Grading System

Definition of Grades and their Corresponding Grade Points

Grading Standards in General Education (GE)

A grade of "C-" (1.7) or better is required to satisfy GE requirements in:

• Oral Communications (category I.A)

• Written Communications (category I.B)

• Critical Thinking (category I.C) and

• Mathematics (category III.A.1)

  [A grade of "D plus" (1.3) or lower is not a passing grade.]

A grade of "D" (1.0) or better is required to satisfy all other GE requirements. [A grade of "D minus" (0.7) or lower is not a passing grade.]

Grading Standards in Upper Division Writing Requirement
(undergraduates)

A grade of "C" (2.0) or better is required to satisfy the upper division writing requirement. [A grade of "C minus" (1.7) or lower is not a passing grade.]

Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements for
Undergraduates

An average GPA of at least 2.0 based on all units attempted, including those attempted at other institutions; An average GPA of at least 2.0 based on all units attempted at Cal State Fullerton; and An average GPA of at least 2.0 based on all units attempted in the major. [Departments may have additional grading standards in the major - consult your department advisor.]

Grading Standards in
Graduate Programs

A grade of "C" (2.0) or better in each course in the graduate study plan. [A grade of "C minus" (1.7) or lower is not a passing grade] A grade of "C" (2.0) or better in course(s) that are used to meet the writing requirement. [A grade of "C minus" (1.7) or lower is not a passing grade.]

Grade Point Average Requirements for
Graduate Students

An average GPA of at least 3.0 based on all courses attempted to satisfy requirements for the master's degree. This average applies to:

• All 400- and 500-level units attempted subsequent to admission to a degree program; and

• All units required on the student’s graduate study plan including transfer courses.

[Departments may have additional grading standards for graduate programs - consult your graduate advisor.]

Repeat Policy
(Undergraduate)

Undergraduate repeat policy at CSUF is comprised of two different types of repeats, each with a maximum limit:

Grade Forgiveness: 16-unit limit

This type of repeat is used on a course for which a grade of "C-" (1.7) or lower was earned. Under "Grade Forgiveness" an adjustment is made to the GPA calculation to remove the effect of the initial grade and include only the repeated grade. Both grades remain listed on the academic record. "Grade Forgiveness" units on the student's entire CSUF academic record count against the 16-unit limit. 

Grades Averaged: 12-unit limit

An additional 12 units of coursework may be repeated, but without forgiveness. Grades from both the original class and the repeated class will be averaged in the student's GPA. "Grades Averaged" repeats have a limit of 12 units, beginning with the Fall 2009 semester forward.

NOTE : Undergraduate students may not repeat a course in which a grade of "C" or better has been earned, except for those courses noted in the university catalog as "may be repeated for credit."

Repeat Policy
(Graduate and Postbaccalaureate)

Please see information under "Academic Regulations" section on the Admissions and Records web site.

Credit / No Credit
Grading Option

For undergraduate students, "Credit" is awarded for work equivalent to all grades which earn 2.0 or more grade points ("A+" thru "C"). "No Credit" is awarded for work equivalent to all grades which earn less than 2.0 grade points ("C minus" thru "F"). For graduate students, "Credit" is awarded for work equivalent to all grades which earn 3.0 or more grade points ("A+" thru "B"). "No Credit" is awarded for work equivalent to all grades which earn less than 3.0 grade points ("B minus" thru "F").

Plus / Minus Grades and
Transfer Admissions

In determining transfer admissibility, the transcripts of applicants for admission will be evaluated and grade point average(s) calculated based on the grade points assigned by the CSUF grading policy, e.g. a grade of B+ awarded at Cypress College will be calculated for admissions purposes as being worth 3.3 grade points per semester units. Plus and minus grading will have no effect upon the admissions applicability of community college coursework that has been general education "certified" by California community college(s) as per CSU Executive Order 595.