This is an archive of the 2020-2021 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

UNIVERSITY CATALOG: 2020-2021

Policies and Procedures by Keyword: Enrollment Requirements

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 …

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: …

Academic Standing for Undergraduates (Good Standing, Probation and Disqualified Status)

Academic standing is defined by the student’s GPA. The GPA is calculated by dividing the number of grade points earned in courses that assign letter grades by the number of units attempted. Courses in which grades of CR, NC, I and W are assigned are not used in GPA calculation. A student’s academic status takes …

Administrative Action on Prerequisites

Although it is the student’s responsibility to drop classes, the University may withdraw a student within the first three weeks from a course if he or she fails to meet the prerequisite(s) or other requirements as indicated in this Catalog. These prerequisites may include: Completion of prior coursework. Passing of qualifying examinations. Class year standing. Admission …

Attendance (Class Attendance)

Students are expected to attend all class meetings. Students who are absent from the first two meetings of a class that meets more than once a week, or from the first meeting of a class that meets once a week, lose the right to remain on the class roll and must formally withdraw from the class, …

Course Requisites: Definition of Terms

Prerequisite A course/condition* that must be completed/met prior to enrollment in another specified course. Enrollment in prerequisite course/condition* groupings is enforced by SOLAR. An unmet or non-completed prerequisite course/condition* will block a student’s enrollment in a course. Corequisite A course/condition* for which concurrent enrollment in another affiliated course is mandatory. Corequisite courses must always be offered in …

Credit/No Credit Grading

A grade of CR, indicating passed with credit, is given for work equivalent to “C” or better for undergraduate students and for work equivalent to “B” or better for post-baccalaureate and graduate students. NC, indicating no credit, is given for work equivalent to C-, D+, D, D- or F for undergraduate students and for work …

Final Examination Policy

In lecture courses, no final examination may be scheduled by an instructor prior to the regularly scheduled time. Any student who finds it impossible to take a 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 …

Full-Time Enrollment (Undergraduate and Graduate)

Full-Time Enrollment 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. SUMMER TERM ONLY: For undergraduate international students enrolled in the Semester at CSUN program through The …

Missed Classes While Representing the University in Official Curriculum-Related, University-Approved Activities

When representing the University in official curriculum-related, University-approved activities requires a student to miss classes, faculty are expected to provide, within reason, opportunity to make up any work or exams that are missed. To be eligible for such accommodation, the student is obligated to provide the instructor of the class with written documentation signed by …

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. Failure to raise their cumulative GPA to 3.0 in the following semester of enrollment will result in disqualification. (Please refer to Grading in the Regulations …

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. Failure to raise their cumulative GPA to 2.75 in the following semester of enrollment will result in disqualification. (Please refer to Grading in the Regulations section of the …

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. Students wishing to exceed the maximum unit load after the Registration-by-Appointment period must complete and file an Extra Unit Authorization form with Admissions and Records. There also are restrictions for students based on their academic …

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 …

Repeating Courses (Grade Forgiveness) Undergraduate

The University recognizes that undergraduate students may need to repeat one or more courses in order to fulfill degree requirements and/or enhance previously acquired skills. However, students should seek academic advisement before deciding to repeat any course. Students should be aware that other institutions (e.g., medical schools, graduate programs, law schools) might not recognize this repeat …

Simultaneous Enrollment in Classes (Time Conflict)

Students may not enroll simultaneously in two or more classes meeting during the same time period. Exceptions to this policy will be permitted only if one of the classes does not meet on a regular basis, such as an independent study or internship that permits independent lab work. Students who meet the acceptable criteria must submit …

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 …

Withdrawals (Undergraduate 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 …