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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.]