Mar 19, 2024  
2017-2018 Academic Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Academic Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Undergraduate Admission


Click on any of the following links for information:


General Admission Procedures and Policies

 

Requirements for admission to Stanislaus State are in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3, of the California Code of Regulations. Complete information is available at www.calstate.edu/apply.

Electronic versions of the CSU applications for admission are accessible at www.calstate.edu/apply.

Applying online via www.calstate.edu/apply is expected unless electronic submission is impossible.  An acknowledgement will be sent when an online application has been submitted. Application in “hard copy” form may be obtained online via www.calstate.edu/apply as a Portable Data Format (PDF). Application forms (in PDF) may also be downloaded from www.calstate.edu/sas/publications. Paper applications should be mailed to Stanislaus State’s Enrollment Services Office.

Importance of Filing Complete, Accurate, and Authentic Application Documents

Stanislaus State advises prospective students that they must supply complete and accurate information on the application for admission, residency questionnaire, and financial aid forms. Further, applicants must, when requested, submit authentic and official transcripts of all previous academic work attempted. Failure to file complete, accurate, and authentic application documents may result in denial of admission, cancellation of registration or academic credit, suspension, or expulsion (Section 41301, Article 1.1, Title 5, California Code of Regulations).

Application Filing Period

 

(Not all campuses/programs are open for admission to every term.)

Terms Applications First Accepted

Initial Filing Period

Filing Period Duration
Summer February 1 February 1-28 Each non-impacted campus accepts applications until capacities are reached.  Many campuses limit undergraduate admission in an enrollment category due to overall enrollment limits.  If applying after the initial filing period, consult the campus admission office for current information.  Similar information is conveniently available at www.calstate.edu/apply

Fall

October 1 October 1 - November 30
Winter June 1 June 1-30
Spring August 1 August 1-31

Undergraduate Application Procedures

Prospective students applying for part-time or full-time undergraduate programs of study must submit a completed undergraduate application. The $55 nonrefundable application fee should be paid online at the time of application via credit card, e-check, or PayPal and may not be transferred or used to apply to another term. An alternate major may be indicated on the application. The applications of persons denied admission to an impacted campus may be re-routed to another campus at no cost, but only if the applicant is CSU eligible.

Impacted Programs

The CSU designates programs as impacted when more applications from regularly eligible applicants are received in the initial filing period (October and November for fall terms, June for winter terms, August for spring terms, February for summer terms) than can be accommodated. Some programs are impacted at every campus that they are offered; others are impacted only at a few campuses. Candidates for admission must meet all of the campus’ specified supplementary admission criteria if applying to an impacted program or campus.

The CSU will announce during the fall filing period those campuses or programs that are impacted. Detailed information on campus and program impaction will be available at the following websites:

Campuses will communicate supplementary admission criteria for all impacted programs to high schools and community colleges in their service area and will disseminate this information to the public through appropriate media. This information will also be published at the CSU campus individual website and made available online at www.calstate.edu.

Applicants must file applications for admission to an impacted program during the initial filing period. Applicants who wish to be considered in impacted programs at more than one campus should file an application at each campus for which they seek admission consideration.

Supplementary Admission Criteria

Each campus with impacted programs or admission categories uses supplementary admission criteria in screening applicants. Supplementary criteria may include rank-ordering of freshman applicants based on the CSU eligibility index or rank-ordering of transfer applicants based on verification of AA-T or AS-T degree, the overall transfer grade point average (GPA), completion of specified prerequisite courses, and a combination of campus-developed criteria. Applicants for freshman admission to impacted campuses or programs are required to submit scores on either the SAT or the ACT. For fall admission, applicants should take tests as early as possible, but no later than November or December of the preceding year.

The supplementary admission criteria used by the individual campuses to screen applicants are made available by the campuses to all applicants seeking admission to an impacted program. Details regarding the supplemental admission criteria are published at www.calstate.edu/impactioninfo.shtml.

Application Acknowledgment

On-time applicants may expect to receive an acknowledgment from the campuses to which they have applied within two to four weeks of filing the application. The notice may also include a request that applicants submit additional records necessary to evaluate academic qualifications. Applicants may be assured of admission if the evaluation of relevant qualifications indicates that applicants meet CSU admission requirements, and in the case of admission impaction, supplemental criteria for admission to an impacted program. Unless specific written approval/confirmation is received, an offer of admission is not transferable to another term or to another campus.

Returning Students

A former Stanislaus State undergraduate student wanting to re-enroll may register for courses without filing an application for readmission if both of the following apply: (1) the student was enrolled for residence credit coursework after the Enrollment Census Date for any semester or term in the 12 months immediately preceding the start of the term of desired re-enrollment (one semester each academic year); and (2) the student has not graduated from Stanislaus State, or another college/university since last enrolled at Stanislaus State.

The Enrollment Census Date is defined as the 20th instructional day in fall and spring semesters and the 6th day of instruction in winter term, and the last day to drop a course for summer term. Students at Stanislaus State who fail to graduate in the term for which they apply for graduation must reapply for graduation for the term in which they will complete their requirements to continue their enrollment at Stanislaus State.

Cancellation of Admission

Stanislaus State will cancel admission if a student is not enrolled on the Enrollment Census Date of the admit term. If the student wishes to undertake work at the University at a later date, he/she must file a new application, pay a new application fee, and meet the requirements for admission in effect at the time of admission.

Hardship Petitions

The campus has established procedures for consideration of qualified applicants who would be faced with extreme hardship if not admitted. Petitioners should write the campus Admission and Outreach Services office regarding specific policies governing hardship admission.

Appeal of Admission Decision

Section 89030.7 of the California Education Code requires that the California State University establishes specific requirements for appeal procedures for a denial of admission. Each CSU campus must publish appeal procedures for applicants denied admission to the University. The procedure is limited to addressing campus decisions to deny an applicant admission to the University.

Admissions appeal procedures must address the basis for appeals, provide 15 business days for an applicant to submit an appeal, stipulate a maximum of one appeal per academic term, provide specific contact information for the individual or office to which the appeal should be submitted, and indicate a time estimate for when the campus expects to respond to an appeal. The appeal procedures must be included in all denial of admission notifications to students, and must also be published on the campus website. Stanislaus State admission appeals information can be found at www.csustan.edu/admissions/not-admitted

Reservation

The university reserves the right to select its students and deny admission to the university or any of its programs as the University, in its sole discretion, determines appropriate based on an applicant’s suitability and the best interests of the university.

OTHER APPLICANTS

High School Students

High school students may be considered for enrollment in certain special programs if recommended by the principal
and the appropriate campus department chair and if preparation is equivalent to that required of eligible California high
school graduates. Such admission is only for a given specific program and does not constitute a right to continued
enrollment. Inquiries should be addressed to the Director of Enrollment Services, who is responsible for approving these applications.

Intrasystem and Intersystem Enrollment Programs

Fully matriculated students enrolled at any CSU campus have access to courses at other CSU campuses on a space available basis unless those campuses/programs are impacted. This access is offered without students being required to be formally admitted to the host campus and in most cases without paying additional fees. Students should consult their home campus academic advisors to determine how such courses may apply to their specific degree programs before enrolling at the host campus.

There are two programs for enrollment within the CSU and one for enrollment between CSU and the University of California or California Community Colleges. Additional information about these programs is available from Stanislaus State’s Enrollment Services office.

CSU Fully Online Courses - Matriculated students in good standing may request enrollment in one course per term, offered by a CSU host campus. Enrollment requests will be granted based on available space, as well as completion of any stated prerequisites. Credit earned at the host campus is electronically reported to the student’s home campus to be included on the student’s transcript at the home campus.

CSU Visitor Enrollment - Matriculated students in good standing enrolled at one CSU campus may enroll at another CSU campus for one term. Credit earned at the host campus is reported at the student’s request to the home campus to be included on the student’s transcript at the home campus.

Intersystem Cross Enrollment - Matriculated CSU, UC, or community college students may enroll on a “space available” basis for one course per term at another CSU, UC, or community college and request that a transcript of record be sent to the home campus.

 

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Freshman Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for consideration for first-time freshman admission if they meet the following requirements:

  • Have graduated from high school, have earned a Certificate of General Education Development (GED) or have passed the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE);
  • Have a qualifiable minimum eligibility index (see section on Eligibility Index); and
  • Have completed with grades of C or better each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirements also known as the “a-g” pattern (see “Subject Requirements”).

Eligibility Index

The eligibility index is the combination of the high school grade point average and scores on either the ACT or the SAT. Grade point averages (GPA) are based on grades earned in courses taken during the final three years of high school. Included in calculation of GPA are grades earned in all college preparatory “a-g” subject requirements, and bonus points for approved honors courses. Up to eight semesters of honors courses taken in the last three years of high school, including up to two approved courses taken in the tenth grade can be accepted. Each unit of A in an honors course will receive a total of 5 points; B, 4 points; and C, 3 points.

A CSU Eligibility Index can be calculated by multiplying your grade point average by 800 and adding your total score on the SAT exam (mathematics and critical reading on the old SAT, or mathematics and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing on the new SAT). For students who took the ACT, multiply the grade point average by 200 and add ten times the ACT composite score. Persons who are California high school graduates (or residents of California for tuition purposes) need a minimum index of 2900 using the SAT or 694 using the ACT. The Eligibility Index Table illustrates several combinations of required test scores and averages. The University has no current plans to include the writing scores from either of the admissions tests in the computation of the CSU Eligibility Index. Note: The minimum Eligibility Index requirement for admission to the Fall 2018 term will increase to 2950 using the SAT.

Persons who neither graduated from a California high school nor are a resident of California for tuition purposes, need a minimum index of 3502 (SAT) or 842 (ACT). Note: The minimum Eligibility Index requirement for admission to the Fall 2018 term will increase to 3570 using the SAT. Graduates of secondary schools in foreign countries must be judged to have academic preparation and abilities equivalent to applicants eligible under this section. An applicant with a grade point average of 3.00 or above (3.61 for nonresidents) is not required to submit test scores. However, all applicants for admission are urged to take the SAT or ACT and provide the scores of such tests to each CSU to which they seek admission. Campuses use these test results for advising and placement purposes and may require them for admission to impacted majors or programs. Impacted CSU campuses require SAT or ACT scores of all applicants for freshman admission.

Provisional Admission

Stanislaus State may provisionally admit first-time freshman applicants based on their academic preparation through the junior year of high school and planned coursework for the senior year. The campus will monitor the final terms of study to ensure that admitted students complete their secondary school studies satisfactorily, including the required college preparatory subjects, and graduate from high school. Students are required to submit an official transcript after graduation to certify that all course work has been satisfactorily completed. Official high school transcripts must be received prior to deadline set by the University. In no case may documentation of high school graduation be received any later than the census date for a student’s first term of CSU enrollment. A campus may rescind admission decisions, cancel financial aid awards, withdraw housing contracts and cancel any University registration for students who are found to be ineligible after the final transcript has been evaluated.

Applicants will qualify for regular (non-provisional) admission when the University verifies that they have graduated and received a diploma from high school, have a qualifiable minimum eligibility index, have completed the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory “a-g” subjects, and, if applying to an impacted program or campus, have met all supplementary criteria.

The CSU uses only the ACT composite score or the mathematics and critical reading scores on the old SAT, or mathematics and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing scores on the new SAT in its admission eligbility equation. The SAT or ACT writing scores are not currently used by CSU campuses.

Eligibility Index Tables

 

These NEW SAT Eligibility Index tables will be effective for the upcoming 2018-2019 admissions cycle

For California High School Graduates or Residents of California 

A GPA of 3.00 and above qualifies with any score in ACT or SAT

A GPA below 2.0 does not qualify for admission

GPA ACT Score New SAT Score   GPA ACT Score New SAT Score      GPA ACT Score New SAT Score     GPA ACT Score New SAT Score
2.99 10 560   2.74 15 770   2.49 20 960   2.24 25 1160
2.98 10 570   2.73 15 780   2.48 20 970   2.23 25 1170
2.97 10 580   2.72 15 780   2.47 20 980   2.22 25 1180
2.96 11 590   2.71 16 790   2.46 21 990   2.21 26 1190
2.95 11 590   2.70 16 790   2.45 21 990   2.20 26 1190
2.94 11 600   2.69 16 800   2.44 21 1000   2.19 26 1200
2.93 11 610   2.68 16 810   2.43 21 1010   2.18 26 1210
2.92 11 620   2.67 16 820   2.42 21 1020   2.17 26 1220
2.91 12 630   2.66 17 830   2.41 22 1030   2.16 27 1230
2.90 12 630   2.65 17 830   2.40 22 1030   2.15 27 1230
2.89 12 640   2.64 17 840   2.39 22 1040   2.14 27 1240
2.88 12 650   2.63 17 850   2.38 22 1050   2.13 27 1250
2.87 12 660   2.62 17 860   2.37 22 1060   2.12 27 1260
2.86 13 670   2.61 18 860   2.36 23 1070   2.11 28 1270
2.85 13 670   2.60 18 870   2.35 23 1070   2.10 28 1270
2.84 13 680   2.59 18 880   2.34 23 1080   2.09 28 1280
2.83 13 690   2.58 18 880   2.33 23 1090   2.08 28 1290
2.82 13 700   2.57 18 900   2.32 23 1100   2.07 28 1300
2.81 14 710   2.56 19 910   2.31 24 1110   2.06 29 1310
2.80 14 710   2.55 19 910   2.30 24 1110   2.05 29 1310
2.79 14 720   2.54 19 920   2.29 24 1120   2.04 29 1320
2.78 14 730   2.53 19 930   2.28 24 1130   2.03 29 1330
2.77 14 740   2.52 19 940   2.27 24 1140   2.02 29 1340
2.76 15 750   2.51 20 950   2.26 25 1150   2.01 30 1350
2.75 15 760   2.50 20 950   2.25 25 1150   2.00 30 1350

 

For Non-resident or Non-graduates of California

A GPA of 3.61 and above qualifies for any score in ACT or SAT

A GPA below 2.45 does not qualify for admission (ACT)

A GPA below 2.47 does not qualify for admission (SAT)

GPA ACT Score New SAT Score   GPA ACT Score New SAT Score      GPA ACT Score New SAT Score
3.60 13 690   3.21 20 1010   2.82 28 1320
3.59 13 700   3.20 21 1020   2.81 28 1330
3.58 13 710   3.19 21 1020   2.80 29 1330
3.57 13 720   3.18 21 1030   2.79 29 1340
3.56 13 730   3.17 21 1040   2.78 29 1350
3.55 14 730   3.16 21 1050   2.77 29 1360
3.54 14 740   3.15 22 1050   2.76 29 1370
3.53 14 750   3.14 22 1060   2.75 30 1370
3.52 14 760   3.13 22 1070   2.74 30 1380
3.51 14 770   3.12 22 1080   2.73 30 1390
3.50 15 780   3.11 22 1090   2.72 30 1400
3.49 15 780   3.10 23 1090   2.71 30 1410
3.48 15 790   3.09 23 1100   2.70 31 1410
3.47 15 800   3.08 23 1110   2.69 31 1420
3.46 15 810   3.07 23 1120   2.68 31 1430
3.45 16 810   3.06 23 1130   2.67 31 1440
3.44 16 820   3.05 24 1130   2.66 31 1450
3.43 16 830   3.04 24 1140   2.65 32 1450
3.42 16 840   3.03 24 1150   2.64 32 1460
3.41 16 850   3.02 24 1160   2.63 32 1470
3.40 17 860   3.01 24 1170   2.62 32 1480
3.39 17 860       3.00 25 1170   2.61 32 1490
3.38 17 870   2.99 25 1180   2.60 33 1490
3.37 17 880   2.98 25 1190   2.59 33 1500
3.36 17 890   2.97 25 1200   2.58 33 1510
3.35 18 900   2.96 25 1210   2.57 33 1520
3.34 18 900   2.95 26 1210   2.56 33 1530
3.33 18 910   2.94 26 1220   2.55 34 1530
3.32 18 920   2.93 26 1230   2.54 34 1540
3.31 18 930   2.92 26 1240   2.53 34 1550
3.30 19 930   2.91 26 1250   2.52 34 1560
3.29 19 940   2.90 27 1250   2.51 34 1570
3.28 19 950   2.89 27 1260   2.50 35 1570
3.27 19 960   2.88 27 1270   2.49 35 1580
3.26 19 970   2.87 27 1280   2.48 35 1590
3.25 20 970   2.86 27 1290   2.47 35 1600
3.24 20 980   2.85 28 1290   2.46 35 N/A
3.23 20 990   2.84 28 1300   2.45 36 N/A
3.22 20 1000   2.83 28 1310        

 

For admission purposes, the CSU uses only the ACT composite score or the new SAT scores for mathematics and evidence-based reading and writing. The SAT or ACT writing scores are not currently used by CSU campuses.

Subject Requirements

The California State University requires that first-time freshman applicants complete, with grades of C or better, a comprehensive pattern of college preparatory study totaling 15 units. A “unit” is one year of study in high school.

  • 2 years of social science, including 1 year of U.S. history, or U.S. history and government
  • 4 years of English
  • 3 years of math (algebra, geometry and intermediate algebra)
  • 2 years of laboratory science (l biological & 1 physical, both must have laboratory instruction)
  • 2 years in the same foreign language (subject to waiver for applicants demonstrating equivalent competence)
  • 1 year of visual and performing arts: art, dance, drama/theater, or music
  • 1 year of electives: selected from English, advanced mathematics, social science, history, laboratory science, foreign language, visual and performing arts or other courses approved and included on the UC/CSU “a-g” list

The California Promise

The California Promise Program enables a specific number of campuses of the California State University (CSU) to establish pledge programs for entering first-time students who are both interested and able to complete baccalaureate degrees in 4-years. All campuses have established programs for students with Associate Degrees for Transfer from any California Community College to complete their baccalaureate degrees in 2-years. The program is limited to students who are residents of California.

Students who commit to enter either the 4-year or 2-year pledge will be given a priority registration appointment for each state-supported enrollment period and will be provided with routine and thorough academic advisement. In order to remain in the program, students must meet with their advisors as prescribed, develop an enrollment plan, and complete 30 semester units or quarter equivalent within each academic year, including summer. Participating campuses may stipulate other important requirements as well. Interested students entering the CSU in the fall 2017 term should contact the campus offices or visit www.calstate.edu/sas/california-promise.

Transfer Policies of CSU campuses

Most commonly, college level credits earned from an institution of higher education accredited by a regional accrediting agency are accepted for transfer to campuses of the CSU; however, authority for decisions regarding the transfer of undergraduate credits is delegated to each CSU campus.

California Community Colleges and other authorized certifying institutions can certify up to 39 semester (58.5 quarter) units of General Education-Breadth (GE-Breadth) or 37 semester (55.5 quarter) units of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) for transfer students to fulfill lower-division general education requirements for any CSU campus prior to transfer.

“Certification” is the official notification from a California Community College or authorized institution that a transfer student has completed courses fulfilling lower-division general education requirements. The CSU GE-Breadth and the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) certification course lists for particular community colleges can be accessed at www.assist.org.

CSU campuses may enter into course-to-course or program-to-program articulation agreements with other CSU campuses and any or all of the California Community Colleges, and other regionally accredited institutions. Established CSU and California Community College articulations may be found on www.assist.org. Students may be permitted to transfer no more than 70 semester (105 quarter) units to a CSU campus from an institution that does not offer bachelor’s degrees or their equivalents, for example, community colleges. Given the university’s 30-semester (45-quarter) unit residency requirement, no more than a total of 90-semester (135-quarter) units may be transferred into the University from all sources.

Transfer Requirements

Applicants who have completed fewer than 60 transferable semester college units (fewer than 90 quarter units) are considered lower-division transfer students. Applicants who have completed 60 or more transferable semester college units (90 or more quarter units) are considered upper-division transfer students. Applicants who complete college units during high school or through the summer immediately following high school graduation are considered first-time freshmen and must meet the CSU minimum eligibility requirements for first-time freshman admission. Transferable courses are those designated for baccalaureate credit by the college or University offering the courses and accepted as such by the campus to which the applicant seeks admission.

Lower Division Transfer Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for CSU admission consideration as a lower-division transfer if they have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in all transferable units attempted.

1. Will meet the freshman admission requirements (grade point average and subject requirements) in effect for the term to which they are applying (see “Freshman Requirements” section); or

2. Were eligible as a freshman at the time of high school graduation except for missing college preparatory subject requirements, have been in continuous attendance in an accredited college since high school graduation, and have made up the missing subject requirements with a 2.0 or better GPA.

Applicants who graduated from high school prior to 1988 should contact the admission office to inquire about alternative admission programs.

Lower-division applicants who did not complete subject requirements while in high school may make up missing subjects in any of the following ways:

1. Complete appropriate courses with a C or better in adult school or high school summer sessions.

2. Complete appropriate college courses with a C or better. One college course of at least three semester or four quarter units will be considered equivalent to one year of high school study.

3. Earn acceptable scores on specified examinations, e.g., SAT subject tests.

Please consult with the CSU campus admission office, to which you are applying for further information about alternative ways to satisfy the subject requirements.

Due to increased enrollment demands, most CSU campuses do not admit lower-division transfer applicants.

Upper Division Transfer Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for consideration for upper-division transfer admission if they meet all of the following requirements:

1. Cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in all transferable units attempted;

2. In good standing at the last college or university attended; and

3. Completed at least sixty (60) transferable semester (90 quarter) units of college level coursework with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and a grade C or better in each course used to meet the CSU general education requirements in written communication, oral communication, critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning, e.g. mathematics.

The 60 units must include at least 30 units of courses which meet CSU general education requirement, including all of the general education requirements in communication in the English language (both oral and written) and critical thinking and the requirement in mathematics/quantitative reasoning (usually 3 semester units) OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) requirements in English communication and mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning.

Associate Degrees for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T)

The Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) and the Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degrees offered at the California Community Colleges (CCC) are designed to provide California Community College students a clear transfer preparation and admission pathway to those CSU degree majors deemed similar. Those students who complete these transfer degrees and who are admitted to a similar CSU major program or option for that discipline will be able to complete the Baccalaureate Degree within 60 semester or 90 quarter units providing that all remaining required courses are completed successfully without a break in attendance and providing that no supplemental courses for minors or areas of emphasis are undertaken.

California Community College students who earn an associate degree for transfer (AA-T or AS-T) are guaranteed admission with junior standing to the California State University but not to any particular campus or program. Because several CSU campuses are receiving more transfer applications from eligible students than can be accommodated, these campuses have declared impaction resulting in higher admission criteria. See more on impaction at www.calstate.edu/SAS/impactioninfo.shtml. However, transfer students who earn the AA-T or AS-T degrees, are given priority admission over other transfer applicants when applying to a non-impacted CSU campus or to a non-impacted program from a community college within the local admission area of the campus. These students are also given priority admission consideration when applying from a community college that is outside the local admission area of an impacted CSU campus or when applying to a similar program that is impacted at any CSU campus. A current list of CSU degree programs that have been deemed similar to the associate degrees for transfer can be found at www.calstate.edu/transfer/adt-search.

Those students who earn associate degrees for transfer and apply to a CSU campus but cannot be admitted due to impaction will be redirected to another CSU campus and offered admission for the same term. In order to qualify for the priority admission guarantee, transfer applicants must be conferred an approved Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T/AS-T) by a California Community College, must apply for admission to California State University campuses for an open term by the published deadline, submit all requested transcripts and documents, meet CSU admission eligibility requirements for the campus and/or program, and must comply with any other prescribed admission requirements.  It is the responsibility of these transfer students to provide documentation about the completion of the degree to each CSU campus that has received an application for admission.

Provisional Admission

Stanislaus State may provisionally or conditionally admit transfer applicants based on their academic preparation and courses planned for completion. The campus will monitor the final terms to ensure that those admitted complete all required courses satisfactorily. All accepted applicants are required to submit an official transcript of all college level work completed. Campuses may rescind admission for any student who is found to be ineligible after the final transcript has been evaluated. In no case may such documents be received and validated by the University any later than a student’s registration for their second term of CSU enrollment.

Adult Students

As an alternative to regular admission criteria, an applicant who is 25 years of age or older may be considered for admission as an adult student if he or she meets all of the following conditions:

1. Possesses a high school diploma (or has established equivalence through either the General Educational Development or California High School Proficiency Examinations)

2. Has not been enrolled in college as a full-time student for more than one term during the past five years

3. If there has been any college attendance in the last five years, has earned a C average or better in all college work attempted

Consideration will be based upon a judgment as to whether the applicant is as likely to succeed as a regularly admitted freshman or transfer student and will include an assessment of basic skills in the English language and mathematical computation.

International (Foreign) Students

The CSU must assess the academic preparation of foreign students. For this purpose, “foreign students” include those who hold U.S. temporary visas as students, exchange visitors, or in other non-immigrant classifications.

The CSU uses separate requirements and application filing dates in the admission of “foreign students”. Verification of English proficiency (see the section on the English Language Requirement for undergraduate applicants), financial resources, and academic performance are each important considerations for admission. Academic records from foreign institutions must be on file at least eight weeks before registration for the first term and, if not in English, must be accompanied by certified English translations.

For more information, contact the Office of International Education at 209-667-3117.

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)

To help facilitate the timely reporting and monitoring of international students in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), formerly the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), has implemented the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS provides tracking, monitoring, and access to current information on non-immigrant students (F and M visas) and exchange visitors (J visas). SEVIS enables the University to transmit electronic information via the Internet to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The ICE requires Stanislaus State to report on a timely basis the occurrence of certain events. International students at Stanislaus State are required to immediately report the following to the Office of International Education: 

Change of name;
Change of degree objective;
Change of address, phone number, or e-mail;
Failure to enroll;
Graduation prior to the end date cited on the Form I-20;
Dropping below a full course of study without prior authorization;
Failure to maintain status or complete student’s program;
Beginning and ending dates for optional practical training (OPT) authorization;
Work authorizations;
Any disciplinary action taken by the school against the student as a result of his/her being convicted of a crime.

Questions and concerns may be addressed by the Office of International Education, (209) 667-3117.

Health Insurance

As a condition of receiving an I-20 or DS2019 form, all F-1 and J-1 visa applicants must agree to obtain and maintain health insurance as a condition of registration and continued enrollment in the California State University. Such insurance must be in amounts as specified by the United States Information Agency (USIA) and NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The campus president or designee shall determine which insurance policies meet these criteria. For information, call the Office of International Education at (209) 667-3117.

Determination of Residence for Tuition Purposes

 

University requirements for establishing residency for tuition purposes are independent from those of other types of residency, such as for tax purposes, or other state or institutional residency. These regulations were promulgated not to determine whether a student is a resident or nonresident of California, but rather to determine whether a student should pay University fees on an in-state or out-of- state basis. A resident for tuition purposes is someone who meets the requirements set forth in the Uniform Student Residency Requirements. These laws governing residency for tuition purposes at the California State University are California Education Code sections 68000-68085, 68120-68133, and 89705-89707.5, and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Subchapter 5, Article 4, sections 41900- 41916. Residency material can be viewed on the internet by accessing the website at www.calstate.edu/sas/residency.

Each campus’ Admissions Office is responsible for determining the residency status of all new and returning students based on the Application for Admission, Residency Questionnaire, Reclassification Request Form, and, as necessary, other evidence furnished by the student. A student who fails to submit adequate information to establish eligibility for resident classification will be classified as a nonresident.

Generally, establishing California residency for tuition purposes requires a combination of physical presence and intent to remain indefinitely. An adult who, at least 366 days prior to the residency determination date for the term in which enrollment is contemplated, can demonstrate both physical presence in the state combined with evidence of intent to remain in California indefinitely may establish California residency for tuition purposes. A minor normally derives residency from the parent(s) they reside with or most recently resided with.

Evidence demonstrating intent may vary from case to case but will include, and is not limited to, the absence of residential ties to any other state, California voter registration and voting in California elections, maintaining California vehicle registration and driver’s license, maintaining active California bank accounts, filing California income tax returns and listing a California address on federal tax returns, owning residential property or occupying or renting a residence where permanent belongings are kept, maintaining active memberships in California professional or social organizations, and maintaining a permanent military address and home of record in California.

Nonresident students seeking reclassification are required to complete a supplemental questionnaire that includes questions concerning their financial independence. Financial independence is required, in addition to physical presence and intent, to be eligible for reclassification. Financial independence is established if in the calendar year the reclassification application is made and in any of the three calendar years preceding the reclassification application the student:

  • Has not and will not be claimed as an exemption for state and federal tax purposes by his/her parent;
  • Has not and will not receive more than seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750) per year in financial assistance from his/her parent; and
  • Has not lived and will not live longer than six (6) weeks in the home of his/her parent.

A nonresident student who has been appointed as a graduate student teaching assistant, a graduate student research assistant, or a graduate student teaching associate on any CSU campus and is employed on a 0.49 or more time basis is exempt from the financial independence requirement.

Non-citizens establish residency in the same manner as citizens, unless precluded by the Immigration and Nationality Act from establishing domicile in the United States.

Exceptions to the general residency requirements are contained in California Education Code sections 68070-68085 and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Subchapter 5, Article 4, sections 41906- 41906.6, 41910 and include, but are not limited to, members of the military and their dependents, certain credentialed employees of school districts and most students who have attended three or more years of high school (grades 9-12) in California or attained credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school coursework and a total of three or more years of attendance in California elementary schools, California secondary schools, or a combination of those schools, and graduated from a California high school or attained the equivalent of graduation. Whether an exception applies to a particular student can only be determined after the submission of an application for admission and, as necessary, additional supporting documentation. Because neither campus nor Chancellor’s Office staff may give advice on the application of these laws, applicants are strongly urged to review the material for themselves and consult with a legal advisor.

Residency determination dates are set each term. They are (for semester campuses):

  Fall September 20
  Winter* January 5
  Spring January 25
  Summer June 1

*Applies only to winter term at Stanislaus State

CalState TEACH operates on a trimester system. The residency determination dates for CalState TEACH are as follows:

  Fall September 20
  Spring January 5
  Summer June 1

Students classified as nonresidents may appeal a final campus decision within 120 days of notification by the campus. A campus residency classification appeal must be in writing and submitted to:

The California State University*

Office of General Counsel

401 Golden Shore, 4th Floor

Long Beach, CA 90802-4210

The Office of General Counsel can either decide the appeal or send the matter back to the campus for further review. Students incorrectly classified as residents or incorrectly granted an exception from nonresident tuition are subject to reclassification as nonresidents and payment of nonresident tuition in arrears. If incorrect classification results from false or concealed facts, the student is also subject to discipline pursuant to Section 41301 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.

Resident students who become nonresidents or who no longer meet the criteria for an exception must immediately notify the Admissions Office. Changes may have been made in the rate of nonresident tuition and in the statutes and regulations governing residency for tuition purposes in California between the time this information is published and the relevant residency determination date. Students are urged to review the statutes and regulations stated above.

*A proposal to change the contact information and notification period at the CSU Office of General Counsel is pending and will be available after March 2017.

 

Test Requirements

Freshman and transfer applicants who have fewer than 60 semester or 90 quarter units of transferable college credit are strongly encouraged to submit scores, unless exempt (see “Eligibility Index”), from either the ACT or the SAT of the College Board. Persons who apply to an impacted program may be required to submit test scores and should take the test no later than November or December. Test scores also are used for advising and placement purposes. Registration forms and dates for the SAT or ACT are available from school or college counselors or from a CSU campus testing office. Stanislaus State Testing Office, 209-667-3157 or www.csustan.edu/testing, or students may write to, call or email:

The College Board (SAT)
Registration Unit, Box 6200
Princeton, NJ 08541-6200
Phone: (609) 771-7588
www.collegeboard.org

ACT Registration Unit
P.O. Box 414
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
(319) 337-1270
www.act.org

English Language Requirement

All undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English, and who have not attended schools at the secondary level or above for at least three years full time where English is the principal language of instruction, must present a score of 61 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Some majors may require a score higher than 61. Some majors and some campuses may require a higher score. A few campuses may also use alternative methods of assessing English fluency: Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and the International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP). Each campus will post the tests it accepts on its website and will notify students after they apply about the tests it accepts and when to submit scores.

Stanislaus State Requirements:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

TOEFL Paper Test: 500 or above with part scores of 50 or above

TOEFL Internet Test: 61 or above with part scores of 15 or above

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
IELTS: 6 or above with part scores of 6 or above

Other acceptable tests:
ACT English score: 22 or higher
SAT Verbal score: 500 or higher
Stanislaus State English Placement Test (EPT): 151 or higher

Completion of a transfer course that satisfies the CSU General Education-Breadth or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) written communication requirement with a grade of B or better.

Systemwide Placement Tests

The CSU requires that each entering undergraduate, except those who qualify for an exemption, take the CSU Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) examination and the CSU English Placement Test (EPT) prior to enrollment. These placement tests are not a condition for admission to the CSU, but they are a condition of enrollment. These examinations are designed to identify entering students who may need additional support in acquiring college entry-level English and mathematics skills necessary to succeed in CSU baccalaureate-level courses. Undergraduate students who do not demonstrate college-level skills both in English and in mathematics will be placed in appropriate remedial programs and activities during the first term of their enrollment. Students placed in remedial programs in either English or mathematics must complete all remediation in their first year of enrollment. Failure to complete remediation by the end of the first year may result in denial of enrollment for future terms. Students register for the EPT (www.csuenglishsuccess.org/ept) and/or ELM (www.csumathsuccess.org/elm_exam). Campus may establish deadlines by which new students must register for and/or take placement exams as a requirement for enrollment.

Questions about test dates and registration materials may be addressed to the Stanislaus State Testing Coordinator at (209) 667-3157, testing_office@csustan.edu or online at www.csustan.edu/testing.

English Placement Test (EPT)

The English Placement Test (EPT) is designed to assess the level of reading and writing skills of students entering the California State University. The CSU EPT must be completed by all non-exempt entering undergraduates prior to enrollment in any course, including remedial courses. Students who score 147 or above on the EPT will be placed in college-level composition classes.

Exemptions from the EPT are granted only to those who present proof of one of the following:

  • A result of Standard Exceeded: “Ready” for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in English on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam.
  • A result of Standard Met: “Conditionally Ready” for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in English on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam and met the conditional requirement.
    • The Conditional requirement may be met by completing an approved English course in the 12th grade and earning a grade of “C” or better. Students who do not meet the conditional requirement will need to participate in the CSU’s Early Start Program, unless exemption was met through one of the following:
      • New SAT: A score between 510 - 540 on the Evidenced Based Reading and Writing Section*
      • Old SAT: A score between 460 - 490 on the Critical Reading section of the old SAT Reasoning Test
      • A score of 19 - 21 on the English section of the ACT Test
  • New SAT: A score of 550 or above on the Evidenced Based Reading and Writing section*
  • Old SAT: A score of 500 or above on the Critical Reading section of the old SAT Reasoning Test
  • A score of 22 or above on the ACT English Test
  • A score of 3 or above on either the Language and Composition or Composition and Literature examination of the College Board Scholastic Advanced Placement Program
  • Completion and transfer to CSU of the credits for a college course that satisfies the CSU General Education requirement in English Composition, provided such a course was completed with a grade of C or better

* In March 2016, the College Board began administering a new SAT. The new SAT scores are different than the old SAT scores. The CSU will accept both old and new SAT scores for students graduating in 2020 and prior. Students graduating after 2020 will be required to take the new SAT.

Directed Self Placement (DSP)

There are several options for completing the first-year composition requirement at Stanislaus State.  Two options include First-Year Experience (FYE) curriculum.  The goals of FYE are to develop skills to increase general academic performance and to assist in making the transition from high school to college.  All of the units in these options count toward the baccalaureate degree, and most fulfill specific areas of General Education (GE).  Although some students are required to take the English Placement Test (EPT), those scores are not used for placement decisions. Students are given guidance in Directed Self Placement with the assistance of an instructional survey before selecting one of the options below:

  •   and ENGL 1007 : Stretch Composition. The stretch option is essentially ENGL 1001 “stretched” over two semesters. ENGL 1006 satisfies GE area E1 and ENGL 1007 (the second half of stretch) fulfills GE area A2.   
  • ENGL 1001 : Composition. This is the single-semester accelerated option. It fulfills GE area A2.
  • ENGL 1002   Composition (computer assisted). First-Year Composition that places an emphasis on technology. Frequently taught online. Fulfills GE area A2.
  • ENGL 1003: Composition (with First-Year Experience). This is a four unit composition option that includes FYE content. Fulfills GE area A2.   
  • ENGL 1005: Honors Composition. You have to apply for and be accepted into the honors program at Stanislaus State to take this option. Fulfills GE area A2.

Students will also be given the option to take an ESL course prior to or during the same semester enrolled in composition. ESL 1000 and ESL 1005 fulfill GE area C3.

  •  ESL 1000 : Editing for Language and Dialect. Fulfills GE area C3.
  •  ESL 1005 Essay Skills for Language and Dialect. Fulfills GE area C3.    
  •  ESL 1000  or ESL 1005  taken during the same semester as composition (any of the options noted above).

Entry-Level Mathematics (ELM) Examination

The Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Examination is designed to assess and measure the level of mathematics skills acquired through three years of rigorous college preparatory mathematics coursework (Algebra I and II, and Geometry) of students entering the California State University (CSU). The CSU ELM must be completed by all non-exempt entering undergraduates prior to enrollment in any course, including remedial courses. Students who score 50 or above on the ELM will be placed in college-level mathematics classes.

Exemptions from the ELM are granted only to those who present proof of one of the following:

  • A result of Standard Exceeded: “Ready” for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam.
  • A result of Standard Met: “Conditionally Ready” for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam and met the conditional requirement.
    • The Conditional requirement may be met by completing an approved math course in the 12th grade and earning a grade of “C” or better. Students who do not meet the conditional requirement will need to participate in the CSU’s Early Start Program, unless exemption was met through one of the following:
      • New SAT: A score between 520-560 on the mathematics section of the new SAT Test*
      • Old SAT: A score between 490 - 540 on the mathematics section of the old SAT Reasoning Test
      • A score between 20 - 22 on the mathematics section of the ACT Test
  • New SAT: A score of 570 or above on the mathematics section of the new SAT*
  • Old SAT: A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the old SAT Reasoning Test
  • SAT Subject Test: A score of 550 or above on the SAT Subject Test in Mathematics (level 1 or level 2)**
  • A score of 23 or above on the ACT Mathematics Test
  • A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Calculus AB or Calculus BC
  • A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Statistics examination
  • Completion and transfer to CSU of a college course that satisfies the requirement in Quantitative Reasoning, provided such a course was completed with a grade of “C” or better

* In March 2016, the College Board began administering a new SAT. The new SAT scores are different than the old SAT scores. The CSU will accept both old and new SAT scores for students graduating in 2020 and prior. Students graduating after 2020 will be required to take the new SAT. **Note: there were no changes to the SAT Subject Tests; therefore, the cut score for the Subject Test in Mathematics (levels 1 or 2) remains the same.

 

Other Requirements

Early Start Program

Entering resident freshmen who are not proficient in math or English will need to start the remediation process before their first regular term.

The goals of the Early Start Program are to:

  • Better prepare students in math and English, before the fall semester of freshman year;
  • Add an important and timely assessment tool in preparing students for college; and
  • Improve students’ chances of successful completion of a college degree.

Immunization Requirements

Entering CSU students are required to present proof of the following immunizations to the CSU campus they will be attending before the beginning of their first term of enrollment.

Measles and Rubella: All new and readmitted students must provide proof of full immunization against measles and rubella prior to enrollment.

Hepatitis B: All new students who will be 18 years of age or younger at the start of their first term at a CSU campus must provide proof of full immunization against Hepatitis B before enrolling. Full immunization against Hepatitis B consists of three timed doses of vaccine over a minimum 4 to 6 months period. If you need further details or have special circumstances, please consult the Student Health Center at (209) 667-3396.

Meningococcal Disease Information: Each incoming freshman who will be residing in on-campus housing will be required to return a form indicating that they have received information about meningococcal disease and the availability of the vaccine to prevent contracting the disease and indicating whether or not the student has chosen to receive the vaccination.

The immunization requirements are not admission requirements, but are required of students as conditions of enrollment in CSU.

Note: Proof of these requirements must be submitted by mail, fax or drop box to the Student Health Center. Fax: (209) 667-3195. Phone: (209) 667-3396. If you fail to provide this proof during the first semester, a HOLD will be placed on your records, thereby preventing registration for classes the next semester. For more information, see www.csustan.edu/health-center/required-immunizations

Note: The CSU anticipates a policy change to the immunization requirements for the 2017-2018 academic year.