Knowing the Rules

The university catalog contains most of the information relating to policies and regulations that both students and advisors need to know. This section of the Handbook is intended to supplement the information in the Catalog.

Grade Point Average requirements

In order to graduate from CSUN you will need to earn at least a "C" average. A "C" average on a 4 point scale translates into a 2.0 average. If you do not meet these grade point minimums you will not be able to graduate, even if you have completed all other requirements of the degree.

Does a student receive credit for courses they earn less than a "C" in?

The student will receive credit into the degree for any university level course in which they are awarded units even if the grade is below a "C". Units are awarded in courses where the student has received a passing grade. Grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- indicate passing grades (unless specified by the department); either F or U indicates failure. The grade point average requirement simply means that when all of the student’s grades are averaged together, that average must be at least 2.0 or higher.

How do courses taken credit-no credit affect the grade point average?

They don't. Whether a student receives a grade of "Cr" or a grade of "NC" their grade point average will stay the same. The grade point average is only affected by courses taken for a letter grade.

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Administrative Grading Symbols

The following definitions apply to the grades assigned for various categories of enrollment.

Incomplete (I) : The symbol “I” indicates that a portion of required coursework has not been completed and evaluated in the prescribed time period due to unforeseen, but fully justified reasons, that a substantial portion of the course requirement has been completed with a passing grade, and that there is still a possibility of earning credit.

It is the responsibility of the student to bring pertinent information to the attention of the instructor and to determine from the instructor remaining course requirements that must be satisfied to remove the incomplete. A final grade is assigned when the work agreed upon has been completed and evaluated. Unless an approved “Request for Extension of Time to Remove Incomplete” form has been filed with A&R before the Incomplete lapses, an “I” must normally be made up within one calendar year immediately following the end of the term during which it was assigned. (See appendix for a copy of Request for an Incomplete Form). An incomplete will be counted as equivalent to an “F” for grade point average computation under the following conditions:

If a student fails to complete the assigned work within one calendar year.

If an undergraduate student re-enrolls in the course before making up the work during the calendar year.

Unauthorized Incomplete (U) : For purpose of grade point computation, the “U” grade is equivalent to an “F.” The symbol “U” indicates that an enrolled student did not officially withdraw from the course and failed to complete course requirements. It may also be assigned by the instructor when the assignments or course activities or both were insufficient to evaluate academic performance using A, B, C, D, or F.

Satisfactory Progress (SP) : The symbol “SP” is used in connection with thesis, project, developmental and similar courses where assigned work frequently extends beyond a single academic term. It indicates that work is in progress and has been evaluated and found to be satisfactory to date, but that the assignment of a precise grade must await completion of additional work.

Withdrawal (W) : The symbol “W” indicates that the student was permitted to drop the course after the twentieth day of instruction with the approval of the instructor and appropriate campus officials. It carries no connotation of quality of student performance and is not used in the calculation of grade point average.

Credit (CR) is assigned for work equivalent to A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C for undergraduate courses; and to A, A-, B+, B for post-baccalaureate and graduate courses. CR grades are not included in the calculation of grade point average.

No Credit (NC) is assigned for work equivalent to C-, D+, D, D-, or F for undergraduate courses; and to B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, or F for post-baccalaureate and graduate courses. NC grades are not included in the calculation of grade point average.

General Education Basic Subjects (Section A) Policy

First-Time Freshmen are required to complete all developmental writing and mathematics within the first year of enrollment.

The University’s “Basic Subjects” policy further requires that as soon as any needed developmental courses are completed, students must enroll in the General Education Basic Subjects (Section A) classes in writing, math, critical reasoning, and oral communication. Enrollment must be continuous until Section A is completed.

Credit/No Credit Policy

Undergraduate students, not on probation, may elect the Credit/ No Credit (CR/ NC) option for one or more courses each term, up to a maximum of 18 units applicable to the bachelor’s degree. The CR or NC grade will not be considered in computation of the student’s grade point average.

Courses taken on a CR/ NC basis CANNOT be applied toward the satisfaction of any of the following requirements:

• General Education and Title 5 requirements with courses elected on a CR/ NC basis.
• The major, including elective courses taken in the major department, except those courses offered on a CR/ NC basis only.
• The minor, except those courses offered on a CR/ NC basis only.
• Professional courses leading to a teaching credential, except for student teaching.

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Final Examination Policy

In lecture courses, no final examination may be scheduled by an instructor to the regularly scheduled time.

Any student who finds it impossible to take the final examination on the date scheduled must make arrangements in advance with the instructor either to take the examination at another time prior to the deadline for reporting grades, or request that a grade of “incomplete” be assigned, and must then follow the regulations concerning the removal of the incomplete.

No exceptions will be made to these regulations without the written approval of the instructor, the department chair, and the dean of the college in which the course is offered.

Attendance Policy

A student who is absent from the first two class meetings loses the right to remain on the class roll, UNLESS the instructor is notified that the absence is temporary. The student who has lost the right to remain in the class m ust formally withdraw from the class, following University procedures and deadlines; otherwise the instructor will assign a grade of “U” which counts as a grade of “F” in computing grade point averages.

If no instructor was assigned to the course in advance, the student must notify the chair of the department that his or her absence from the class will be temporary.

The Easy Way… using SOLAR (web-based registration) at https://www.csun.edu/portal to drop courses that you do not want to take during the first two weeks of the semester. (See Schedule of Classes Calendar for this semester’s dates.)

Check your class schedule. Make sure you are officially dropped from any courses you are not attending. Drop your classes before the deadline.

Non-attendance = WU,
and
WU grades =Fail in your GPA

The University may withdraw a 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

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It is the student’s responsibility to access registration or obtain permission number when an adjustment in his/ her program of study necessary, i.e. adding, dropping, or changing classes.

Adding -The last day to add a class is the end of the third week of instruction. Permission Number is required, once the second week of instruction begins.

Dropping- Students are responsiblefor attending all courses in which they are registered. Students are not automatically dropped from classes at CSUN. During the first two weeks of instruction, students may withdraw- without penalty and without the course instructor’s approval- by accessing the Registration System.

Calendar Period I. When the Registration System is available, you must access it to drop classes or review your schedule.

Calendar Period II. Students seeking to withdraw from specific classes at this time will be required to file Change of Schedule Petition Form with instructor approval.

Calendar Period III. Withdrawals normally not be permitted during the final three weeks of instruction to the end of the term except in cases such as accident or serious illness where the cause of withdrawal is clearly beyond the student’s control and assignment of an incomplete grade is not practical. Students in these circumstances who need to withdraw during this period must secure the approvals of the instructor, the course department chair, and the associate dean of the college of their major.

Withdrawing from the Institution - Students who find it necessary to withdraw from CSUN after enrolling for any academic term are required to follow the official withdrawal procedures. 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. Information on withdrawal procedures is available from the Admissions and Records office.

Students who receive financial aid funds must consult with the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from the university regarding any required return or repayment of grant or loan assistance received for that academic term .

Medical Withdrawal- Students seeking medical withdrawal may complete the necessary forms at the Student Health Center. Upon receipt of verifying information from a student’s personal physician, the Director of the Health Center will evaluate the case. If a medical withdrawal is granted, reevaluation by the Health Center may be required prior to readmission. A medical withdrawal usually constitutes complete withdrawal from the university for the academic period in question. In cases where medical evidence and the specific physical demands and environment of the classes overwhelmingly support withdrawal from only a portion of student’s program of study, partial withdrawals will be permitted.

01-099 Courses that carry no credit toward a degree or credential. Generally remedial or subcollegiate-level in content.

100-199 Lower division introductory courses which constitute the beginning of college work in a major or in general education and which require no previous college experience. Open to upper division students.

200-299 Lower division courses of freshman and sophomore level. Open to upper division students. Constitute intermediate step between beginning and advanced work in a given field; general education courses which require previous college experience; courses with specific prerequisites.

300-399 Upper division courses, normally taken by junior and senior students, which do not give credit toward a master’s degree. Sophomore students may enroll in 300 level courses, but freshmen may not without special permission. Advanced courses constructed upon lower division work; upper division prerequisites to specialized work in a major; general education courses for upper division students; core courses in professional education; the highest number for courses primarily concerned with development of skills.

400-499 Upper division courses which may, with approval, give credit toward a master’s degree if taken as a post-graduate. Limited to more advanced courses, normally taken by senior and graduate students, which have content that requires a high degree of intellectual maturity on the part of the student. Should also meet one or more of the following criteria: a) have specific prerequisites at the 100-200 level; b) be supported by substantial body of 100-300-level offerings from which a student could normally be expected to gain adequate background for the 400-level course; c) be restricted in scope, aiming at depth rather than breadth.

500-599 Courses intended primarily for graduate students, which may be taken by advanced undergraduate students for baccalaureate credit. Content requires significant independent thinking on the part of the student and offers opportunity for research. Should also meet one or more of the following criteria: a) have specific prerequisites at the 400 level; b) be supported by substantial body of 300-400-level offerings from which a student could normally be expected to gain adequate background for the 500-level course; c) be especially designed for graduate curriculum.

600-699 Courses limited to graduate students. Intended mainly for masters and credential programs; may be taken as part of a doctoral degree with approval.

700-799 Courses limited to graduate students. Intended mainly for doctoral programs; may be taken as part of a master’s degree with approval.

800-899 Courses specifically designed for professional groups seeking vocational improvement or career advancement. Credit for these courses does not apply to degrees or credentials at this university.

Undergraduate Class Levels

Undergraduate students are classified according to the number of units completed, calculated as follows:

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Maximum Unit Load per Semester

Undergraduate students may enroll in a maximum of 15 units during the TTR appointment period and no more than 19 units thereafter. Students wishing to exceed 19 units must take an Extra Unit Card (available in Admissions and Records) to the chair of the department of their major during the Change of Program period, and obtain approval of the overload. Undeclared majors should secure approval from the Advising Resource Center/ EOP. If the department approves, the student may then add the additional units by returning the signed Extra Unit Card and following the usual add procedure.

Final Examination Policy

In lecture courses, no final examination may be scheduled by an instructor to the regularly scheduled time. Any student who finds it impossible to take the final examination on the date scheduled must make arrangements in advance with the instructor either to take the examination at another time prior to the deadline for reporting grades, or request that a grade of “incomplete” be assigned, and must then follow the regulations concerning the removal of the incomplete. No exceptions will be made to these regulations without the written approval of the instructor, the department chair, and the dean of the college in which the course is offered.

Scholastic Status

Any student who is eligible to enroll in the university is considered to be in good standing. This means that undergraduate students who have maintained satisfactory scholarship with at least a 2.0 CSUN and cumulative Grade Point Average, as well as those who are on probation, are in good standing.

Dean’s List

Students who carry a minimum of twelve graded semester units (CR/ NC courses do not apply), and who achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or better, are awarded Dean’s List standing for the semester.