Grade Point Average Requirements

A grade-point average (grade points divided by units attempted) of at least 3.0 is required for graduation with a master's degree. This grade-point average applies to

1. All 400- and 500-level units attempted subsequent to admission to a degree program and
2. All units required on the student's graduate Study Plan including transfer courses. Each course on the Study Plan must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better.

A degree student may request a change in the Study Plan in order to raise the Study Plan grade-point average by:

1. Adding no more than six units of approved course work, or
2. Repeating no more than six units of course work in which a "C" (2.0) or lower was earned, or
3. A combination of 1. and 2. not to exceed six units.

Requests to add courses to the Study Plan, repeat courses, or add courses to raise the overall grade-point average, must be approved by the graduate program adviser and the Associate Vice President, Academic Programs (or designee) prior to registration.

When a course is added or repeated, the original course remains on the Study Plan and on the student's transcript and both grades are used in calculating the student's grade-point average. A grade-point average of at least 2.5 is required for continuing status as a credential, certificate or undeclared postbaccalaureate student.

Repeated Courses

If a grade less than "C" (2.0) is received in a Study Plan course, the course must be repeated and passed with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better. A course may be repeated only once. If a course is repeated, both grades are included when computing the student's Study Plan and cumulative Cal State Fullerton grade-point average. Repetition of a course carries no additional unit credit toward the degree; however, the additional units are included in the cumulative units shown on the Cal State Fullerton transcript.

In extenuating circumstances, the student may petition the associate vice president, Academic Programs (or designee) to add another course to the approved program with the unit value equivalent to that of the course in which the unsatisfactory grade was received.

Successful repetition of a course originally passed carries no additional unit credit toward a degree.

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Probation

A graduate student enrolled in a graduate degree program will be placed on academic probation if either the cumulative or the Study Plan grade-point average falls below 3.0. A graduate student may also be placed on probation for reasons other than cumulative and/or Study Plan grade-point average. This is known as administrative-academic probation . The reasons for this may include repeated withdrawal, failure to progress toward an educational objective, non-compliance with an academic requirement, failure to demonstrate a level of professional competence or fitness commensurate with the standards of the student's discipline, or inappropriate behavior as defined in the Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, and in the Academic Dishonesty sections of this catalog (see "University Regulations").

Graduate degree students will be allowed two semesters on academic probation before being subject to disqualification. Students will remain on administrative-academic probation contingent upon conditions required for their continuing in the program. The Graduate Studies Office maintains a list of students on probation and subject to disqualification.

Disqualification

The associate vice president, Academic Programs (or designee), in consultation with the student's graduate program adviser, will disqualify a graduate student who is on probation if the student does not, or cannot, raise the Study Plan and cumulative grade-point average to 3.0 by the completion of the second regular semester following the semester in which the grade-point average fell below the minimum 3.0 standard. If a student's grade-point average becomes so low that it cannot be raised to 3.0 within the prescribed limits of course work, the student will be disqualified from the master's degree program.

Students placed on probation for reasons other than grade-point average will be disqualified if:

1. The conditions for removal of administrative-academic probation are not met within the period specified.
2. The student becomes subject to academic probation while on administrative-academic probation.
3. The student is removed from administrative-academic probation and subsequently becomes subject to administrative-academic probation for the same or similar reasons as originally placed on probation.

Disqualification removes a student from graduate standing and prevents further enrollment in university courses (except through University Extended Education). A student who has been disqualified from a master's degree program may not apply for readmission to that program. However, a student who has been disqualified from one degree program may apply for readmission to a different degree program. A readmitted student must file a new Study Plan that meets current requirements and policies. Any disqualified student who wishes to use previous course work must have it approved by the associate vice president, Academic Programs (or designee). Appeals related to graduate degree probation or disqualification should first be directed to the departmental graduate program adviser. Please contact the Graduate Studies Office for further information and procedures.

Probation and Disqualification for Credential, Unclassified or Undeclared Postbaccalaureate Students

A postbaccalaureate student (credential, unclassified or undeclared status) will be subject to academic probation if after completing 12 or more units, the cumulative grade point average falls below a 2.5 average. A postbaccalaureate student (i.e., credential or certificate objective) on probation will be subject to disqualification if the cumulative grade-point average is not raised to 2.5 the semester after being placed on probation. Appeals related to postbaccalaureate (credential or unclassified) probation or disqualification are submitted on a reinstatement form available in the Graduate Studies office.

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