic Credit for Prior Experience
In recognizing that intellectual growth can occur in settings other
than the classroom,the Universiies have a policy under which students
may petition to have their previous non-classroom experiences evaluated
for possible academic credit, up to a maximum of 33 units for undergraduates.
Credit for prior experience is not available to graduate students.
If, after evaluation, it is determined that such experiences resulted
in learning at a level of sophistication comparable to or greater
than that provided by normal classroom instruction, you will be awarded
credit in an amount based on the evaluation. You will not be granted
credit for the experience per se, but for academic learning which
took place as a result of, or along with, the experience. The college-level
learning must comprise both theory and practice, be well documented,
and be presented in a portfolio for evaluation
Challenging Courses
You may apply to challenge any course listed in the current Course
Catalog by passing a special examination on the course content.
Courses applied toward a master’s degree may not be challenged. To
challenge, you must be enrolled in the university and in the course
for the current semester and pay the appropriate fees. You may not
challenge a course if you have previously received credit for a more
advanced course dealing with the same concepts.
To apply to challenge a course, you must submit an "Application
for Credit by Examination" to the department offering the course
by the end of the second week of classes. The application will include
pertinent information concerning your educational background, readiness
to challenge a course by examination, potential educational value
of such a challenge in contrast to experiencing active enrollment
in the course, and contact with a faculty member in the context of
such enrollment. The department chair will approve or deny the application
based on department policy and information on your application, and
will notify you of the decision. If approved, the course instructor
will administer a written examination to you. Where skills are
involved, a performance test may be required in addition to the written
examination.
If you pass the examination, the course instructor will submit a
credit grade for you on the regular class grade sheet at the end of
the semester; the department will send a memorandum instructing the
Registrar to enter the credit on your academic record as "passed
by examination," with a grade symbol of CR.
No more than 30 semester units of credit earned by challenging courses
may count towards the bachelor’s degree. Certain major requirements
may be waived by departmental examination.
Credit by External Examination
Credit can be awared to those students who pass examinations which
have been approved for credit systemwide. These include the English
Equivalency Examination, Advanced Placement examinations, and some
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations. A maximum of
30 semester units may count towards the bachelor’s degree (AP credit
not included).
Extension and Correspondence Credit
Open University credit is residence credit with limitations The Universities
will accept as nonresident credit baccalaureate-level correspondence
courses from other accredited institutions. The maximum amount of
extension credit which may be applied toward the bachelor’s degree
is 24 semester units. Extension credit may not be used to satisfy
the residence requirement.
Transfer Credit
To obtain transfer credit for courses completed elsewhere, be sure
that official and final transcripts from all schools you have previously
attended have arrived at the Office of Registration. If you attend
summer school or otherwise away from the institute, also be sure to
request that your transcript be forwarded to the Office upon completion
of your course work.
Adding and Dropping Courses, Changing
Grade Options
Students may add or drop courses or change grade options without academic
restriction or penalty and without instructor approval during the first
two weeks of the semester.
During the third and fourth weeks of classes, to add, drop, or change
grade options will require the approval of the instructor.
If your request to drop a class is received and processed in the Office
of Student Records and Registration before the end of the fourth week
of classes, that class will not appear on your academic record.
After the end of the fourth week of the semester (to add, drop, or
change grade option will require a serious and compelling reason and
require approval signatures of the instructor and the department head.
During the final three weeks of the semester, no drops will be permitted
except for circumstances clearly beyond the student’s control (such
as accident or serious illness) and when the assignment of an "Incomplete"
is not practicable.
Serious and Compelling Reasons
The following situations are typical of those for which "serious
and compelling" is appropriate justification for approving withdrawals
and changes of grade option after the fourth week of classes
- An extended absence due to a verifiable accident, illness, or
personal problem serious enough to cause withdrawal from the university;
for example, a one- to two-week absence with a doctor’s written
excuse.
- An extended absence due to a death in the immediate family. This
applies to absences exceeding a week due to family affairs that
must be attended to by the student.
- A necessary change in employment status which interferes with
the student’s ability to attend class. This change in employment
status must be verified in writing by the student’s employer.
- Other unusual or very special cases, considered on their own
merit.
The following situations would not fall under the intent of "serious
and compelling"
- Grade anticipated in class is not sufficiently high, or student
is doing failing work.
- Failure to attend class, complete assignments, or take a test.
- Dissatisfaction with course material, instructional method, or
instructor.
- Class is harder than expected.
- Pressure of other classes, participation in social activities,
or simple lack of motivation.
- A change of major.
COURSE
SELECTION POLICIES
In so far as possible, you should plan your academic program with the
assistance of a faculty adviser. It is particularly important to note
whether certain prerequisites must be completed before taking other
required courses in a given program. Failure to complete a prerequisite
course may delay graduation or in other ways adversely affect
your program or progress. A typical regular program will contain 12
to 15 units a semester. If you have less than a superior record of scholastic
achievement, you are advised to take no more than 18 units a semester.
Maximum Student Course Load
As an undergraduate student, you may usually enroll for up to a specified
maximum number of units during Registration. After Registration, you
may add courses up to a maximum of 21 units without special permission
if you are in good academic standing.
As a postgraduate student, you may enroll for up to 16 units. You
must obtain special approval to exceed 16 units from your departmental..
Independent Study and Special Purpose Courses
You may register for a maximum of 3 units per semester of independent
study
Internship and Experience-Based Learning Courses
Internship and other experience-based courses generally involve business
and other community work with placement in a business, public or private
agency under the supervision of a qualified professional. A maximum
of 15 internship units may be applied to a bachelor’s degree.
Planned Educational Leave/PEL (Undergraduate)
Planned Educational Leaves (PELs) are available to undergraduates who
are in good standing. Leaves may be granted to students for a maximum
of two consecutive semesters.
GRADING SYSTEM AND POLICIES
The Functions of Grading
Underlying the rationale for grades is the theme of communication.
Grades communicate one or more of the following functions:
- To recognize that classroom instructors have the right and responsibility
to provide careful evaluation of student performance and the responsibility
for timely assignment of appropriate grades;
- To recognize performance in a particular course;
- To act as a basis of screening for other courses or programs
(including graduate school);
- To inform you of your level of achievement in a specific course;
- To stimulate you to learn;
- To inform prospective employers and others of your achievement.
Most courses employ standard letter grading described below.
In some classes all students will be graded A, B, C, NC (No Credit)
and in others CR (Credit) or NC only, as determined by the department.
Students will be advised at the beginning of a course if either
of these patterns is to be used.
DEFINITION OF LETTER GRADING SYMBOLS
Undergraduate Courses
A — Superior Work:
A level of achievement so outstanding that it is normally attained
by relatively few students.
B — Very Good Work:
A high level of achievement clearly better than adequate competence
in the subject matter/skill, but not as good as the unusual, superior
achievement of students earning an A.
C — Adequate Work:
A level of achievement indicating adequate competence in the subject
matter/skill. This level will usually be met by a majority of students
in the class.
D — Minimally Acceptable Work:
A level of achievement which meets the minimum requirements
of the course.
F — Unacceptable Work:
A level of achievement that fails to meet the minimum requirements
of the course. Not passing.
Graduate Courses (numbered 300 to 399)
A — Superior Work:
A level of achievement so outstanding that it is normally attained
by relatively few students.
B — Adequate Work:
A level of achievement indicating adequate competence in the subject
matter/skill. This level will usually be met by a majority of students
in the class.
C — Minimally Acceptable Work:
A level of achievement which meets the minimum requirements of the
course.
F — Unacceptable Work:
A level of achievement which fails to meet the minimum requirements
of the course. Not passing. Because a C is the minimal acceptable
grade for a 300-level course, a D grade is not allowed.
Use of Plus/Minus Symbols and Grade Points:
Standard letter symbols will be used with + and - modifiers for
undergraduate and graduate grading, with the following associated
grade points:
| |
A = 4.0 |
A- = 3.7 |
| B+ = 3.3 |
B = 3.0 |
B- = 2.7 |
| C+ = 2.3 |
C = 2.0 |
C- = 1.7 |
| D+ = 1.3 |
D = 1.0 |
|
| F = 0.0 |
U = 0.0 |
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The use of plus/minus modifiers still permits A, B, C, D, and F
grades to be used in disciplines or courses where finer divisions
are not possible.
Computation of Grade Point Average (GPA):
The Grade Point Average is determined by dividing the number of
grade points earned by the number of units attempted. Credit/No
Credit grades are not computed in a grade point average; Credit
grades count toward total units passed and, therefore, towards graduation
(No Credit grades do not count). Grade points are awarded on the
point scale described above.
Grade point averages for students individually and collectively,
and for courses, departments, and the university will be computed
and reported to four decimal places.
Grades of WU and IC are calculated in grade point average. Grades
of Incomplete (I), Withdraw (W), and Audit (AU) are not calculated
in grade point averages.
Credit/No Credit Grading:
Note: If you plan to transfer to graduate or professional schools,
be aware that some schools in evaluating transfer credit may regard
Credit (CR) grades as C’s and No Credit (NC) grades as F’s.
Mandated ABC/No Credit or Credit/No Credit Grading
In some classes all students will be graded ABC/NC (undergraduate
level) or AB/NC (graduate level) and in others courses CR (credit)
or NC (no credit). Students will be advised at the beginning of
a course if either of these patterns is to be used.
CR/NC grading is mandated for courses in which standard grading
procedures are not practical or possible (i.e., independent studies,
credit for prior experience, or challenge exams).
Other Grading Symbols
I — Incomplete:
An I signifies that a portion of required coursework has not
been completed and evaluated within the prescribed time. Incompletes
(I) will be assigned only in cases where instructors conclude
that a clearly identifiable pattern of course requirements cannot
be met for unforeseen reasons.
An incomplete must be made up within one calendar year from
the end of the term for which it was assigned whether or not you
maintain continuous enrollment. Failure to complete the assigned
work will result in a grade change from I to IC or NC, depending
on the grading method for the course.
WU — Withdrawal Unauthorized
The symbol "WU" indicates that an enrolled student
did not withdraw from the course and also failed to complete course
requirements. 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 instructor shall report the last known
date of attendance by the student. In courses which are graded
Credit/No Credit or in cases where the student has elected Credit/No
Credit evaluation, use of the symbol WU is inappropriate and NC
shall be used instead.
RD — Report Delayed/NR — Not Reported:
RD or NR indicates that the instructor has delayed or not reported
a grade. It does not indicate that you failed to complete the
work required. An RD or NR is due to faculty action rather than
student action.
W — Withdrawal:
A withdrawal (W) grading symbol indicates that you were permitted
to drop the course with appropriate approval after the fourth
week of the semester. Withdrawals that occur within the first
four weeks do not appear on your permanent record. The symbol
carries no connotation of quality of your performance and is not
used in calculating your grade point average.
Course Objectives
Each member of the faculty will write and distribute for each course,
consistent with the nature of that course, clearly stated objectives
which will facilitate the instructional and evaluative processes. This
is commonly referred to as a course syllabus. Students should be informed
by the instructor about the level of achievement that is expected for
each letter or a credit grade.
In multiple-section courses, instructors usually meet to discuss goals,
objectives, procedures, course materials, and criteria for evaluation.
While complete uniformity is not essential, departments strive for basic
uniformity of goals, subject matter, and grading patterns in multiple-section
courses.
REPEATING COURSES
General Repeat Policy
Students may repeat courses originally taken for a letter grade if
the earlier attempt resulted in a grade of C- or lower. Graduate students
may repeat courses in which they earned a grade of B- or lower. The
repeated course grade will be averaged with all other grades in determining
the grade point average. There is no limit to the number of units
which may be repeated when grades are averaged together under this
policy.
In any course or program where enrollment demand exceeds the resources
to offer sufficient openings or sections to meet that demand, the
academic unit may give registration priority to students taking the
course for the first time.
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