Repeat of Courses: Undergraduate Students
1. Undergraduate students may only repeat courses if they earned grades lower than a “C.” This policy (which went into effect as of Fall 2009) applies to any grade earned at CSUSB at any time. A maximum of twenty-four (24) units may be repeated for grade forgiveness (formerly called grade discounting). An additional eighteen (18) quarter units may be repeated with both grades averaged into the grade point average calculation. No repeats will be allowed beyond these limits.
Course Repeats with Grade Forgiveness
Grade forgiveness (discounting a grade) for a repeated course is by petition only. If the petition for grade forgiveness is approved, the new grade replaces the former grade in terms of GPA calculation. Petitions should be filed after the completion of the course used to discount the previous course. Students are strongly encouraged to speak with an advisor before repeating a course for grade forgiveness to ensure that the student is eligible to repeat that course to discount the grade.
2. Grade forgiveness (or discounting), as used in these guidelines, means that when computing grade point averages required for graduation with a baccalaureate degree, "units attempted," "units passed," and "grade points" for the first attempt shall be excluded. The first attempt will remain on the transcript with the repeat (discount) noted. Course repeats with discounting or “grade forgiveness” are permissible for undergraduate students subject to the following provisions:
2.a Undergraduate students may repeat a maximum of 24 quarter units with grade forgiveness. This maximum includes any repeats taken at any time at CSUSB.
2.b Undergraduate students may repeat an individual course for grade forgiveness no more than two times. In other words, if a student earns a grade of C- or lower in a first attempt at a class, the student may repeat that class to replace the grade. If the grade earned the second time is still lower than a “C,” the student may repeat the course a final time. No subsequent attempts will be allowed. (ie. taking a course more than 3 times is not permitted).
2.c Grade forgiveness shall not be applicable to courses for which the original grade was the result of a finding of academic dishonesty.
Course Repeats with Grades Averaged
3. Undergraduate students may repeat an additional 18 quarter units in which the repeated grade will be averaged with the most recent grade provided the original grade was lower than a "C.". These units are in addition to the 24 quarter units described above for which grade forgiveness is permitted. In such instances the repeat grade shall not replace the original grade. Units earned will be removed from the first attempt, and both grades shall be calculated into the student’s overall grade point average.
4. A course may not be repeated for the purpose of removing an Incomplete. Incompletes that have changed to an "IC" or a letter grade lower than a "C" may be discounted on repeat.
5. If a course which was taken at CSUSB is repeated elsewhere, the grades will be averaged in determining a student's overall grade point average. Repeating a course elsewhere will not affect a student's CSUSB grade point average but will affect the cumulative GPA. Units earned will be removed from the first attempt.
6. Grades for courses taken at one institution (other than CSUSB) and repeated at another institution (other than CSUSB) will be averaged when determining a student's cumulative transfer grade point average. Units earned will be removed from the first attempt.
7. Grades for courses taken at one institution (other than CSUSB) and repeated at CSUSB will be averaged when determining a student’s cumulative grade point average. Units earned will be removed from the first attempt.
8. For transfer work, CSUSB will honor the repeat-of-course policy in effect at the in-stitution issuing the transfer transcript.
9. Courses taken for undergraduate credit may not be repeated for discount as a postbaccalaureate student.
10. Unclassified postbaccalaureate students may be permitted to repeat a course taken as an undergraduate. However, the grade earned shall not replace the grade in the undergraduate record.
11. Credit by Examination (CBE) may not be used to discount a course taken previously.
12. Students on approved Leaves of Absence or dismissal may repeat a course through the College of Extend¬ed Learning's Open University program in order to improve their CSUSB grade point average and petition for grade forgiveness. To take advantage of this provision, the student must first have a Leave of Absence approved by the Office of Advising and Academic Services. Once that is approved, the student must petition to repeat a course with a grade of “C” or better. If that is approved, the student can file a petition for grade forgiveness once the final grade has been posted. These shall count toward the maximum of twenty-four units that can be repeated for grade forgiveness.
Students taking classes during non-state supported summer sessions may also repeat a course in order to improve their CSUSB grade point average and petition for grade forgiveness. If the petition is approved, it will count toward the 24 unit maximum allowed for grade forgiveness and toward the 36 unit maximum of units applied from Open University. Please note that simultaneous regular enrollment and enrollment through Open University is not permitted.
Contact Advising and Academic Services, UH-380, (909) 537-5034, for questions regarding repeating courses.
Petitions for waivers of this university regulation will only be considered in exceptional cases. Petitions must be made in writing to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
The foregoing provisions apply only to undergraduate students. Postbaccalaureate and Graduate students must report to the Office of Graduate Studies to submit a petition for discounting. Regulations for repeating graduate courses can be found in the current Bulletin under the heading “Repeat of Course (Discount of Grade)” for Postbaccalaureate and Graduate students.
