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Office of the Registrar

Course Repeats & GPA Adjustment

What is a GPA adjustment?

When a course is repeated, a student may only earn credit once (unless it is a repeatable course). As part of repeating a class, the GPA calculation may be adjusted to exclude the initial non-passing grade. For instance, if I earn a D in GEW 101B (a 3 unit course) and later repeat it and earn an A, I will earn 3 units and the D grade may be excluded from my GPA calculation so that only the A affects my GPA. This is called grade forgiveness, also referred to as a GPA adjustment.

Undergraduate students

At CSUSM (and in accordance with CSU Executive Order 1037), undergraduate students may repeat up to 16 units of courswork for grade forgiveness. 

A few additional restrictions:

  • Students may repeat a class where a grade of "C-" or below (students may not re-enroll in a class in which they have earned a grade of "C" or higher).  
  • Students are allowed a maximum of two repeats (i.e., 3 total attempts) per class to improve the grade (exceptions to this limit must be approved by the college Dean).
  • An additional 12 units (beyond the 16 units of grade forgiveness) may be repeated and averaged in the GPA

Limits on repeated classes apply to classes taken in matriculated status as well as classes completed via self support, e.g., extended learning or open university.

Graduate students

For information regarding the repeat policy for graduate students, please visit the Graduate Studies Policies and Procedures page (see Course Repeat Policy - Graduate).