Enrollment Requirements

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all class meetings. Students absent from the first two meetings of a course that meets more than once a week or who miss the first meeting of a class that meets only once a week lose the right to remain on the class roll and must FORMALLY WITHDRAW from the class by following current university procedures and deadlines; otherwise, the instructor will assign a grade of WU (Unauthorized Withdrawal), which counts as a grade of F in computing GPAs.

In a compressed term or session of fewer than 15 weeks, the rule applies if the first class meeting is missed. An instructor may allow a student to continue in the class if the student notified the instructor that the absence would be temporary. If no instructor was assigned to the course in advance, students must notify the department chair that their absence from the class will be temporary.

1. Nonattendance does not constitute a withdrawal, nor does stopping payment on a check for registration fees constitute a request for refund.
2. It is the student’s responsibility to add or drop classes—not the instructor’s.

Failure to follow formal withdrawal procedures may result in the assignment of failing grades in all courses and the need to apply for readmission before being permitted to enroll in another academic term. For withdrawal procedures, see Change in Academic Schedule after Start of Classes, or visit the Office of Admissions and Records, Bayramian Hall main lobby.

Administrative Action on Prerequisites—Administrative Withdrawals

While it is the student’s responsibility to drop classes, the University may withdraw that student from a course, within the first three weeks of classes, if the student fails to meet the prerequisite or other requirements as indicated by the current university catalog. These prerequisites may include:

1. Completion of prior coursework

2. Passing of qualifying examinations

3. Class year standing

4. Admission to, or special requirements of, special programs such as Honors or Credential

5. Completion of prior coursework with a required minimum credit

6. Consent of instructor

Such an administrative withdrawal may be initiated only by the Associate Dean of the College, upon the instructor or chair’s recommendation.

Class Enrollment Confirmation

Students may confirm and print their class enrollment each term by logging into the myNorthridge Portal >Student Center (SOLAR) >Academics (heading) >View My Class Schedule.

Full-Time Enrollment

Full-time enrollment for undergraduate students is considered to be 15 units (12 units for financial aid and certain external legal requirements). Graduate students who need to be considered full time must be enrolled in a minimum of 8 units. Half-time enrollment is a minimum of 6 units for undergraduate students and 4 units for graduate students working toward a master’s degree. Post baccalaureate students working on a teaching credential or 2nd bachelor’s degree and who have federal loans must be enrolled in at least 6.1 units to be eligible for in-school deferments.

Students are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of their own academic programs. Immediately bring any enrollment discrepancies in person to the Office of Admissions and Records for correction. Failure to correct an academic program discrepancy or to drop a class officially may result in a grade of WU (Unauthorized Withdrawal) in courses never attended.

Enrollment Verification

Students will receive credit only for courses in which they are officially enrolled. Undergraduate students who need to be considered full time must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units. Graduate students who need to be considered full time must be enrolled in a minimum of 8 units. To print an Enrollment Verification, log into myNorthridge >Student Center (SOLAR) >Other Academic (drop down menu) >Enrollment Verification.

For an official enrollment verification document, contact the Office of Admissions and Records. Employers and other agencies should contact the National Student Clearinghouse.

Leave of Absence - Undergraduate Students

Eligible undergraduate students who fail to enroll or who withdraw during the first twenty (20) class days of a semester are automatically considered to be on a Leave of Absence for that semester, and if applicable, for the following semester. They will receive registration information for three semesters of non-attendance, provided they:

• were matriculated students in the semester immediately prior to the beginning of their leave of absence;
• were not academically disqualified, or have special enrollment conditions at the close of the semester; or
• did not receive an undergraduate degree at the end of the immediately preceding regular or summer term at CSUN.

Students who are placed on leave but fail to enroll in the third semester will need to reapply for admission. Although automatic Leave of Absence is granted to students who meet the criteria, J or F Visa students must have approval of the International Student Advisor and apply for a Leave of Absence. New students withdrawing from the University on or before the twentieth day of instruction, who wish to return, must file an application for admission.

Leave of Absence - Graduate Students

Unless disqualified, a continuing graduate student who does not enroll for the current semester (or withdraws during the first twenty (20) class days of the current semester), will automatically receive registration materials for the next three semesters. If the student does not register for the third semester, a new application to the University, with appropriate fees, is required. Students who miss two or more semesters must meet all University and department requirements in existence when they reapply and can expect to have their academic program reviewed and modified if necessary.

Missed Classes

When representing the University in official curriculum-related, university-approved activities requires a student to miss classes, faculty are expected to provide, within reason, opportunity to make up any work or exams that are missed.

To be eligible for such accommodation, the student is obligated to provide the instructor of the class with written documentation signed by the faculty, staff member or administrator supervising the activity, giving specific information concerning the activity, its location, and the dates and times when class attendance is not possible.

This documentation must be submitted to the instructor during the first week of the semester or as soon as the information becomes known. Instructors may set limits on the number of classes that may be missed for which special accommodation to make up missed work will be allowed. The process for making up missed class work is the prerogative of the instructor and shall be communicated to the affected students during the first week of classes or as soon as the need for accommodation becomes known. For the purposes of this policy, if a question arises as to which events meet the definition of “official, curriculum-related, university-approved activities” the determination shall be made by the Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Studies.

Absence from class for official curriculum-related, university-approved activities does not relieve students from responsibility for any part of the course work required during the period of absence. University sponsors of these activities have an obligation to respect the importance of regular class attendance for successful academic performance and to minimize the number of such absences.

Instructional faculty have an obligation to respect the importance of such student participation, and to assist student participants in meeting their academic obligations