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 Keyword: Graduate

Academic Leave (Leave of Absence) for Graduate Students

Graduate students in good standing may take a two-semester leave of absence. Though no formal approval is required, it is suggested that students seek academic advisement. Graduate students in degree programs should contact their departments before the end of the second semester of leave of absence. Students who do not enroll by the third semester …

Credit for Work Completed Prior to Earning the Baccalaureate Degree

A maximum of 9 units of credit earned at the 500-level during a student’s final undergraduate semester at CSUN may be applied toward a master’s degree, subject to departmental approval. Requests for such credit are filed following admission to a CSUN master’s program on a Graduate Petition form. Courses are subject to the following University …

GPA Requirements for Graduate Programs Policy

Students pursuing a graduate degree must maintain a minimum 3.0 (“B”) GPA in the formal program and in the cumulative grade point average once admitted to the program. No grade below a “C” can be counted in the formal program. Any grade of “C-” or below in the formal program must be repeated after an …

Graduate Credit for Extension and Concurrent Enrollment Courses

Courses taken prior to admission to a master’s degree program through CSUN’s Extension or Concurrent Enrollment programs are subject to the limitations that apply to graduate work taken at other institutions (see Transfer Work policy). Courses taken through Extension or Concurrent Enrollment following admission to a master’s degree program are subject to departmental approval for …

Graduate Foreign Language Reading Examination Policy

When competency in a foreign language is a departmental requirement, students may demonstrate competency in one of three ways: Passing the Graduate Foreign Language Examination (Princeton Examination), Passing a departmental examination. The examination is given by the Department of Foreign Languages in the fifth week of each semester. Candidates who plan to take this examination should notify the …

Graduation with Distinction (Graduate Policy)

A student may receive the master’s degree with distinction by maintaining a 3.885 or higher GPA on all formal master’s degree program coursework. The notation “With Distinction’’ is posted with the degree on the transcript, and also will appear on the diploma.

Probation and Disqualification (Graduate Program Policy)

Academic Probation Students enrolled in a graduate program (certificate, master’s, or doctoral) will be placed on academic probation at the end of the semester when their cumulative GPA falls below 3.0. To be removed from probation, students must earn sufficient grade points in the following semester of enrollment to raise their cumulative GPA to 3.0 or above. Failure …

Probation and Disqualification (Post-Baccalaureate Credential Program Policy)

Academic Probation Students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate credential program will be placed on academic probation at the end of the semester when their cumulative GPA falls below 2.75. To be removed from probation, students must earn sufficient grade points in the following semester of enrollment to raise their cumulative GPA to 2.75 or above. Failure to do so …

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 …

Syllabus Policy

To better inform students about the requirements, content, and methodology of the university’s curricula, all faculty teaching classes will distribute a written syllabus to each student in the class and/or post it online no later than the first class meeting. The written syllabus must be readily printable as a single document, and must contain the …

Transfer Work for Graduate Programs

Credit for work performed in extension or at another regionally accredited institution is subject to the following limitations: Transfer of work is subject to the approval of the graduate coordinator of the major department and the Associate Vice President of Graduate Studies. An unofficial transcript must be submitted with either the formal program or course …

Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam (UDWPE) Substitution for Graduate Students

All CSUN graduate students earning a degree are required by the CSU to satisfy the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) prior to full classification. Graduate students who completed an undergraduate degree at any CSU since 1982 have automatically met this requirement because they were required to demonstrate writing proficiency in order to graduate. All other …

Withdrawals (Graduate Policy)

Cancellation of Registration or Withdrawal from the Institution Students who find it necessary to cancel their registration or to withdraw from all classes after enrolling for any academic term are required to follow the university’s official withdrawal procedures. Failure to follow formal university procedures may result in an obligation to pay fees as well as the …