After a person has been accepted for admission as an undergraduate student, the Evaluations Office of Admissions and Records (SA 104, 654-2258) will evaluate all previous college work and issue an evaluation of transfer credit to the student and to the student’s major department.  The evaluation remains valid as long as the student matriculates at the date specified and remains in continuous enrollment (see Applicable University Requirements page 57).  These evaluations are conditional and are subject to revision during the first quarter that the student is in attendance.  Therefore, transfer students should discuss their evaluation in detail with their academic advisors to insure that all credit earned has been granted and that no error has been made.

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California Articulation Number (CAN) System - CSUB participates in the CAN System.  This system uses a common number to identify some of the transferable, lower division, introductory courses commonly taught within each academic discipline on California college campuses.  The system assures students that CAN courses on one participating campus will be accepted “in lieu of” the comparable CAN courses on another participating campus.  For example: CAN Economics 2 on one campus will be accepted for CAN Economics 2 on another participating campus.  Each campus, however, retains its own course numbering system.

In this catalog, the CAN designator is found at the end of the course description of each approved CAN course (e.g., CAN ANTH 2, CAN ECON 2, etc.).

For additional information contact the Undergraduate Studies Office (EDUC 242, 654-3420).

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Lower Division Transfer Pattern (LDTP) - Executive Order No. 918 established the development of the lower-division transfer patterns by major as one element of a graduation initiative adopted by the CSU Board of Trustees in January 2003. This initiative consists of three parts: (I) increasing the academic preparation for college, (2) clarifying and improving the community college transfer process, and (3) identifying a clear path to the degree for matriculated students. Because the CSU annually enrolls over 60 percent of all California Community College students who transfer to a four-year college in California, it is imperative that a clear path to the degree be identified for California Community College transfer students.

To ensure that students planning to transfer to the CSU can earn a baccalaureate degree in the most direct manner without losing credits for courses taken at a California Community College, Title 5 requires the establishment, for each high-demand major, of a lower-division pattern of community college courses that will advance students toward graduation at any CSU campus offering the major. A CSU campus may then identify additional course requirements it considers necessary to prepare the students for upper-division study in that major. Together, the systemwide and campus-specific patterns will (I) help identify a clear path to the baccalaureate degree for California Community College transfer students, (2) grant priority admission to those who complete the lower-division transfer pattern by major, (3) protect against the loss of credit by ensuring that California Community College students interested in transferring to the CSU will not take courses that are not required for graduation and can identify which courses will bring them closer to graduation in minimal time, (4) maximize access to CSU campuses and programs, (5) simplify student advising, and (6) provide a basis for California Community College transfer degrees and programs.

1.   CSU System-Wide Course Pattern - The “CSU systemwide lower-division transfer pattern by major” means a set of lower-division curricular specifications comprising at least 45 baccalaureate-level semester (67.5 quarter) units but no more than 60 baccalaureate-level semester (90 quarter) units that will be accepted at every CSU campus offering a program leading to a baccalaureate degree with that major.

2.   CSUB Campus-Specific Course Pattern - “Campus-specific lower-division transfer pattern by major” means a set of lower-division curricular specifications beyond the systemwide lower-division transfer pattern by major, comprising units that will be accepted at CSUB, for its baccalaureate degree programs.

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Credit from a California Community College - The University will accept for full transfer credit all course work taken at a California community college which has been indicated by that college as designed or appropriate for baccalaureate credit.  Community college credit is allowed to a maximum of 105 quarter (70 semester) units.  Courses taken at a community college by a student who has already completed 105 quarter units of community college work may be used to fulfill course requirements but do not carry unit credit towards total units required for the baccalaureate degree.  No upper-division credit may be allowed for courses completed at a community college.

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Credit from an Accredited Four-Year College or University - The University will accept for full transfer credit any baccalaureate-oriented courses taken at a four-year accredited college or university.

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Credit from a Non-Accredited College or University - Credits earned in non-accredited colleges may be accepted upon review and recommendation by respective faculty for each course and approval by the appropriate dean(s).

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Credit for Extension, Correspondence, and DANTES Work - The University will accept for credit towards a baccalaureate degree, on the basis of evaluation of courses submitted on official transcripts, no more than 36 quarter units of credit earned through extension, correspondence, and/or DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support) courses.

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Credit for Military Service - Students with active military service of one year or more will receive 9 quarter units of lower-division elective credit and additional units for specified service training and courses.  A copy of service separation papers (service form DD-214) must be submitted to the Admissions Office during the admissions process.

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Credit for Peace Corps Service - Students with Peace Corps service of one year or more will receive 9 quarter units of lower-division elective credit and additional units for training courses completed at an accredited college.  Written certification by recognized authorities of service and training must be filed with the Admissions Office during the admissions process.

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Subsequent Enrollment - Students enrolled at the University who wish to receive transfer credit for courses offered at other institutions should obtain prior approval of these courses from the appropriate department chair, school dean, and Dean for Undergraduate Studies before enrolling in such courses.