Understanding Your Academic Standing

What are the requirements for good standing?

Undergraduates

To be in good academic standing, undergraduate students are expected to maintain at least a 2.00 GPA in each of the following areas:

• all coursework completed at CSULB (CSULB cumulative GPA)

• all transferable college coursework plus coursework completed at CSULB (overall cumulative GPA)

Graduates

To be in good academic standing, graduate students are expected to maintain at least a 3.00 GPA in each of the following areas:

• all upper-division courses completed subsequent to the first degree (courses numbered 300-499 at CSULB)

• all graduate-level courses completed subsequent to the first degree (courses numbered 500 and above at CSULB)

What is Academic Probation?

Academic Probation is a warning that a student's academic performance is below the minimum requirements for good academic standing and for graduation.

Probation for undergraduates occurs at the end of any Fall or Spring term in which their CSULB cumulative and/or overall cumulative GPA falls below 2.00.

Probation for graduate students occurs any time their GPA falls below 3.00.

What is Academic Disqualification?

Academic Disqualification is dismissal from CSULB. Undergraduate students on academic probation, are subject to academic disqualification, when:

1. As freshmen (fewer than 30 semester-hours of college work completed), if their grade-point average falls below 1.5 on all units attempted or on all units attempted at California State University, Long Beach;
2. As sophomores (30-59 semester-hours of college work completed), if their grade-point average falls below 1.7 on all units attempted or on all units attempted at California State University, Long Beach;
3. As juniors (60 to 89 semester-hours of college work completed), if their grade-point average falls below 1.85 on all units attempted or on all units attempted at California State University, Long Beach;
4. As seniors (90 or more semester-hours of college work completed), if their grade-point average falls below 1.95 on all units attempted or on all units attempted at California State University, Long Beach; and
5. At any time, if the student remains on academic probation for more than 2 consecutive semesters (i.e., the cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 at the end of 2 consecutive semesters).

A student, just disqualified, may appeal his or her disqualification if he or she has improved their GPA, can provide documentation provide documentation of extenuating circumstances that lead to their weak academic performance, shows tangible changes that will lead to future academic success, participated in an intervention program at the University Center for Undergraduate Advising, or made significant academic progress.

For additional information, contact the University Center for Undergraduate Advising and/or review the information on the University Center for Undergraduate Advising website.

How do I achieve reinstatement after my disqualification?

Disqualified students may apply for reinstatement to the university once they have been out of attendance for at least one fall or spring semester and have demonstrated an ability to succeed academically.  

To be considered for reinstatement to the University, a disqualified student must:

• demonstrate progress toward the degree;
• show efforts to raise the grade point average (GPA) by reducing the grade point deficiency number by one-half;
• demonstrate an ability to complete his/her chosen major within established university policies, including Repetition of Courses, Academic Progress Rules and Timely Graduation.

This can be achieved as follows:

• Complete academic courses that are applicable as degree credit toward General Education or major requirements through CSULB College of Continuing and Professional Education (CCPE), Open University, Summer and/or Winter sessions. These courses must be acceptable for degree credit; the grades you earn in these courses will factor into your CSULB cumulative GPA and your overall cumulative GPA.

  Note:

  • Fall and Spring Semesters: Disqualified students will be limited to 6 units or two courses, as long as enrollment in these two courses does not exceed 7 units
  • Summer Session: Disqualified students will be limited to 6 units or two courses, as long as enrollment in these two courses does not exceed 7 units
  • Winter Session: Disqualified students will be limited to 4 units
• Complete transferable academic courses at another accredited college or university with grades of "A" and/or "B." These courses must be acceptable for degree credit; the grades you earn in these courses will be used to assess your academic improvement and will affect your overall cumulative college GPA. Grades earned at another institution, however, will not reduce your CSULB grade point deficiency, however; they will be used as indicators of academic ability.

Here are some important things to consider when registering for courses while on Academic Disqualification:

• If you are applying to be reinstated in a different major, you are strongly encouraged to complete the major specific requirements required of current CSULB students to declare the new major.

• If you have a considerable CSULB grade point deficiency, you are strongly encouraged to take courses through CCPE Open University. Disqualified students are allowed to take a maximum of 6 units per academic semester. Additionally, please note that there is a limit of 24 semester units of Open University and extension credits that may count toward the CSULB degree.

• You may consider repeating a CSULB course in which you previously earned a grade of "D," "F" or "WU." If you repeat the course at CCPE Open University and earn a grade of "C" or better in the second attempt, the first grade earned will be deleted from your GPA; however, if you earn less than a grade of "C," both the first and second attempt grades will be averaged into your GPA and could negatively affect your chances for reinstatement. Please review the limits on repeating classes.

• A course that you previously attempted at CSULB may be repeated at another college or university. However, this repeat attempt cannot be used to delete the first grade from your GPA; therefore, the grade you earn will be used only as an indicator of your academic improvement.

After at least one term away from the University (not including Summer) during which you took steps to demonstrate your academic improvement, you may submit an Application for Admission and a Petition for Reinstatement to the Academic Appeals Committee by the published deadline date for the term for which you are requesting reinstatement. If requested, you may be required to meet with an academic advisor and/or submit an academic plan consistent with the Timely Graduation policy.

Deadlines for Filing for Reinstatement

Term	Deadline
Fall semester	June 1
Spring semester	November 1

Submit your petition and applications to Enrollment Services, Brotman Hall 101, or mail them to:

CSULB
Enrollment Services
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90840

Final grades for all courses taken since disqualification must be submitted in order for the Academic Appeals Committee to make a decision. However, you do not need to wait until your grades are posted before filing your Application for Admission and Petition for Reinstatement. If you have attended elsewhere, you must submit official transcripts to Enrollment Services by July 15 for Fall consideration and January 15 for Spring consideration.

For more information regarding Reinstatement, refer to the current University catalog or visit the University Center for Undergraduate Advising.

What is the Strategies for Academic Success program?

Strategies for Academic Success is a University program designed for undergraduate students who are on Academic Probation. If you are a declared graduate student or credential candidate on Academic Probation, you should contact your department for information and assistance.

The program presents workshops with information about University policies and procedures, the reasons why students encounter academic problems and the various methods of assistance available from campus services and offices to help students become more successful.

You must sign up in advance to attend one of the workshops, which are scheduled at various times throughout each term and during the Summer and Winter breaks.

For more information or to sign up for a workshop, please contact the University Center for Undergraduate Advising at (562) 985-4837 or visit us in the Steven and Nini Horn Center, Room 103.