Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions by PROSPECTIVE Students
1. What are the requirements to apply to CSUF?
2. How do I apply to CSUF?
3. When should I apply to CSUF?
Also see: http://www.fullerton.edu/explore/freshmen/faqs.htmOpens in new window

Frequently Asked Questions by TRANSFER STUDENTS  Religious Studies Majors
1. What courses should I take at a community college?
2. How many units can I transfer from a community college?
3. How many units can I transfer from a four-year university or college OR from a combination of two and four-year institutions?
4. If I transfer as an IGETC certified transfer student, do I still have to take General Education?
5. Where can I find more information about Transferring courses from a Community College?
6. Who can advise me about the transfer process?
7. Is there a Residency Requirement?
Transfer students also see: http://www.fullerton.edu/explore/transfer/faqs.htmOpens in new window

Frequently Asked Questions by ALL Religious Studies Majors
1. How can I receive advisement about a major in Religious Studies?
2. How can I receive advisement about General Education?
3. How many units are needed to graduate with a degree in Religious Studies?
4. What Courses are required for the Religious Studies Major?
5. Is there an Upper Division Requirement?
6. Can I double count courses in my Religious Studies Major with General Education?
7. Where can I find information on General Education Requirements?
8. What is the English Writing Proficiency test (EWP)?
9. What is the procedure for a grad check?
10. What's the difference between a January, June or August degree candidate?

Frequently Asked Questions by ALL Religious Studies MINORS
1. Can I minor in the field of religion?
2. What Courses are Required for the Minors in Religion?
3. Can I double count courses in my Religion MINOR with General Education?
4. Can I double count courses in my minor with my Religious Studies Major?

Frequently Asked Questions by DOUBLE MAJORS  Religious Studies Majors
1. Is it possible to major in Religious Studies AND another field?
2. If I am a double major, can I double count courses in my Religious Studies Major with General Education?

Questions and Answers

Frequently Asked Questions by PROSPECTIVE Students

Q1. What are the requirements to apply to CSUF?
A: CSUF accepts:

1) persons graduating High School entering as First-Time Freshman.
First-time freshman requirements are listed at
http://www.fullerton.edu/explore/freshmen/qualify.htmOpens in new window

2) persons transferring from a two-year or four-year college or university:

A maximum of 70 transferable semester (105 quarter) units from a community college may be used toward completion of a degree.

To be eligible for admission, students must meet all of the following requirements:

  • 60 transferable semester units (84 quarter units) which include a minimum of 30 semester units (45 quarter units) in CSU-approved general education course work with a grade of C or better.
  • The Golden Four requirements with a grade of C or better: Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking, Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
  • General Education Certification is strongly recommended. Information on GE certification is available at the Admissions and Records Offices, Counseling Centers and Transfer Centers at all California community colleges
  • A cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 (C) or better in all transferable units attempted. Non-California residents must have a 2.4 or better GPA
  • Good academic standing at the last college or university attended

3) Students who are applying for a second baccalaureate degree are not being considered for admission (except for majors in Nursing, Engineering or Computer Science).

More info at http://www.fullerton.edu/explore/transfer/faqs.htmOpens in new window

Check on current types of applications being accepted at http://www.csumentor.edu/filing_status/Default.asp

 

Q2. How do I apply to CSUF?
A: You may apply to Cal State Fullerton online at www.csumentor.edu . You will receive an instant confirmation upon submission of your electronic application. You may submit to more than one Cal State campus with your single application.

 

Q3. When should I apply to CSUF?
A: For the Cal State University system, the filing periods are:

For Fall Term- October 1-November 30th.
For Spring term- August 1-August 31st.

Cal State Fullerton only accepts applications during the filing period. In general, it is advisable to apply as early as possible. If a major or class level is impacted, it will be closed to all applications at the end of the initial filing period. See: http://www.fullerton.edu/aac/prospective_students/transfer_students/

 

Frequently Asked Questions by TRANSFER STUDENTS Religious Studies Majors

Q1. What courses should I take at a community college?
A: First, be sure to talk to a counselor to be sure you take the correct classes to be G.E. certified.
    Second, Take a "World Religions" course, if your community college offers one. OR
    Take one course on "Introduction to Western Religions" AND one course on "Introduction to Eastern Religions."

 

Q2: How many units can I transfer from a community college?
A: 70 total units – of which 9 units can be lower-division courses that articulate with requirements in the Religious Studies
http://catalog.fullerton.edu/content.php?catoid=3&navoid=250#Residence_RequirementsOpens in new window

 

Q3: How many units can I transfer from a four-year university or college OR from a combination of two and four-year institutions?
A: 90 units total – of which 9 units can be lower-division courses that articulate with requirements in the Religious Studies Major; 15 units can be upper-division courses that articulate with requirements in the Religious Studies Major; (12 units of upper-division Comparative Religion courses must be taken at CSUF).
http://catalog.fullerton.edu/content.php?catoid=3&navoid=250#Residence_RequirementsOpens in new window

 

Q4: If I transfer as an IGETC certified transfer student, do I still have to take General Education?
A: Yes, you must take 9 units of GE that meet the following regulations:
IGETC certified transfer students are required to take 9 units of upper-division coursework from Categories III.A.3., III.B.3., III.C.2., and IV with the following conditions:

-No more than 6 units from any one category
-No more than 6 units from any one department
-No units from the department of student's major
-Minimum of 3 units in cultural diversity if not met prior to transfer. (Courses meeting this requirement are marked with an asterisk *.)
http://catalog.fullerton.edu/content.php?catoid=3&navoid=251Opens in new window

 

Q5: Where can I find more information about Transferring courses from a Community College?
A: go to  
http://www.fullerton.edu/explore/transfer/faqs.htmOpens in new window

 

Q6: Who can advise me about the transfer process?
A: Check with your community college, or transfer services at CSUF.

CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES
To ensure a successful transfer process, students are encouraged to utilize resources at their community colleges transfer centers. These centers provide valuable services and information:

Information about admission requirements and application proceduresTransfer agreements that specify CSU admission and general education requirements (including the CSU General Education Breadth Requirements and the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum or IGETC)Articulation agreements that specify which lower-division major courses may be completed at the community college prior to transferring to Cal State Fullerton.

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON
Transfer Services
During the fall and spring semesters, transfer services representatives from Cal State Fullerton meet with students at local California community colleges on a regular basis to provide admission counseling, academic major advising, transfer information and financial aid application assistance. Appointments may be arranged through the transfer centers of participating community colleges.

Transfer Center
Cal State Fullerton's Transfer Center provides admission counseling for students transferring from California community colleges; information about degree requirements, student services and special programs; and referrals to campus resources. The Transfer Center is located in University Hall 210A. For more information, call             (657) 278-3358      .

http://www.fullerton.edu/explore/transfer/index.htmOpens in new window

 

Q7: Is there a Residency Requirement?
A: Yes. A minimum of thirty (30) semester units must be earned in courses taken at CSUF. Twenty-four (24) of these units must be earned in upper-division courses. At least twelve (12) upper-division semester units in the major must be taken at this institution. Courses taken in extension (except for intersession) and units earned through credit by examination may not be used to fulfill these requirements.
http://catalog.fullerton.edu/content.php?catoid=2&navoid=108Opens in new window

 

Frequently Asked Questions by ALL Religious Studies Majors


Q1. How can I receive advisement about a major in Religious Studies?
A: Contact Prof. James Santucci 
jSantucci@Fullerton.edu or Prof. Paul Levesquep Levesque@Fullerton.edu

 

Q2. How can I receive advisement about General Education?
A: Go to the Academic Advisement Center in UH-123. No appointment is necessary.
More information is at 
http://www.fullerton.edu/aac/Opens in new window

The approved GE course list is in the front of each semester's schedule. Be sure to consult this list EACH semester, as courses are occasionally added or removed. (If you take an approved GE course that is later removed, the course is valid, as long as it was approved during the semester in which you took it). The approved GE course list is also at  https://www.fullerton.edu/undergraduate/general_education/courses.php

 

Q3: How many units are needed to graduate with a degree in Religious Studies?
A: 120 total units – of which 36 units are in the Religious Studies Major; 51 units are in General Education. Of the 120, a minimum of 40 semester units of upper division course work is required for a CSUF bachelor's degree. Courses offering upper-division credit are those numbered at the 300 and 400 levels. All units from upper-division courses are applicable to the upper-division unit requirement, including units from courses in the major, the minor, and General Education. 
http://catalog.fullerton.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=3&poid=1066&returnto=281Opens in new window

 

Q4: What Courses are required for the Religious Studies Major?
A: 9 units in lower-division courses plus 27 units in upper-division courses.
For a list of courses, go to:
http://catalog.fullerton.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=3&poid=1066&returnto=281Opens in new window

 

Q5: Is there an Upper Division Requirement?
A: Yes. A minimum of 40 semester units of upper division course work is required for a CSUF bachelor's degree. Courses offering upper-division credit are those numbered at the 300 and 400 levels. All units from upper-division courses are applicable to the upper-division unit requirement, including units from courses in the major, the minor, and General Education.
http://catalog.fullerton.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=3&poid=1066&returnto=281Opens in new window

 

Q6: Can I double count courses in my Religious Studies Major with General Education?
A: In general, No, but there are four courses that fall under an exception: AFAM/CPRL 325 D5&Z; AFAM/CPRL 337 C3&Z; PHIL 350 C3&Z; CPLT/CPRL 312 C3 – only these four courses can apply toward both GE and Religious Studies Major requirements.

More info: Courses offered by the department of the student's major may NOT be used to fulfill the unit requirements of GE categories III or IV. Courses that are cross-listed meet General Education category requirements for all majors except those in the home department of the cross-listed course. The "home" department is the one under which the course description appears in the catalog. For example, AFAM is the "home" department for AFAM/CPRL337; therefore, it may not be used by African-American Studies Majors, but can be used by Religious Studies Majors.
http://catalog.fullerton.edu/content.php?catoid=3&navoid=250Opens in new window

 

Q7: Where can I find information on General Education Requirements?
A: Go to
http://catalog.fullerton.edu/content.php?catoid=3&navoid=250Opens in new window

 

Q8: What is the English Writing Proficiency test (EWP)?
A: All students must demonstrate competence in writing as a requirement for the baccalaureate. At CSUF, you must demonstrate proficiency in written composition in English by passing the Examination in Writing Proficiency (EWP) and by completing an upper division writing course specified for your major (CPRL 485T). Go to
http://www.fullerton.edu/testing/ewp/

 

Q9. What is the procedure for a grad check?
A: One year prior to graduation, all students must request a "grad check." This is the final review of the student's records to officially confirm what the student must do to fulfill remaining requirements for the bachelor's degree.

Once the student reaches senior status (90 units), the student is eligible to submit a grad check. The grad check should be submitted approximately one year in advance of graduation.

The Grad Check request is filed via your CSUF Portal.

 

Q10. What's the difference between a January, June or August degree candidate?
A: Following a grad check, a student's graduation status is determined.

A January degree candidate is a student who completes all requirements for the bachelor's degree in the fall; thus, completing work in December (the end of the fall semester). Grades are officially due in January; thus, a January candidate. Such a student can participate in commencement exercises in May, after the January completion date. It is not possible to participate in commencement exercises in May of the previous calendar year.

A June degree candidate is a student who completes all requirements for the bachelor's degree in the spring; thus, completing work in May (the end of the spring semester). Grades are officially due in June; thus, a June candidate. Such a student can participate in commencement exercises in May immediate following final exams.

An August degree candidate is a student who completes all requirements for the bachelor's degree in the summer; thus, completing work during one of the summer school sessions. Grades from summer classes are officially due in August; thus, an August candidate. Such a student can participate in commencement exercises in May immediately prior to their summer school class(es). As long as a student completes all requirements by the end of August, he/she may participate in the prior May's commencement exercises. There is no official limit to how many units a student can take in summer; however, we do not advise that you attempt more than two courses per summer session.

 

Frequently Asked Questions by ALL Religious Studies MINORS


Q1: Can I minor in the field of religion?
Yes. We offer four minors: Religious Studies, Christian studies, Islamic Studies and Jewish studies.
http://religion.fullerton.edu/academics/

 

Q2: What Courses are Required for the Minors in Religion?
A: 21 units are required for each minor in religion.
For a list of courses, go to: 
http://religion.fullerton.edu/academics/

 

Q3: Can I double count courses in my Religion MINOR with General Education?
A: Yes, courses offered by the department of the student's minors (and second listed majors) may be used for General Education, not to exceed nine (9) units from any single department, excluding GE Category I (See CSUF Catalog).
http://catalog.fullerton.edu/content.php?catoid=3&navoid=250Opens in new window

 

Q4: Can I double count courses in my minor with my Religious Studies Major?
Yes. In completing the requirements for a minor, a minimum of twelve (12) units, of which at least six (6) must be upper division, must be distinct and different from the units used to complete the requirements for the major. Any units above this minimum requirement that can be used to satisfy both the requirements for the minor and for the major may be double counted" (CSUF Catalog).

 

Frequently Asked Questions by DOUBLE MAJORS -- Religious Studies Majors


Q1: Is it possible to major in Religious Studies AND another field?
A: Yes. Because the Religious Studies major consists of 36 units of course work (less than some other majors), it may be possible to add a second major, for example, Communications, History, Philosophy or Human Services. Such double majors may improve a student's job preparation or background for graduate studies. 

 

Q2: If I am a double major, can I double count courses in my Religious Studies Major with General Education?
A: Yes – if Religious Studies is your second listed major. Courses offered by the department of the student's minors and second listed majors may be used for General Education, not to exceed nine (9) units from any single department, excluding GE Category I (See CSUF Catalog).
http://catalog.fullerton.edu/content.php?catoid=2&navoid=108Opens in new window