Academic Information

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Under a Particular Catalog

Students must adhere to graduation requirements listed in the catalog in effect at the time of matriculation. A student may choose to use any newer catalog, provided that the catalog used is not expired. The catalog remains in effect for the student until degree completion or catalog expiration at the end of five years for bachelor and master students and seven years for doctorate students. All students who are re-admitted to programs at California Baptist University after officially or unofficially withdrawing, or any lapse of enrollment of more than one semester, will be placed under the catalog current at the time of re-admission, and will be subject to the degree requirements outlined in that catalog. The University is not responsible for providing courses or programs which have been discontinued.

Continuation under the catalog holds ONLY degree requirements; it does NOT hold policies, tuition and fees, and other information which may change annually. It is the responsibility of the student to attend to changes in policies, tuition and fees and other information. Updates regarding current policies, tuition and fees and other information is available from Academic Advising, Office of the University Registrar, Student Accounts, Student Services and other University offices.

Scholastic Requirements

The completion of the requisite 124 semester units usually requires four years of 31 semester units per year. Of these, the freshman and sophomore years are spent primarily in general education or core curriculum work, comprised of courses in diverse subjects. During the junior and senior years, students may confine their work within comparatively narrow limits. The work for the entire four-year program consists of:

• General Education (competency requirements and breadth curriculum)
• Major and minor coursework
• Elective coursework
• Developmental coursework (if required)

English Proficiency

All students must demonstrate their proficiency in writing standard English. They may do so by earning at least a C- (or demonstrating comparable writing competence) in ENG 113 Composition and earning at least a C- (or demonstrating comparable writing competence) in ENG 123 Intermediate Composition. Students are placed in composition courses based on SAT/ACT scores or previous college transfer coursework. Students wishing to challenge their placement may take an English placement exam one time prior to the last day to add a course in their first semester of enrollment at CBU. No student is eligible to graduate unless the Office of the University Registrar’s official records show the English proficiency requirements have been met.

Work in Residence

Students seeking a bachelor degree are required to complete 36 units in residence at California Baptist University. Of the 39 upper-division units required for graduation, at least 30 upper-division units must be taken in residence. Students seeking a associate degree are required to complete 30 units in residence at California Baptist University.

General Education

The General Education curriculum consists of 40-55 units of coursework designed to provide the student with a strong and diverse academic preparation for a major and professional experiences. In keeping with the ideal of a liberal arts education, the general education provides students with a broad exposure to the world of ideas and the arts in order to equip graduates to make substantial contributions within society. Courses are designed to be interdisciplinary and to emphasize a sense of global awareness needed to become leaders in the modern world. In addition, a decidedly Christian perspective is integrated into the requirements, and afford the student an opportunity to develop a Christian worldview.

Majors and Minors

Though a minimum of 39 upper-division units are required for graduation, some majors require less than 39 upper-division units. The additional upper-division units may be taken in the student’s major field or in other academic areas. A student may qualify for a minor by using these additional units to meet the requirements for a minor in the field of choice. When completing a major and minor twenty-four (24) units must be unique to the major of which at least eighteen (18) must be upper division and nine (9) upper division units must be unique to the minor. Coursework for credit toward a major, minor, or emphasis must be passed with a minimum grade of C- and an overall average in the major or minor of 2.0 or higher. Certain disciplines may also require a minimum grade of C (2.0) in the lower-division prerequisites. Science courses with virtual labs may not meet major requirements.

Upper Division

Upper division requirements for graduation can only be fulfilled with courses at the 300 and 400 (Junior and Senior) level. Of the 39 upper-division units required for graduation, at least 30 upper-division units must be taken in residence. Lower division units cannot be used to fulfill upper division requirements. Upper division requirements that are varianced must be replaced by upper division electives. Students seeking substitutions and exemptions must submit an Academic Variance Form for approval.

Double Major

Students who wish to complete two majors may do so if the following conditions are met:

1. Students must complete all of the required courses listed in the catalog for both majors
2. Not more than four (4) upper division courses may be common to both majors
3. Twenty-four (24) units must be unique to each major, of which at least eighteen (18) units must be upper division.

Second Major

Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree or higher at another institution and wish to complete an additional major at California Baptist University must complete all requirements for the major as listed in the catalog current at the time of admission to the University. The student must complete the regular graduation application process. Students completing a second major only will receive a certificate of completion. No certificate is granted for an additional minor.

Additional Major or Minor

Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree at California Baptist University may complete an additional major or minor by completing all requirements for the major or minor, as listed in the catalog current at the time of readmission to the University. For an additional major or minor, a minimum of twenty-four (24) units must be unique to the major and at least eighteen (18) units must be upper division. Those who have walked in the graduation ceremony may not participate again in ceremonies upon completion of the additional major or minor. The student must complete the graduation re-application process. Students completing an additional major only will receive a certificate of completion. No certificate is granted for an additional minor.

Second Degree

Students seeking a second baccalaureate degree must complete a minimum of 30 distinct units in a second area of major studies. Twenty-four of these units must be at the upper-division level. A minimum of 154 total units is required for graduation with a double or second degree. All general education (if different from first degree), prerequisites, supporting courses and departmental requirements for each major and degree, including residency must be completed.

Electives

A number of electives may be taken from the regular university courses offered in each department. Students should plan carefully and complete their required work first. Failure to do this may cause students to take more than 124 semester units in order to graduate.

Approval for Graduation

Students should review their InsideCBU degree guide on a regular basis to evaluate progress toward graduation. Student should submit an application for graduation upon successful completion of ninety (90) or more earned units. Students who have submitted an application for graduation will receive a degree evaluation from the Office of the University Registrar. Upon verification of eligibility to graduate a student may participate in ceremonies. Graduation Applications must be submitted by the application deadline or the student will be assessed a Late Graduation Application fee due at the time of application. Applications received after the degree posting date will be required to apply for the next eligible degree date. All candidates for graduation must be recommended by the faculty. Failure to complete degree requirements by the designated posting date may require re-application and an additional fee will be assessed.

Graduation Honors

Honors are awarded according to the following cumulative grade point average: Cum Laude, 3.50; Magna Cum Laude, 3.70; Summa Cum Laude, 3.90. Honors announced at the graduation ceremony represent the cumulative grade point average at the completion of the Spring semester. Degrees and honors awarded in the ceremony are conditional upon completion of all course requirements in accordance with university policies. Post-baccalaureate students (Graduate and Second Major only) are not eligible for graduation honors.

Graduation Check List (Bachelors)

• Complete at least 124 semester units of credit, at least 39 of which must be upper division (300 level and 400 level courses)
• Complete at least 36 units in residence at CBU, at least 30 of which must be upper division (300 level and 400 level course)
• Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 overall with no grade below C- in the major field of study
• Complete all general education requirements
• Complete all coursework in a major as selected from the University Catalog
• Complete all coursework for minor or concentration, if applicable
• Complete a graduation application for planned graduation date
• Satisfy all financial obligations
• Be in good academic standing (not suspended or academically disqualified) at the time of completion

Degree Posting Dates

The University posts degrees three times each year, regardless of the specific date all work is completed. All degree requirements must be met prior to the posting date. The three approximate posting dates are at the end of the regular fall semester (last day in December), the end of the regular spring semester (first Friday in May), and the end of the regular summer semester (last day in August). Degrees completed between posting dates will be posted at the next scheduled date.

Once the degree is posted, no changes will be made to the transcript.

Academic Policies

Transfer Restrictions

A maximum of 100 semester units may be accepted in transfer toward fulfilling degree requirements. Within these 100 units, no more than 30 upper division units may be transferred; no more than 70 units may be transferred from a community college. A maximum of 30 semester units is allowable from examinations (AP, CLEP, DANTES, IB). A maximum of 18 units may be accepted in transfer at the lower division level for college transcripted completion of a Basic Peace Officer Standards Training (POST) certificate.

The university will evaluate previous college work to determine its relationship to the requirements of California Baptist University. Only coursework completed with a grade of C- or better will be accepted in transfer. Lower division units and units from institutions that do not offer a baccalaureate degree will not be accepted for upper division credit. California Baptist University does not accept transfer work that was not designated as baccalaureate degree-applicable by the issuing institution.

All coursework completed at other institutions will be computed into the California Baptist University cumulative grade point average regardless of course transferability.

Advanced Placement Credit

Students who score three (3) or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam will receive three units of lower division credit for the equivalent course. AP scores provided below are subject to change. For the most current AP score information contact the Office of the University Registrar. More information about the AP Program is available on the College Board web site at www.apcentral.collegeboard.com.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and DSST

Students wishing to receive credit for CLEP or DANTES Single Subject Tests (DSST) examinations must provide to the university an official transcript issued by the College Board or by DSST. It is the student’s responsibility to seek clarification of degree requirements before taking an examination. Examinations may not be repeated within six months of the testing date. Additional information about acceptable CLEP and DSST exams and scores is available on InsideCBU.

CLEP scores provided below are subject to change. For the most current CLEP score information contact the Office of the University Registrar. Check the CLEP web site at www.collegeboard.com/clep for testing locations.

Credit for Prior Learning

Students through Online and Professional Studies may enroll for a one-unit portfolio development seminar. With guidance from the faculty, the student will develop a portfolio documenting college level learning which has been obtained outside of the traditional college classroom setting through work-related training, professional experiences, and community involvement. Portfolio credit can only be earned toward general elective credits and cannot be earned in a student’s major.

Enrollment at Other Institutions

All students who wish to take coursework at other institutions and wish to apply this work toward degree requirements at California Baptist University must receive prior approval. The purpose of this is to ensure that the coursework is transferable to California Baptist University, and to encourage student success by monitoring total academic loads. Students not receiving prior approval for enrollment at another institution may not be permitted to transfer those credits. Additional information and appropriate forms are available on the California Baptist University web site.

Credit Hour

California Baptist University defines a credit hour as a minimum of 45 hours of engaged learning time over the course of a semester based on an hour of instructional time and two hours of engaged learning outside the classroom each week. This engaged learning time may be in face-to-face meetings, in a prescribed lab or internship/practicum setting, in synchronous or asynchronous online learning activities, or in independent reading, research, or writing activities.

Course Load

The standard academic load for undergraduate students is 12-18 units. The maximum course load is 18 units. A student may be approved to register for more than 18 units if the student has 1) a 3.0 cumulative GPA, 2) a minimum 3.0 session GPA in the preceding semester, 3) no outstanding incomplete course work, and 4) status as a Sophomore, Junior or Senior in good academic standing. Permission for overload is granted on a semester by semester basis. A desire to graduate early is, in itself, not sufficient reason to receive approval for academic overload.

Classification of Students

At the beginning of each semester all students are officially classified in the following manner:

Scholastic Regulations

An undergraduate student must maintain scholastic standards to remain enrolled at California Baptist University. A student must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 to graduate.

Academic Probation

A student who does not maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or who does not earn a minimum semester GPA of 1.7 will be placed on Academic Probation. A student on Academic Probation will be restricted to a maximum of 13 units during the next semester of enrollment, will be required to meet with an Academic Advisor to adjust their schedule and develop a course plan, and may be required to participate in an academic success experience. A student who earns a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a minimum semester GPA of 1.7 during the probationary semester will no longer be on Academic Probation. A student on Academic Probation who does not achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in the probationary semester but does earn a 2.3 semester GPA will continue on Academic Probation.

Academic Suspension

A student who fails to earn a 2.0 cumulative GPA and a 1.7 semester GPA OR a 2.3 semester GPA during the probationary semester will be placed on Academic Suspension. Additionally, a student who fails all academic courses during any given semester will immediately be placed on Academic Suspension. To continue enrollment at CBU, a student on Academic Suspension must appeal to and be approved by the Admissions and Retention Committee. If approved to continue, a student will be placed on Academic Probation and will be held to the restrictions and requirements of the Academic Probation status.

Academic Disqualification

A student who is suspended for a second consecutive semester will be academically disqualified and may not enroll at CBU for at least one semester. To regain academic qualification, a student must demonstrate the educational skills and motivation necessary to be academically successful. How these skills can be demonstrated will be outlined in each student’s appeal decision letter, but may include attending a community college to complete 9-12 units of academic coursework in a single semester with earning a 2.3 semester grade point average or better. A student who has demonstrated academic success may then appeal to the Admissions and Retention Committee for readmission to CBU under Academic Probation status. A student may need to readmit to the university prior to enrolling (see Satisfactory Academic Progress in the Financial Aid  section and Readmit in the Undergraduate Admissions  section).

Following the close of each semester, a letter of notification will be sent to each student who has a change in academic status. All appeals related to the above regulations should be directed to the Chair of the Admissions and Retention Committee in compliance with dates detailed in the letter.

Student Grievances

A student wishing to express concerns or grievances about academic matters, involving coursework or interactions with instructors, should ordinarily follow a regular order of contacts. The first contact would be between the student and the instructor involved so that there is opportunity for each to address the issues that directly affect them. If the student feels unable to approach the instructor directly or does not believe the issue has been fully resolved with the instructor, the next contact would be with the Department Chair or Dean of the School or College having oversight of that course. If issues remain unresolved at these levels, the final academic point of contact should be made according to the degree program the student is enrolled.

• Traditional students should appeal to the Dean of Student Success
• Online and Professional Studies students should appeal to the Associate Vice President of Academics

For disputes involving conduct prohibited under the University’s Title IX Policy, students, staff, and faculty are expected to promptly notify the Title IX Coordinator for proceedings consistent with the Title IX Policy.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, copying, and other forms) will be reported to the Dean of Students. Judicial sanctions for offense are handled on a case-by-case basis depending on the seriousness of the violation, prior violations and other factors. Judicial sanctions may include, but are not limited to, loss of a letter grade or failure in the course in which the offense occurred, suspension, and/or dismissal from the University. A detailed discussion of academic dishonesty is located in the Student Handbook.

Credit/No Credit Courses

A student may take up to twelve (12) units of coursework on a “credit/no credit” basis in lieu of a letter grade. ENG 113 and 123 (English Composition) may not be taken on a “credit/no credit” basis, and not more than two (2) courses in general education may be taken on a “credit/no credit” basis.

Not more than one course may be taken per semester on a “credit/no credit” basis. All courses in the student’s major field or minor field must be taken for a letter grade.

The student’s decision for this grading option must be made during the Add/Drop Period. In order to receive credit for work completed on a “credit/no credit” basis, the work must be equivalent to a C- grade or better. The grade of “credit” does not affect the GPA calculations; a grade of “no credit” has the same effect on the GPA calculation as a failing grade.

Pass/Fail

Chapel/Convocation (GST 050), First Year Orientation and Christian University Success (GST 100 FOCUS), Essentials for Online and Professional Studies (GST 101) and other courses are graded on a “pass/fail” basis. The grade of “pass” does not affect the GPA calculations; a grade of “fail” has the same effect on the GPA calculation as a failing grade.

Incomplete Grade Policy

A Petition for Incomplete Work is filed only in cases of extreme and unforeseen emergencies. Students receiving financial aid may adversely affect aid eligibility by taking an Incomplete. If a grade of I is not raised to a passing grade six weeks after the end of the session, term, or semester, the grade automatically becomes an F and credit for the course may be obtained only by repeating the course. An incomplete fee is charged for all approved incomplete petitions. Approval for an Incomplete is gained by petition to the dean of the school, college, or division in which the course is offered. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate and complete the process for incomplete work prior to the end of the semester. Students who receive an Incomplete will not be eligible for semester honors (Provost’s or President’s Honor Roll).

Examinations/Make-up Tests

Students are expected to take all tests at the regularly scheduled time. In the case of serious illness or extreme emergency, a faculty member may allow the student to take a make-up test WITHIN TWO WEEKS of the originally scheduled test date. If the test is not made up within two weeks, the student may receive no credit for that test. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange for a makeup test by securing permission of the instructor IN ADVANCE of the test to be missed. The student must then schedule a make-up test appointment with the Academic Resource Center (ARC). A $5 fee will be charged for all make-up tests.

Repeating Courses for Grade Replacement

A student may repeat a course in which a grade of C- or lower was earned. For grade replacement to apply, the course must have been originally taken in residence and repeated in residence. Courses that may be repeated multiple times for credit are not eligible for grade replacement. Tuition will be charged for the repeated units. Students may not repeat a course once the baccalaureate degree has been posted.

Students who elect to repeat a course may do so only one time for grade replacement. The second grade earned will be used in GPA calculations regardless of which grade is higher. If a grade of C- or higher is not earned when the course is repeated, the student may repeat the course again; however, subsequent grades will not replace the grade from the first repetition. Subsequent grades will be used in GPA calculations.

Grade Changes

Students who believe a grade has been recorded in error have the responsibility to initiate a grade change request with the instructor within 30 days of the final grade being recorded. Requests may be made for grade changes based on computation and recording errors. Otherwise, grades are final at the completion of the course. No grade changes will be permitted once the degree has been posted.

Grade Appeals

Any appeal for a grade change must be accompanied by appropriate documentation to demonstrate the grade was incorrectly recorded or determined. The grade appeal must include documentation that one or more of the following occurred: (1) The instructor made an error in calculating the final grade; (2) The final grade was based on criteria or standards at variance with the course syllabus; (3) The final grade was based on factors other than student achievement or performance. Failure to address one or more of these three reasons is a basis for rejection of that appeal. Students must recognize that they bear the burden of proof in the grade appeal process and that a grade appeal will not be successful without appropriate documentation

Students wishing to appeal a grade should follow the below regular order of contacts and timelines.

Instructor Appeal

An initial grade appeal should be made directly to the instructor. The student is encouraged to submit a written statement to the instructor clearly specifying the grounds upon which the student disputes the instructor’s academic decision.

• Traditional Graduate/Undergraduate Students:
  • Grade appeals for Fall semester courses must be filed by February 1 of the Spring semester immediately following the completion of the disputed course.
  • Grade appeals for Spring or Summer semester courses must be filed by October 1 of the Fall semester immediately following the completion of the disputed course.
• Online and Professional Studies Students:
  • Grade appeals must be submitted to the instructor within 30 days of the final grade being recorded. 

Department Chair or Dean Appeal

If the student is dissatisfied with the instructor’s response, or the instructor does not respond to a grade appeal within 30 days, the student may then appeal the instructor’s academic decision to the appropriate Department Chair or Dean of the School or College having oversight of that respective instructor and course. The appeal should be submitted within 30 days of instructor decision or non-response. 

Dean of Student Success/Associate Vice President of Academics

If the student is dissatisfied with the decision rendered by the Department Chair or Dean of the School or College, the student may submit an appeal within 30 days of the previous decision for possible mediation. Appeals should be submitted respective to the University program in which the student is enrolled (Traditional or Online and Professional Studies).

• Traditional students should appeal to the Dean of Student Success
• Online and Professional Studies students should appeal to the Associate Vice President of Academics

Upon receipt of the appeal, copies of the student’s supporting evidence associated with the appeal will be obtained and an attempt will be made to mediate a resolution between the student, the faculty, and the Department Chair or Dean.

Student Appeals Committee

If the appeal is unable to be resolved through mediation within 30 days, the student may request the appeal be submitted to the Student Appeals Committee.  The student’s request must be in writing and specify the student’s rationale for contesting the decision rendered by the Department Chair or Dean, as well as include all supporting evidence.  Upon submission of a timely request, the Student Appeals Committee will convene and render a decision within 15 days.

The Student Appeals Committee will convene and review all written documentation and evidence. The committee will receive the responses from previous appeals and have the discretion to request additional information prior to the committee meeting from the student, instructor, chair, or dean.  The committee will make its recommendation based solely on the documentation submitted.  Students are not permitted to attend the meeting or present before the committee.

Vice President/Provost

Following the Student Appeals Committee meeting, the committee will make a formal recommendation to the Vice President/Provost regarding a resolution.  Within 15 days of receiving the recommendation, the Vice President may (1) accept the recommendation, (2) reject the recommendation and issue an independent decision, or (3) request the committee conduct additional investigation and re-review the initial recommendation.

The Vice President/Provost’s decision is final and not subject to further appeal.

Quality of work in a course is indicated as follows:

Semester Honors

Each semester the University awards the President’s Honor Roll and the Provost’s Honor Roll to students who achieve academic excellence. In order to qualify for the President’s Honor Roll a student must earn a session GPA of 4.0 while taking a minimum of 12 units of graded coursework (not P/F, CR/NC, AU, etc.) and maintaining satisfactory scholastic standing. In order to qualify for the Provost’s Honor Roll a student must earn a session GPA of at least 3.6 while taking a minimum of 12 units of graded coursework (not P/F, CR/NC, AU, etc.) and maintaining satisfactory scholastic standing. All courses taken during a given semester must be successfully completed; any failing grade (including chapel fail and NC) or Incomplete will disqualify the student for semester honors. Post-baccalaureate students are not eligible for semester honors. Students will not be eligible for the Provost’s or President’s Honor Roll if they elect to Petition for an Incomplete. Semester honors will be posted on the transcript.

Grade Reports

Grade reports are available to students through InsideCBU upon the completion of the semester. Students with a student account hold are not eligible for a grade report. The University does not release any grade information to any person other than the requesting student without the written permission of the student.

Change of Address

It is frequently a matter of great importance for the University to be able to locate students quickly. For this reason students are asked to file a Student Information Change form with the Office of the University Registrar promptly upon a change of address. Failure to receive University notices because of an incorrect or outdated address provided by the student will not relieve the student of responsibility for the information provided.

Classification and Numbering of Courses

The first digit of the course number indicates the year level of the course: 100-first undergraduate year; 200-second undergraduate year; 300-third undergraduate year; 400-fourth undergraduate year; 500-graduate level.

University level courses not having a year designation are signified by 000. These courses are primarily in the Music Department and Chapel/Convocation.

Course Cancellations and Format Changes

Courses at California Baptist University are subject to cancellation, meeting day and time changes, or format changes for reasons such as low enrollment, curriculum updates, or staffing. Students will be notified of course cancellations and schedule changes via their CBU e-mail account.

Study Abroad

Students may receive academic credit for overseas study tours offered by California Baptist University or authorized Study Abroad programs. A maximum of 18 units per semester may be earned for Study Abroad. Non-academic tours will not be considered for academic credit. All students wishing to receive Study Abroad credit must attend a Study Abroad Information Session and must process their Petition to Study Abroad prior to the trip’s departure. Study Abroad petitions are available from the Director of Academic Engagement. Students will be assessed a Study Abroad per unit tuition rate for tours offered through CBU. Student’s participating in other authorized study abroad programs will be assessed for the cost of the program.

Directed Study and Independent Study

Directed Study will be limited to those courses listed in the catalog and are part of the University’s regular curriculum. Independent Study will be limited to original coursework not included in the University’s regular curriculum. Approval for the arrangement must include the faculty member, Dean/Department Chair, and University Registrar. In addition to regular tuition, a per unit Directed/ Independent Study fee will be assessed. Students petitioning for Directed/Independent Study must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Only juniors and seniors are eligible for directed/independent study.
• Only students who have a 3.0 or better grade point average are eligible for directed/independent study.
• No student may take more than a total of four units of independent study or directed study in any given semester.
• A form for directed/independent study may be obtained from Academic Advising. It must be completed with the appropriate faculty member and submitted to the Department Chair and University Registrar for approval.
• A maximum of nine (9) units of directed study or independent study may be applied towards degree requirements.

Internship

An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.

Students may enroll in an internship for academic credit at the upper division level with approval and signatures from the faculty member, Dean/Department Chair, Career Services, and University Registrar. Students are responsible for locating their own internship experience prior to enrollment but are encouraged to utilize the Career Services office for assistance in the process and to obtain the required paperwork in order to enroll. Minimum enrollment requirements include a 2.0 cumulative GPA and sophomore status. Internships must be completed within the semester in which both the enrollment and the internship experience occur; retroactive credit may not be granted for internships previously served.

Challenging a Course for Credit or Exemption

A student wishing to challenge a course by examination or certification should consult the Office of the University Registrar for information. Not all courses offered at California Baptist University may be challenged by exam or certification, and determinations will be made by the appropriate academic dean or department chair.

Students wishing only to be exempt from a course requirement, but not wishing to receive university credit, will be billed the exemption by exam or exemption by certification fee, and no credit will be earned. The exemption by exam fee will be assessed whether or not the exam is successfully passed.

Students wishing to receive credit for the challenged course and successfully pass the exam will be charged the appropriate tuition and a grade of “Credit” will appear on the transcript. If the exam is not passed the student will only be charged the exemption by exam fee and nothing will appear on the transcript.

Challenge exams may be attempted only once per course and should be completed prior to the add/drop dates. Credit and tuition costs for coursework completed by exam will appear in the semester that the exam is passed. Students may not exceed 30 units of degree credit by challenge exams including AP, CLEP, and DSST, IB, and CBU exams.

Auditing a Course

Courses which are audited are not credit-bearing; they cannot be applied toward degree requirements. Audited courses do appear on the transcript and are indicated by an AU in lieu of a credit-bearing grade.

Students may register for an audit during the first two weeks of the semester only, pending available space in the desired course. Regular withdrawal policies apply to audited coursework.

Post Baccalaureate Credit

Post baccalaureate credit for a course taken as an undergraduate student must be requested prior to the posting of the bachelor’s degree. The following criteria must be met in order to grant credit:

• Course(s) were not used to complete a bachelor’s degree, second major, minor, emphasis, or concentration.
• Student was classified as a Senior (90.0+ units) when courses were completed.

Privacy of Student Records

In compliance with Federal Legislation (Buckley Amendment) a student’s confidential academic record is available for inspection by the student. See the Office of the University Registrar for further information.

By law the following information may be considered directory information and thus able to be released without prior permission of students involved: student’s name; address; telephone listing; e-mail address; date and place of birth; photo; major field of study; participation in official recognized sports activities; weight and height of athletic team members; dates of attendance, degrees, and awards received; and the most recent previous educational institution attended by the student.

Attendance and Withdrawal Policies

Completion of the registration process constitutes a contract and obligates the student for full payment. The student must complete the appropriate process to add, drop, or withdraw from a course. Course registration adds, drops, and withdraws are processed by students through the InsideCBU portal. Students may seek assistance with the InsideCBU registration process from the Academic Advising office. To withdraw from the University, the student must submit a Petition to Withdraw to the Enrollment Services office, this process can not be completed through InsideCBU. Students should consult the University Calendar, Schedule of Classes, and Academic Advising for course and semester add, drop and withdraw dates.

Class attendance is of paramount importance, and excessive absences will negatively affect the final grade. The individual instructor defines, in the course syllabus, the grading attendance policies for each class.

Adding a Course

During the initial Add period a student may add a course to his or her schedule of classes. Adding a course could result in the increase of student account tuition and fee charges.

Dropping a Course

During the initial Drop period a student may drop a course and receive a full credit of tuition if applicable. No mark will appear on the transcript. A student may not drop a class merely by ceasing to attend. Dropping a class could result in the reduction of already awarded financial aid and an increase in the student account balance.

Withdrawal from a Course

Students may withdraw from a course during the Withdraw period. A grade of W will appear on the transcript. No credit of tuition will be granted after the Drop period. After the Withdraw period no withdrawal from a course will be permitted. Students who cease attending after the withdrawal date will receive a grade of F in that course.

A student who never attends or stops attending a course for which he or she is officially registered, without following the accepted procedures, will receive a grade of F in that course. A student who wishes to initiate withdrawal from a course after the deadline may do so by filing a petition to present a serious and compelling reason for withdrawal to the Office of Student Success or OPS Registrar. Approval for such a withdrawal will be granted only in extreme cases where extenuating circumstances are evident and can be substantiated. No financial adjustments are made. Failing or performing poorly in a class, and dissatisfaction with the subject matter, class or instructor are not acceptable serious and compelling reasons for late withdrawal.

Withdrawal from the University and Semester

Complete official withdrawal from the University and semester is permitted through the last day of the final examination period and is permitted only if a course has not already been completed. Students requesting full official withdrawal from the University and semester must complete a Petition to Withdraw form available in the Office of Enrollment Services. To complete the official withdraw process the student must also initiate enrollment changes in the Office of the Registrar, complete the Exit Interview process through the Financial Aid Office and reconcile any account balance in the Student Accounts Office. Failure to comply with these regulations will result in failing grades being entered on the student’s permanent record, and dismissal will be recorded as unofficial.

Ceasing to attend does not constitute an official withdrawal from a course or from the University. However, ceasing to attend all courses may result in Return to Title IV processing as required per federal regulations.

Refer to the Financial Aid  and Student Accounts  sections in this catalog for additional information regarding the effects of completing an official withdraw and the effects of ceasing to attend without providing official notification to the University according to the official withdraw process.

Leave of Absence

A student that needs to take a leave of absence and plans to return to the University should complete a Petition for Leave of Absence. If approved, a student may leave the University for up to one semester and return at the conclusion of the leave without completing the readmit process. Students will be expected to fulfill the graduation requirements in effect at the date of their original matriculation. Students who do not return from a leave of absence will be considered withdrawn from the University and will need to complete the readmit process.

Administrative Discretion

The University reserves the right to disqualify, discontinue, exclude, or involuntarily withdraw any student from the University at the discretion of the provost, the vice president for enrollment and student services, dean of student services, or designee.

California Baptist University is concerned about the well-being of all students. Behavior that demonstrates that the student’s well-being may be in jeopardy, interferes with the educational efforts of other students, puts fellow students or the institution at risk, or conflicts with California Baptist University’s mission to educate all students may result in an administrative withdrawal from the institution.

Other Academic Information

Academic Computing

The University provides a wide array of technologies to facilitate teaching and learning. Complementing a vanguard computing infrastructure are a number of computer labs located in the Annie Gabriel Library, Business Building, W.E. James Complex, and Yeager University Center. Coursework in computer technology is also available. A valid student identification card is required for access to computer labs.

Annie Gabriel Library

The staff, resources, and services of the Annie Gabriel Library enhance the quality of the academic experience available at California Baptist University by supporting the instruction, learning, and research activities of its students and faculty. In addition to the more than 340,000 books (including 225,000 eBooks) in its collection, the library currently provides access to more than 39,000 full-text journal titles through its online databases and subscriptions. Students and faculty can access books, journals, reference resources, videos, and music through the library catalog (OneSearch Catalog), which is available along with many other resources and services through the library Web page. The Annie Gabriel Library houses computer work stations and provides access to the campus wireless network. It participates in local, regional, and national information networks that increase its resource-offerings to the CBU community through its interlibrary loan programs. It houses special collections and archives devoted to Southern Baptist History, Holocaust Studies, Hymnology, and CBU History.

Office of Student Success

The Office of Student Success (OSS) is responsible for providing support services to help students acquire skills essential to achieve academic success. Services include tutoring for CBU coursework as well as a variety of subjects such as library research, citation (APA, MLA), test-taking strategies, computer skills, and limited CBEST, RICA, CSET, and SAT, as available. In addition, the OSS offers study groups, testing services, informal learning style self-assessment, and academic workshops.

Office of the University Registrar

The Office of the University Registrar maintains the student’s official academic record and assists students with transcripts, letter requests, degree and enrollment verifications, veterans benefit enrollment certification and other requests related to the student’s enrollment. The Office of the University Registrar also maintains articulation agreements, completes official evaluation of previous college work, reviews requests for concurrent enrollment transfer approvals, reviews academic variances, processes all applications for graduation, reviews the academic record for final degree completion, and posts completed degrees.

Veterans Information

The Veterans Resource Center maintains records for each identified veteran. A record of transfer work is kept on file and the Veterans’ Administration is notified of the transfer work accepted for each veteran.

Veterans must provide a written request to the Veterans Resource Center at the beginning of each term to initiate reporting of verification of enrollment and academic progress to the appropriate Veterans’ Administration office. Any changes in enrollment or attendance should be reported to the Veterans Resource Center.

Satisfactory progress must be maintained as specified in the Scholastic Regulations Section under Academic Policies. Military academic credit or experience may provide some equivalency credit in accordance with the American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines.

Honors Program

The University Honors Program at California Baptist University offers students from all major areas of study a unique and excellent academic experience. Through a series of seminars totaling 18 units, the program offers students the opportunity to participate in rigorous study, requiring diligence in reading primary sources and writing original essays. These seminars lead students in careful study of and reflection on important themes in (primarily) Western Civilization that are key to understanding contemporary culture. Seminars often focus on ancient classical thought and literature, medieval studies, Russian literature, history of science, the early church in the ancient world, political economy, and the theology and literature of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. These seminars emphasize a close reading and thorough discussion of classic texts, and are interdisciplinary, integrative, and holistic in vision. Ultimately, the program has been designed to assist students in developing an intellectually informed Christian world view. By understanding the roots and trajectory of contemporary culture, Honors Program graduates will be better prepared to effect change in the culture.

The Honors Program seminars are taught by leading faculty from across the University. Class enrollment is purposely restricted to provide individual attention to the Honors Program student members.

Satisfactory completion of the Honors Program requires (for four-year students) satisfactory completion of 18 units of Honors Program seminars (at least eight (8) units at the upper division level), while maintaining an overall academic GPA of at least 3.5. Transfer students coming to CBU with 60 or more semester units of college credit need only complete 14 units of Honors Program seminars (at least eight (8) units at the upper division level), while maintaining at least a 3.5 overall GPA.

Students who satisfactorily complete the Honors Program are entitled to claim this distinction on their résumés. Their achievement will be recorded on their official CBU transcript and diploma, and will be acknowledged in the Commencement program and ceremony.

A student should seek admission to the University Honors Program prior to or during the freshman year by filing an Honors Program Application and writing sample with the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Admission to the Program requires application that is separate from (and follows after) the regular CBU admission application. The Honors Program admission committee will review the student’s overall academic record for predictors of success in this intensive seminar series. The committee will approve students who write a strong essay and have either have an SAT score of 1290 (ACT 27 or higher) and a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. The committee may consider students with a test score above 1230 or cumulative grade point average of 3.2, and may request a personal interview as part of the decision process.

For more information contact the College of Arts and Sciences at 951.343.4363, or email honors@calbaptist.edu.

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)

California Baptist University offers a Military Science and Leadership Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program on campus and an Airforce ROTC program through concurrent enrollment at California State University, San Bernardino. Students may also enroll in ROTC courses at another institution while completing their degree programs at CBU. Representatives from other participating ROTC programs make regular visits to CBU to provide information to prospective students.

Scholarships may be available for books, tuition, and fees associated with various major fields of study. For more information about the Military Science and Leadership Army ROTC Program contact the Assistant Professor of Military Science at 951.343.4773 or e-mail ROTC@calbaptist.edu. For more information about the Airforce ROTC program contact the CSUSB Aerospace Studies Department at 909.880.5440. Students interested in concurrent enrollment should contact the Office of the University Registrar at CBU.