Requirements for admission to Cal State San Marcos are in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3, of the California Code of Regulations. Prospective applicants who are unsure of these requirements are encouraged to consult a high school or community college counselor, or CSU campus Admissions Office.

Electronic versions of the CSU undergraduate and graduate applications are accessible on the Web at www.csumentor.edu/. The CSUMentor system allows students to browse through general information about CSU’s twenty-three campuses, view multimedia campus presentations, send and receive electronic responses to specific questions, and apply for admission and financial aid.

Applications may be obtained online, or at any California high school, or community college, or from the Admissions Office at any of the campuses of the California State University.

 Importance of Filing Complete, Accurate, and Authentic Application Documents

Cal State San Marcos advises prospective students that they must supply complete and accurate information on the application for admission, residence questionnaire, and financial aid forms. Further, applicants must submit authentic and official transcripts of all previous academic work attempted. Failure to file complete, accurate, and authentic application documents may result in denial of admission, cancellation of academic credit, suspension, or expulsion (Section 41301, Article 1.1, Title 5, California Code of Regulations).

 Admissions

The Office of Admissions offers a full array of services from the time of first contact until students register for their first semester.

All pre-enrollment services are housed in the Enrollment Services Information Center. Admissions is responsible for processing admission applications and for the evaluation of high school or transfer credits, but also offers a wide variety of services to prospective students who have not yet applied. Outreach services to area high schools, community college transfer services, pre-admission advising, and campus tours are all available to students seeking information about the University. Questions about majors offered, support services available, or the future development of the campus can also be addressed. In addition to the professional staff, Peer Resources in Discussing Education (PRIDE) Ambassadors are a group of continuing Cal State San Marcos students who are available, by appointment, for these services.

 Registration and Records

The Office of Registration and Records is responsible for registration, grade reporting, maintenance of the official academic record, name, address, and major changes, evaluation of transfer credits, transcripts, class rosters, enrollment verification, transcript evaluation, and graduation processing. Application for services related to the above may be obtained from the Enrollment Services Information Center in Craven Hall. The official name, address, and major changes for a student must be requested in the Enrollment Services Information Center. All official academic records for students are maintained in Registration and Records, including academic transcripts, academic status, degree information, grade changes, and petitions for exceptions to academic regulations.

 Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Freshman Admission Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for regular admission as first-time freshmen if they: 1. are high school graduates,

2. have a qualifiable eligibility index (see Eligibility Index), and

3. have completed, with grades of C or better, each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirements (see "Subject Requirements"). Eligibility Index

The eligibility index is the combination of the student’s high school grade point average and his/her score on either the ACT or the SAT. The student’s grade point average is based on grades earned during the student’s final three years of high school (excluding physical education and military science) and bonus points for approved honors courses. Beginning with admission for Fall 2004, the high school grade point average will be based solely on courses taken in the final three years of high school that satisfy the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirements.

Up to eight semesters of honor courses taken in the last two years of high school, including up to two approved 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.

Students can calculate the index by multiplying their grade point average by 800 and adding their total score on the SAT I. If students took the ACT, multiply their grade point average by 200 and add ten times the ACT composite score. California high school graduates (or legal residents of California for tuition purposes) need a minimum index of 2900 using the SAT I or 694 using the ACT. The Eligibility Index Table illustrates several combinations of required test scores and averages.

Students who neither graduated from a California high school nor are residents of California for tuition purposes, need a minimum index of 3502 (SAT I) or 842 (ACT). Graduates of secondary schools in foreign countries must be judged to have academic preparation and abilities equivalent to applicants eligible under this section.

Students with grade point averages of 3.00 or above (3.61 for nonresidents) are not required to submit test scores. However, students are urged to take the SAT I or ACT because campuses use these test results for advising and placement purposes and may require them for admission to impacted majors or programs.

Students will qualify for regular admission when the University verifies that students have graduated from high school, have a qualifiable eligibility index, have completed the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subjects, and, if applying to an impacted program, have met all supplementary criteria.

Provisional Admission

Cal State San Marcos may provisionally admit first-time freshman applicants based on their academic preparation through the junior year of high school and planned for the senior year. The campus will monitor the senior year of study to ensure that those so admitted complete their senior year of studies satisfactorily, including the required college preparatory subjects, and graduate from high school.

Eligibility Index Table for California High School Graduates or Residents of California

GPA	ACT Score	SAT I Score
3.00 and above qualifies with any score
2.99	10	510
2.98	10	520
2.97	10	530
2.96	11	540
2.95	11	540
2.94	11	550
2.93	11	560
2.92	11	570
2.91	12	580
2.90	12	580
2.89	12	590
2.88	12	600
2.87	12	610
2.86	13	620
2.85	13	620
2.84	13	630
2.83	13	640
2.82	13	650
2.81	14	660
2.80	14	660
2.79	14	670
2.78	14	680
2.77	14	690
2.76	15	700
2.75	15	700
2.74	15	710
2.73	15	720
2.72	15	730
2.71	16	740
2.70	16	740
2.69	16	750
2.68	16	760
2.67	16	770
2.66	17	780
2.65	17	780
2.64	17	790
2.63	17	800
2.62	17	810
2.61	18	820
2.60	18	820
2.59	18	830
2.58	18	840
2.57	18	850
2.56	19	860
2.55	19	860
2.54	19	870
2.53	19	880
2.52	19	890
2.51	20	900
2.50	20	900
2.49	20	910
2.48	20	920
2.47	20	930
2.46	21	940
2.45	21	940
2.44	21	950
2.43	21	960
2.42	21	970
2.41	22	980
2.40	22	980
2.39	22	990
2.38	22	1000
2.37	22	1010
2.36	23	1020
2.35	23	1020
2.34	23	1030
2.33	23	1040
2.32	23	1050
2.31	24	1060
2.30	24	1060
2.29	24	1070
2.28	24	1080
2.27	24	1090
2.26	25	1100
2.25	25	1100
2.24	25	1110
2.23	25	1120
2.22	25	1130
2.21	26	1140
2.20	26	1140
2.19	26	1150
2.18	26	1160
2.17	26	1170
2.16	27	1180
2.15	27	1180
2.14	27	1190
2.13	27	1200
2.12	27	1210
2.11	28	1220
2.10	28	1220
2.09	28	1230
2.08	28	1240
2.07	28	1250
2.06	29	1260
2.05	29	1260
2.04	29	1270
2.03	29	1280
2.02	29	1290
2.01	30	1300
2.00	30	1300

Below 2.00 does not qualify for regular admission.

 Subject Requirements

The California State University requires that first-time freshman applicants complete, with grades of C or better, a comprehensive pattern of college preparatory study totaling 15 units. A "unit" is one year of study in high school. Within the 15 units completed, up to one unit (one year) in visual and performing arts or foreign language may be missing and offset by a college preparatory course(s) in other areas. The missing unit of visual and performing arts or foreign language must be completed either prior to, or by the end of the first year, of CSU enrollment. This provision is effective through the 2002-2003 academic year.

• English, 4 years.
• Mathematics, 3 years: algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra.
• U.S. history or U.S. history and government, 1 year.
• Science, 1 year with laboratory: biology, chemistry, physics, or other acceptable laboratory science.
• Foreign language, 2 years in the same language (subject to waiver for applicants demonstrating equivalent competence).
• Visual and performing arts, 1 year: art, dance, drama/theater, or music.
• Electives, 3 years: selected from English, advanced mathematics, social science, history, laboratory science, foreign language, and visual and performing arts.

Applicants seeking admission as first-time freshmen for the fall 2003 or later terms will have the same preparatory course requirements for admission to either the California State University or the University of California. The preparatory course admission requirements will be the completion of the following courses with a grade of C or better:

• English, 4 years.
• Mathematics, 3 years: algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra.
• Social science, 2 years, including one year of U.S. history.
• Laboratory science, 2 years, must include one year of life and one year physical science.
• Foreign language, 2 years.
• Visual or performing arts, 1 year.
• Electives chosen from one of the areas above, 1 year.

Foreign Language Subject Requirement

The Foreign Language Subject Requirement may be satisfied by applicants who demonstrate competence in a language, other than English, equivalent to or higher than expected of students who complete two years of foreign language study. Consult with your school counselor or any CSU campus’ Admissions or School Relations Office for further information.

 Subject Requirement Substitution for Students with Disabilities

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to complete college preparatory course requirements if at all possible. If an applicant is judged unable to fulfill a specific course requirement because of his or her disability, alternate college preparatory courses may be substituted for specific subject requirements. Substitutions may be authorized on an individual basis after review and recommendation by the applicant’s academic advisor or guidance counselor in consultation with the Director of Disabled Student Services. Although the distribution may be slightly different from the course pattern required of other students, students qualifying for substitutions will still be held for 15 units of college preparatory study. Students should be aware that course substitutions may limit later enrollment in certain majors, particularly those involving mathematics. Further information and substitution forms can be obtained from the Director of Disabled Student Services.

 Undergraduate Transfer Applicants

Transfer Requirements

Students who have completed fewer than 56 transferable semester college units (fewer than 84 quarter units) are considered lower-division transfer students. Students who have completed 56 or more transferable semester college units (84 or more quarter units) are considered upper-division transfer students. Students who complete college units during high school or through the summer immediately following high school graduation are considered first-time freshmen and must meet those admission requirements. Transferable courses are those designated for baccalaureate credit by the college or university offering the courses.

 Lower-Division Transfer Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for admission as lower-division transfer students if they have a grade point average of at least 2.0 (C or better) in all transferable units attempted, are in good standing at the last college or university attended, and meet any of the following standards:

1. will meet the freshman admission requirements (grade point average and subject requirements) in effect for the term to which they are applying (see "Freshman Requirements" section);

   or

2. were eligible as a freshman at the time of high school graduation except for the subject requirements, have been in continuous attendance in an accredited college since high school graduation, and have made up the missing subjects.

Applicants who graduated from high school prior to 1988 should contact the Office of Admissions to inquire about alternative admission programs.

Making Up Missing College Preparatory Subject Requirements

Lower-division applicants who did not complete subject requirements while in high school may make up missing subjects in any of the following ways.

1. Complete appropriate courses with a C or better in adult school or high school summer sessions.
2. Complete appropriate college courses with a C or better. One college course of at least three semester or four quarter units will be considered equivalent to one year of high school study.
3. Earn acceptable scores on specified examinations.

Please consult with any CSU Admission Office for further information about alternative ways to satisfy the subject requirements.

 Upper-Division Transfer Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for admission as upper-division transfer students if:

1. they have a grade point average of at least 2.0 (C or better) in all transferable units attempted; and
2. they are in good standing at the last college or university attended; and
3. they have completed at least 30 semester units of college coursework with a grade of C or better in each course, to be selected from courses in English, arts and humanities, social science, science and mathematics, at a level at least equivalent to courses that meet general education requirements. The 30 units must include all of the general education requirements in communication in the English language and critical thinking (at least 9 semester units) and the requirement in mathematics/quantitative reasoning (usually 3 semester units) OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) requirements in English communication and mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning.

Adult Students

As an alternative to regular admission criteria, an applicant who is 25 years of age or older may be considered for admission as an adult student, if he or she meets all of the following conditions:

1. possesses a high school diploma [or has established equivalence through either the tests of General Educational Development (GED) or the California High School Proficiency Examination],
2. has not been enrolled in college as a full-time student for more than one term during the past five years, and
3. if there has been any college attendance in the last five years, has earned a C average or better in all college work attempted.

Consideration will be based upon a judgment as to whether the applicant is likely to succeed, as a regularly admitted freshman or transfer student, and will include an assessment of basic skills in the English language and mathematical computation.

Other Applicants

An applicant not admitted under the provisions cited in this catalog should consider enrollment at another appropriate institution. Only under the most unusual circumstances will such applicants be permitted to enroll in the University. Permission is granted only by special action of the University.

International (Foreign) Student Admission Requirements

The California State University must assess the academic preparation of international students. For this purpose, "foreign students" include those who hold U.S. visas as students or exchange visitors, or are in other non-immigrant classifications.

The CSU uses separate requirements and application filing dates for the admission of foreign students. Verification of the student’s English proficiency (see the section on TOEFL requirement for undergraduate and graduate applicants), financial resources, and academic performance are all important considerations for admission. Academic records from foreign institutions must be on file at least four weeks before registration for the first term and, if not in English, must be accompanied by certified English translations. Complete information can be found in www.csusm.edu/UGA/interstud.htm.

Priority in admission is given to residents of California. There is little likelihood of nonresident applicants, including international students, being admitted either to impacted majors or to those majors or programs with limited openings.

Insurance Requirement

Effective August 1, 1995, all F-1 and J-1 visa applicants must agree to obtain and maintain health insurance as a condition of registration and for continued enrollment in the CSU. Such insurance must be in amounts as specified by the U.S. Department of State and NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Information about required coverage and which insurance policies meet these criteria may be obtained from the Office of University Global Affairs.

Intrasystem and Intersystem Enrollment Programs

Students enrolled at any CSU campus will have access to courses at other CSU campuses on a space available basis unless those campuses or programs are impacted. This access is offered without students being required to be admitted formally to the host campus and sometimes without paying additional fees. Although courses taken on any CSU campus will transfer to the student's home CSU campus as at least elective credit, students should consult their home campus academic advisors to determine how such courses may apply to their degree programs before enrolling at the host campus.

There are two programs for enrollment within the CSU and one for enrollment between CSU and the University of California or California community colleges. Additional information about these programs is available from the Office of Registration and Records.

CSU Concurrent Enrollment

Matriculated students in good standing may enroll at both their home CSU campus and a host CSU campus during the same term. Credit earned at the host campus is automatically reported to the home campus to be included on the student's transcript at the home campus.

CSU Visitor Enrollment

Matriculated students in good standing enrolled at one CSU campus may enroll at another CSU campus for one term. Credit earned at the host campus is reported automatically to the home campus to be included on the student's transcript at the home campus.

Intersystem Cross Enrollment

Matriculated CSU, UC, or community college students may enroll for one course per term at another CSU, UC, or community college and request that a transcript of record be sent to the home campus.

Admission to Teaching Credential Programs

Admission to the University as a student does not constitute admission to a teaching credential program, and vice-versa. Students must be admitted to both in order to enroll in classes. Students who intend to work toward the Multiple or Single Subject Credential must also apply for admission to the credential program. For details regarding the admission requirements, please refer to the College of Education section.

Postbaccalaureate students must file official transcripts with both the Office of Admissions and the College of Education if they plan to enter a credential program. Students must include transcripts from each college attended (including extension, correspondence, summer session, or evening courses).

Second Bachelor’s Degree Admission Requirements

Students who have a previous bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education may apply to receive a second bachelor’s degree. Applicants must have a 2.5 grade point average in the last 60 units attempted for prior work, and must meet graduation requirements as specified in the Second Bachelor’s Degree Requirements section.

Undergraduate Application Procedures

Prospective students, applying for part-time or full-time undergraduate programs of study, in day or evening classes, must file a complete undergraduate application. The $55 nonrefundable application fee should be in the form of a check or money order payable to "The California State University" or by credit card if submitting the online application, and may not be transferred or used to apply to another term. An alternate campus and major may be indicated on the application, but applicants should list as an alternate campus only a CSU campus that also offers the major. Generally, an alternate major will be considered at the first choice campus before an application is redirected to an alternate choice campus. To be considered by more than one campus during the open filing period, it is recommended that an applicant submit an application (including fees) to each campus.

Application Filing Periods

Filing Period Duration: Each campus accepts applications until capacities are reached. Many campuses limit undergraduate admission in an enrollment category because of overall enrollment limits. Undergraduates are encouraged to apply during the initial filing period to facilitate the campus’ early review and response. If applying after the initial filing period, the student should consult with the Office of Admissions for current information.

Semester/Session

Terms inApplications First Accepted

Summer 2002 January 2, 2002
Fall 2002 October 1, 2001
Spring 2003 August 1, 2002
Summer 2003 January 2, 2003
Fall 2003 October 1, 2002
Spring 2004 August 1, 2003
Summer 2004 January 2, 2004

Application Acknowledgement

Students may expect to receive an acknowledgment of their application from the Office of Admissions beginning in January 2002 for Fall 2002 semester, February 2002 for Summer 2002 semester, October 2002 for Spring 2003 semester, January 2003 for Fall 2003, and October 2003 for Spring 2004.

The acknowledgment letter will also include a request to submit any additional records necessary for the campus to evaluate the student’s qualifications. Students may be assured of admission if the evaluation of their qualifications indicates that they meet CSU admission requirements, and campus requirements for admission to an impacted program. An offer of admission is not transferable to another term or to another CSU campus.

Notification of Admission

Applicants who have received an application acknowledgment and have submitted all required admission materials will begin to receive notification of acceptance or denial of admission to the Fall 2002 semester beginning on January 1, and for the Spring 2003 semester beginning on November 15. If the processing schedule permits, some applicants may be notified in advance of these dates.

Cancellation of Admission

Admission will be cancelled automatically if a student who received a notice of admission for a given semester does not register for that semester. If the student wishes to undertake studies at the University at a later date, the student must file a new application, pay a new application fee, and meet the current admission requirements.

Materials supporting the application for admission, such as transcripts and entrance examination scores, are retained for one year only. Additional documentation will be required of studies done in the interim to complete the student’s application file.

Filing Official Transcripts

Applicants must file the following official transcripts with the Office of Admissions:

1. Freshmen — May submit preliminary high school transcripts prior to graduation but must also send final transcripts with graduation date listed.
2. Transfers — Request official transcripts be sent directly from all colleges or universities previously attended (even if no coursework was completed). Transcripts must be received in sealed envelopes from each institution attended. Applicants should keep personal copies of all transcripts and test scores to complete the admission application and for academic advising sessions. If transferring with fewer than 56 transferable semester (84 quarter) units of study, applicants must also submit their high school transcript. Applicants with 56 or more transferable semester units may be asked to submit high school transcripts if admissibility cannot be determined on the basis of college or university transcripts.
3. Photocopy of the military separation form DD-214, evaluation of military training form DD-295, or SMART transcript, if applicant wants transfer credit for active military service.

A transcript will be considered official and accepted to meet the regulations governing admission only if forwarded directly to Cal State San Marcos by the institution attended. All records or transcripts received by the University become the property of the University and will not be released to a third party.

Use of Social Security Number

Applicants are required to include their correct Social Security Number (taxpayer identification number) in designated places on applications for admission pursuant to the authority contained in Section 41201, Title 5, California Code of Regulations, and Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code. The University uses the Social Security Number to identify students and their records including for purposes of financial aid eligibility and disbursement and the repayment of financial aid and other debts payable to the institution. Also, the Internal Revenue Service requires the University to file information
returns that include the student’s Social Security Number and other information, such as the amount paid for qualified tuition, related expenses, and interest on educational loans. This information is used by the IRS to help determine whether a student, or a person claiming a student as a dependent, may take a credit or deduction to reduce federal income taxes.

High School Students

Students still enrolled in high school will be considered for enrollment in certain special programs if recommended by the principal and the appropriate campus department chair, and if preparation is equivalent to that required of eligible California high school graduates. Such admission is only for a given program and does not constitute the right to continued enrollment.

Hardship Petitions

Qualified applicants who would be faced with extreme hardship if they are not admitted should communicate in writing the details of their hardship to the Office of Admissions and request hardship admission consideration.

Test Requirements

Freshman and transfer applicants who have fewer than 56 semester or 84 quarter units of transferable college credit must submit scores, unless exempt (see "Eligibility Index" on page 28), from either the ACT or the SAT I of the College Board. If students are applying to an impacted program, on campus, and are required to submit test scores, they should take the test no later than October or November. Test scores are also used for advising and placement purposes. Registration forms and dates for the SAT I or ACT are available from school or college counselors or from a CSU campus testing office. Or students may write to or call:

The College Board (SAT I)
Registration Unit, Box 6200
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6200
(609) 771-7588
www.collegeboard.org

ACT Registration Unit
P.O. Box 414
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
(319) 337-1270
www.act.org

TOEFL Requirement

All undergraduate applicants, regardless of citizenship, who have not attended schools at the secondary level or above for at least three years full time where English is the principal language of instruction, must present a score of 550 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Some majors may require a score higher than 550. Applicants taking the Computer Based Test of English as a Foreign Language must present a score of 213 or above. Some majors may require a higher score.

Systemwide Placement Test Requirements

The California State University requires each entering undergraduate, except those who qualify for an exemption, to take the CSU Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) examination and the CSU English Placement Test (EPT) prior to enrollment. These placement tests are not a condition for admission to the CSU, but they are a condition of enrollment. They are designed to identify entering students who may need additional support in acquiring basic English and mathematics skills necessary to succeed in CSU baccalaureate-level courses. Undergraduate students who do not demonstrate college-level skills both in English and in mathematics will be placed in appropriate remedial programs and activities during the first term of their enrollment. Students placed in remedial programs in either English or mathematics must complete all remediation in their first year of enrollment. Failure to complete remediation by the end of the first year may result in denial of enrollment for future terms.

Students register for the EPT and/or ELM at their local CSU campus. Questions about test dates and registration materials may be addressed to Sandra Punch, Director, Career and Assessment Center, 333 S. Twin Oaks Rd., San Marcos, CA 92096-0001. Or students may call (760) 750-4900.

English Placement Test (EPT)

The EPT is designed to assess the level of reading and writing skills of entering undergraduate students so that they can be placed in appropriate baccalaureate-level courses. The CSU EPT must be completed by all entering undergraduates, with the exception of those who present proof of one of the following:

• A score of 550 or above on the verbal section of the College Board SAT I Reasoning Test taken April 1995 or later.
• A score of 24 or above on the enhanced ACT English Test taken October 1989 or later.
• A score of 680 or above on the re-centered and adjusted College Board SAT II Writing Test taken May 1998 or later.
• A score of 3, 4, or 5 on either the Language and Composition or the Composition and Literature examination of the College Board Scholastic Advanced Placement program.
• Completion and transfer of a course that satisfies the General Education-Breadth or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) written communication requirement, provided such course was completed with a grade of C or better.

Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Placement Examination

The ELM examination is designed to assess the skill levels of entering CSU students in the areas of mathematics typically covered in three years of rigorous college preparatory mathematics courses in high school (Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry). The CSU ELM must be completed by all entering undergraduates, with the exception of those who present proof of one of the following:

• A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the College Board SAT I Reasoning Test or on the College Board SAT II Mathematics Tests Level I, IC (Calculator), II, or IIC (Calculator).
• A score of 23 or above on the American College Testing Mathematics Test.
• A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Mathematics examination (AB or BC) or Statistics examination.
• Completion and transfer of a course that satisfies the General Education-Breadth or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) quantitative reasoning requirement, provided such course was completed with a grade of C or better.

English and Mathematics Proficiency Requirements

All new undergraduate students must establish their college-level proficiency in English and mathematics within their first two semesters of enrollment. Those who are exempt from, or achieve passing scores on the ELM or EPT examinations, are considered proficient.

Those who are not exempt from and do not achieve a passing score on the EPT must earn a grade of "C," or better, in GEW 101, Principles of Written Communication, by the end of their second semester of enrollment at Cal State San Marcos.

Those who are not exempt from and do not achieve a passing score on the ELM test must establish their proficiency by earning a grade of "C," or better, in a designated remedial course in mathematics by the end of their second semester of enrollment at Cal State San Marcos.

Those who do not establish proficiency within their first two semesters will be subject to disenrollment and advised to strengthen their academic skills before returning to the University.

Health Screening

All new and readmitted students born after January 1, 1957, will be notified of the requirement to present proof of measles and rubella immunizations. All students 18 years of age or younger shall be required to present proof of immunization against Hepatitis B. Each incoming freshman who will be residing in on-campus housing will be required to return a form indicating that they have received information about meningococcal disease and the availability of the vaccine to prevent one from contracting the disease and whether or not he or she has chosen to receive the vaccination. These are not admission requirements, but shall be required of students as conditions of enrollment in CSU. Proof of measles and rubella immunizations shall also be required for certain groups of enrolled students who have increased exposure to these diseases.

Reservation

The University reserves the right to select its students and deny admission to the University or any of its programs as the University, in its sole discretion, determines appropriate based on an applicant's suitability and the best interests of the University.

Providing Proof

When a student is providing proof of full immunization, the required documentation must be presented to Student Health Services (SHS). Student Health Services is responsible for the official verification of the documentation. All proof of immunization and immunity must be submitted to Student Health Services to be properly recorded for report to the Admissions Office. The required documentation may be presented to the clinic for clearance by:

• Bringing the documentation to the clinic for staff review.
• Having the documentation reviewed by an SHS staff member during orientation.
• Mailing the documentation to SHS for review.
• Faxing the documentation to SHS.

Provisions for exemptions in fulfilling this requirement are available based on medical considerations, religious or personal beliefs. For medical considerations, a written statement from a physician indicating the reason for the medical exemption must be provided along with the student signing the exemption form. For exemptions for religious or personal reasons, the student will sign the exemption form. Students electing to claim an exemption will be given the opportunity to meet with a medical provider to discuss risks associated with not being fully immunized and will also be instructed as to the campus actions in the event of a measles outbreak on campus. Students with exemptions will be excused from all classes in the event of a campus outbreak of measles.

Immunization Holds

Enrollment Services has the task of placing registration holds on students' records if documentation of full immunity has not been presented to Student Health Services. Holds are placed if proof has not been submitted approximately four weeks prior to the start of priority registration. If a hold is placed on registration, this hold will be lifted if proof of immunity is presented to the clinic, or by receiving the injection. Holds will be temporarily lifted, for one semester, for those students who have signed the waiver for exemptions. Students who sign the waiver for exemption, must sign the waiver each semester that they are enrolled. Questions can be directed to Student Health Services at (760) 750-4915.

Veterans and Veterans’ Dependents

Many veterans, dependents of deceased or disabled veterans, and reservists are eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs’ education benefits. Additionally, many dependents of deceased or disabled veterans are eligible for a complete waiver of application and registration fees through the California Department of Veterans Affairs.

The programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs are: VEAP. For veterans who entered active duty between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985, and who contributed to the program while on active duty.
Montgomery G.I. Bill (Active Duty). For veterans who entered active duty beginning July 1, 1985, and who participated in the twelfth-month pay reduction while on active duty.
Montgomery G.I. Bill (Selected Reserve Program). For undergraduates and graduates enlisted in the reserves who have made a six-year commitment to the selected reserves.
Dependents. For spouses or children of veterans who died on active duty, whose death was caused by a service-connected disability, or who are rated 100% permanently disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

California Department of Veterans’ Affairs

College Fee Waiver Program for Veterans’ Dependents (CALVET). Dependents of deceased or disabled veterans may have all mandatory tuition and fees waived at Cal State San Marcos. Not included are any campus-based, non-resident, or Extended Education course fees. Those wishing to apply for the College Fee Waiver Program may contact the County of San Diego Veterans Service Office, 734 W. Beech St., Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92101-2441, or the Veterans’ Representative in the Office of Registration and Records.
Vocational Rehabilitation. For veterans with a service-connected disability, or who are rated 100% permanently disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Students should be aware that the Veterans Administration will pay educational benefits only for those courses which are part of an approved degree or certificate program, and which have not been previously and successfully completed. Students are required to attend classes regularly and maintain satisfactory grades. For clarification of Veterans Administration policies on withdrawals, incompletes, course repeats, etc., please contact the veterans representative on campus.

Students wishing to apply for the programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs can apply for their benefits on campus. Veterans who enroll at Cal State San Marcos are encouraged to call or visit the veterans representative in the Office of Registration and Records for instructions prior to signing up for benefits. Dependents of deceased or disabled veterans who wish to apply for the fee waiver program may contact the County of San Diego Veterans Service Office, 7151 El Cajon Blvd., Suite C, San Diego, CA 92115-1819 or the veterans representative in the Office of Registration and Records.

 Determination of Residence for Nonresident Tuition Purposes

The Office of Admissions determines the residence status of all new and returning students for nonresident tuition purposes. Responses to the Application for Admission, Residency Questionnaire, and Reclassification Request Form, and, if necessary, other evidence furnished by the student, are used in making this determination. A student who fails to submit adequate information to establish a right to classification as a California resident will be classified as a nonresident.

The following statement of the rules regarding residency determination for nonresident tuition purposes is not a complete discussion of the law, but a summary of the principal rules and their exceptions.

The law governing residence for tuition purposes at the California State University is California Education Code sections 68000-68084, 68120-68134, and 89705-89707.5, and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, sections 41900-41916. This material can be viewed on the Internet by accessing the California State University's web site at www.calstate.edu. A copy of the statutes and regulations is available for inspection at the Office of Admissions.

Each campus's Admissions Office is responsible for determining the residence status of all new and returning students based on responses to the Application for Admission, Residency Questionnaire, Reclassification Request Form, and, as necessary, other evidence furnished by the student. A student who fails to submit adequate information to establish eligibility for resident classification will be classified as a nonresident.

Generally, establishing California residence for tuition purposes requires a combination of physical presence and intent to remain indefinitely. An adult who, at least one full year prior to the residence determination date for the term in which enrollment is contemplated, has been both physically present in the state and has evidence of intent to remain in California indefinitely, may establish California residence for tuition purposes. Evidence demonstrating intent can vary from case to case and may include, but is not limited to, the absence of residential ties to any other state, California voter registration and voting in California elections, maintaining California registration and driver's license, maintaining active California bank accounts, filing California income tax returns, owning residential property or occupying or renting an apartment where permanent belongings are kept, maintaining active memberships in California professional or social organizations, and maintaining a permanent military address and home of record in California.

Adult noncitizens establish residence in the same manner as citizens, unless precluded by the Immigration and Nationality Act from establishing domicile in the United States. Unmarried minor noncitizens derive their residence in the same manner as unmarried minor citizens except that both parent and minor must have an immigration status consistent with establishing domicile in the United States.

Exceptions to the general residence requirements are contained in California Education Code sections 68070-68120 and Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, sections 41900-41916, and include, but are not limited to, members of the military and their dependents, certain credentialed employees of school districts and students who have attended high school in California and graduated or attained the equivalent. Whether an exception applies to a particular student cannot be determined before the submission of an application for admission and, as necessary, additional supporting documentation. Because neither campus nor Chancellor's Office staff may give advice on the application of these laws, applicants are strongly urged to review the material for themselves and consult with a legal advisor.

Nonresident students seeking reclassification are required to complete a supplemental questionnaire including questions concerning their financial dependence, which will be considered along with physical presence and intent in determining reclassification.

The residence determination dates for semester term campuses is as follows:

Fall September 20
SpringJanuary 25
SummerJune 1

The residence determination dates for the four stages on CalStateTEACH are as follows:

Stage 1September 20
Stage 2January 5
Stage 3June 1
Stage 4September 20

A campus residence classification appeal must be in writing and submitted to:

The California State University
Office of General Counsel
401 Golden Shore, 4th Floor
Long Beach, California 90802-4210

The appeal must be submitted within 120 days of notification of the final campus decision. The Office of General Counsel can either decide the appeal or send the matter back to the campus for further review.

Students incorrectly classified as residents or incorrectly granted an exception from nonresident tuition are subject to reclassification as nonresidents and payment of nonresident tuition in arrears. If incorrect classification results from false or concealed facts, the student is subject to discipline pursuant to Section 41301 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.

Resident students who become nonresidents, or who no longer meet the criteria for an exception, must immediately notify the Admissions Office.

Changes may have been made in the rate of nonresident tuition and in the statutes and regulations governing residence for tuition purposes in California between the time this information is published and the relevant residence determination date. Students are urged to review the statutes and regulations stated above.

Impacted Programs

Office of Admissions(760) 750-4848

The California State University designates programs as impacted when more applications are received in the initial filing period (October and November for fall terms, August for spring terms, February for summer terms) than can be accommodated. Some programs are impacted at every campus where they are offered; others are impacted only at some campuses. Students must meet supplementary admission criteria if applying to an impacted program.

The CSU will announce during the Fall filing period which programs are impacted and the supplementary criteria campuses will use. That announcement is published in the CSU Review and distributed to high school and college counselors, and available online at www.calstate.edu/AR/csureview/. Information about the supplementary criteria also is sent to program applicants.

Students must file their application for admission to an impacted program during the initial filing period. If students wish to be considered in impacted programs at two or more campuses, students must file an application to each campus.

Supplementary Admission Criteria

Each campus with impacted programs uses supplementary admission criteria in screening applicants. Supplementary criteria may include ranking on the freshman eligibility index, the overall transfer grade point average, completion of specified prerequisite courses, and a combination of campus-developed criteria. If students are required to submit scores on either the SAT I or the ACT and are applying for fall admission, students should take the test as early as possible and no later than October of the preceding year, if applying for fall admission.

The supplementary admission criteria used by the individual campuses to screen applicants appear periodically in the CSU Review and are sent by the campuses to all applicants seeking admission to an impacted program.

Unlike unaccommodated applicants to locally impacted programs who may be redirected to another campus in the same major, unaccommodated applicants to systemwide impacted programs may not be redirected in the same major, but may choose an alternate major either at the first choice campus or another campus.

Evaluation of Academic Records

Transfer Credits

Credit for work completed at regionally accredited institutions, other than coursework identified by such institutions as remedial or in other ways as being nontransferable, will be accepted toward the satisfaction of baccalaureate degree and credential requirements at Cal State San Marcos within limitations of residence requirements, community college transfer maximums, and in accordance with directives from Executive Orders and Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.

Undergraduate Tests and Examinations

Cal State San Marcos grants up to a maximum of thirty (30) semester units of credit to those students who pass examinations that have been approved for credit systemwide. These include the Advanced Placement, CSU English Equivalency Examinations, and some CLEP examinations. The total credit earned in external examinations (excluding Advanced Placement) that may be applied to a baccalaureate shall not exceed 30 units. No credit for any examination will be forwarded to a student who has either 1) taken the examination previously within the past year; 2) earned equivalent credit through regular coursework credit by another examination, or other instructional processes, such as correspondence study or military training; or 3) earned credit previously in a course or by examination more advanced than the level represented by the examination in question.

Credit for Advanced Placement

Cal State San Marcos grants credit toward its undergraduate degrees for successful completion of examinations of the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. Students who present scores of three (3) or better will be granted up to six (6) semester units of University credit with the following provision: Acceptance of Advanced Placement units for purposes other than lower-division electives is determined by the appropriate academic or discipline division. For information on which Advanced Placement tests are accepted for credit at Cal State San Marcos, contact Admissions at (760) 750-4848.

Credit for College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Credit is awarded for successful performance in certain examinations of the College Level Examination Program. Students may earn up to six (6) units per examination passed. Passing scores for the CLEP exams are established by the participating academic disciplines and the California university and college system. Credit for one examination in mathematics may be applied to the mathematics requirement of the General Education Program. Credit for additional examinations is allocated to lower-division electives; acceptance for major, minor, or prerequisite use is granted on the approval of the appropriate academic or discipline division.

Credit for International Baccalaureate Certificates or Diplomas

Cal State San Marcos normally grants six (6) units of credit for each International Baccalaureate Higher Level Subject Examination passed with a score of 4 or better. To receive credit, students must request that their International Baccalaureate transcript of grades be sent to CSUSan Marcos’ Office of Admissions for evaluation and determination of appropriate credit to be awarded.

Credit by Challenge Examination

A student may elect to receive credit for a course by challenge examination for any course approved by the academic discipline as a course eligible for challenge. The following procedures are applicable:

• A student must be enrolled currently in the course elected for challenge, as well as one additional course.
• A course challenge form containing the approval of the student’s faculty advisor and the designated signature(s) within the course’s college must be completed prior to the examination. (Note: It is assumed that some disciplines may use discipline/college-defined exams instead of having individual faculty members administer the exam. That is why the faculty member signature is not required, but may be added if the discipline/college requires it. The form, once the policy is approved, will be designed in consultation with Enrollment Services, and the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, and Education, and will address any additional signatures required.)
• Examinations must be administered and graded prior to the last day to add courses in any given semester or term. Students are required to file course challenge forms prior to the end of the first week of classes to insure adequate time for the examination process. If the student does not successfully complete the exam, the student will be allowed to remain in the course or drop the course in accordance with normal withdrawal policies.
• The grading option for a challenge exam is at the discretion of the discipline. Disciplines may designate the grading method (letter grade, CR/NC) and may establish a minimum grade that must be obtained in order to receive course credit in accordance with University policy.
• Credit by examination may not be used to fulfill the residency requirement.
• The challenge examination must include a writing assessment that reflects the all-university writing requirement.
• There is a six-unit limit on credit by challenge examination within the major.
• A student may not elect to challenge a course for which a grade of "U," "F," "NC," or "AU" was received in a previous semester, for which academic renewal has been granted, or for which a prior challenge has been unsuccessful.
• As a matter of general policy, a student may not challenge a course for which a prerequisite is listed unless the prerequisite requirement has been met. Exceptions to this policy require special approval as designated by the college or discipline. A student may not challenge a course that is listed in the catalog as a prerequisite for a course in which academic credit has already been granted.
• Courses cannot be challenged to fulfill upper-division General Education requirements.

Credit for Noncollegiate Instruction

Cal State San Marcos grants under-graduate degree credit, appropriate to the baccalaureate degree, for successful completion of noncollegiate instruction, either military or civilian, that has been recommended by the Commission on Educational Credit and Credentials of the American Council on Education. The number of units allowed are those recommended in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Services and the National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs. The Office of Admissions provides students with specific details about individual military credit after evaluation of the documents submitted for admission purposes.

Community College Credit

A maximum of seventy (70) semester units earned in a community college may be applied toward the degree, with the following limitations: (a) no upper-division credit may be allowed for courses taken in a community college; (b) no credit may be allowed for professional courses in education taken in a community college, other than introduction to education courses.

Extension Credit

The maximum amount of transferable extension and correspondence credit which may be applied toward the minimum requirements for the bachelor’s degree is twenty-four (24) semester units. Extension credit does not apply toward the 30 units of residence credit required for all undergraduate degrees.

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.