Undergraduate Repeat Policy
Revised 03/08/17
1. Is there a maximum number of units a student can repeat?
GRADE FORGIVENESS:
- 16 units maximum (at CSUF) (for entire CSUF record)
GRADES AVERAGED:
- 12 units maximum (at CSUF) (from Fall 2009 forward)
The unit limits in each of the two repeat categories listed above, when considered together, compromise the MAXIMUM 28-UNIT REPEAT LIMIT
2. What is the difference between repeats with Grade Forgiveness and repeats with Grades Averaged?
GRADE FORGIVENESS
The GPA calculation is adjusted to remove the effect of the initial grade and include only the repeated grade (with both grades remaining listed on the academic record).
GRADES AVERAGED
The GPA calculation includes the grades of both takes of the class (with both grades remaining listed on the academic record).
3. Is this repeat policy something new?
GRADE FORGIVENESS
No. A repetition of course policy involving a limit on forgiveness-type repeats is not new to CSUF:
- A 16-unit repeat limit on forgiveness-type repeats has been in effect for many years and remains in place.
- This policy does not grant a “new” 16 units of Grade Forgiveness for students.
- The policy continues to count all courses taken and repeated at CSUF against a 16-unit limit for this type of repeat.
- Only the name used for this policy (Grade Forgiveness) is new.
GRADES AVERAGED
Yes. Beginning with the Fall 2009 semester, a new 12-unit limit on repeats with Grades Averaged was implemented. In the past, a student could repeat classes that did not come under the 16-unit limit on forgiveness-type repeats as often as needed. Undergraduate students are now limited to a maximum of 12 units of repeated coursework with Grades Averaged, from Fall 2009 forward.
4. Do repeat units for classes taken at CSUF prior to Fall 2009 count in these repeat limits?
GRADE FORGIVENESS
Yes . Since CSUF has had a 16-unit limit of grade forgiveness-type repeats for many years, all CSUF forgiveness repeats apply to the limits.
GRADES AVERAGED
No. This limit began with the Fall 2009 semester. Therefore, Grades Averaged repeats for classes taken prior to Fall 2009 do not count towards the 12-unit Grades Averaged limit or the 28-unit maximum repeat limit. Regardless of how many ‘Grades Averaged’ repeated units were used prior to Fall 2009, all students started with a “new” 12 units of ‘Grades Averaged’ units available for use from Fall 2009 forward.
5. Do these limits include classes taken through CSUF University Extended Education?
GRADE FORGIVENESS
Yes.
GRADES AVERAGED
Yes.
6. Do transfer repeat units (courses I repeated at a community college or another university) count against these repeat limits?
GRADE FORGIVENESS
No. Note: Prior to Fall 2009, transfer repeats had been counted against the 16 units of forgiveness-type repeats; however, they no longer are counted against this 16-unit limit.
NOTE: Please see question 7 below
GRADES AVERAGED
N/A
7. Since a student's previous transfer repeats no longer 'count' against the 16 units of Grade Forgiveness, can a student use restored repeat units on classes he/she repeated prior to Fall 2009?
GRADE FORGIVENESS
Yes. Students need to submit the ‘Adjustment and Grade Forgiveness Inquiry’ form to Admissions and Records to have the repeats applied. In these cases, the repeats would be applied in sequence, from those that occurred first in time, moving forward to the most recently repeated courses.
GRADES AVERAGED
N/A
8. Are Grade Forgiveness repeats applied in the order in which a student repeated classes?
GRADE FORGIVENESS
Yes .Grade Forgiveness repeats are to be applied in the order in which they occurred.
GRADES AVERAGED
N/A
9. Can units from the two repeat categories be combined if the student does not have enough repeat units in either one of the categories to repeat another class (e.g., when a student’s only remaining repeat units are 1 unit of Grade Forgiveness, and 2 units of Grades Averaged, can these be combined for the purpose of repeating a 3-unit class)?
GRADE FORGIVENESS
No. A student cannot combine the units from one repeat category, with units in the other repeat category, in an effort to arrive at a combined total that is sufficient to cover the unit value of a class that needs to be repeated.
- Category 1: Grade Forgiveness (16 unit limit)
- Category 2: Grades Averaged (12 unit limit)
A student must have a sufficient number of repeat units in at least ONE of the two repeat categories to cover the full unit value of the course that needs to be repeated.
GRADES AVERAGED
Same information applies to the Grades Averaged repeat category
10. Can a student repeat a class with a grade of ‘C’ or better?
GRADE FORGIVENESS
No, unless the class is noted in the University catalog as 'may be repeated for credit'.
GRADES AVERAGED
Same information applies to the Grades Averaged repeat category
11. Can a student repeat a class at the community college that was originally taken at CSUF?
GRADE FORGIVENESS
The student can do so, HOWEVER THIS WOUD NOT QUALIFY FOR USING GRADE FORGIVENESS POLICY AT CSUF. If a student originally takes a class at CSUF, the student must repeat it at CSUF to be eligible for using Grade Forgiveness policy.
GRADES AVERAGED
The student can do so, however both grades* are averaged in the GPA and the repeated class does not count under the 12-unit limit, since it was not repeated at CSUF.
*Both grades are averaged, but if the student earned units for both grades (example: a ‘D’, then a ‘B’), a unit deduction for one of the classes is made since the student cannot earn units twice towards the degree for the same class
NOTE: Please be aware of the 70-unit limit for transfer courses from a community college – see University Catalog under “Graduation Requirements”
12. Is there a limit on how many times a student can take the same class at CSUF?
GRADE FORGIVENESS
Yes. Implemented in Fall 2009, the limit restricts a student to taking a class one time, and repeating that same class two additional times, for a total maximum enrollment of three times.
NOTE: This guideline does not apply to courses noted in the University Catalog as “may be repeated for credit”.
GRADES AVERAGED
Same information applies to the Grades Averaged repeat category.
13. Is the 3-take limit something new?
GRADE FORGIVENESS
Yes. Prior to Fall 2009, there was no limit on the number of times a student could repeat the same class.
GRADES AVERAGED
Same information applies to the Grades Averaged repeat category
14. If a student already took a course 3 times, but these enrollments occurred before Fall 2009, do these count toward the 3-take limit?
GRADE FORGIVENESS
Yes. When a student attempts to register for a class, the system will search the student’s entire CSUF record to see how many times the student has previously taken that class. If the student has already taken an individual course three times, an error message will display and the student will not be able to register for the class again.
NOTE: This guideline does not apply to courses noted in the University Catalog as “may be repeated for credit.”
GRADES AVERAGED
Same information applies to the Grades Averaged repeat category
15. Do the grades of ‘W’, ‘WU’ and ‘IC’ count as previous “takes” of a class?
GRADE FORGIVENESS
‘W’ does not count as a previous “take” of a class.
‘WU’ and ‘IC’ do count as a previous “take” of a class.
GRADES AVERAGED
Same information applies to Grades Averaged repeat category
16. What if a student still needs to pass a class after taking it unsuccessfully three
GRADE FORGIVENESS
The registration system does not allow a student to register for a fourth take of the same course. There may be extreme cases where an exception would be considered by petition. The student must:
- have filed for a grad check.
- need the class as one of the last remaining degree requirements
For additional submission requirements, or questions on this type of petition, please contact the Registration helpline at (657) 278-7601.
GRADES AVERAGED
Same information applies to Grades Averaged repeat category
17. When a student repeats a class, is the repeat policy applied automatically?
GRADE FORGIVENESS
Yes. In Fall 2016 the application of repeat policy was automated. At the end of each semester after grades are posted to student records, during end-of-term processing a program is run to apply repeat policy to courses that have been repeated in that semester.
GRADES AVERAGED
Same information applies to the Grades Averaged repeat category
