Questions
about the Philosophy Program:
Questions
about Graduation:
Questions
about Academic Policies and Requirements:
Questions
about Advisement:
Questions
about Registration and Schedule Adjustment:
Questions about the Philosophy Program:
Q: How do I change
my major to philosophy?
A: Currently enrolled students may change their
major and/or minor with departmental approval. Fill out
the
Major or Minor
Change or Declaration form and take it to the academic advisor
for his or her signature.
Students
should also discuss with their advisors how the change could affect
the completion of their general education requirements. The
signed form then needs to be submitted to Admissions & Records.
[Back to the index
of questions.]
Q: Can I double major in
philosophy?
A: Yes, you may do so provided your other major
is also in the same degree field. That is, both majors
must be bachelor of arts degrees. So you can major in both
Philosophy and English, because both are bachelor of arts degrees.
However, you can't major in both Philosophy and Computer Science, because
Philosophy only offers a B.A. degree and Computer Science only offers
a B.S. degree. Also, please note that you cannot declare more
than two undergraduate majors. If you want to major in philosophy,
you need to fill out the
Major or Minor
Change or Declaration form and take it to the academic advisor
for his or her signature.
Students
should also discuss with their advisors how the change could affect
the completion of their general education requirements. The
signed form then needs to be submitted to Admissions & Records.
[Back
to the index of questions.]
Q: What will my DPR report
look like if I change my major or option?
A: To see how changing your major or option will
affect your progress towards graduation, generate a DPR report by following
the instructions
here, entering
the appropriate Academic Plan code when prompted. If you're interested
in switching to the optional philosophy major, then enter 677075B
for the Academic Plan code. If you're interested in switching
to the standard philosophy major, then enter 677038B for the Academic
Plan code. If you're interested in switching to the new philosophy
major (the one that takes effect Fall 2005), then enter 677038B for the
Academic Plan code and change the Major Catalog Year to 2005.
[Back
to the index of questions.]
Q: What are the requirements
for the philosophy major?
A:
Please see the
Philosophy
Major (Effective Fall 2005).
[Back to the index of questions.]
Q: In what order
should I take the courses required for the philosophy major?
A: Ideally,
you should take as many of PHIL 201, 202, and 230 before taking
any upper division philosophy courses.
Next,
you should take the two required gateway courses (PHIL 350 or
355, and PHIL 346 or PHIL 360), although it’s probably best to
spread these two gateway courses over two semesters.
At this point, you might also want to take
some philosophy electives.
Before taking
any 400-level philosophy courses, though, you must have already
completed at least one of the gateway courses.
Ideally, you will have taken both or be concurrently enrolled
in your second of the two required gateway courses.
Last, you should take the capstone course, PHIL 497, the senior
research seminar.
But please note that PHIL
497 is only offered in the Spring; so if you plan to graduate in the Fall,
you’ll need to take it in the preceding Spring semester.
[Back to the index
of questions.]
Q:
I see that the major allows students to take six elective
units in closely related upper division courses outside the department
(subject to the approval of the department advisor and the department
chair). How do I know what counts as a closely
related course, and how do I get my proposed course or courses
approved?
A:
See the flyer “
Choosing
Electives by Topical Interests.”
This flyer includes a list of non-philosophy courses
that have been pre-approved by both the department chair and the
academic advisor.
To inquire about a course
not already on the list, please consult with the academic advisor.
Of course, you should note that you don’t
have to take any non-philosophy courses; you can use nothing but
philosophy courses to fulfill the required electives.
[Back to the index
of questions.]
Q: How should I choose the eight elective courses that
are required by the major?
A: What electives you should
choose depends on what your objectives are.
For those who are interested in pursuing law school or
graduate school in philosophy after graduation, the department has
advisement sheets that will help you in choosing your electives.
Those who have other specific aspirations should
consult with the academic advisor.
You may
also want to consult the department’s flyer entitled “
Choosing
Electives by Topical Interests.” This flyer lists both
philosophy courses and closely related non-philosophy by topical
interests.
Also, you should consult the academic
advisor and the department’s flyer entitled “
Projected
Course Offerings” when choosing electives.
[Back to the index
of questions.]
Q: How do I declare a
minor in philosophy?
A:
Declare the Minor by submitting a
Major or Minor
Change or Declaration form to the Office of Admissions and Records,
adding a Minor; or obtain the Minor Faculty Advisor's signature on the Application
for Graduation before submitting to Admissions and Records.
[Back to the index
of questions.]
Q: What are
the requirements for the philosophy minor?
A: Please see the
Philosophy
Minor (Effective Fall 2005).
[Back to the index
of questions.]
Q: What do I
need to do to graduate with Honors in Philosophy?
A: Please see the
Honors
in Philosophy Program.
[Back to the index
of questions.]
Q:
I see that PHIL 350, 355, and 360 are to be 4-unit courses
starting Fall 2005. Why is this?
A: In response to students’ suggestions that we provide
more instruction on philosophical writing and methodology early
on in the major, we’ve added an extra unit (and a corresponding an
extra hour per week of instruction) to these courses so that we can
provide this much-needed instruction on philosophical writing and
methodology in addition to covering the substantive philosophical
content that these courses involve.
[Back to the index
of questions.]
Q:
I see that PHIL 350, 355, and 360 are going to be 4-unit courses
starting Fall 2005. How does this
affect me?
A: It depends.
See the bulleted
item below that fits your situation.
- If you’ve taken none
of PHIL 350, 355, and 360 prior to Fall 2005, then you should
opt for the new
major. In that case,
you will need to fulfill requirements 4 and 5 of the new
major by taking the requisite 4-unit versions of
these courses.
- If you’ve taken only one of PHIL 350,
355, and 360 prior to Fall 2005, then you should opt for the
new
major. In that case,
you will use whichever one of these three that you’ve already
taken as an elective for the new major.
You’ll still need to fulfill requirements 4 and 5 of
the new
major by taking the requisite 4-unit courses. For instance, if you’ve taken 350 or 355 prior
to Fall 2005, you’ll need to take the other of the two to fulfill
requirement 5 above. And, if you’ve
instead taken 360 prior to Fall 2005, you’ll need to take the
new 4-unit course, PHIL 345MAJ, to satisfy requirement 4 of the new
major.
- If you’ve taken exactly two of PHIL 350,
355, and 360 prior to Fall 2005, then you should opt for either
the standard
major or the optional
major This means that you’ll have to take
one extra unit to complete the requirements for the philosophy
major, but this extra unit will serve you well in preparing for
PHIL 497, the Senior Research Seminar.
- If you’ve taken all of PHIL 350, 355,
and 360 prior to Fall 2005, then you should opt for either the
standard
major or the optional
major and you won’t have to take any 4-unit courses, although you might
want to take PHIL 346 as an elective (a new 4-unit course) if you feel
that you could use some instruction in philosophical writing and methodology.
[Back to the index of questions.]
Questions about Graduation:
Q: When and how do
I apply for graduation?
A: You should apply
for graduation one year in advance of the semester in which you
wish to graduate.
See the current
Schedule of Classes
for the deadline.
You'll need to submit
the
Bachelor's
Degree and Diploma Application form, a departmental evaluation
from your major department, a $47 processing fee to the Office
or Admissions & Records.
[Back to the index of questions.]
Q: How do I change
my graduation date?
A:
All requirements
must be completed by the
end of the term in which you have indicated you plan to graduate.
If there is
any requirement that has not been completed
by the end of that term, you must change your date of graduation.
There are no published deadlines for changing
the graduation date.
- If you do not graduate at the end of
the semester in which you indicated you were going to graduate,
your file will become inactive. Your file will not be re-activated
until you change your date of graduation (even if you finish the
requirements later).
- If you find during your last term that
all requirements will not be completed, you will need to change
your graduation date to receive your Registration packet for
the next term.
- If you wish to take more courses after
you graduate, you will have to re-apply to the University as
a Post Baccalaureate Student or, change your date and postpone
your graduation.
The Date Change forms are available on the
Graduation Date Change Page or in Admissions and Records.
An $8.00 processing fee is required to change the date.
[Back to the index of questions.]
Questions about Academic Policies and Requirements:
Q: Can I repeat
a course in order to improve my GPA?
A: Yes, but please
note the following: a maximum of 15 semester units of CSUN course
work in which a student earned a “C-” or lower grade may be repeated
for the purpose of excluding grades from the computation of a students
GPA. The subsequent enrollment must be on the same basis of
grading as the first. The higher of the two grades is counted in the
GPA. The lower grade is forgiven from the GPA computation, but
both grades appear on the transcript.
Only
one repeat per course is permitted for the purpose of improving the
grade. Grades assigned as part of a disciplinary action may not be “forgiven.”
Registration in repeated courses is restricted to the
extended and late registration periods and is prohibited during the
priority registration period. On the third enrollment in a course,
permission of the Associate Dean is necessary. CSUN courses cannot
be repeated at other institutions.
[Back to the index of
questions.]
Q: Can I take any
course on a C/NC basis?
A:
During the first three weeks of the semester, undergraduate
students who are not on probation may elect, without securing
the instructor’s approval, the Credit/No-Credit (CR/NC) basis
of grading option for one or more courses each term, up to a maximum
of 18 units applicable to the bachelor’s degree.
But please note that courses taken on a CR/NC basis
cannot
be applied toward GE requirements, Title V requirements, or major
requirements.
[Back to the index of
questions.]
Q: What’s
considered an upper division course?
A:
The courses that are numbered 300-599 are considered upper
division.
[Back to the index of questions.]
Q: Why am I
on academic probation and how does this affect me?
A:
If, at anytime, an undergraduate student’s
cumulative grade point average (GPA) in either all college
work attempted or all college work attempted at CSUN falls below
a 2.0, the student will be placed on academic probation. The
student should immediately schedule an appointment with their academic
advisor to discuss the matter.
Advisement
prior to registration is mandatory for all students on academic
probation, and a registration hold is placed in SOLAR so that students
on probation cannot register until that hold is removed by their
academic advisors.
Students on academic probation
are limited to 13 units per semester.
Also
an undergraduate student on academic probation is subject to academic
disqualification when:
- As a freshman (fewer than 30 units completed)
the student falls below a grade point average of 1.50 in all
units attempted or in all units attempted at the campus where
enrolled.
- As a sophomore (between 30 and 59 units
completed) the student falls below a grade point average of 1.70
in all units attempted or in all units attempted at the campus
where enrolled.
- As a junior (between 60 and 89 units
completed) the student falls below a grade point average of
1.85 in all units attempted or in all units attempted at the
campus where enrolled.
- As a senior (90 or more units completed)
the student falls below a grade point average of 1.95 in all
units attempted or in all units attempted at the campus where enrolled.
An undergraduate student shall be removed from
academic probation when both their cumulative GPA and their
CSUN GPA are at or above a 2.0.
[Back to
the index of questions.]
Q: How do
I project what my GPA will be after this semester?
A:
You can project your GPA by adding your current units to the
total of units attempted and dividing this by the total number
of Grade Points Earned (include the grade points for the current
semester). This will give you a projected GPA.
Example:
Student has a current GPA of 1.95 and has a total of 43 units
attempted and 84 grade points earned. Student is currently
taking 12 units. Add the 12 units to the 43 units attempted
for a total of 55 units attempted. Then project what grades
you will get in each class. Let’s say that this student is taking
four 3-unit courses and will receive an A (12), a B- (8.1), a C+ (6.9),
and a D (3). The total grade points will be 30; add this to the
current 84 grade for a total of 114. You then divide 114/55 = 2.07
GPA.
[Back to the index of questions.]
Q: How do I
figure out how many grade points I need to earn this semester in order to
raise my GPA to a certain level?
A: You can do so using the following formula:
[(total units attempted, including units being
attempted this semester) x (GPA needed)] – (grade points earned so far) =
GP needed this semester
Example:
Student has a current GPA of 1.95 and has a total of
43 units attempted and 84 grade points earned. Student
is currently taking 12 units. Student needs to raise her
GPA to a 2.0 by the end of this semester. Plugging
the numbers into the formula above, we obtain:
[55 x 2.0] – 84 = 26 GP needed this semester. So let’s say the student is taking four 3-unit
courses this semester. If this student
receives a B- (8.1), a C+ (6.9), a C (6), and a C- (5.1), this student
will have just enough grade points (that is, 26.1 grade points) to
raise her GPA above a 2.0.
[Back to
the index of questions.]
Q: How do I seek
readmission after disqualification?
A: Students
disqualified from CSUN should seek advisement with the College
of their intended major at readmission. For those intending to
pursue a philosophy major upon readmission, advisement is available
by calling
College
of Humanities’
Student
Services Center
at 818-677-4784.
Previously disqualified
undergraduate and second bachelor students must submit
Disqualification
Readmission Undergrad Packet
along with transcripts of any courses completed at another
college or University for review by the Academic Standards Board.
[Back to
the index of questions.]
Q: Is there
any way for me to enroll in courses while on disqualification
status?
A: Yes.
There are three
methods:
- Enroll in summer session courses, which
are available first come, first served. These are Extension
credits
- Enroll in winter inter-sessions courses,
which are available first come, first served. These are
Extension credits.
- Enroll in Fall and Spring courses through
the Open University. These are Extension credits.
Read about the Open University through the www.csun.edu/portal website;
click on Extension Catalog. You may also call the College
of Extended Learning,
818-677-2644, for more information.
Important Information:
- The three outlined methods of enrollment
at CSUN will result in grades being posted on your CSUN transcript
and will affect your CSUN grade point average.
- Courses taken at colleges other than
CSUN will only affect your cumulative (total) grade point average.
- Per the University Catalog, the maximum
amount of credit through correspondence courses and/or extension
courses which may be allowed toward the bachelor's degree is 24
units. Extension course credit does not apply toward the
residence requirement at California
State University,
Northridge. Extension courses numbered 800 do not carry
any credit towards CSUN graduation or credential requirements.
- Please note University requirements for
readmission.
- Students will follow the catalog year
for the major requirements in effect at the time of readmission.
- If
a student receives a third disqualification he/she may no
longer matriculate at CSUN. After a third disqualification,
no courses taken through the College
of Extended Learning
may be used to meet degree requirements or offset grade point
deficiencies.
[Back to
the index of questions.]
Q: Can a
course be used to satisfy both a GE requirement and a requirement
for the philosophy major?
A: Except for section A, courses with the
same department prefix as the student’s major (i.e., PHIL) will not
apply toward fulfilling GE requirements.
Thus,
PHIL 230 can apply both for the philosophy major and for GE section
A.2, but PHIL 330, for instance, cannot be applied toward GE section
C.3.
However, a course being applied toward
the philosophy major can also be applied toward GE so long as it is
not in the same department as the major.
Thus,
certain courses, such as POLS 350, can apply both for the philosophy
major and for GE section C.3.
See the
flyer “
Choosing
Electives by Topical Interests” for other courses that
can double count in this way.
[Back to
the index of questions.]
Q: I used
a PHIL course to satisfy a GE requirement and have subsequently
changed my major to philosophy.
Can
I petition for an appeal of the regulation that disallows using courses
in one’s major to satisfy a GE requirement?
A: Yes.
Fill out a
Petition -
Undergraduate.
[Back to
the index of questions.]
Q: How do I transfer undergraduate courses from another college or
university?
A: There are
several stages in the consideration of undergraduate transfer
courses. Do NOT delay transfer course evaluations!
You might delay your graduation!
- First, an official transcript documenting
the course(s) must be submitted to the Office of Admissions and
Records.
- Second, the Office of Admissions and
Records determines if the courses are acceptable for transfer
credit units to Cal State Northridge. Your DARS report
will identify the courses that the University has accepted for
transfer credit, as well as those that it has not accepted.
- Third, the Office of Admissions and Records
determines if courses are acceptable for meeting General Education
and Title 5 requirements. Your DARS report will identify
courses that have been applied toward each General Education and
Title 5 requirement.
- Fourth, the College determines if courses
are acceptable for meeting requirements in your major.
[Back to
the index of questions.]
Q: Is there
a limit to how many units I can take?
A:
Undergraduate Students in Good Academic Standing may enroll
in no more than 19 units during the Priority Registration period.
During the Expanded Registration period, students wishing to exceed
19 units must complete an
Extra
Unit Authorization Form and submit it to the Department
Chair of their major beginning the second week of classes to
secure departmental approval of the overload.
Undergraduate students on Academic Probation who wish to
enroll in more than 13 units must have an
Extra
Unit Authorization Form signed and approved by the student’s
advisor and the Office of Undergraduate Studies.
[Back to
the index of questions.]
Q: How do I determine my major catalog year?
A: Your major catalog year is based upon the
semester of admission to the major. A student may request
a change of catalog year for the major by submitting a
Major or Minor
Change or Declaration form, changing the catalog year, to the
Office of Admissions and Records.
[Back to
the index of questions.]
Q: What is a DPR and where do I get one?
A:
The
DPR (Degree Progress Report) report lists
your graduation requirements. Your requirements for graduation
are also listed in the catalog of the year you entered the university
and will not change if you maintain continuous enrollment. You
can obtain an unofficial copy of your DPR by following the instructions
here. If
you have a question about your DPR, you can fill out a request for
review online by clicking
here.
[Back
to the index of questions.]
Q: What is the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam
and when do I take it?
A: Please see the UDWPE home page.
[Back to the index of questions.]
Questions about Advisement:
Q: What support
services does the
College of Humanities
Student Services Center/EOP provide?
A: Academic Advisement
(General Education and Major), First-time Freshman Orientation
and On-site Registration, First-time Transfer Orientation and Advisement,
Free Tutorials (subjects may vary), Department and University Referrals,
Career Planning, Graduate School Information, Faculty Mentor Program
Activities, Financial Aid Information, Specialized Services for
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Students, and Miscellaneous
Student Support Services.
[Back to the index of questions.]
Q: Is academic advisement mandatory for philosophy majors?
A: Academic
advisement prior to fall registration is mandatory for all
philosophy majors. You will not be
able to register for fall classes until you’ve come in for advisement
and the department’s academic advisor has cleared your registration
hold. Academic advisement is also mandatory
for students on academic probation.
[Back
to the index of questions.]
Questions about Registration and Schedule
Adjustment:
Q:
How do I register for classes?
A: Please see “Registration.”
[Back to the index of
questions.]
Q:
Can I add a course, drop a course, or change the basis
of grading after the week?
A:
Enrollments recorded by the
end of the third week of instruction are considered official
and unalterable. Unless unforeseeable events occur which in the
University's judgment justify an adjustment, students are expected
to complete all courses in their academic programs. Students should
note that a deficient academic performance is not a sufficient reason
for dropping a class or changing the basis of grading. See “Adjusting Your
Schedule” for more information.
[Back to the index of
questions.]
Q: How do I check whether there are any holds on my registration,
and whom do I see to get the registration holds cleared?
A: Check if there
are any holds on your registration before your priority registration
appointment date and time! Using Internet Explorer version 5.0
or higher, log into the Campus Web Portal at
www.csun.edu/portal.
Select
SOLAR for
Students & Faculty >SOLAR Services for Students >View
Academic Related Information >View Holds.
- Philosophy majors with advisement holds must contact
the department’s academic advisor.
- Students with financial holds must
immediately pay in full their account balance to be eligible
to register on their appointment date.
- Measles and Hepatitis
B Immunization Requirements: The CSU requires that
all students born after January 1, 1957 show proof of vaccination
for Measles (Rubeola) and Rubella (German Measles) AND that all
students under age 19 at the time of 1st enrollment show proof of vaccination
or immunity to Hepatitis B.
Students MUST do the following:
- Bring written proof of immunization or
immunity from a doctor, clinic, or high school transcript to
the Klotz
Student Health
Center for verification.
- Schedule an appointment at the Klotz
SHC or with their physician/clinic to receive the vaccine(s)
or a blood test to prove immunity.
IMPORTANT
NOTE: Students who have not satisfied the
Measles/Rubella requirement by the end of their first semester
or the Hepatitis B requirement by the end of their second semester
will be unable to register for classes until the immunization requirement
is met.
[Back to the index of questions.]