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
According to California State
University policy, a student whose graduation will be delayed by a grade point
average deficiency may petition to have up to two semesters or three quarters
of previous college study (at any collegiate- level institution) disregarded
from all considerations associated with requirements for the baccalaureate
degree. All coursework attempted during the term(s) approved for academic
renewal will be disregarded in computing the student’s cumulative GPA. In
addition, any coursework successfully completed during term(s) approved for
academic renewal will no longer count toward fulfillment of any degree
requirements. Students may not selectively eliminate coursework. When such
action is taken, the student’s permanent academic record is annotated to show
the adjusted grade point average, but all coursework will remain legible on
transcripts.
Academic renewal is intended
only to facilitate graduation from CSU San Marcos. It does not apply to
individuals who already possess a baccalaureate degree or who are able to meet
graduation requirements in a timely manner without the approval of a petition
for academic renewal.
To qualify for academic
renewal, a student must meet all of the following conditions:
• At least five years must
have elapsed since the term or terms to be disregarded.
• Since the most recent work
to be disregarded, the student must have achieved the following academic record
at CSU San Marcos:
—at least 15 semester units
with a GPA of 3.00 or higher
or
—at least 30 semester units
with a GPA of 2.50 or higher
or
—at least 45 semester units
with a GPA of 2.00 or higher
• The student must present an
academic record that clearly indicates the coursework to be disregarded is not
representative of the student’s current academic ability and achievement.
• The student must present
evidence that if the petition is not approved the student will be required to
enroll in additional coursework involving one or more additional terms to
qualify for the degree.
Petitions for academic
renewal may be obtained in the Office of Registration and Records. Final
decisions on petitions are made by a review committee, consisting of two
faculty representatives and the Executive Director of Enrollment Services.
Administrative Academic
Disqualification
An undergraduate or graduate student
may also be placed on probation or may be disqualified by the Executive
Director of Enrollment Services for unsatisfactory scholastic progress,
regardless of cumulative grade point average or progress points. Such actions
shall be limited to unsatisfactory scholastic progress arising from repeated
withdrawal, failure to progress toward an educational objective, and
noncompliance with an academic requirement, and shall be consistent with
guidelines issued by the Chancellor of The California State University.
Academic Freedom
Education depends upon the
free expression and exchange of ideas in the search for truth. Academic freedom
is the freedom to express any view, popular or unpopular, and to defend that
point of view in open exchange. The University supports freedom of speech,
inquiry, and expression for all members of its faculty, students, and staff in
both curricular and co-curricular activities. All members of the CSU San Marcos
faculty shall have full academic freedom, and the University endorses the
general principles of academic freedom outlined in the AAUP Statement (1940) of
Principles of Academic Freedom and Tenure.
The principles of academic
freedom require their application to both teaching and research. Research
cannot fulfill its fundamental purpose of advancing knowledge unless it is done
in an environment supportive of academic freedom. Academic freedom is essential
to the classroom, as a protection of the rights of the teacher and of the
student. All those engaged in research are entitled to full freedom in research
and in the publication of results, legal requirements, and recognized standards
of their profession. Teachers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in
presenting material related to the content of the course, but shall refrain
from insisting that students or others accept any controversial point of view
as authoritative.
CSU San Marcos members have
the right to speak and write as citizens in any forum, free from institutional
censorship or discipline. However, they should apply the best standards of
their profession and make every effort to indicate that they are speaking as
individuals and not as representatives of the University. As members of the
academic community, they should also remember that freedom of expression and
thought equally carry with them certain duties and obligations. Academic
freedom does not extend, for example, to any kind of abuse or infringement of
the rights of others. Academic freedom focuses on the obligation to ask
difficult and meaningful questions and to pursue the truths of those inquiries
wherever the pursuit of truth leads. Academic freedom must not be trivialized
nor equated with other freedoms of expression important and constitutionally
guaranteed.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
CSU San Marcos will make
every effort to preserve the following graduation requirements for students
subject to this catalog.
Unit Requirement
The number of semester units
necessary for a bachelor’s degree is listed below. At least forty (40) units
shall be in upper-division credit and no more than seventy (70) units may be
transferred from a community college. Six (6) units of physical activity
coursework and four (4) units of intercollegiate sports activity will be
allowed towards a degree at CSUSM.
Bachelor of Arts
Degree 120-124
Bachelor of Science
Degree 120-132
Major or Minor
Requirements
While
individual programs have unique requirements, all majors must include
twenty-four (24) units exclusive of units used to meet the General Education
requirement. At least twelve (12) units in the major shall be upper-division
courses; the maximum number of units shall be determined by the discipline.
Please refer to the curricula section in this catalog for specific major or
minor requirements.
Double Major Requirements
An undergraduate student may
desire to complete the requirements for a second major before receiving a
baccalaureate degree. The student shall declare the additional major with the
appropriate discipline or program no later than the beginning of the student’s
final year of study and shall seek an advisor for the second major. When
applying for graduation, the student must designate which is to be the primary
degree major for purposes of graduation.
Students seeking double
majors shall meet all degree requirements for each major. When approved by both
disciplines, units may be double-counted above 27 mutually exclusive units (15
upper-division) in the bachelor of arts programs and 36 mutually exclusive
units (18 upper-division) in the bachelor of science programs.
Second Bachelor’s
Degree Requirements
In order to receive a second
bachelor’s degree, students who hold a
bachelor’s degree from CSU San Marcos or another accredited institution of
higher education must:
1. Meet in an advising
session with the advisor of the major in which the student seeks a second
degree. During the advising session, the advisor and the student will develop
an academic plan that considers any limitations and any overlap in units in
both the first and second degrees.
2. Complete the major
requirements for the second degree. Units from the first degree may be counted,
but a minimum of twenty-four (24) upper-division residence units in the major
subsequent to earning the first bachelor’s degree is required.
3. Complete a minimum of
thirty (30) units in residence at CSU San Marcos beyond the first bachelor’s
degree. Of the thirty (30) units, twenty-four (24) units must be upper-division
in the major.
4. Complete requirements in
U.S. History, Constitution and American Ideals.
5. Complete the English
Placement Test (EPT), Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR), and the
Entrance Level Mathematics (ELM) if not already successfully completed at CSU
San Marcos or other CSU campuses as part of the first bachelor’s degree. If
completed elsewhere, written verification is required.
6. Complete all other CSUSM
graduation requirements in effect at the time of catalog selection.
Second bachelor’s degree
candidates are required to achieve a 2.0 grade point average each semester to
maintain good academic standing.
Second bachelor’s degree
candidates who received their baccalaureate from CSU San Marcos would have
already met General Education requirements. Those with bachelor’s degrees from
other institutions must comply with all CSU San Marcos upper-division General
Education requirements.
Residence
Requirements
A minimum of thirty (30)
units must be completed in residence at CSU San Marcos, of which twenty-four
(24) units must be upper-division and twelve (12) of these must be in the
major. Extension credit, including open university, credit by examination, and
transfer credit, do not fulfill the residency requirement.
Grade Point
Average Requirements
The following three grade point
averages, each 2.0 (C average) or higher, are required for graduation:
A. A cumulative grade point
average, which includes both transferred and CSU San Marcos coursework;
B. A CSU San Marcos grade
point average;
C. A grade point average in
the major, at CSU San Marcos and in coursework accepted as transfer credit for
the major from other institutions.
U.S. History,
Constitution, and American Ideals Requirement (GV)
California law establishes as
a graduation requirement that students demonstrate competence in the fields of
American history and government, the Constitution of the United States,
and the processes of state and local
government as established in California. This requirement is embedded in the
General Education Area, Area D requirement (See page 85).
If a challenge examination is
available for a course that fulfills this requirement, passing such an
examination carries credit for the course and fulfills this graduation
requirement. However, only courses taken to meet this requirement may be
counted towards the fulfillment of the General Education requirement.
Graduation Writing
Assessment and All-University Writing
Requirements
All CSU students must
demonstrate competency in writing skills as a requirement for graduation. At
CSUSM, students complete the graduation writing assessment through the All-
University Writing Requirement. This requirement mandates that every course at
the University must have a writing component of at least 2,500 words
(approximately 10 pages). The All- University Writing Requirement can be
achieved in a variety of ways, depending on the course.
Language Other
Than English Requirement
Before graduating, CSUSM
students must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English in any
one of the following ways:
• having completed the
equivalent of an intermediate-level course in a language other than English at
the college level, with a C grade or better;
• successfully challenging
the equivalent of an intermediate-level courses in a language other than
English at the college level;
• having successfully
received a score of 3 or better on the Advanced Placement Foreign Language
Examination.
• having been required to
take the TOEFL as a condition for admission
into the University;
• demonstrating Stage 3
proficiency level according to the latest American Council on the Teaching of
Foreign Languages (ACTFL) guidelines.
Certain courses used to meet
this requirement may be used to partially satisfy three (3) units of the
lower-division General Education requirement in the Arts and Humanities area.
CSUSM accepts American Sign
Language (ASL) in fulfillment of this requirement, but does not accept computer
languages. Students are encouraged to contact the Language Proficiency Assessor
at (760) 750-4197 regarding any questions about the requirement or to arrange
for proficiency testing. A fee is required for proficiency testing. Please see page 41 for fee information.
Computer
Competency Requirement (CCR)
The Computer Competency
Requirement at CSU San Marcos is a requirement for all baccalaureate students,
irrespective of major. The requirement states that a student must demonstrate
basic computer competency in the following areas:
• an understanding of basic
computer concepts,
• the ability to recognize
basic computer terminology,
• an understanding of
software-ethics issues and concerns in today’s society
• virus protection and
prevention,
• the ability to use a word
processing application, and
• ability to use two other
computer applications.
The Computer Competency
Requirement should be cleared in the first or second semester of attendance at
CSU San Marcos. After the second semester, registering for any further classes
at CSU San Marcos will be restricted until the Computer Competency Requirement
is fulfilled.
How can the Computer
Competency Requirement be fulfilled?
• By passing the Computer
Competency Requirement Exam at CSU San Marcos.
All materials covered in the
Computer Competency Requirement exam are available at the Reserve Desk in the
CSU San Marcos Library. CCR exam scheduling is available in the Instructional
Computing Labs in Academic Hall.
• By earning a C or better in
a course which meets CSU San Marcos’ minimum computer literacy requirements
either at CSU San Marcos or at another institution of higher learning. Students
are advised to consult with their academic advisor or the Computer Competency
Requirement Coordinator at (760) 750-4788.
Currently the following
courses at CSUSM meet this requirement. Please refer to the Class Schedule for
days and times of course offerings:
CS 101, 111, 301
MUSC 302
PSYC 300
VSAR 302
The following is a partial
list of courses from other San Diego County educational institutions, which meet
the requirement:
Mesa, San Diego City,
Miramar
Community College:
CISC 181
Palomar College: CIS
105, 120
MiraCosta Community
College: CIS 100
Any off-campus course taken
more than two years prior to the student’s first semester of attendance at CSU San
Marcos will not be considered for CCR equivalency.
Questions about eligibility
of a particular course for CCR equivalency should be referred to the academic
advisors or to the Computer Competency Requirement Coordinator at (760) 750-
4788. Information about the Computer Competency Requirement, including a
complete list of courses approved for CCR equivalency, can be found at www.csusm.edu.
General Education Requirement
The General Education
requirement is composed of fifty-one (51) units distributed in five areas of
study. The required disciplinary and interdisciplinary courses reflect the
values embodied in the University’s Mission Statement. The program provides
education and training in the basic skills, information, knowledge, and
attitudes that citizens require to make wise, informed, just, critical and
moral decisions throughout their lives.
The General Education Program
emphasizes:
• Effective skills in written
and oral communication
• Practice in critical
thinking
• Close contact with faculty
• Information literacy
• Use of technology
• Active learning
The program is supported by
comprehensive advising services and learning assistance services.
The nine (9) required units of
upper-division General Education provide an opportunity for students to learn
about areas of study outside their academic major. Upper-division General
Education courses assume satisfaction of lower-division General Education
Requirements and develop upper-division skills. Designed for non-majors, these
courses make explicit the basic assumptions, principles and methods of the
disciplinary or interdisciplinary area of study. These courses help students
understand how disciplines, ideas, issues and knowledge are often interrelated,
intersecting and interconnected. They also provide students with a classroom
environment that fosters independent, active, engaged learning and a genuine
curiosity about the subject matter. The nine units of upper-division General
Education must be completed at CSUSM and may not be applied toward major
requirements (except for Liberal Studies majors, who may include these units in
their major program).
Area A: Basic
Skills
Nine (9) units in basic
skills distributed as follows:
A1 • Three (3) units of oral communication.
GEO 102
A2 • Three (3) units of written communication.
GEW 101
A3 • Three (3) units of critical thinking. Select among:
BIOL 110
CS 101
HIST 101
LTWR 115
MATH 110
PHIL 110
PSYC 110
Area B: Mathematics
and Natural Sciences
Twelve (12) units in
mathematics and science, distributed as follows:
B1 • Three (3)
units in physical science. Students must
clear the ELM requirement prior to enrollment in these classes. Select from
among:
CHEM 150*
GES 101
PHYS 201*
B2 • Three (3) units in life science. Select from among:
BIOL 211*
GES 102
B4 • Three (3)
units in mathematics. Students must
clear the ELM requirement prior to enrollment in these classes. Select from
among:
CS 111**
GEM 100
MATH 115, 125, 132**, 160**, 162**, 212, 260**
BB • Three (3)
units of approved science and/or mathematics courses at the upper-division
level. Select from among:
ASTR 342
BIOL 305, 311, 316, 321, 323, 325, 327, 328, 336, 338, 339, 362, 375
CHEM 311, 312, 313, 314, 351
CS 301
ID 350***, 380, 381
MATH 303, 304, 306, 308, 330
Courses used to satisfy these
three (3) units may not be double-counted in any other category of the GE
program nor in the student’s major.
Area C: Humanities
Twelve (12) units in the arts
and humanities, distributed as follows:
C1 • Six (6) units in arts and
C2 • humanities.
GEH 101 and 102
C • Three (3)
units of any lower- or upper-division arts and/or humanities course from the
following disciplines (with the exceptions noted below):
The Arts (DNCE, MUSC, TA, VPA, VSAR)
History (HIST)
Literature (LTWR)
Humanities (HUM)
Philosophy (PHIL)
Foreign Languages (FLAN, FREN, GRMN, JAPN, SPAN) and any approved upper-division
arts and/or humanities (CC) course.
[Exceptions: Independent
study courses, internship courses,
approved upper-division science and/or mathematics
(BB) courses, and approved
upper-division social sciences (DD) courses.]
Courses used to satisfy this category,
if taken at the upper-division level, may not be double-counted in any other
category of the GE program, but may be counted in the student’s major.
*Biology and chemistry
majors must take BIOL 211; computer science and
chemistry majors must take PHYS 201.
**Biological sciences,
business administration, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and students
with appropriate background in mathematics are encouraged to select from these
courses. Students should consult with their advisor to determine which courses
are appropriate for their degree program.
***Individual topics
will determine which areas of
upper-division General Education will be fulfilled.
CC • Three (3) units from approved upper-division level arts
and/or humanities courses. Select from
among:
ANTH 325
DNCE 321
FMST 300 HIST 308, 318, 323, 341, 344,
348, 356, 364, 370, 388
HUM 300, 301
ID 350*, 360
LTWR 320, 336, 337, 441
MUSC 320, 321, 324, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427
PHIL 310, 311, 312, 314, 315, 318, 330, 340, 350
SPAN 421
TA 300, 320, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 410, 420, 421
VPA 311, 320
VSAR 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 404, 405, 420, 422, 423
WMST 301, 450
Courses used to satisfy these
three (3) units may not be double-counted in any
other category of the GE
program nor in the student’s major.
Area D: Social
Sciences
Fifteen (15) units of social
sciences distributed as follows:
D6 • Three (3) units in American History. Select from among:
HIST 130
HIST 131
D8 • Three (3) units in United States and California
government.
PSCI 100*
D7 • Three (3)
units in interdisciplinary social sciences. At the time this catalog went to press, the only approved
courses in this category were GESS 101 and GESS 102.
Consult with advisors for the latest list of approved courses.
D • Three (3)
units of either a second interdisciplinary social sciences course or a
discipline-specific social sciences course. At the time this catalog went to
press, the review of discipline-specific social sciences courses was still
underway. Consult with advisors for the latest list of approved courses.
DD • Three (3) units from approved upper-division social
sciences courses.
ANTH 301, 310, 315, 370
COMM 330, 333, 360, 400, 435
CS 303
ECON 305, 306, 308, 311, 341, 411, 416, 442, 445
FIN 300
GEOG 301, 320, 325, 340, 450, 450S
HIST 330, 335, 346, 352, 362, 371, 375, 389
ID 301, 304, 305, 306, 340, 350**, 370, 371, 400, 410, 450, 450S
LBST 301, 361, 362, 375
LING 300, 303, 304, 371, 400
PSCI 305, 320, 331, 338, 341, 350, 355, 361, 363, 365, 393, 402, 412,
413, 416, 417, 431, 445, 450, 460
PSYC 330, 341, 350, 352, 356
SOC 300, 303, 309, 310, 311, 313, 315, 317, 323
WMST 445
Courses used to satisfy these
three (3) units may not be double-counted in any other category of the GE
program nor in the student’s major.
Area E: Lifelong
Learning and Information Literacy
Three (3) units of lifelong
learning to equip students for lifelong understanding and development of
themselves as integrated physiological and psychological entities, taught
within the context of the modern library.
E • Three (3) units of lifelong learning. Select from among:
GEL 101, 200
PSYC 356
SOC 203, 204, 303, 307, 309, 315, 317
WMST
201
Courses used to satisfy these
three (3) units may not be double-counted in any other category of the GE
program nor in the student’s major.
* Students
transferring from other accredited institutions who have completed a course on
United States government and the Constitution of the United States may replace
PSCI 100 with a course on California state and local government: PSCI 415 or
HIST 347.
**Individual topics
will determine which areas of upper-division General Education will be
fulfilled.
SPECIAL REGULATIONS AND
REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
Repeat of Graduate
Courses and GPA Adjustment Policy
Graduate and
postbaccalaureate students may repeat up to two courses in order meet
graduation requirements. Repeating a course does not expunge the earlier attempt
from the student’s record, but it may improve the student’s grade point average
(GPA). The following policy, applicable only to non-thesis courses taken at CSU
San Marcos, will be followed when allowing graduate and postbaccalaureate
students to repeat courses.
1. A course taken at CSU San
Marcos in which a grade of B- (2.7) or less is
received, may be repeated once for
purposes of omitting a prior
grade from the GPA calculation and satisfying requirements. A course taken at
CSU San Marcos in which a grade of NC is received may also be repeated. All
course repeats should be done in consultation with the graduate program
advisor.
2. When a course is repeated,
both the original grade and the grade earned in the repetition will appear on
the transcript.
3. If a course previously
taken for a grade is repeated CR/NC, the original grade(s) will continue to be
calculated in the GPA.
4. Unless the student submits
a Graduate Student Course Repeat Request Form to the Enrollment Services
Information Center, both grades will be used to calculate the student’s GPA.
5. If a student submits a
Graduate Student Course Repeat Request Form to the Enrollment Services
Information Center, then the grade earned in the first course is ignored for
the purpose of calculating the GPA. Since CR/NC grades do not enter into the
GPA calculation, it is not necessary to submit this form when repeating a
course in which a grade of NC was earned.
6. A Graduate Student Course Repeat Request Form cannot be filed until the
student has completed the repeat. A Graduate Student Course Repeat Request Form
cannot be filed if the student received a grade of CR, NC, F, I, RD, SP or U
when the course was repeated.
7. A maximum of two (2)
different courses may be repeated within an approved graduate plan of study at
CSU San Marcos. The graduate program offering the degree is authorized to
approve substitute graduate-level courses that may be taken in lieu of a
graduate-level course that the student wishes to repeat, when the original course
is not scheduled to be offered again within the term of the student’s expected
time to degree. The substitute course must be taken after completion of the
original course.
8. 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 computing the
overall GPA.
9. A course repeated at
another institution will not replace the course taken at CSU San Marcos in the
institutional
GPA computation.
Graduate Studies:
Continuous Enrollment Requirement and Time- Limit To Degree
Conditionally Classified or
Classified graduate students must be continuously enrolled unless an authorized
Request for Graduate Student Leave of Absence has been filed with the Enrollment
Services Information Center. No more than 12 months total can be excused
through authorized leaves of absence. Students who do not maintain continuous
enrollment are dropped from the graduate program and must reapply. Requirements
for the Master's degree are to be finished within five years after the
beginning of course work as a Conditionally Classified or Classified graduate
student at CSU San Marcos. Authorized
leaves of absence do not extend the time limit for completion of the degree.
Graduate Student
Leave of Absence Policy
Graduate degree students may
take an authorized leave of absence for a period of up to 12 consecutive
months. Multiple leaves of absence may be taken, altogether totaling no more than
twelve months. Leaves of absence will be authorized for conditionally
classified or classified graduate students if they are in good academic
standing (as defined by the program's requirements), if they have completed at
least six credit hours of CSUSM coursework toward the graduate degree in the
program, and if they file a completed Request for Graduate Student Leave of
Absence form. The completed form, including signatures of the student's faculty
advisor (where applicable) and the graduate program coordinator, must be filed
with the Enrollment Services Information Center before the beginning of the
term for which the leave has been requested. Unauthorized leaves and failures
to return from an authorized leave of absence will result in the student being
dropped from the graduate program.
An authorized leave of
absence preserves the election of curriculum rights regarding catalog
requirements. However, authorized leaves of absence do not extend the time
limit for completion of the degree. A student on a leave of absence does not
qualify for supervision from faculty nor for the use of university resources
such as library, computer labs, parking, or student health services. Students
submitting the completed thesis or final project must be regularly enrolled or
enrolled for thesis or project extension credit through the Office of Extended
Studies; the completed thesis or final project will not be accepted during the
term of an authorized leave of absence.
Students who take a leave for
two consecutive semesters will be required to pay a reapplication fee upon
their reinstatement to the University. This fee will be waived where the
principal purpose of the leave was related to the student's educational
objective, provided that the conditions of the leave have been met.
The Culminating
Experience
Every Master's degree program
is required to include a culminating experience. The form of this experience
differs according to degree programs, but all Master's students must
satisfactorily complete either a thesis, a project or a comprehensive
examination.
A finished Master's thesis is
a scholarly work that is the product of extensive research and related
preparation. The University will make Master's theses and the abstracts of
Master's projects publicly available to other students, faculty, and outside
researchers in the University Library. As such, theses (and the abstract pages
of projects) must adhere to uniform standards of format and construction to
preserve the work and to prepare it for binding. Students should consult
University guidelines on Master's theses and Master's project abstracts
available at
http://www.csusm.edu/academic_programs.