ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

Students are held individually responsible for meeting the requirements outlined in this catalog. CSUSM will make every effort to adhere to these requirements for students subject to this catalog; particularly important is the “Graduation Requirements” section. All parts of the catalog are subject to change from year to year as University rules, policies, and curricula change. Failure to keep informed of such changes will not exempt students from whatever penalties they may incur.

Enrollment

All students who register at CSUSM for either the Fall or Spring semester must first be admitted to the University by the Office of Admissions.

Concurrent Enrollment

CSUSM provides opportunities for students to enroll concurrently at other colleges and universities. This privilege has some limitations, and students interested in concurrent enrollment should keep in mind that their study load in the proposed combined program may not exceed the maximum number of units authorized by the University for each term. Interested students should consult with their academic advisor before initiating concurrent enrollment procedures.

Enrollment Within the CSU System

Students enrolled at CSUSM may enroll concurrently at other CSU campuses. Such enrollment is at the discretion of authorities from both campuses. Applicants should satisfy the following requirements: (1) have completed at least one semester at CSU San Marcos as a matriculated student and earned at least twelve [12] semester units, and (2) maintained a grade point average of 2.0 [C] in all work completed at the University, and be in good academic standing.

Enrollment Outside The CSU System

Students enrolled at CSUSM may enroll concurrently for additional courses at another institution outside The CSU system with advance approval from the student’s advisor. However, the study load in the proposed combined program of study may not exceed the maximum number of units authorized at this University. Further information regarding concurrent enrollment and deadlines may be obtained from the Office of Registration and Records.

Enrollment as a Visitor

CSUSM encourages its students to experience a wide variety of teaching and learning environments. As a part of this emphasis, the University provides opportunities for students to visit other campuses in the CSU system. While on visitor status, CSUSM students are fully enrolled at the host campus. Since programs and courses may vary within the system, students are required to review their proposed course of study with their academic advisor.

Declaring (or Changing) a Major

Work in a major field of study is designed to afford students the opportunity to engage in intensive study of a discipline. Students may declare a major at the time of admission, or students may enter the University with an “undeclared” major. Students entering the University as “undeclared” or those changing their majors should process a Change of Major Form through the Enrollment Services Information Center. Undeclared major students with bachelor degrees, who are completing credential requirements or preparing to enter credential programs, receive their advising in the College of Education. All other undeclared students receive advising in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Definition of Terms

Continuous Attendance

Continuous attendance/enrollment, as it refers to attendance by a student at any campus of The California State University, means enrollment in at least one course for at least one regular semester in each calendar year.

Course Expectations

Required course expectations will be communicated in the course syllabus, which will be provided to the student and will be placed on file in the program/ department office and/or the Dean’s office, by the fourth week of classes. Each syllabus will also contain a statement of the instructor’s scheduled office hours.

Course Information

The course descriptions, found beginning on page 224 of this catalog, briefly describe the content or subject matter to be covered and provide additional information such as units of credit (number in parenthesis after the course title), level of instruction (see course numbering system), and prerequisites and/or co-requisites (courses in which the student must enroll simultaneously).

Course Numbering System

The first digit in each course designation is intended to indicate the level of the course. In addition, the first digit also roughly indexes the student’s year of study at the University.

Courses numbered 001 to 099 are non-baccalaureate developmental courses. Courses numbered 100 to 299 are lower-division. Courses numbered 300 to 499 are upper-division.

Courses numbered 500 to 599 are graduate level, and may be taken by advanced upper-division, post baccalaureate, or graduate students for undergraduate or graduate credit.

Courses numbered 600 to 699 are graduate level. These courses may be taken by undergraduate students only on an individual basis, and only with prior, case-by-case approval of the program director of the program offering the course (or his/her designee).

Students should consult relevant sections of this catalog, as well as college and program advising staff, in order to determine which courses are appropriate for their level of study, and which courses satisfy degree requirements for various programs of study.

Use of Undergraduate Courses in Master's Degree Programs

Master's students may not count any course at the 300-level or lower toward fulfillment of Master's degree requirements, nor may courses which bear General Education credit be counted toward Master's degree requirements.

Only with prior, case-by-case approval of the graduate program offering the degree may Master's students, on an individual basis, count a 400-level, non- General Education course toward the Master's degree requirements.

Under no circumstances may a Master's student apply more than nine (9) units of 400-level coursework toward fulfillment of Master's degree requirements.

Grading System

Every student of the University will have all coursework evaluated and reported by the faculty using letter grades or administrative symbols. The University uses the traditional grading options as described in the California Code of Regulations and will adhere to the following policies.

Plus/Minus Grading

Plus/minus grading is not mandatory but is used at the discretion of the individual instructor. The grades of A+, F+ and F– are not issued. The following decimal values of plus/ minus grades are used in the calculation of grade point averages:

A = 4.0 C = 2.0

A– = 3.7 C– = 1.7

B+ = 3.3 D+ = 1.3

B = 3.0 D = 1.0

B– = 2.7 D– = 0.7

C+ = 2.3 F = 0

Letter grades are defined as:

A (Excellent): Performance of the student has been at the highest level, showing sustained excellence in meeting all course objectives and exhibiting an unusual degree of intellectual initiative.

B (Good): Performance of the student has been at a high level, showing consistent and effective achievement in meeting course objectives.

C (Satisfactory): Performance of the student has been at an adequate level, meeting the basic objectives of the course.

D (Passing): Performance of the student has been less than adequate, meeting only the minimum course requirements.

F (Failing): Performance of the student has been such that minimum course requirements have not been met.

Nontraditional Grading

All courses are graded on an A through F basis, as described in the preceding column, except those specifically designated as follows:

CR/NC (Credit/No Credit): Credit is awarded for grades equivalent to C or better. No credit is awarded for grades equivalent to C- or less. Grades of CR and NC are not included in the calculation of grade point averages.

Courses graded Credit/No Credit, whether taken at this or at another institution, may not be used to satisfy requirements for the major, except specific courses designated by the discipline to be graded Credit/No Credit (refer to the course section of this catalog). General Education courses may not be taken at CSU San Marcos with a Credit/No Credit option. A maximum of nine (9) semester units may be taken at CSUSM with a Credit/No Credit option toward any undergraduate degree.

When, because of circumstances, a student does not complete a particular course, or withdraws, the following administrative symbols may be assigned by the faculty:

I Incomplete Authorized

RD Report Delayed

SP Satisfactory Progress

U Unauthorized Incomplete

W Withdrawal

I (Incomplete Authorized):

An incomplete grade signifies that a portion of required coursework has not been completed and evaluated in the prescribed time period due to unforeseen, but fully justified, reasons and that there is still a possibility of earning credit. It is the responsibility of the student to bring pertinent information to the instructor and to reach agreement on the means by which the remaining course requirements will be satisfied. A final grade is assigned when the work agreed upon has been completed and evaluated.

An Incomplete must be made up within one calendar year immediately following the end of the term in which it was assigned. This limitation prevails whether or not the student maintains continuous enrollment (see definition under Definition of Terms section). Failure to complete the assigned work within one calendar year will result in an Incomplete being changed to an F (or NC, if the class was taken for Credit/No Credit).

RD (Report Delayed):

The RD symbol appears when the instructor has not reported a grade. It is replaced by a more appropriate symbol when the instructor assigns the grade. An RD is not included in the calculation of grade point averages.

SP (Satisfactory Progress):

The SP symbol is used in connection with courses whose work extends beyond one academic term. It indicates that work is in progress and that has been evaluated and found to be satisfactory to date, but that assignment of a precise grade must await completion of additional work. Except for graduate degree theses and projects, work is to be completed within one calendar year immediately following the end of the term in which it was assigned. Failure to complete the additional work within the prescribed time period will result in the SP being changed to an F (or NC, if the class was taken for Credit/No Credit). In graduate thesis and project courses, the SP grade will not change to an F or NC until the student has exceeded the time to- degree limit of the graduate program.

U (Unauthorized Incomplete):

The symbol U indicates that an enrolled student did not officially withdraw from the course and failed to complete course requirements. It is used when, in the opinion of the instructor, completed assignments or course activities, or both, were insufficient to make normal evaluation of academic performance possible. For purposes of grade point average, this symbol is equivalent to an F.

W (Withdrawal):

This grade indicates that the student dropped the course after the add/drop deadline published in the Class Schedule. Grades of W are not included in the calculation of grade point averages.

Auditing Classes

The symbol AU (Audit) is used by the Registration and Records Office in those instances where a student has enrolled in a course either for information or other purpose not related to the student’s formal academic objective. Enrollment as an auditor is subject to the permission of the instructor, provided that enrollment in any course as an auditor shall be permitted only after students otherwise eligible to enroll in the course on a credit basis have had an opportunity to do so. Auditors are subject to the same fees as credit students, and regular class attendance is expected. Once enrolled as an auditor, a student may not change to credit status unless such a change is requested prior to the last day to add classes. A student who is enrolled for credit may not change to audit after the second week of instruction. An auditor is not permitted to take examinations in the course; therefore, there is no basis for evaluation or a formal grade.

Grade Changes

The University recognizes the prerogative of the faculty to set standards of performance and to apply them to individual students. The University will seek to correct injustices to students, but at the same time, believes that the instructor’s judgment at the time the original grade is assigned is better than a later reconsideration of an individual case. Equity to all students is of fundamental concern. The following policies apply to changes of grades, except for changes of Incomplete Authorized and Unauthorized Incomplete symbols.

1. In general, all course grades are final when filed by the instructor in the end-of-term course grade report. Students may obtain their grades through the SMART system. These grades become a part of the official record.

2. A change of grade may occur only in cases of clerical error or where the instructor reevaluates the original course assignments of a student and discovers an error in the original evaluation. A clerical error is an error made by the instructor or an assistant in calculating or recording the grade. A change of grade shall not occur as a consequence of the acceptance of additional work or re-examination beyond the specified course requirements.

3. A request for a change of grade shall be initiated by the student affected and shall be directed to the instructor within sixty (60) calendar days of the first day of classes of the regular semester following the award of the grade. If the instructor determines that there is a valid basis for the change, a Change of Grade form shall be used to notify the Office of Registration and Records. Forms are not to be handled by the student. If the instructor determines that there is not a valid basis for the change, and denies the student’s request, the instructor’s decision is final. The student may file a grievance through the Student Grievance Committee in cases where the student believes a grade was issued on the basis of capricious or prejudicial treatment by the instructor.

Incomplete Grades for Graduating Students

If it is possible for a student to graduate with an “I” grade in a course because that course is not required for graduation, and if the student has sufficient credit units to graduate without the course, the “I” grade becomes permanent.

No further action will be taken to alter the student’s record for purposes of that degree.

Grade Point Average

The grade point average (GPA) is a measure of academic scholarship and performance. The grade point average is computed by multiplying the number of units earned by the quality-point value of the grade assigned. The total quality points are then divided by the number of units attempted, subject to application of the Repeat of Undergraduate Courses policy described in this catalog.

A student’s overall GPA is based on the record of all baccalaureate-level and/or post-baccalaureate-level courses attempted by that student. A student’s institutional (or CSUSM) GPA is based on the record of all baccalaureate-level and/or post-baccalaureate-level courses attempted by that student at CSUSM. Some degree programs may require students to achieve a minimum GPA in courses applied toward major requirements, or a minimum grade in each of these courses.

Maximum Number of Units

A student whose academic record justifies a study program in excess of nineteen (19) units may be allowed to enroll for extra units. Undergraduates who request to enroll for more than nineteen (19) units must obtain the approval of their academic advisor. If such requests are denied, appeals may be made to the appropriate college dean. In general, only students with superior academic records and a demonstrated need for such excess enrollment will be allowed to enroll beyond the nineteen (19) unit limit.

Student Classification

Students who have complied with all the admissions requirements and who have received an official notice of admission will be admitted to the University under one of the following classifications.

Freshman: A student who has earned a total of zero to twenty-nine (0 to 29) semester units inclusive.

Sophomore: A student who has earned a total of thirty to fifty-nine (30 to 59) semester units inclusive.

Junior: A student who has earned a total of sixty to eighty-nine (60 to 89) semester units inclusive.

Senior: A student who has earned a total of ninety (90) or more semester units.

Graduate/Post-baccalaureate: A student who has earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Repeat of Undergraduate Courses and GPA Adjustment Policy

The following policy, applicable only to undergraduate study at CSU San Marcos, will be followed when allowing students to repeat courses:

1. A course taken at CSU San Marcos in which a grade of C- (C minus) or less is received, may be repeated for purposes of replacing a prior grade and satisfying requirements.

2. If a student repeats a course and receives a grade of F in the repeated course, both grades will count in computation of the GPA.

3. Courses in which a student received a designation of NC, can only be repeated CR/NC. If a course previously taken for a grade is repeated CR/NC, the original grade will continue to be calculated in the GPA.

4. When a course is repeated and a passing grade is received, the student must request from the Office of Registration and Records that the most recent grade received replace a prior grade. When a course is repeated more than once, a passing grade will replace only one of the prior grades in GPA determination.

5. All attempts for a given course will be maintained as a part of the student record and will appear on the student’s

transcripts.

6. A maximum of five (5) different courses may be repeated at CSU San Marcos. If a course with variable topics is repeated, the same topic (identified by specific course number and suffix) must be repeated in order to replace a grade.

7. Transfer courses are not counted in the repetition limit. If a student has taken courses at other institutions, the policies of those institutions will be used in computation of overall GPA.

8. A course repeated at another institution will not replace the course taken at CSU San Marcos in terms of GPA computation.

Student Course Load

Undergraduate students who are enrolled in twelve (12) units or more in a fall or spring semester are classified as full-time. Students enrolled in nine (9) units or more in a summer term are classified as full-time. Undergraduates who are enrolled in fewer units are classified as part-time.

Graduate students who are enrolled in nine (9) units or more in a fall or spring semester are classified as full-time. Graduate students who hold a University assistantship requiring one third time services or more are considered full-time when enrolled in six (6) units during an academic term.

Undergraduate international students on non-immigrant visas must carry and complete a minimum of twelve (12) units per semester unless a reduced load is authorized by the University. Reduced unit loads may be granted for substantial academic or compelling personal reasons beyond the control of the student. Failure to secure such authorization results in violation of student status under Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and State Department regulations, warranting discontinuance of enrollment.

Student Attendance and Administrative Withdrawal

Students registered in a class must be present at the first class session to guarantee a place in the class. Administrative Withdrawal is a procedure that offers instructors the option of making enrollment in a course contingent upon the student’s attendance at the first meeting. Students absent from the first meeting may be administratively dropped from the class at the instructor’s request. In addition, instructors may stipulate that attendance at other specified class meetings on or before the add/drop deadline is required for students to remain enrolled in the class. (For example, in some science laboratory courses, student attendance at safety instruction sessions is mandated by state law.)

Students who are unable to attend the first class meeting, or class meetings where attendance is required for enrollment, must contact the instructor in advance to make sure the instructor is aware that the student wishes to remain enrolled in the course. Notification of the instructor may not be sufficient to ensure enrollment in the course; students may be administratively dropped from courses for failure to attend first class meetings or other mandatory meetings, even when the instructor is given prior notification. Where students have been administratively dropped from a class, and where the absence or inability to contact the instructor was caused by mitigating circumstances, students should appeal to the instructor in seeking to regain enrollment in a class. Students who have been administratively dropped from a class may be reinstated, upon consent of the instructor, by filing a Schedule Adjustment Form in the Enrollment Services Information Center.

Add/Drop and Withdrawal Policy

Adding Courses

There will be no adding of classes on the first day of the academic term. Students who wish to add classes may do so, using a Schedule Adjustment Form, beginning the second day of the term until the published add/drop deadline. The Schedule Adjustment Form, with the instructor's signature (or that of the instructor's designee), must be submitted to the Enrollment Services Information Center (where blank forms are available). Beyond the add/drop deadline, students may add courses only with signature approval of the course instructor and the Dean of the College offering the course (or designee); a late fee will be assessed.

Dropping Courses

Students who wish to drop classes may do so by following the procedures outlined in the table on page 79. (Students who wish to drop all their classes should also follow the procedures for University Withdrawal, below.) On or before the Add/Drop deadline, as detailed below, students may drop classes either by using the SMART system or by submitting a completed Schedule Adjustment Form to the Enrollment Services Information Center; signature approval is not required, and no record of the course will appear on the student's transcript.

After the Add/Drop deadline, students must submit a Course Withdrawal Form to the Enrollment Services Information Center. Signature approval is required for dropping courses, according to a series of deadlines staggered throughout the academic term, as detailed below. To gain approval, students must present sufficient reason(s) for dropping the course. Given approval, the grade of "W" ("Withdrawal") appears for the course on the student's transcript. Grades of "W" are not included in the calculation of the student's GPA.

Retroactive Course Drops

Up to one year after the end of the academic term, under extraordinary circumstances students may petition for retroactive dropping of any or all courses attempted during the academic term, as detailed below. Given approval, the grade of "W" will appear on the student's transcript for the course(s) addressed by the petition.

Withdrawing from the Institution

To minimize possible financial penalties, students who wish to drop all classes at any point in the academic term (without adding others for the same term) must also officially withdraw from the University. Students who find it necessary to withdraw from CSUSM after enrolling for any academic term are required to follow the official withdrawal procedures. Failure to follow formal withdrawal procedures may result in the assignment of failing grades in all courses and the need to apply for readmission before being permitted to enroll in another academic term. During the academic term, permission to drop all classes must be sought according to the deadlines, requirements and procedures detailed below. Where such permission is not granted, students who withdraw from the University will receive grades other than "W" for all classes attempted during the term. Grades will be determined on the basis of coursework completed during the term. Information on withdrawal procedures is available from Office of Registration and Records at (760) 750-4814.

In addition, students must submit a completed University Withdrawal Form Enrollment Services Information Center. (Forms are available at the Enrollment Services Information Center and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.) To obtain approval for the University Withdrawal, students must obtain a series of clearances from various University offices, independent of permission to drop all classes.

Details of the University Withdrawal process are outlined on the University Withdrawal Form.

Instructors are not required to drop students for absence; therefore, students should not assume that they will be dropped for absence, and should confirm their registration status before the add/drop deadline.

PROCEDURES FOR DROPPING COURSES

Students who are receiving financial aid funds must consult with The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship prior to withdrawing from the University regarding any required return or repayments of grant or loan assistance received for that academic term. If a recipient of financial assistance, under federal Title IV financial aid programs, withdraws from the institution during a payment period, the amount of grant or loan assistance received is subject to return and repayment provisions as governed by federal law.

In addition, students must submit a completed University Withdrawal Form to the Enrollment Services Information Center. (Forms are available at the Enrollment Services Information Center and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.) To obtain approval for the University Withdrawal, students must obtain a series of clearances from various University offices, independent of permission to drop all classes. Details of the University Withdrawal process are outlined on the University Withdrawal Form.

In extraordinary circumstances (including but not limited to serious illness, family emergency, call-up for military service, and other circumstances beyond the student's control), students may petition for retroactive University Withdrawal.

Permission to drop all classes retroactively must be obtained according to the procedures outlined in the final row of the chart across, and a completed University Withdrawal form must also be submitted. Details of the retroactive University Withdrawal process are outlined on the University Withdrawal Form.

Deadlines*

On or before the Add/ Drop deadline: end of the second week of semester (end of approximately 10% of the academic term). After the Add/Drop deadline, and on or before midterm (end of the eighth week of the semester or approximately 50% of the academic term). After mid-term, and on or before the last day of the twelfth week of the semester (end of approximately 75% of the academic term). Beyond the last day of the twelfth week of the semester (beyond the end of approximately 75% of the academic term), until the deadline for instructor submission of grades. Up to one year after the end of the term.

* Deadlines are strictly enforced. Students wishing to petition for an exception to a deadline based on circumstances beyond their control may do so in writing on a petition form available in the Office of Registration and Records.

Requirements and Procedures

• Student may use the SMART system or submit a Schedule Adjustment Form to the Enrollment Services Information Center.

• No record of the course appears on student records.

• No signature approval required.

• Dean of the College offering the course (or designee) must sign the Schedule Adjustment Form.

• Student must present serious reason(s) for dropping the course. Inadequate academic preparation for the course is sufficient justification.

• Given approval, grade of "W" appears on student records.

• After obtaining signature approval, student must submit a completed Schedule Adjustment Form to the Enrollment Services Information Center.

• Dean of the College offering the course (or designee) must sign the Schedule Adjustment Form.

• Student must present serious and compelling reasons for dropping the course. Inadequate academic preparation for the course is no longer sufficient justification for the drop, unless compounded by other aggravating circumstances.

• Given approval, grade of "W" appears on student records.

• After obtaining signature approval, student must submit a completed Schedule Adjustment Form to the Enrollment Services Information Center.

• Course Instructor and Dean of the College offering the course (or designee) must sign the Schedule Adjustment Form.

• Student must demonstrate that the need to drop the course is due to circumstances beyond the student’s control, as in cases of serious illness, accident, family emergency, etc., and that a grade of "I" (where acceptable to the instructor) is impractical, given these circumstances.

• Given approval, grade of "W" appears on student records.

• After obtaining signature approval, student must submit a completed Schedule Adjustment Form to the Enrollment Services Information Center.

• Student may petition for retroactive dropping of single courses by following the procedures outlined in the preceding section of this chart.

• Student may petition for retroactive dropping of all courses attempted during the term by submitting a written request to the Dean of Students.

• In this petition, the student must present serious and compelling reasons for the retroactive drops.

• The petition is reviewed by a committee consisting of the Dean of Students (or designee), the Dean of the College of the student’s

major (or designee; Arts and Sciences in the case of undeclared majors), and a faculty member from the Student Affairs Committee

(SAC). (When this faculty member is unavailable, a replacement may be appointed on an ad hoc basis by the Dean of the College, from among the College faculty.)

• Given approval by the review committee, the Dean of Students will sign off on the petition; grades of "W" will appear on student records for all courses attempted during the term.

Dean’s List Policy

To qualify for the undergraduate Dean’s List at the conclusion of a semester, the student must have completed a minimum of 12 units of graded CSUSM coursework (A, B, C, D, F) during that semester with at least a 3.50 grade point average.

Application for Graduation

Graduation is not automatic upon the completion of requirements. Students who intend to graduate must take the initiative to apply. Upon completion of 90 units, the student is eligible to file an application for graduation in the Enrollment Services Information Center. The Class Schedule each semester specifies the filing date.

The degree is granted upon completion of all requirements by the graduation date. Candidates for graduation are eligible to register for terms subsequent to the graduation date only if an application for readmission as a post-baccalaureate or graduate student has been filed with the Office of Admissions. Students not completing the requirements must reapply for graduation during the appropriate filing period, and pay the required application fee. Graduation requirements will be determined by the continuous enrollment regulations defined in this catalog. After the degree is granted, no changes can be made to the undergraduate record.

Catalog Rights for Degree Requirements

If a student does not graduate within ten (10) years from the beginning of his/her catalog rights, the major advisor may review all upper-division major courses for applicability.

Election of Regulations

An undergraduate student remaining in continuous attendance in regular sessions at any California State University campus, at any California community college, or at any combination of California community colleges and campuses of The California State University may, for purposes of meeting graduation requirements, elect to meet the requirements in effect at CSU San Marcos either:

A. at the time the student begins attendance at a California public community college or California State University campus, or

B. at the time the student begins attendance at CSU San Marcos, or

C. at the time the student graduates from CSU San Marcos.

The campus may require a student changing his or her major or any minor field of study to complete the major or minor requirements in effect at the time of the change.

For purposes of this section, “attendance” means attendance in at least one semester of a calendar year.

Leave of Absence

Absence due to an approved educational leave or for attendance at another accredited institution of higher learning shall not be considered an interruption in attendance (if the absence does not exceed two years). A student may request a leave of absence by completing a Request for Leave of Absence Form, available in the Enrollment Services Information Center, before the first day of classes of the semester for which the leave is being requested. Approval is subject to the following conditions:

1. A leave of absence may be granted for valid educational, medical, or professional reasons.

2. A leave of absence is granted on a semester-by-semester basis, to a maximum of four semesters.

3. The student must have been a matriculated student at CSUSM for at least one semester.

4. The student must not be subject to disqualification.

5. If registered for the same semester as the requested leave of absence, the student must file an official withdrawal with the Office of Registration and Records.

Students granted leaves of absence do not need to reapply for admission at the conclusion of their leaves. They also maintain catalog rights as though they have been continuously enrolled.

Graduation with Honors

Undergraduate students who complete their first undergraduate degree requirements at CSUSM with exceptional scholastic averages will be eligible for bachelor’s degrees with Latin Honors. The following criteria are required for graduation with honors:

• Cum laude 3.50–3.69

• Magna cum laude 3.70–3.89

• Summa cum laude 3.90–4.00

The determining GPA is the lower of the CSUSM GPA and the overall GPA. In other words, the GPA for honors is the minimum of the CSUSM GPA and the overall GPA. Preliminary designation of honors for purposes of commencement is based on all work completed prior to the semester of the commencement ceremony. The final honors list for diploma and permanent record designation is based on all work completed.

Final Examinations

Student achievement shall be evaluated in all courses. Students shall be fully informed of the manner of their evaluations as well as the requirements and major assignments within the first three weeks of each semester. One method of summative evaluation is a final examination. If a final is given, it must be held at the time scheduled by the University, unless it is a take-home exam, in which case it shall be due no earlier than the day and time scheduled for the final exam for the class. Once established, the scheduled day and time for a final exam may not be changed unless approved by the dean of the college. No make-up final examination will be given except for reason of illness or other verified emergency. An instructor may not shorten the academic semester by scheduling an in-class final exam in lieu of a final exam before the week scheduled for the final. The dean of each college shall be responsible for ensuring that this policy is followed.

Academic Probation and Disqualification

In order to determine a student’s eligibility

to remain enrolled at CSUSM, the University shall consider both quality of performance and progress toward successful completion of a student’s course of study. Eligibility shall be determined essentially by grade points and grade point average.

CSU San Marcos will apply the following guidelines:

• Undergraduate students shall be subject to probation if, in any academic term, they fail to maintain both a cumulative and CSU San Marcos grade point average of at least 2.0 (a C average);

• Undergraduate students on probation shall be subject to disqualification if (1) as a lower-division student (less than 60 semester units completed) they fall 15 or more grade points below a 2.0 average in either all units attempted or all units attempted at this campus, (2) as a junior (60-89 semester units completed) they fall 9 or more grade points below a 2.0 average in either all units attempted or all units attempted at this campus, or (3) as a senior (90+ semester units completed) they fall 6 or more grade points below a 2.0 average in either all units attempted or all units attempted at this campus;

• Undergraduate students shall be subject to disqualification if at any time their cumulative grade point average falls below 1.0 (a grade of D) and if it is unlikely, in light of their overall education record, that the grade-point deficiency will be removed in subsequent terms;

• Students who have unclassified post-baccalaureate status shall be subject to the same academic probation and disqualification as undergraduate students, with the exception of students enrolled in a Teaching Credential Program who must follow the conditions established for that program;

• Students enrolled in a graduate degree program in conditionally classified or classified standing shall be subject to academic probation if the student fails to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (grade of B) in all units attempted subsequent to admission to the program;

• If none of the conditions above apply, undergraduate students shall receive an academic warning if, in a single term, their GPA falls below 1.5.

Students disqualified for academic deficiency may not enroll in any regular campus session without permission from the Executive Director of Enrollment Services and may be denied admission to other educational programs operated or sponsored by the University.

Academic Renewal Policy