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

Policies and Procedures by Category: Enrollment Regulations

Academic Internship Policy (Undergraduate)

Internships that allow students to earn academic credit must meet credit-hour and faculty-workload standards—see the Course Classification Guide (.pdf)—related to required hours and additional pedagogical and risk-management standards required by the California State University system and CSUN. Each college is responsible for maintaining data that will assure compliance with current academic standards, risk-management and audit policies. …

Academic Leave (Leave of Absence) for Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students in good standing may take a leave of absence. Though no formal approval is required, it is suggested that students seek academic advisement. To encourage continuing students with satisfactory scholastic performance to return to CSUN following an absence, the University will automatically place qualified resident and nonresident students on a leave of absence if they: …

Catalog Requirements (Catalog Rights)

An undergraduate student remaining in attendance in regular sessions at any California Community College, at any CSU campus or any combination of California Community Colleges and campuses of the CSU system may meet the requirements in effect at the campus from which the student will graduate either (1) at the time the student began such …

Course Types

Academic Internships Many departments and programs offer special undergraduate courses in which students earn academic credit for formally supervised experience outside the traditional university classroom. Students work with faculty and internship hosts to plan, process and evaluate the learning resulting from internship/clinical practica. CSUN recognizes that laws and regulations reserve certain rights for external agencies …

Credit by Challenge Examination Taken at CSUN

Students may challenge courses by taking examinations developed at CSUN. Credit shall be awarded to those who pass them successfully. Currently enrolled undergraduate students not on probation who are especially qualified through experience or private instruction may petition to earn credit by challenge examination in selected courses designated by each department. A challenge examination provides …

Credit Hour

As of July 1, 2011, federal law (Title 34, Code of Federal Regulations, sections 600.2 and 600.4) requires all accredited institutions to comply with the federal definition of the credit hour. For all CSU degree programs and courses bearing academic credit, the “credit hour” is defined as “the amount of work represented in intended learning …

Full-Time Enrollment (Undergraduate and Graduate)

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. Students are responsible for ensuring that their own academic programs are accurate. Students are urged to act …

Intrasystem and Intersystem Enrollment Programs

Fully matriculated students enrolled at any CSU campus have access to courses at other CSU campuses on a space available basis unless those campuses/programs are impacted. This access is offered without students being required to be admitted formally to the host campus and in most cases without paying additional fees. Students should consult their home campus academic …

Online Course Designations

Fully Online Class (OF) An online course offering in which all class sessions and exams are presented in an online environment. If a course meets at a specified time online, the course should list the day of the week and time in the Schedule of Classes. Fully online courses have no on campus meetings. Campus …

Open University at CSUN Through The Tseng College

Open University is a registration status that allows non-matriculated students (i.e., those who have not been admitted to a state- or self-supported CSUN degree program) to enroll in undergraduate and graduate courses on the CSUN campus on a space-available basis with the permission of the instructor. Open University registration is through CSUN’s Tseng College. The …

Recommended Breaks in Classes

Continuous lecture classes that last two or more hours should incorporate a break at a predetermined time based on any number of criteria, such as content of the lecture, length of the class and physical demand placed upon support service personnel for students who are Deaf and students with disabilities. Laboratory classes or classes in …

Registration Unit Limits (Academic Load Regulations)

The University may impose limits on the number of units for which a student can register during each registration period. To learn about these Academic Load Regulations, see Undergraduate Studies–Enrollment Limits. Students wishing to exceed the maximum unit load after the Registration-by-Appointment period must complete and file an Extra Unit Authorization (.pdf) form with Admissions and …

Repeat of Courses (Graduate Policy)

A graduate student may repeat up to 6 units in which a grade of “B-” or below has been earned. In these cases, only the most recent grade will count. Students seeking a second master’s degree will be allowed to repeat up to 6 units in which a grade of “B-” or below has been …

Schedule Adjustments (Undergraduate)

Students are permitted to change their initial enrollment by following the University’s Adjustment of Schedule procedure. Ordinarily, during the first three weeks of a semester a student may add, drop or change the basis of grading online through myNorthridge Portal and the self-service registration system, using permission numbers, or later by filing a Late Change …

Student Photo ID Card

All new CSUN students must purchase a Student Photo ID card. This card is required to obtain campus services from the Oviatt Library, the Student Services Center, the Klotz Student Health Center, the University Student Union and many other campus units. Moreover, it is required to vote in Associated Students elections, to obtain tickets from the …

Student Responsibility for Catalog Information

The Catalog represents the intention of the University at the time of its publication to present certain academic programs and requirements to its students. With the passing of time, modifications may be made—the addition of some offerings and the deletion of others—in which case some opportunities for students may be eliminated or other opportunities may …

Transcripts of CSUN Courses

Official transcripts of courses taken at CSUN are issued only with the written request of the student concerned. Transcripts of work taken at other institutions will not be issued. The University reserves the right to withhold issuing the transcript of any student not in good financial standing with the University. For details, see Order Transcripts on …

Winter Term Registration Options for Matriculated and Nonmatriculated Students

CSUN generally offers a 3- to 4-week Winter term (Intersession) program in January. Courses are taught in intensive formats with many holding daily class meetings. Winter term courses are open to both matriculated students in self- and state-supported degree programs and nonmatriculated students (those not admitted to a CSUN degree program). Winter term registration is …