This is an archive of the 2018-2019 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, Please visit catalog.csun.edu.

Contact

Administration

Joyce Feucht-Haviar, Dean

John Binkley, Associate Dean

Linda A. Moody, Assistant Dean of Program Development

Karen Pak, Executive Director, Business Operations and Finance

Jonathan Clayden, Director, Graduate and Professional Education Programs and Services

Vacant, Director, Distance Learning

Lauren Jarvis, Director, Admissions, Registration and Client Services

Pankaj Bedekar, Director, Information Systems and Services

Jane Sun, Director of International Programs and Partnerships

Jessie Revlin, Director of Marketing and Communications

Mission

The mission of The Tseng College is to expand the influence of and enhance access to the distinguished scholarship and teachings of CSUN and its faculty. The Tseng College focuses on post-degree professional (graduate) education, international programs and partnerships, and mid-career education for professionals and their employers. The college enrolls more than 25,000 students per year in a rich array of degree, certificate and other programs. The Tseng College works with University faculty and distinguished professionals to design, deliver and support degree and nondegree programs with special features that make them accessible and appropriate for adult students—whether local, regional, out of state or overseas—who are place-bound, time-constrained and/or at a mid to senior level in their careers.

Admission Requirements

The requirements for admission to University degree programs offered through The Tseng College are in keeping with the overall general requirements for undergraduate and graduate admissions to the University. Because these programs are designed to serve mid-career professionals, some programs may require professional experience in addition to or in place of standard academic requirements.

Application and Registration in The Tseng College

The Tseng College integrated Admission Applications Web Services (AAWS) streamlines the application and registration process. Each degree, credential, credit certificate and noncredit certificate program uses AAWS, which can be accessed from the program description found on The Tseng College website.

Fees for Self-Support Programs

All Tseng College offerings—credit and noncredit—are fully self-supporting. (They are not underwritten by California State General Fund tax dollars.) This policy allows the University to use its state funds to support on-campus programs and services designed to serve more traditional full- and part-time regional students. Fees for Tseng College offerings vary according to program features and are subject to change. All Tseng College fee changes are reviewed and approved by the University president.

Transcripts and Permanent Academic Records

All grades earned in University courses and programs offered through Tseng College courses (both credit and noncredit programs, degree or nondegree programs) are recorded on the student’s permanent University record, transcripts of which are available to the student by request from the University’s Office of Admissions and Records. For information about receiving a transcript, contact Admissions and Records at (818) 677-3700.

Transfer of Academic Credit to Another College or University

Credit earned through self- and state-supported CSUN courses is transferable to other colleges and universities. Students should consult the policies of the receiving institution before planning their program of study. The transfer of credits earned at other California State Universities is done in keeping with California State University Executive Order 167.

State Authorization

CSU Student Internal Complaint Process and Contact Information

Pursuant to the United States Department of Education’s Program Integrity Rule, each institution of higher education is required to provide all prospective and current students with the contact information for the state agency or agencies that handle complaints against postsecondary education institutions offering distance learning within that state. Students are encouraged to utilize California State University’s internal complaint or review policies and procedures prior to filing a complaint with a state agency. See CSU internal complaints process for more information. Should the student wish to file a complaint in his or her home state, please select the state contact from the Consumer Protection State Contacts list to file a complaint directly in his or her state.

Alabama

Alabama State Department of Education

State authorization to provide a program related to the preparation of teachers or other P-12 school/system personnel does not indicate eligibility for an Alabama certificate. Applicants for an Alabama certificate based on reciprocity must meet Alabama’s test requirements and submit a valid, renewable professional educator certificate/license issued by another state at the degree level, grade level, and in the teaching field or area of instructional support for which an Alabama certificate is sought and for which Alabama issues a certificate. Applicants for Alabama certification in an area of administration must also document at least three years of full-time employment as an administrator in a P-12 school system(s).

Alaska

Fully Online Degree Programs

All fully online degree programs offered through the California State University are considered to be exempt from authorization under AS 14.48 and 20 AAC 17 of the Alaska statutes since all are conducted online and do not create a physical presence in the state.

Georgia

Student Complaint/Grievance Procedure

After exhausting the above CSU Student Internal Complaint Process, Georgia residents may also file a complaint with the State of Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission.

State of Georgia Online Student Complaint Form

Indiana

Indiana Resident Disclosure

This institution is authorized by:
The Indiana Board for Proprietary Education
101 W. Ohio St., Suite 670
Indianapolis, IN 46204-1984

Indiana Student Refund Policy

The Indiana Uniform Refund Policy states that an Indiana resident is entitled to a refund based on a calculation of completion of a program. The student’s obligation at the time of cancellation will be calculated as follows:

  1. Within six (6) days following the signing of the contract, no obligation and all monies paid, if any, to be fully refunded.
  2. After six (6) days, but before beginning of training, a registration fee of 20% of the total tuition not to exceed $100.00.
  3. After beginning of training, the registration fee, plus 10% of the total tuition until student completes 10% of the assignments.
  4. After completing 10% of the assignments, but prior to completing 25% of the assignments, the registration fee plus 25% of the total tuition.
  5. After completing 25% of the assignments but prior to completing 50% of the assignments, the registration fee plus 50% of the total tuition.
  6. After completing 50% of the assignments, but prior to completing 75% of the assignments, the registration fee plus 75% of total tuition.
  7. After completing 75% of the assignments, the student is responsible for total tuition.

Iowa

Iowa Resident Disclosure

California State University, Northridge, is registered to offer distance education programs to Iowans by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission:
Phone: (877) 272-4456
Iowa Online Student Complaint Form

Iowa Student Refund Policy

An Iowa resident is entitled to withdraw from their entire registration and receive a full refund of tuition only if the student is a member, or the spouse of a member if the member has a dependent child, of the Iowa national guard or reserve forces of the United States and is ordered to state military service or federal service or duty.

Maryland

Maryland Resident Disclosure

Per Education Article, § 11-202.2(c)5, Annotated Code of Maryland, out-of-state online colleges are required to post information on their websites. The college is required to inform the public that the college is registered in Maryland; and the process by which to make complaints against the institution.

Student Complaint/Grievance Procedure

This institution is subject to investigation of complaints by the Office of the Attorney General or the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Complaints should be directed to:

Maryland Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
200 St. Paul St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 528-8662
(888) 743-0823 (toll-free)

Maryland Student Refund Policy

The Annotated Code of Maryland (Annotated Code, Education Article 11-202.2.(d)(1) and (2) allows for a refund to any Maryland resident who has completed 60% or less of a course, term or programs within the applicable billing period.

The minimum refund for a Maryland student who withdraws or is terminated after completing only a portion of a course, term or program within the applicable billing period is as follows:

Proportion of Total Course, Program, or Term Completed
as of Date of Withdrawal or Termination
Tuition Refund
Less than 10% 90% refund
10% up to but not including 20% 80% refund
20% up to but not including 30% 60% refund
30% up to but not including 40% 40% refund
40% up to and including 60% 20% refund
More than 60% No refund

Maryland students:

The institution is subject to investigation of complaints by the Office of the Attorney General or the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Complaints should be directed to:

Maryland Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
200 St. Paul St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 528-8662
(888) 743-0823 (toll-free)

Minnesota

CSUN is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions.
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Dr., Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55108
(651) 642-0533

Oregon

Oregon Student Refund Policy

According to the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR 583-030-0035(18)(c)), after classes begin for a term, an Oregon student who withdraws from a course is eligible for a partial refund through the middle week of the term. Refunds shall be based on unused instructional time and shall be prorated on a weekly basis for schools using a semester calendar.

Texas

CSUN is not regulated in Texas under Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code.

Texas Resident Disclosures

As detailed in Texas Occupations Code, Title 2, Chapter 53, individuals who have been convicted of an offense may be ineligible for issuance of an occupational license upon completion of the educational program. Each licensing authority must provide reasons a particular crime is considered to relate to a particular license. Individuals have the right to request a licensing authority to issue a criminal history evaluation letter regarding the person’s eligibility for a license issued by that authority. Refer to the above link to the specific state statute for further information.

Texas Student Complaint Policy

Additionally, Texas students can access the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Student Complaints page to find an overview of the complaint process, contact information, complaint forms and a description of the complaint procedure.

Please note: Texas will not review any complaints until a student has exhausted the above CSU Student Internal Complaint Process.

Applying Credit Earned as a Nonmatriculated Student to CSUN Degree Programs

A nonmatriculated student (a student who has not been admitted to a state- or self-supported CSUN degree program) may take as many credit courses as desired through the various programs open to nonmatriculated students (e.g., Open University, Winter Term). However, once a nonmatriculated student is accepted into any state- or self-supported CSUN degree or credential program, he or she becomes a matriculated student and the number or credits earned as a nonmatriculated student that may be applied to the CSUN programs are limited, as follows. The maximum number of credit units earned as a nonmatriculated student that may be applied to an undergraduate degree program is 24 (including Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer courses). The maximum number of credit units earned as a nonmatriculated student that may be applied to a credential or graduate degree program is 9. Note: Determination of which courses, if any, of those taken before matriculation are applicable to the degree program up to the maximums stated above rests with the department responsible for the program. Some degree programs with highly integrated cohort curricula may not accept any credits from courses taken prior to admission because the program stands as an educational whole. 

Degree, Credential and Credit Certificate Programs for Mid-Career Professionals

Through The Tseng College, CSUN offers bachelor’s degree-completion, master’s degree, credential and credit-certificate programs for the mid-career professional. The Tseng College also works with employers to bring University degree and credit certificate programs to their organizational sites and/or to custom design program components to make them highly effective for staff education.

The Distinctions of University Degree Programs Offered Through The Tseng College

University degree programs offered through The Tseng College are traditional University degree programs in terms of academic rigor, oversight, accreditation, student records and instructional excellence. They differ from other CSUN degree programs primarily in that their curricula, formats and delivery modes have been designed and developed—in collaboration with University faculty—to ensure that mid-career students achieve the specified educational objectives and graduate prepared to put their new knowledge and skills to work in the desired professional context. University degree programs offered through The Tseng College are designed to be convenient and easily accessible to mid-career professionals. Courses are scheduled for evenings and weekends, and they are taught at various regional locations, including corporate and public agency sites. Some programs are offered fully online, making them accessible without travel or meeting-time limitations. The Tseng College provides exceptional support services for participants in its programs to ensure that mid-career professionals are able to complete their degrees quickly and successfully. In each program, a dedicated coordinator or manager serves as a single point of contact, resolving program-related issues promptly and helping participants to access the full range of University services.

Most University degree programs offered through The Tseng College are structured in the cohort format, in which participants enter the program as a group and proceed through the course of instruction together. This format facilitates learning because each course builds on those that proceeded. It also provides participants with a strong support network of faculty and fellow students who come to know one another well. As a result of appropriate instructional strategies, clearly defined and assessed learning outcomes, and superior student support services, University degree programs offered through The Tseng College programs are highly effective for mid-career professionals, with on-time graduate rates for cohorts in master’s degrees from 80 percent to more than 95 percent.

Bachelor’s Degree-Completion Programs

This program is designed for those who have completed at least two years of college and who wish to earn the bachelor’s degree often required for career advancement or expanded career alternatives. This program also serves mid-career professionals who already have a college degree but wish to earn a second degree in another field.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

These programs are designed to serve degree-seeking students by enabling them to add another area of focus to their degree study. Many post-degree professionals also use these programs for advanced study opportunities in areas of importance to their careers.

Distance Learning Programs

The Tseng College designs distance learning (DL) programs for working professionals who desire to earn degrees or certificates for career advancement without the geographic or logistical constraints of attending an on-campus program.

Noncredit Programs for Career Change and Advancement

The Tseng College also offers a limited number of professional development certificate programs, series of courses and training programs. Most of these certificate program courses earn continuing education units (CEUs) to satisfy the requirement for a CSUN Certificate in Advanced Professional Development in an area of career specialization. Training programs of fewer than 100 hours earn a CSUN Certificate of Participation. Tseng College professional development offerings are available to employers on a custom-designed, contract basis.

International Programs and Partnerships

Working with schools and colleges around the globe, The Tseng College can take existing programs to international sites or custom design new programs for an international organization. In addition, The Tseng College has forged a variety of internationally designed, collaborative partnerships to help start new colleges, improve schools or tackle larger global problems. For bigger projects, The Tseng College can assemble and manage a project team that draws on the resources and expertise of many sister colleges and universities to form a broad collaboration, thus creating a valuable resource for international projects. The Tseng College also works with nations, industry groups, trade associations or national trade councils to bring together U.S. and international businesses for an intensive program that explores trade options, regulatory issues, collaborative ventures, market need or other topics of concern. Such programs are designed and formatted to foster conversation among potential international partners and to help collaborative ventures get started as one firm meets and learns to work with another across international lines.

Intensive English and University Pathway Programs

Through The Tseng College, CSUN’s Intensive English and University Pathway Programs (IEUP) offers international students year-round English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction. Classes covering all levels of English-language skills, including speaking, writing, research and presentation, are provided. Customized short-term programs are available upon request. Preparation classes in Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and free tutoring are available to students in the programs. Conditional admission to CSUN is offered to IEUP students upon successful completion of higher-level classes. Advanced-level IEUP students may take University classes as part of their course of study. The Tseng College’s Semester at CSUN program allows qualified international students to take University courses via Open University without having to be formally admitted to the University. Students in the Semester at CSUN program are permitted to take classes on a space-available basis with instructor approval and are subject to the same academic standards, rules and regulations that apply to regular University students. Send email to iep@csun.edu for more information.

Other Programs and Services Offered Through The Tseng College

Winter Term/Intersession Program

The Tseng College manages the Winter Term/Intersession program. This program is open to both matriculated and nonmatriculated students. (A matriculated student is one who has been admitted to a state- or self-supported degree program at CSUN. A nonmatriculated student is one who has not been admitted to a degree program at CSUN.) Winter Term/Intersession offers participants a rich educational experience through a broad range of intensive study opportunities in University-credit courses. Winter Term/Intersession is open to all who successfully completed high school or earned a General Educational Development credential. Students need not be regularly enrolled at CSUN to take academic-credit classes during the Winter Term/Intersession, as long as course prerequisites are met.

Open University Program

This program is open to only nonmatriculated students. (A nonmatriculated student is one who has not been admitted to a degree program at CSUN). Members of the community are invited to enroll in CSUN undergraduate- and graduate-level University-credit courses without formal application or admission to the University through the Open University program administered by The Tseng College. Open University is offered in the Fall and Spring semesters. Those enrolled in the Open University program attend the regular day or evening credit courses, participate side by side with degree-seeking students, and enjoy the same intellectual challenges and rewards. Credits earned through Open University become part of a permanent academic record that may be applied to degree work and transferred to other universities. Open University allows nonmatriculated students at CSUN who meet the course prerequisites to enroll in state-supported University offerings on a space-available basis, with instructor approval.

Summer Session Program

Each year, CSUN offers a Summer Session. If Summer Session is offered through state support, nonmatriculated visiting Summer students may register for classes through The Tseng College. If Summer Session is offered through self-support, The Tseng College will manage the session. Please see The Tseng College website for information.