academic calendar · dance, music, physical education) are normally equivalent to one unit of...

Academic Calendar

Academic Calendar• Go to Current Academic Calendar page.• Go to Next Academic Calendar page.• For registration dates, see the Semester Calendars.

Fall 2020First Day of Fall SemesterAugust 17

First Day of Fall InstructionAugust 19

Holiday - Labor DaySeptember 7

Holiday - Veteran's DayNovember 11

Thanksgiving BreakNovember 25-27

Last Day of Fall InstructionDecember 9

Consultation DaysDecember 10-11

Final Examination DaysDecember 14-17

Last Day of Fall SemesterDecember 21

Spring 2021Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr. DayJanuary 18

First Day of Spring SemesterJanuary 19

First Day of Spring InstructionJanuary 21

Holiday - President's DayFebruary 15

Spring BreakMarch 29 - April 2

Holiday - Cesar Chavez DayMarch 31

Last Day of Spring InstructionMay 5

Consultation Days

www.fresnostate.edu California State University, Fresno 2020-2021 CATALOG | 2

May 6-7

Final Examination DaysMay 10-13

University CommencementMay 15

Last Day of Spring SemesterMay 21

*Dates are tentative and subject to change. Last Revised January 2020.


Academic policies and regulations

Academic RegulationsStudents must meet all degree requirements as specified in their catalog year.

• Bachelor's/Master's/Doctoral Degrees• Definition of Key Terms• Choice of Catalog• Computer Requirement• Transcript Evaluation• Grade Symbols and Grade Points• Explanation of Grades• Grading Policies and Practices• Scholarship Status• Readmission of Disqualified Students, Undergraduate and Graduate• Transcripts and Reports• Enrollment in Graduate-level (200-297) Courses

Bachelor's/Master's/Doctoral DegreesCalifornia State University, Fresno is authorized to grant the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Masterof Science, Master of Biotechnology, Master of Business Administration, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Physical Therapy,Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Health, and Master of Social Work degrees. California State University,Fresno offers an Educational Specialist degree (Ed.S.) in School Psychology, a Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) in PhysicalTherapy and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) jointly conferred with California State University, San Jose. CaliforniaState University, Fresno also offers a doctoral degree (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership. See Kremen School of Education andHuman Development for public school credentials for which the university is authorized to recommend candidates.

Computer Requirement. At Fresno State, computers and communications links to remote resources are recognized as beingintegral to the education and research experience. Every student is required to have his/her own computer or other personalaccess to a device with all the recommended software. The recommended standards for devices and software, which may varyby academic major, are updated periodically and are available from the Kennel Bookstore. The university provides studentsaccess to some software free of charge or at reduced rates. Faculty will presume that students have 24-hour access to a deviceand the necessary communication links to the University's information resources. Fresno State maintains a limited number ofworkstations in various labs and laptops for checkout to facilitate this access. It also provides a wi-fi network on campus foraccess to the Internet.

Definition of Key TermsAdditional Requirements. Courses from one or more departments or programs that are required in support of the major. Suchcourses are not included in the minimum 2.0 grade point average required in the major for graduation and may be waived orsubstituted at the discretion of the major department or program. Additional requirements normally may be applied towarda minor. Additional requirements may also be applied toward General Education unless specifically prohibited by the majordepartment.

Certificate. A set of interdisciplinary courses comprised of a minimum of 12 units focusing on a special area of study.Students are not required to be matriculated or be undergraduates. Certificates are awarded upon completion of the programregardless of catalog year or degree status. The university awards three types of certificates. They include the Certificate ofCompletion, the Certificate of Special Study, and the Certificate of Advanced Study. See Certificates in Degree Requirementsfor more information.

The Certificate of Completion is awarded for successfully completing a planned educational experience designed for specificacademic objectives.

The Certificate of Special Study is awarded for successfully completing a structured program of educational experiences ofat least twelve semester units, determined in advance by a department or school, and consisting of upper division (100-199)courses, professional (300-399) courses, and related activities.


Certificate of Advanced Study. A certificate program of special study at the postbaccalaureate level.

Concurrent Enrollment. The term concurrent enrollment is used to describe several different types of enrollment:

1. Open University Enrollment. Nonmatriculated students may enroll in regular California State University, Fresnoclasses through Continuing and Global Education.

2. Concurrent Enrollment at Other CSU Campuses. CSU students may attend two CSU campuses simultaneously. Thistype of enrollment is not often used by California State University, Fresno students because of the distance to other CSUcampuses. (See the registration section for details.)

3. Concurrent Enrollment at a Non-CSU College or University. While enrolled at California State University, Fresno,students may enroll for additional courses at another institution outside the CSU system. The courseload in the combinedenrollment program may not exceed the maximum unit load restrictions for California State University, Fresno. (See theregistration section for details.)

Core. A common set of courses within a major or minor that all students are required to complete.

Degree Progress Report (DPR). The DPR is a tool used by students and advisors to guide the advising process. Students mayprint their own DPR through self-service in the student portal, My Fresno State. The DPR shows the student’s progress in achosen degree program, incorporating courses completed at California State University, Fresno and transfer institutions. TheDPR illustrates how courses apply toward the student’s declared major, General Education, and degree requirements. It alsodisplays a list of approved courses for each requirement to be completed.

Double-Counting. Allowing one course to fulfill two separate requirements concurrently; e.g., allowing one course to fulfillboth a major requirement and the upper-division writing skills requirement, or allowing one course to fulfill both a majorrequirement and General Education requirement.

Electives. Courses/units a student selects to complete the total unit requirement for the baccalaureate degree and/or tocomplete requirements for the major.

Grade Point Average (GPA). The grade point average is a measure of academic scholarship and performance which iscomputed by dividing units attempted into grade points earned. Three separate GPAs are computed:

1. Cumulative GPA for all baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate units by degree objective.2. Cumulative GPA for total California State University, Fresno units.3. GPA for that semester only.

A minimum of a C average (2.0 GPA) for units in the major, all California State University, Fresno units, and total unitsis required for a baccalaureate degree. (Search for Grade Symbols and Grade Points, Degree Requirements. ) Master'sdegree students have a higher minimum GPA requirement. (Search for Graduate Studies Advancement to Candidacy, GradeRequirements.)

Major. Set of required courses from one or more departments designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, andexperiences necessary to pursue a specific career and/or advanced study. A student must earn a 2.0 grade point average in allcourses required for the major, except "additional requirements," in order to graduate. (Minimum Title 5 requirements: B.A.24 units of which 12 must be upper division exclusive of General Education; B.S. 36 units of which 18 must be upper divisionexclusive of General Education.)

Minor. In addition to academic majors, the university offers a number of minors. A minor is a formal set of courses ina designated subject area distinct from a student's major. The intent of a minor is to provide a condensed and cohesiveacademic experience, in addition to a major. Minors consist of a minimum of 12 semester units, at least 6 of which mustbe upper-division residence units. Minors must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Minors offered by academicdepartments and programs are listed in the minors section of the catalog. Detailed descriptions are found in the listings of theparticular departments and programs. Courses in the minor may not also count toward a student's major except as AdditionalRequirements to that major. However, courses fulfilling requirements for a minor usually may be counted toward GeneralEducation. Refer to the description of the specific minor for exceptions.

A student may earn a maximum of two minors provided that the requirements above are met for each and that at least 12 unitsin each of the two minors are distinct and include at least 6 upper-division units in residence. Minors will not appear on adiploma.


My Degree Plan. Used with the Roadmap, My Degree Plan is an interactive planning tool students may use to plan coursesfor future semesters.ßIt allows students to validate their plan against the DPR to ensure efficient planning towards meetinggraduation requirements.

Option. Set of required courses within a major in addition to the major core courses that emphasizes one important aspect ofthat school or college, department, or program. The option in a major will appear on a diploma.

Prerequisite Requirements. Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to enrollment in the listed course; corequisitecourses must be completed prior to or concurrently with the listed course. Students who do not meet these requirements may bedisenrolled by the instructor or by the university.

Recommended Courses. Courses that the department faculty believe would be beneficial for a student to take but are notmandated or required as part of the major.

Roadmap. The Roadmap is a planning tool designed to assist students and advisors in developing a course scheduling strategyto maximize potential. Roadmaps provide students with the best recommended sequence of courses for success, and ultimately,degree completion.

Units. A credit or semester unit represents one hour of class work per week for one semester. It is assumed that two hours ofpreparation are required for each hour in class. Three hours of laboratory per week are the equivalent of one unit. In a limitednumber of courses two hours of laboratory per week are the equivalent of one unit. Also, two hours of activity or studio (art,dance, music, physical education) are normally equivalent to one unit of credit. One quarter unit of credit is equivalent to two-thirds of a semester unit.

Units Attempted (UA) and Units Earned (UE) are terms that appear on the student’s transcript and evaluation. Units attemptedis the column used for GPA calculation. Units earned is the column used to determine units completed toward the total unitrequirement for the degree.

Choice of CatalogElection of Regulations. An undergraduate student or postbaccalaureate student pursuing a second bachelor’s degree mustfulfill degree requirements from one catalog, not the most favorable requirements from two or more catalogs. As long as astudent maintains “continuous attendance,” he or she may elect, for purposes of fulfilling graduation requirements, one of thefollowing:

1. The catalog in effect at the time a student enters a California community college or a campus of the California StateUniversity system.

2. The catalog in effect at the time a student enters California State University, Fresno.3. The catalog in effect at the time the student applies to graduate from California State University, Fresno.

Continuous attendance* is defined as being officially enrolled at least one semester or two quarters during a calendar year.Students must demonstrate progress toward fulfillment of degree requirements to maintain registration eligibility as acontinuing student. Students who enroll and withdraw from courses for two or more consecutive semesters may not be eligiblefor registration as a continuing student. A student may not begin “continuous attendance” while still enrolled in high school.

Once a student establishes catalog rights in the CSU or California Community College system, he or she may attend anyaccredited college or university (outside the CSU and California Community College system) or take a planned educationalleave for no more than two years and maintain his or her continuous attendance status. (See Leave of Absence.)

Any break in attendance of one calendar year or longer ends a student's continuous attendance status. This results in the lossof catalog rights to all catalog choices prior to the break in attendance. It should be noted that enrollment in Open University,extension, and correspondence courses does not establish catalog rights nor contribute toward continuous attendanceto maintain catalog rights. A loss of catalog rights could result in one or more additional semesters to meet new catalogrequirements especially in the major and/or General Education. Once a student graduates, however, all rights to the originalcatalog are terminated.

Graduate (master's) students fulfill requirements based on an approved advancement to candidacy petition. These requirementsare based on departmental and university requirements as published in the current catalog at the time of advancement.Continuous enrollment is likewise defined differently for master's students. (Search Graduate Studies.)

Student Absences. Students are expected to attend class and should maintain contact with their faculty members regardingany absences. Individual faculty members should be contacted when there are extended absences (more than one week) due to


illness, death in the immediate family, or other situations. In urgent or extraordinary emergencies that preclude direct contactwith individual faculty, students may contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at559.278.2541. Any make-up work or missed assignments remain the responsibility of the student.

Dispute Resolution. A student-related dispute could arise out of a decision or action in the course of official duty by amember of the faculty, staff, or administration of California State University, Fresno. The decision or action could be allegedas discriminatory, contrary to accepted academic relationships and procedures, or restrictive of the rights of any student of theuniversity to fair treatment. The purpose of the dispute resolution process is to provide a mechanism for students to have athird party review the situation.

The student must first make a good faith effort to resolve the matter informally by talking directly with the individualconcerned, the individual's direct supervisor or department chair, and the director of the unit or college/school dean. Ifresolution is not effected through the informal procedures, for assistance students should contact the Office of the VicePresident for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.

Transcript EvaluationUndergraduate transfer students are usually evaluated under the degree requirements listed in the General Catalog at the timethey enter California State University, Fresno.

Transfer students who accept their admission offer and register for a mandatory Dog Days session should receive an emailwith instructions on how to access their computerized evaluation (DPR - Degree Progress Report). The DPR providesdetail regarding the acceptance and processing of transfer coursework and also indicates remaining degree requirements.It is recommended that students access their DPR through self-service at least once a semester and review it with theiracademic advisor. A degree evaluation is completed during the semester a student files for graduation. (See Graduation andCommencement.)

All official transcripts submitted by the student either in support of an application for admission or for degree completionbecome the property of California State University, Fresno and are not returned to the student. Students are stronglyencouraged to obtain duplicate copies of their records from high school and colleges previously attended for their personal file.

Grade Symbols and Grade PointsA - Excellent. Performance of the student has demonstrated the highest level of competence, showing sustained superiorityin meeting all stated course objectives and responsibilities and exhibiting a very high degree of intellectual initiative. (4 gradepoints per unit.)B - Very Good. (1) Performance of the student has demonstrated a high level of competence, showing sustained superiority inmeeting all stated course objectives and responsibilities and exhibiting a high degree of intellectual initiative. (3 grade pointsper unit.)C - Satisfactory. (2) Performance of the student has demonstrated a satisfactory level of competence, showing an adequatelevel of understanding of course objectives, responsibilities, and comprehension of course intent. (2 grade points per unit.)D - Unsatisfactory. (2,3) Performance of the student has been unsatisfactory, showing inadequacy in meeting basic courseobjectives, responsibilities, and comprehension of course content. (1 grade point per unit.)F - Failure. Fails to meet course objectives. Work at this level does not meet requirements for credit toward a degree. (0 gradepoints per unit.)WU - Failure Withdrawal Unauthorized. (4) The symbol WU indicates that an enrolled student did not withdraw fromthe course and also failed to complete course requirements. It is assigned when, in the opinion of the instructor, completedassignments or course activities or both were insufficient to make normal evaluation of academic performance possible. Forpurposes of grade point average and progress point computation this symbol is equivalent to an F. (0 grade points per unit.)CR - Credit for units allowed, work of A, B, or C quality in undergraduate courses and A or B quality in 200-level courses. (0grade points per unit; units allowed for the degree.)NC - No credit for units registered for, work of D or F quality in undergraduate courses and C, D, or F quality in 200-levelcourses. Replaces I grade in courses where CR/NC grading is used if required work is not completed within required time. (0grade points per unit; no units allowed for the degree.)W - Withdrawal after the fourth week of instruction. (Not used in grade point calculation.)I - Incomplete Authorized. Required coursework has not been completed and evaluated yet. (Not used in grade pointcalculation.) See Incomplete Grade Explanation which follows.IC - Incomplete Charged. Student who received an authorized Incomplete (I) did not completed the required courseworkwithin the allowed time limit (0 grade points per unit).


RD - Report delayed. Grade must be cleared before a degree is awarded. (Not used in grade point calculation.)RP - Report in Progress. Continuing work in progress. (No units allowed and not included in grade point calculation untilgrade is assigned.)AU - Audit. Grade indicates student's status as auditor and does not earn degree credit.

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1. Master's degree candidates are reminded that a B (3.0) average is required in the master's degree program and for allcourses (related and unrelated; lower division, upper division, and graduate) taken concurrent with the master's degreeprogram.

2. Undergraduate students are reminded that a C (2.0) average is required for all college coursework completed, all coursestaken at California State University, Fresno, and all courses in the major in order to graduate with a baccalaureate degree.Some majors are subject to more stringent grading requirements.

3. Master's degree candidates are reminded that a D is not accepted toward any master's degree program.4. A WU is assigned only for courses graded A through F. The course can be repeated and the new grade may be substituted

for the WU by petition, except for master's degree students. (See Repeating Courses.)

Explanation of GradesAudit Status (AU). Persons wishing to attend classes without matriculating or receiving college credit may register asauditors. Auditors register during the first week of instruction. Students enrolled in audit status only may not transfer to creditstatus without completing admission procedures.

Enrollment as an auditor is subject to permission of the instructor. Enrollment in a course as an auditor shall be permitted onlyafter students otherwise eligible to enroll on a credit basis have had an opportunity to do so. Auditors are subject to the samefee structure as credit students and regular class attendance is expected. Once enrolled as an auditor, a student may not changeto credit status unless such a change is requested no later than the last day to add classes in that term. A student who is enrolledfor credit may not change to audit status after the fourth week of instruction.

Regular class attendance is expected and the student may be required to participate in any or all classroom activities at thediscretion of the instructor.

Credit for courses audited will not subsequently be granted on the basis of the audit.

Credit/No Credit Grading (CR/NC). The credit/no credit grading policy at California State University, Fresno is designedto encourage academic exploration outside the major field of study. The policy also recognizes that in certain types of courses,student performance is best evaluated in terms of credit/no credit grading rather than through the traditional letter grades.

Neither the CR nor NC grade is included in the calculation of the grade point average. The grade of CR is assigned if thestudent's work is judged to be equivalent to an A, B, or C grade as applicable to regular enrollment in an undergraduate courseor equivalent to an A or B grade in a 200-level course.

The NC grade is assigned if the student's work is not equivalent to these standards:

1. General conditions and limitations. Some courses are not available for CR/NC grading, (see individual coursedescription), while others are designated as available for CR/NC grading only. All other courses are available for CR/NCgrading; however, a student may not enroll in more than 6 units of CR/NC graded coursework per semester. The decisionto enroll for CR/NC grading must be made prior to the end of the fourth week of instruction and the decision must berecorded by the student by using the Web registration system.

2. Undergraduate Students. A student may not elect CR/NC graded coursework to satisfy requirements for the majorunless the courses have been designated CR/NC only. A maximum of 24 semester units at California State University,Fresno of CR/NC evaluated credit, including all coursework taken CR/NC only, may be applied toward the degree.

3. Graduate Students. Credit for coursework earned through CR/NC in fall 1978 and in subsequent semesters may not beapplied toward the master's degree unless the course has been designated as available for CR/NC only by the GraduateCommittee. A maximum of 6 units of CR/NC only credit may be applied to a 30-unit master's degree program and amaximum of 12 units of CR/NC only credit may be applied to a 60-unit program.

Incomplete (I). The symbol I (Incomplete Authorized) indicates that a portion of required coursework has not been completedand evaluated in the prescribed time period due to unforeseen - but fully justified - reasons, and that there is still a possibility


of earning credit. Such reasons must meet the criteria of serious and compelling and occur late in the semester. The gradeof I is only appropriate when the student requesting it has completed a minimum of two-thirds of the work for the coursewith a passing grade. The instructor of record retains the right to decide whether or not an I grade is appropriate. It is theresponsibility of the student to bring pertinent information to the attention of the instructor and to determine from the instructorthe remaining course requirements that must be satisfied to remove the incomplete. The faculty member should complete theonline incomplete contract detailing the work that needs to be completed. A final grade is assigned when the work agreed uponhas been completed and evaluated. Students may not enroll in a course for which they have an I grade.

Normally it is expected that the student will make up an I grade during the next semester; however, it must be made up withinone calendar year immediately following the last day of the semester/session during which it was assigned. This limitationprevails whether or not the student maintains continuous enrollment.

Failure to complete the assigned work will result in the I being counted as an IC, or failing grade for grade point averagecomputation. An I grade not made up within one calendar year after the grade has been recorded is changed to an IC (or an NCif CR/NC grading was approved).

Incomplete grades must be cleared before a degree is awarded. In the absence of the instructor who has assigned theincomplete, a student seeking to make up this grade should consult the department chair.

A short-term extension of time may be granted with justification by contacting the Office of the University Registrar prior tothe last day of the second semester/session.

Report in Progress (RP). The RP symbol is used in connection with courses that extend beyond one academic term. Itindicates that work in progress has been evaluated as satisfactory to date but that assignment of a final grade must awaitcompletion of additional work. The RP may be used only in courses designated on the approved RP grade course list publishedby the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Cumulative enrollment in units attempted may notexceed the total number applicable to the student's educational objective.

While completing work on an RP or an I, graduate students are required to be continuously enrolled at California StateUniversity, Fresno, every semester until the awarding of the degree. Graduate students enrolled in Project (298) or Thesis(299) receive RP grades at the end of the first semester of enrollment and are advised to complete work on the culminatingexperience during four additional semesters, subject to the five-year overall time limit for completion of all master's degreerequirements. In addition, if an RP in 298 or 299 is not replaced by a final grade within two years as recommended, thestudent's major department may require him or her to reregister for the course. (Search Graduate Studies.)

Withdrawal Unauthorized (WU). The symbol WU indicates that an enrolled student did not withdraw from the course andalso failed to complete course requirements. It is used when, in the opinion of the instructor, completed assignments or courseactivities or both were insufficient to make normal evaluation of academic performance possible. For purposes of grade pointaverage and progress point computation this symbol is equivalent to an F. In instances where a course is graded CR/NC or thestudent elects a CR/NC grading option, the WU grade will be converted to NC.

Withdrawal (W).The W symbol indicates that the student was permitted to drop the course after the fourth week ofinstruction for serious and compelling reasons with the approval of the instructor and appropriate campus officials. It carriesno connotation of quality of student performance and is not used in calculating grade point average. Undergraduate studentsmay withdraw from no more than 18 semester units.

Grading Policies and PracticesGrading. Students are expected to complete all requirements for a class by the end of the semester unless an incomplete ispermitted by the instructor in accordance with university policy. Students shall not be assigned additional work or be allowedto revise previous assignments in order to improve a final grade.

College Syllabus and Record Keeping. All faculty members shall provide students at the beginning of each semester asyllabus or outline stating course goals and objectives including grading methodology, types and number of projects, writtenassignments, tests, experiments, etc.

Dean's List and President's List. Undergraduate students enrolled in at least 12 units during a regular matriculated term,earning no grade lower than a C, and earning at least a 3.5* grade point average (GPA) for the term are placed on the Dean'sList for that term and a note is added to their transcript. Students meeting these requirements and having a 4.0* GPA for theterm are placed on the President's List.

* Excludes CR/NC and remedial/college readiness coursework.


Repeating Courses. Undergraduate students may register for courses a second time only if they earned a grade of D, F, IC, orWU during the first attempt and they have not exceeded 28 units of repeated coursework. Topics courses with the same titleand description are not repeatable for additional credit.

Undergraduate students may not register to take a course more than two times until they complete the required paperwork,meet with a major advisor, obtain verification of all of the following conditions, and submit the verification to the majordepartment chair for approval:

1. they have not exceeded 28 units of repeated coursework,2. they received a grade of D, F, IC, or WU upon the second attempt of the course,3. the course to be repeated is a program requirement,4. the program they are pursuing requires a grade of C or higher in the course to fulfill a program requirement, and5. there are no other courses in the catalog that can be used to fulfill the program requirement.

The chair will not grant this approval unless all of these conditions are met.

If the request is approved, the student submits the required paperwork.

Grade Substitution by Repetition of Courses. An undergraduate student may grade substitute up to 16 semester units ofundergraduate coursework at California State University, Fresno. If the original grade was D, F, WU, or IC, and the subsequentgrade is the same or higher, the new grade will be substituted for the original grade. Only the substituted grade will be used indetermining the student's grade point average. Grade substitution can be used only once for an individual course. If the originalgrade was C, CR, or better, the course cannot be repeated. A student may repeat a total of 28 units, 16 of which may be usedfor grade substitution, as described above, and 12 units of which can be averaged.

Grade forgiveness shall not be applicable to courses for which the original grade was the result of a finding of academicdishonesty (excerpt from EO 1037).

A course in which a grade of NC was earned may be repeated but since the NC grade does not affect the grade point average,no substitution is necessary; however, the repeat will count toward the 12 unit limitation of averaged units.

A course attempted at another institution may be eligible for grade substitution by repeating a regular California StateUniversity, Fresno course determined to be equivalent and articulated. A course for which grade substitution has been grantedat another institution may not be repeated for grade substitution at California State University, Fresno. In addition, a coursetaken at California State University, Fresno may not be repeated for grade substitution at another institution.

Postbaccalaureate students pursuing (1) a second baccalaureate degree, (2) a teaching credential, or (3) no specific objective,are also free to repeat a course and request grade substitution on the same basis as undergraduates provided the original coursewas completed when the student had postbaccalaureate standing.

Postbaccalaureate students pursuing a doctoral degree, master's degree, or certificate of advanced study may, with approvalof an advisor, repeat a course for academic credit, regardless of what grade was originally earned in the course. However, thestudent is not eligible to petition for grade substitution. All course work taken, beginning with the first term of the student'sdoctoral or master's degree program is used in determining the student's grade point average and graduation eligibility.

All appropriate grade substitutions will automatically be posted to the student’s records at the end of each semester except incases in which the first attempt was at another institution. For these cases, contact the Office of the University Registrar by thelast day of the semester.

For further information, contact the Student Services Center located in the North Lobby, Joyal Administration Building.

Academic Renewal. Under certain circumstances, the university may disregard up to two semesters (three quarters) ofprevious undergraduate coursework taken at California State University, Fresno or at any other college from all considerationsassociated with requirements for the baccalaureate degree. When such action is approved, the student's permanent academicrecord is marked to indicate that no work taken during the disregarded term(s), even if satisfactory, may apply towardbaccalaureate requirements. However, all work must remain legible on the record ensuring a true and complete academichistory.

In order to qualify for renewal, all of the following conditions must be met:

1. Five years must have elapsed since the most recent work to be disregarded was completed.2. It must be evident that the poor level of work represented by the term(s) under consideration is not representative (see

No. 3) of the student's usual academic performance and was due to extenuating circumstances.


3. The student must have completed the following in residence at California State University, Fresno since the most recentwork to be disregarded was completed: (a.) 15 semester units with at least a 3.0 GPA or ( b.) 30 semester units with atleast a 2.5 GPA or ( c.) 45 semester units with a 2.0 GPA. Work completed at another institution cannot be used to satisfythis request.

4. It must be evident that it would be necessary for the student to complete one or more additional terms in order to qualifyfor the baccalaureate degree if the request were not approved, i.e., that the student would have less than a 2.0 grade pointaverage in one or more of the following: (a) Cumulative collegiate coursework (b) All California State University, Fresnocoursework (c) Coursework required for the major

5. This policy may not be used in concert with any other academic forgiveness policy impacting particular academicterm(s).

For further information or to apply for academic renewal, contact the Undergraduate Degree Evaluations, 559.278.4076.

Leave of Absence. A leave of absence is defined as a planned interruption or pause in a student’s regular academic attendance.In effect, the student temporarily ceases formal studies at California State University, Fresno, while pursuing other activitiesthat may assist in clarifying and/or contributing to educational goals. It may also involve a military or medical leave. The intentof the policy is to make it possible for a student to suspend his or her academic work, leave the campus without jeopardizingrights and privileges, and later resume studies with a minimum of procedural difficulty.

A student who is approved for a Leave of Absence will be considered a continuing Fresno State student and will maintain“catalog rights”. If the student registers at Fresno State at the conclusion of the granted leave, (an) application for readmissionwill not be required.A planned educational leave for graduate students must be recommended by the Division of Research and Graduate Studies,Frank W. Thomas Building, Room 130 and requires an additional signature of your Graduate Program Coordinator.

The following regulations apply to a leave of absence:

1. Eligible students must have completed at least one semester at Fresno State and be in good academic standing.2. Leave of Absences are granted for two to four consecutive semesters only.3. In addition to recommendation by a faculty advisor and a chair, international students must be recommended by an

advisor of international student services and programs, and educational opportunity program students by an EOPcounselor. If you are requesting a military leave, an additional signature is required from the Veterans Services Office.

4. Petitions for leave of absence must be filed (with the appropriate recommendation) at the Registrar’s Office before thefirst day of classes for the semester during which the leave is to begin.

5. Leaves are not approved for students dismissed due to academic deficiencies or disciplinary actions are not eligible forleaves of absence.

6. A leave is not approved if the student plans to attend another institution, unless the coursework the student seeks is notavailable at California State University, Fresno. Any academic credit earned while on a planned educational leave isaccredited by California State University, Fresno only if permission is granted for that credit in advance.

7. Students who do not return to the university at the conclusion of their leave of absence and those who enroll elsewherewill be considered to have withdrawn from the university at the end of their last semester of regular enrollment atCalifornia State University, Fresno and will have to reapply for admission upon their return.

Students wishing to apply for a Leave of Absence should obtain a request form from the Registrar Office located in Joyal,North Lobby, Student Services Center, 559.278.4743. Please review the form for required documentation before submission.Students will be notified by Fresno State email with a decision and may be asked for additional information.

Student Academic Petitions. The Student Academic Petitions Committee has the authority to permit exceptions to universitybaccalaureate degree requirements when fulfilling the degree requirement would prove to be an undue hardship for thestudent and/or such an exception can be demonstrated to be educationally justifiable. The committee will take action onlyupon the submission of a formal petition by the student that sets forth the facts and circumstances that may warrant specialconsideration.

Petitions and procedural information are available in the University Advising Center. The Petitions Committee does not makedecisions pertaining to substitutions for undergraduate and graduate major requirements. Such requests are initiated throughthe student's department. Requests to waive established university policy governing graduate study may be addressed tothe dean, Division of Research and Graduate Studies. If a request cannot be accommodated, it is forwarded to the GraduateCommittee.

Contact University Advising Center for further assistance with student academic petitions.


Grade Protests. The Student Academic Petitions Committee also has the responsibility of handling grade protests for allstudents, undergraduate and postbaccalaureate. Students who believe they have been graded unfairly or incorrectly by aninstructor must consult first with the faculty member concerned within the first 15 working days of the following semesterand make every effort to resolve the issue. The instructor has five working days to respond. For cases in which an incorrectgrade was assigned due to a recording error, the instructor will submit a Grade Correction Request form to the Office of theUniversity Registrar.

If the issue is not resolved, a student must immediately consult with the department chair, who will give the student an answerwithin 10 working days. If a student still believes that the grade was assigned unfairly or incorrectly after completing thisprocess, the student then may request that the Student Academic Petitions Committee review the issue. To request review,students must immediately make an appointment with an academic counselor in the University Advising Center (Joyal, Rm.224; 559.278.1787) to discuss their particular situation and to receive a copy of the university's grade protest policy as well asadditional procedural instructions.

Students then must submit a written statement no later than midsemester setting forth all pertinent details to the chair of thePetitions Committee.

Academic StandingSatisfactory Standing. Satisfactory academic standing means at least a C average (2.0 grade point average or twice asmany grade points as units attempted) in both campus and cumulative GPAs and satisfactory progress toward a degree forundergraduate and postbaccalaureate students without a master's degree objective. Graduate (master's degree) students mustmaintain at least a B average (3.0 grade point average).

A student (undergraduate, postbaccalaureate or graduate) whose campus or cumulative grade point average falls below thesatisfactory academic standing level is placed on probation and is disqualified if the grade point average falls below probationlevels. (For details, see the Disqualification section.)

Probation. Undergraduate students are placed on academic probation, a warning, if their:

1. Cumulative grade point average (GPA) based on total units attempted at all colleges is 1.99 or below. 2. Campus grade point average (GPA) based on all units attempted at California State University, Fresno is 1.99 or below.

Students remain on academic probation until both overall and California State University, Fresno grade point averages are 2.0or better, or until they are disqualified under one of the provisions of the disqualification regulations.

These regulations also apply to all postbaccalaureate students except those enrolled in master's programs. The latter areexpected to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in all units attempted subsequent to admission to the master's program.Master's students who fall below the required GPA are placed on probation.

Students enrolled in master's programs are required to maintain a minimum 3.0 postbaccalaureate cumulative grade pointaverage (GPA) prior to advancement to candidacy. Search Division of Research and Graduate Studies.

A graduate student may be placed on administrative-academic probation for withdrawal from a substantial portion of aprogram in two successive terms or in any three terms; for repeated failure to progress toward a degree; or for failure tocomply with an academic requirement or regulation that is routine for all students or for a defined group of students.

Disqualification.After being placed on academic probation, if a student's campus or cumulative GPA remains at 1.99 or belowthey may be academically disqualified based on the criteria below.

• As a freshman (fewer than 30 semester hours of college work completed) the student falls below a grade point average of1.50 in all units attempted or in all units attempted at the campus where enrolled

• As a sophomore (30 through 59 semester hours of college work completed) the student falls below a grade point averageof 1.70 in all units attempted or in all units attempted at the campus where enrolled

• As a junior (60 through 89 semester hours of college work completed) the student falls below a grade point average of1.85 in all units attempted or in all units attempted at the campus where enrolled

• As a senior/postbaccalaureate (90 or more semester hours of college work completed) the student falls below a grade pointaverage of 1.95 in all units attempted or in all units attempted at the campus where enrolled

Graduate (master's) students are disqualified if their cumulative California State University, Fresno grade point average fallsbelow 2.0.


Note: A continuing student on academic Probation or Probation: Disqualification Range can “Stop Out” for one semester andstill maintain registration eligibility without the need to reapply to the University for admission or to request an educationalleave of absence. To be eligible for a Stop Out, a student on Probation: Disqualification Range, must drop all courses by thetenth day of instruction. Students on Readmitted on Probation are not eligible for a Stop Out until they reach an academicstanding of Probation or Good.

Students receiving veterans’ educational benefits will be ruled ineligible for continued benefits if, after one semester ofunsatisfactory achievement (probation or disqualification), they do not return to academic Good Standing at the completion ofthe next semester.

A graduate student placed on administrative-academic probation may be disqualified for the following reasons:

1. If they fail to meet the conditions for removal of probation,2. Become subject to academic probation while on administrative-academic probation, or3. Again become subject to administrative-academic probation for the same or similar reasons.

For more, see the following:

Undergraduate: http://fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/advising/students/probation-disqualification/index.html

Graduate: http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/gradstudies/requirements/requiredgpa.html

Readmission of Disqualified StudentsUndergraduate and GraduateUndergraduate. Disqualified students who have not attended for more than two semesters must submit an applicationfor readmission to the university and the appropriate readmission petition. Readmission occurs for fall semesters only.Prospective students can apply through CalStateApply between October 1 - January 17 for the following fall semester. Contact559.278.2261 for more information.

Postbaccalaureate/Graduate. To be considered for readmission to the university after disqualification, graduate and advancedcertificate students must submit a “Petition for Readmission of Disqualified Graduate or Advanced Certificate Student”form to their graduate (or advanced certificate) program coordinator. Petitions are available online at www.fresnostate.edu/academics/gradstudies. Disqualified graduate (or advanced certificate) students who have been away for more than onesemester must also submit an application for readmission to the university. Additionally, students who seek a secondbaccalaureate or credential are asked to obtain the recommendation of the department/program to which they seek readmission.Students who are undeclared must have the approval of the dean of Division of Research and Graduate Studies to bereadmitted to the university.

Transcripts and ReportsTranscript of Record. Students may request transcripts of their academic records at California State University, Fresno.Transcripts are not provided to students with administrative holds as determined by university officials. Transcripts ofrecords from other institutions submitted to California State University, Fresno are not returned to students. For moreinformation on how to order, visit www.fresnostate.edu/transcripts.

Reports to Students. Students may obtain their grades via the Student Center systems at the end of each regular semester bythe grading deadline.

Enrollment in Graduate-level (200-297) CoursesEnrollment in graduate-level (200-297) courses is limited to those who have been officially admitted to a graduate degree,advanced certificate, or credential program. However, there is a special program for last-semester undergraduate seniors whowant to enroll in 200-level courses. All criteria listed on the Undergraduate Petition to Enroll in Graduate (200-level) Coursesmust be met. This petition, available from the Division of Research and Graduate Studies, should be filed prior to the semesterin which the student desires enrollment in 200-level course(s).


Academic Placement

Academic Placement

Classification of StudentsStudent class levels are determined as follows:Freshmen. Students who have earned a total of fewer than 30 semester units.Sophomores. Students who have earned a total of 30 to 59 semester units inclusive.Juniors. Students who have earned a total of 60 to 89 semester units inclusive.Seniors. Students who have earned 90 semester units or more.Postbaccalaureate/Graduates. Students who have at least one bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Advanced PlacementThe Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board permits high school students to take college-equivalent courses while in high school, and, based upon comprehensive qualifying examinations, receive advanced placementand credit at participating universities and colleges. Credit is applied to undergraduate degrees for the successful completion of examinations of the Advanced Placement Programof the College Board. Students who present scores of three or better will be granted up to six semester units (nine quarter units)of college credit. In order to receive credit for these examinations from California State University, Fresno, students mustrequest an official copy of their test results directly from the College Board. Credits earned through advanced placement are not included among the maximum of 30 units of credit by examinationthat may be credited toward a bachelor's degree. Please visit the External Exam Credit webpage for a full list of AP examarticulation.

Official scores may be obtained from:Advanced Placement ExaminationP.O. Box 6671Princeton, NJ 08541-6671

For more information, contact Admissions at 559-278-2261.

International Baccalaureate. Credit is granted for International Baccalaureate Higher Level examinations passed with ascore of 4 or higher (some exams require a score of 5 or higher). International Baccalaureate examinations taken spring 2018,or later, will be applied to general education areas as noted on the External Exam Credit Webpage. Contact Admissions at559-278-2261 for more information.

Placement Measures for First-Year GE Written Communication and Mathematics/QuantitativeReasoning CoursesFreshmen skills assessment and placement for General Education written communication and mathematics/quantitativereasoning shall be based on systemwide skills assessment standards that include the Early Assessment Program/ SmarterBalanced Achievement Levels, ACT scores and/or SAT scores, high school coursework, high school GPA and math GPA.Skills assessments are not a condition for admission to the CSU; they are a condition of enrollment.

These skills assessments are designed to inform entering freshmen of placement in appropriate baccalaureate-level coursesbased on their skills and needs.

First-time freshmen in need of support as determined by the skills assessment will be placed in supported instruction.Supported instruction is designed to assist students in credit bearing courses. Students may also be required to participate in theEarly Start Program.The Early Start Program gives students the opportunity to earn college credit in written communication and mathematics/quantitative reasoning the summer before their first term.

Assessments and Placement for GE Written CommunicationsHas Fulfilled the GE Subarea A2 English Requirement

The student has met the requirement via completion of one of the following:

Advanced Placement (AP) Test


• 3 or above: AP Language and Composition• 3 or above: AP Composition and Literature

College Transfer Coursework

• Completed approved college course that satisfies CSU GE Area A2 (written communication) with a grade of C- or better

Placement in a GE Subarea A2 English Course

The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures- informed standards via one of the criteria below:

English CAASPP/EAP Test:

• Standard Exceeded• Standard met and completed 12th grade approved year-long English course (CSU ERWC, AP, Weighted Honors English)

with grade of C- or better

*English New SAT Test:

• 550 or above• 510 - 540 and completed 12th grade approved year-long English course (CSU ERWC, AP, Weighted Honors English) with

grade of C- or better English

ACT Test:

• 22 or higher• 19-21 and completed 12th grade approved year-long English course (CSU ERWC, AP, Weighted Honors English) with

grade of C- or better

High School Courses and GPA:

• Weighted GPA 3.3 or above• GPA 3.0 or above and completed approved 12 grade year-long English course (AP, CSU ERWC, Weighted Honors

English)• GPA 3.0 or above and completed Honors English• GPA 3.0 or above and 5 or more years of high school English

Placement in a Supported GE Subarea A2 English CourseThe student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures- informed standards via one of the criteria below:

*English New SAT Test:

• 510 - 540 and 4 or more years of high school English

ACT Test:

• 19-21 and 4 or more years of high school English


• Weighted GPA 3.0 or above and 4 or more years of high school English• *SAT score conversion for scores prior to March 2016 (old SAT): https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-scoring-

beforemarch-2016

Placement in a Supported GE Subarea A2 English Course and Participation in the Early Start Program RequiredBased on multiple measures evaluation, student needs additional academic support including participation in the Early StartProgram. Visit the Early Start Page to learn about the Early Start Program.

Assessments and Placement for GE Mathematics/Quantitative ReasoningNon-Math Intensive Majors (Algebra and Statistics Disciplines, Non-STEM and Undecided Majors)Has Fulfilled the GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning RequirementThe student has met the requirement via completion of one of the following:


Advanced Placement (AP) Test:

• 3 or above: Calculus AB• 3 or above on AP Calculus BC• 3 or above on AP Statistics• 3 or above on AP Computer Science Principles

International Baccalaureate (IB) Test:

• 4 or above on Math Higher Level (HL)

College Level Examination Program (CLEP):

• 50 or above on: Calculus, College Algebra, College Algebra-Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus or Trigonometry

College Transfer Coursework:

• Completed math/quantitative reasoning college course with a C- or better that satisfies CSU GE Area B4

Placement in a GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning RequirementThe student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures-informed standards via one of the following criteria:

CAASPP/EAP Math Exam:

• Standard Exceeded• Standard met and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a C- or better• Standard met and 4 or more years of high school math or quantitative reasoning

*New SAT Math Test:

• 570 or above• 550 or above on Subject Test in Math Level 1 or 2• 520 - 560 and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a C- or better

ACT Math Test:

• 23 or above• 20-22 and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a C- or better• *SAT score conversion for scores prior to March 2016 (old SAT): https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-scoring-

beforemarch-2016


• Weighted math GPA 3.0 or above and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a C-or better

• Weighted math GPA 3.0 or above and 5 or more years of high school math or quantitative reasoning• Weighted high school GPA 3.7 or above• Weighted high school GPA 3.5 or above and 4 or more years of high school math or quantitative reasoning

Placement in a Supported GE Subarea B4 Math/ Quantitative Reasoning RequirementThe student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures- informed standards via one of the criteria below:

High School GPA:

• Weighted math GPA 3.3 or above• Weighted high school GPA 3.0 or above

Placement in a Supported GE Subarea B4 Math/ Quantitative Reasoning Requirement and Participation in the EarlyStart Program RequiredBased on multiple measures evaluation, student needs additional academic support including participation in the Early StartProgram. Visit the Early Start page to learn about the Early Start Program.


Assessments and Placement for GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning: Pre-STEM/STEM and Other Math-Intensive MajorsHas Fulfilled the GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning RequirementThe student has met the requirement via completion of one of the following:

Advanced Placement (AP) Test:

• 3 or above on AP Calculus AB• 3 or above on AP Calculus BC• 3 or above on AP Statistics• 3 or above on AP Computer Science Principles

International Baccalaureate (IB) Test:

• 4 or above on Math Higher Level (HL)

College Level Examination Program (CLEP):

• 50 or above on: Calculus, College Algebra, College Algebra-Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus or Trigonometry

College Transfer Coursework:

• Completed math/quantitative reasoning college course with a C- or better that satisfies CSU GE Area B4

Placement in a GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning RequirementThe student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures- informed standards via one of the criteria below:

CAASPP/EAP Math Exam:

• Standard Exceeded• Standard met and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a C- or better

*New SAT Math Test:

• 570 or above• 550 or above on Subject Test in Math Level 1 or 2• 520 - 560 and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a C- or better

ACT Math Test:

• 23 or above• 20-22 and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a C- or better


• Weighted math GPA 3.5 or above and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with agrade of C- or better

• Weighted math GPA 3.5 or above and 5 or more years of high school math or quantitative reasoning• Weighted high school GPA 3.7 or above• *SAT score conversion for scores prior to March 2016 (old SAT): https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-scoring-

beforemarch-2016

Placement in a Supported GE Subarea B4 Math/ Quantitative Reasoning RequirementThe student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures- informed standards via the criteria below:

High School Math GPA:

• Weighted math GPA 3.3 or above

Placement in a Supported GE Subarea B4 Math/ Quantitative Reasoning Requirement and Participation in the EarlyStart Program RequiredBased on multiple measures evaluation, student needs additional academic support including participation in the Early StartProgram. Visit the Early Start page to learn about the Early Start Program.


The goal of the Early Start Program (ESP) is to:

• Better prepare students in written composition and mathematics/quantitative reasoning before the fall term of freshmanyear, improving students’ chances of successful completion of a baccalaureate degree.

• If required to participate in ESP, as determined by multiple measures, students will begin in the summer before the start ofthe freshman year.

• For general information about ESP including fees and course listings, visit csustudentsuccess.org/earlystart. Students areencouraged to visit the campus website for ESP information once admitted.

• Eligible financial aid applicants with an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $5,000 or less will be eligible for waiverof the per unit ESP fee. For more information on assessments, placements and the Early Start Program, please visitwww.csustudentsuccess.org

Credit by ExaminationCredit by examination is designed to encourage matriculated students to seek college credit in courses in which they havecompetence through prior learning or experience, outside the usual academic processes. This permits students to acceleratetheir progress to degree. Credit earned by examination does not meet the residence requirement of the university and is notavailable for graduate level courses. For further information, consult the department where the course is offered.

Graduate StudentsCredit by examination for coursework may be used to fulfill prerequisites only and may not be applied toward the total unitsrequired for a master's degree.

Independent StudyIndependent study is offered to give students experience in planning and outlining a course of study on their own initiativeunder departmental supervision. Independent study should deal with a special interest not covered in a regular course or withthe exploration in greater depth of a subject presented in a regular course. Each department has an independent study upper -division course (190). In addition, some departments have a lower-division course (90) and/or a graduate-level course (290).To be eligible for independent study, students should have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher. This requirementmay be waived in exceptional cases, when approved by the department chair. Maximum credit of 6 units in independent studycourses is allowed toward the bachelor's degree, and maximum credit of 6 units in independent study courses may be approvedfor use toward a 30-unit master's degree. Such credit is limited to a maximum of 3 units per semester. Under extraordinarycircumstances more than 3 units per semester may be allowed on petition to the department chair.Eligible students desiring to register for Independent Study must first obtain the consent of an instructor, who will guide theproject, and the chair of the department in which the course is given. Students must register for Independent Study coursesduring the regular registration period in the same manner as they register for any other course at the time of registration.An independent study course normally includes an oral examination by a committee set up by the supervising instructor, aformal report that is filed in the department office, and an abstract of the study that is filed with the department chair. Approvalforms and copies of the current regulations may be obtained from department, school, or college offices. The entry on thepermanent record shows the discipline and course number only; the title does not appear.

Credit for Noncollegiate InstructionThis university grants undergraduate degree credit appropriate to the baccalaureate degree for successful completion ofnoncollegiate instruction, either military or civilian, that has been recommended by the Commission on Educational Creditand Credentials of the American Council on Education. The number of units allowed are those recommended in A Guide tothe Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Services and the National Guide to Educational Credit for TrainingPrograms.

Credit for Military Service CourseworkLower-division elective credit is given for recruit training for initial entry into the service and clears G.E. Area E. Creditgiven may vary depending on the branch of service. An applicant for credit must submit an official copy of the Joint ServicesTranscript (JST) to Fresno State Admissions and Recruitment for review. At the student's request, the JST can be reviewedfor American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations for non-collegiate instruction units. A maximum of 30 units isallowed for military credit. If interested, visit the Veteran’s Resource Center and meet with an Advisor to complete the Requestfor Evaluation of Military Credit form. You can find more information regarding the evaluation of military credit on the FresnoState Military Credit webpage.


DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support) maintains the educational records of the servicemenand women who have completed DSSTs (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests), CLEP (College Level Examination Program)examinations and GED tests. DANTES has also maintained USAFI (United States Armed Forces Institute) transcripts sincethat organization ceased to exist in 1974.

College credit is awarded for acceptable DSST scores as recommended by DANTES. Equivalency for DSST credit isdetermined by our departments. Other credits recommended by DANTES (CLEP, etc.) must meet university guidelines forthe awarding of credit for those examinations. DANTES/USAFI credit is considered Credit by Examination at Fresno Statewith a maximum of 30 semester units. If your CLEP exam was militarily funded the scores for all CLEP and DSST exams areautomatically reported to the JST. If your CLEP exam was not funded through the military, you can request a transcript fromCollegeBoard.

College Level Examination ProgramThe College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is designed to be a means through which recognition, academic credit, andplacement may be given for less conventional forms of educational experience or learning. CLEP exams are now offered onlyas computer-based tests and are available through Professional Examination Services on campus. Credits earned through CLEPare included among the maximum of 30 units of Credit by Examination that may be credited toward a bachelor's degree.

Within the restrictions of systemwide policy, this university awards up to 6 units of credit for successfully completed CLEPexaminations. Such credit is applied to the total units required for the baccalaureate degree. Effective with exams taken spring2018, some exam credit is applied to the General Education requirements as detailed on the External Exam Credit webpage.Not all CLEP examinations are acceptable under CSU system policy. It is the responsibility of the student to check with theappropriate department to determine whether it accepts CLEP credit to meet any degree requirement. This should be done priorto taking the CLEP exam. The CLEP exam articulation table can be found on the External Exam Credit webpage.

Upper-Division Writing Examination.The UDWE is administered by the university and may be used to satisfy the upper-division writing skills requirement. Oneunit of credit may be granted (ENGL 100W) to registered undergraduate students upon request. This unit may be appliedtoward the 40 upper-division unit degree requirement (prior to 2017-2018) and total units for the baccalaureate degree butcannot be applied toward the 30 residence unit degree requirement or for postbaccalaureate credit. For details, call the BulldogTesting Center, 559.278.4137


Admissions

Admissions Office• Application Filing Periods• Determination of Residence for Nonresident Tuition Purposes• Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission Requirements• Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Application Procedures• Returning Students• Impacted Programs• International (Foreign) Students• Undergraduate Admission Requirements• Undergraduate Application Procedures

Requirements for admission to California State University, Fresno are in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3, ofthe California Code of Regulations. Complete information is available at www.calstate.edu/apply.

All CSU applications must be submitted online at www.calstate.edu/apply. An acknowledgment will be sent to the applicantwhen the online application has been submitted.Importance of Filing Complete, Accurate, and Authentic Application for Admission Documents. California StateUniversity, Fresno advises prospective students that they must supply complete and accurate information on the applicationfor admission, residency questionnaire, and financial aid forms. Further, applicants must, when requested, submit authenticand official transcripts of all previous academic work attempted. Failure to file complete, accurate, and authentic applicationdocuments may result in denial of admission, cancellation of academic credit, suspension, or expulsion (Section 41301 of Title5, California Code of Regulations).Applicants are required to include their correct Social Security numbers in designated places on applications for admissionpursuant to the authority contained in Section 41201, Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 6109 of the InternalRevenue Code (26 U.S.C. 6109). See also Policies and Regulations.

Taxpayers who claim Hope Scholarship or Lifetime Learning tax credit will be required to provide their name, address, andTaxpayer Identification Number to the campus.

Undergraduate Application ProceduresProspective students applying for part-time or full-time undergraduate programs of study must submit a completedundergraduate application. The $70 nonrefundable application fee should be paid online at the time of application via creditcard or PayPal and may not be transferred or used to apply to another term. An alternate major may be requested on theapplication if desired by the campus. The applications of persons denied admission to an impacted campus may be redirectedto another campus at no cost, but only if the applicant is CSU eligible.

Applicants should indicate an alternate major on their admission application. Generally, an alternate major will be consideredat the first choice campus before an application is redirected to an alternate choice campus.

Note: The CSU accepts online payment at the time of application via credit card, e-check, or PayPal. Payment may not betransferred or used to apply to another term.For undergraduate admission to California State University, Fresno you must

1. Submit a current application with a nonrefundable application fee to at http://www.calstate.edu/apply.2. Request institutions formerly attended to send transcripts directly to the Admissions Office transcripts of credits from

high school and colleges. Failure to include all colleges attended may result in the withdrawal of your application. Alltranscripts submitted by students are retained by California State University, Fresno. Fresno State highly encourageselectronic submission of official transcripts.

3. Take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I) or American College Test (ACT) and request official scores be sent toCalifornia State University, Fresno if you are applying as a first-time freshman. The Test of English as a ForeignLanguage (TOEFL) is required of all foreign applicants and applicants who do not have at least three years of full-timeschooling at the secondary level or beyond where English is the principal language of instruction.

In addition to the other documents required, veterans should file a copy of the Notice of Separation (DD 214) from the armedservices with the application for admission. Academic credit will be awarded for service time and service schools completedas recommended by A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. Veterans who are Californiawww.fresnostate.edu California State University, Fresno 2020-2021 CATALOG | 20

residents may be exempt from certain admission requirements. Special admission may be granted if the applicant is judgedlikely to succeed academically. Standard admission procedures should be followed.Applications will not be accepted after admissions categories have closed. Final eligibility for admission cannot be determineduntil all required documents have been received. Due to staff limitations, an evaluation of transfer credit will generally not beavailable until sometime during the first semester's enrollment.A maximum of 70 community college semester units of credit are allowed toward the bachelor’s degree. However, communitycollege credit in excess of 70 units may be used to satisfy subject requirements. No upper-division credit will be given.Remedial course units are not accepted for degree credit. For limitations on extension and correspondence credit, see ExtensionClasses.Students desiring university housing or financial aid should file special applications with the appropriate offices concerned assoon as possible.

Graduation Requirements in Writing Proficiency. All students must demonstrate competency in writing skills as arequirement for graduation. Information on currently available ways to meet this graduation requirement may be obtained fromthe Undergraduate Degree Evaluations or the Bulldog Testing Center.

Impacted ProgramsThe CSU designates programs as impacted when more applications from regularly eligible applicants are received in the initialfiling period (October and November for fall terms, June for winter terms, August for spring terms, February for summerterms) than can be accommodated. Some programs are impacted at every campus which they are offered; others are impactedonly at a few campuses. Candidates for admission must meet all of the campus’ specified supplementary admission criteria ifapplying to an impacted program or campus.

The CSU will announce during the fall filing period those campuses or programs that are impacted. Detailed information oncampus and program impaction will be available at www2.calstate.edu/attend/impaction-at-the-csu.

Campuses will communicate supplementary admission criteria for all impacted programs to high schools and communitycolleges in their application service area and will disseminate this information to the public through appropriate media. Thisinformation will also be published on Fresno State campus website and made available at http://fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/are/.

Applicants must file applications for admission to an impacted program during the initial filing period. Applicants who wish tobe considered for impacted programs at more than one campus should file an application at each campus for which they seekadmission consideration.

Fresno State is impacted and only accepts undergraduate applications between October and November for fall terms. If thecampus is open for spring, applications are accepted August prior to the spring term. Please check www.csufresno.edu/are forthe latest updates.Supplementary Admission Criteria. Each campus with impacted programs or class-level admission categories usessupplementary admission criteria in screening applicants. Supplementary criteria may include rank-ordering of freshmanapplicants based on the CSU eligibility index or rank-ordering of transfer applicants based on verification of the Associate inArts for Transfer (AA-T) or Associate in Science Transfer (AS-T) degrees, the overall transfer grade point average (GPA),completion of specified prerequisite courses and a combination of campus-developed criteria. Applicants for freshmanadmission to impacted campuses or programs are required to submit scores on either the SAT or the ACT, regardless of GPA.For fall admission, applicants should take tests as early as possible, but no later than November or December of the precedingyear.

The supplementary admission criteria used by individual campuses to screen applicants are made available by the campuses toall applicants seeking admission to an impacted program.

Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Application ProceduresAll graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants (i.e., doctorate, joint Ph.D. applicants, master’s degree applicants, those seekingeducational credentials or certificates and, where permitted, holders of baccalaureate degrees interested in taking courses forpersonal or professional growth) must file a complete graduate application as described in the graduate and post-baccalaureateadmission materials at www.calstate.edu/apply.


Applicants seeking a second bachelor's degree should submit the graduate application for admission unless specificallyrequested to do otherwise. Applicants who completed undergraduate degree requirements in the preceding term arealso required to complete and submit an application and the $70 nonrefundable application fee. To be assured of initialconsideration by more than one campus, it is necessary to submit separate applications (including fees) to each campus. AllCSU applications must be submitted online at www.calstate.edu/apply. An acknowledgment will be sent to the applicant whenthe online application has been submitted.

For additional information, see the Division of Research and Graduate Studies.

Returning StudentsApplicants who seek readmission after an absence of two consecutive semesters or more must file an application foradmission. Applicants absent one semester only are not required to reapply. Students on an approved planned educational leaveare not required to file an application for admission. (See Planned Educational Leave.)

Application Filing PeriodsEach non-impacted campus accepts applications until capacities are reached. Many campuses limit undergraduate admission inan enrollment category due to overall enrollment limits. If applying after the initial filing period, consult the campus admissionoffice for current information. Similar information is conveniently available at www.calstate.edu/apply/.

• Applications for the fall semester are accepted beginning Oct. 1. The initial filing period lasts until Nov. 30.• Applications for the spring semester are accepted beginning Aug. 1. The initial filing period lasts until Aug. 31.• Applications for the summer semester are accepted beginning Feb. 1. The initial filing period lasts until Feb. 28. Most

campuses do not admit students to summer term.

Application Acknowledgment. Applicants should expect to receive an acknowledgment from the campuses to which theyhave applied within two to four weeks of filing the application. The notice may also include a request that applicants submitadditional records necessary to evaluate academic qualifications. Applicants may be assured of admission if the evaluation ofrelevant qualifications indicates that applicants meet CSU admission requirements, and in the case of admission impaction,supplemental criteria for admission to an impacted program. Unless specific written approval/confirmation is received, an offerof admission is not transferable to another term or to another campus.

Appeals. The campus has established procedures for consideration of qualified applicants who would be faced with extremehardship if not admitted. Petitioners should write the campus Admissions Office regarding specific policies governing hardshipadmission. See Appeal of Admission Decision section.

Fresno State only accepts undergraduate applications for the fall and spring semesters. You can visit the Admissions andRecruitment website www.csufresno.edu/are for the latest updates and deadlines.

Undergraduate Admission RequirementsFreshmen Requirements. Generally, applicants will qualify for consideration for first-time freshman admission if they meetthe following requirements:

1. Have graduated from high school, have earned a Certificate of General Education Development (GED) or have passedthe California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE)

2. Have a qualifiable minimum eligibility index (see “ Eligibility Index”); and3. Have completed, with grades of C- or better, each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory

subject requirements also known as the “a-g” pattern (see “Subject Requirements”).

Eligibility Index. The eligibility index is the combination of the high school GPA and scores on either the ACT or the SAT.GPA is based on grades earned in courses taken during the final three years of high school. Included in the calculation of GPAare grades earned in all college preparatory “a-g” subject requirements and bonus points for approved honors courses. Up toeight semesters of honors courses taken in the last three years of high school, including up to two approved courses taken inthe tenth grade can be accepted. Each unit of A in an honors course will receive a total of 5 points; B, 4 points; and C, 3 points. A CSU eligibility index can be calculated by multiplying a GPA by 800 and adding the total score on the SAT exam(mathematics and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing). For students who took the ACT, multiply the GPA by 200 and add10 times the ACT composite score. Persons who are California high school graduates (or residents of California for tuitionpurposes) need a minimum index of 2950 or 694 using the ACT. The Eligibility Index Table illustrates several combinations


of required test scores and averages. The university has no current plans to include the writing scores from either of theadmissions tests in the computation of the CSU eligibility index. Persons who neither graduated from a California high school nor are a resident of California for tuition purposes need aminimum index of 3570 or 842 using the ACT. Graduates of secondary schools in foreign countries must be judged to haveacademic preparation and abilities equivalent to applicants eligible under this section. An applicant with a grade point averageof 3.00 or above (3.61 for nonresidents) is not required to submit test scores. However, all applicants for admission areurged to take the SAT or ACT and provide the scores of such tests to each CSU campus to which they seek admission.Campuses use these test results for advising and placement purposes and may require them for admission to impacted majorsor programs. Impacted CSU campuses require SAT or ACT scores of all applicants for freshman admission.

The University minimum index for impacted campuses such as Fresno is higher than the CSU minimum. Seewww.calstate.edu/apply for more information.

Honors Courses. Up to eight semesters of honors courses taken in the last two years of high school, including up to twoapproved courses taken in the tenth grade, can be accepted. Each unit of A in an honors course will receive a total of 5 points;B, 4 points; and C, 3 points.Foreign Language Subject Requirement. The foreign language subject requirement may be satisfied by applicants whodemonstrate competence in a language other than English, equivalent to or higher than expected of students who complete twoyears of foreign language study. Consult with your school counselor or any CSU campus Admissions and Records or Relationswith Schools offices for further information.Subject Requirement Substitution for Students with Disabilities. Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to completecollege preparatory course requirements if at all possible. If an applicant is judged unable to fulfill a specific courserequirement because of his or her disability, alternate college preparatory courses may be substituted for specific subjectrequirements.

Substitutions may be authorized on an individual basis after review and recommendation by your academic advisor orguidance counselor in consultation with the coordinator of a CSU Services for Students with Disabilities office. Although thedistribution may be slightly different from the course pattern required of other students, students qualifying for substitutionswill still be held responsible for 15 units of college preparatory study.

Students should be aware that failure to complete courses required for admission may limit later enrollment in certain majors,particularly those involving mathematics. For further information and substitution forms, contact the coordinator of disabledstudent services at your nearest CSU campus.

The California Promise. This program is limited to students who are residents of California. See Degree Requirements orvisit www2.calstate.edu/apply/freshman/getting_into_the_csu/Pages/the-california-promise-program.aspx

High School Students. High school students may be considered for enrollment in certain special programs if recommended bythe principal and the appropriate campus department chair and if preparation is equivalent to that required of eligible Californiahigh school graduates. Such admission is only for a given specific program and does not constitute a right to continuedenrollment. Contact our Admissions Office.

Transfer Policies of CSU campuses. Most commonly, college level credits earned from an institution of higher educationaccredited by a regional accrediting agency are accepted for transfer to campuses of the CSU; however, authority for decisionsregarding the transfer of undergraduate credits is delegated to each CSU campus.

California Community Colleges and other authorized certifying institutions can certify up to 39 semester (58.5 quarter) units ofGeneral Education-Breadth (GE-Breadth) or 37 semester (55.5 quarter) units of the Intersegmental General Education TransferCurriculum (IGETC) for transfer students to fulfill lower-division general education requirements for any CSU campus prior totransfer.

"Certification” is the official notification from a California Community College or authorized institution that a transfer studenthas completed courses fulfilling lower-division general education requirements. The CSU GE-Breadth and the IntersegmentalGeneral Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) certification course lists for particular community colleges can be accessed atwww.assist.org.

CSU campuses may enter into course-to-course or program-to-program articulation agreements with other CSU campuses,any or all of the California Community Colleges, and other regionally accredited institutions. Established CSU and CaliforniaCommunity College articulations may be found on www.assist.org. Students may be permitted to transfer no more than 70semester (105 quarter) units to a CSU campus from an institution that does not offer bachelor's degrees or their equivalents, for


example, community colleges. Given the university's 30-semester (45-quarter) unit residency requirement, no more than a totalof 90-semester (135-quarter) units may be transferred into the University from all sources.

Conditional/Provisional Admission - Freshmen. California State University, Fresno may provisionally admit first-timefreshman applicants based on their academic preparation through the junior year of high school and planned coursework forthe senior year. The campus will monitor the final terms of study to ensure that admitted students complete their secondaryschool studies satisfactorily, including the required college preparatory subjects, and graduate from high school. Studentsare required to submit an official transcript after graduation to certify that all coursework has been satisfactorily completed.Official high school transcripts must