Academic Standards

Academic Probation

Undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative and CALMAT grade point average of at least 2.0 and demonstrate satisfactory progress to degree consistent with university policy (CALMAT Matriculation Policy, section 3.50 Academic Standing).

An undergraduate student is placed on Academic Probation if at any time the cumulative grade point average in all college work or a cumulative grade point average at CALMAT falls below a 'C' (2.0) average. The college dean shall notify students on Academic Probation. Students shall remain on Academic Probation until the cumulative and CALMAT grade point average is a 'C' average or until the student has been Academically Disqualified.

Graduate students, including those who are classified or conditionally classified, and credential seeking students will be placed on academic probation if their CALMAT cumulative grade point average falls below a 3.0 (B grade average). Some graduate programs have more rigorous standards, requiring students to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses. For these programs, a graduate program coordinator or college dean may notify a student of academic probation. Students should consult an advisor or graduate program coordinator to determine their obligation.

Academic Disqualification

Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations mandates the following definition and formula for academic disqualification.

Academic Disqualification means that the student has not maintained satisfactory academic standards and is involuntarily separated from the university.

Undergraduates on academic probation are subject to Academic Disqualification when:

  • As a freshman (fewer than 30 semester hours of college work completed) the student falls below a grade point average of 1.50 in all units attempted or in all units attempted at the campus where enrolled.
  • As a sophomore (30-59 semester hours of college work completed) the student falls below a grade point average of 1.70 in all units attempted or in all units attempted at the campus where enrolled.
  • As a junior (60-89 semester hours of college work completed) the student falls below a grade point average of 1.85 in all units attempted or in all units attempted at the campus where enrolled.
  • As a senior (90 or more semester hours of college work completed) the student falls below a grade point average of 1.95 in all units attempted or in all units attempted at the campus where enrolled.
  • Graduate or credential seeking students on academic probation are subject to Academic Disqualification when the student's cumulative GPA (or in applicable programs, when the student's course grades) at CALMAT is below a 3.0 for a second consecutive term.

Students that have been disqualified shall be notified by the College Dean of the disqualification and of the right to petition the university for reinstatement.

Administrative Academic Probation

An undergraduate or graduate student may be placed on administrative-academic probation by action of appropriate campus officials for any of the following reasons:

  • Withdrawal from all or a substantial portion of a program of studies in two successive terms or in any of three terms. Students whose withdrawal is directly associated with a chronic or recurring medical condition or its treatment are exempted.
  • Repeated failure to progress toward the stated degree objective or other program objective, including that resulting from assignment of 15 units of No Credit, when such failure appears to be due to circumstances within the control of the student.
  • Failure to comply, after due notice, with academic requirements or regulation, as defined by campus policy, which is routine for all students of a defined group of students (example: failure to complete a required practicum, failure to complete a specified number of units as a condition for receiving student financial aid or making satisfactory progress in the academic program).

When such action is taken, the student shall be notified via email and/or in writing by the appropriate CALMAT administrative office. This notification shall provide the conditions for removal from probation and the circumstances that would lead to disqualification, should probation not be removed.

Administrative Academic Disqualification

As authorized by section 41300 of Title 5, the President may designate a campus official to act to disqualify a student not on probation when the following circumstances exist:

  • The conditions for removal from administrative-academic probation are not met within the period specified.
  • The student becomes subject to academic probation while on administrative-academic probation.
  • The student becomes subject to administrative-academic probation for the same or similar reason for which s/he has been placed on administrative-academic probation previously, although not currently in such status.
  • At the end of any term, the student has a cumulative grade point average below 1.0.
  • The cumulative grade point average is so low that in view of the student's overall educational record, it seems unlikely that the deficiency will be removed within a reasonable period.

When such action is taken, the student shall receive email and/or written notification including an explanation of the basis for the action from the appropriate Dean.

In addition, a student who at any time during enrollment has demonstrated behavior so contrary to the standards of the profession for which the student is preparing as to render him/her unfit for the profession, in such cases, disqualification will occur immediately upon notice to the student, which shall include an explanation of the basis for the action, and the campus may require the student to discontinue enrollment as of the date of the notification. The decision to disqualify a student under these terms shall be made by the appropriate dean in consultation with the provost; the Dean shall notify the student.

Reinstatement

If disqualified, you are not eligible for reinstatement for a minimum of one academic year. You will be required to reapply for admission and submit a letter of appeal to the Office of Admissions. The Admissions Exception Committee will review your reinstatement appeal, with approval based upon your documented good-faith effort to improve academic standing and improve circumstances within your control that directly resulted in your disqualification. You will be informed in writing of your status within 30 days of receipt of your completed reinstatement petition. For information regarding reapplication and the petition process, contact the Office of Admissions.

Credit for Experiential Learning

CALMAT policy for awarding credit for prior experiential learning is in compliance with the guidelines established by the California State University system (CSU Executive Order 1036). Experiential learning is education that that is derived from experience rather than academic pursuits. For instance, skills acquired through on-the-job training might meet the requirements of experiential learning, but would not likely meet the requirements for transfer credit. CALMAT may award credits for prior experiential learning without requiring a course challenge examination, provided that applicant submits extensive documentary proof that demonstrate:

  • The depth and length of experience is equivalent to college-level education
  • The learning experience and length of experience is equivalent to college-level education.
  • The credit awarded for the prior learning experience directly relates to the applicant's degree program or is applicable to satisfying graduation requirements.

Procedure for Awarding Credits

CALMAT awards credit for prior experience that meets the following criteria:

  • The field(s) of study approximately parallel courses offered at CALMAT, and the student has thoroughly documented all pertinent experiences.
  • The documented experience has been evaluated by a qualified faculty member who has given careful consideration to the balance between theory and practice demonstrated therein.
  • The total number prior experiential credits do not exceed the maximum allowable limits of 24.0 for an undergraduate program and 9.0 for a graduate program.
  • The student has paid the non-refundable assessment fee for experiential learning of $80 per credit.

Awarding Credits through Prior Learning Assessment

Only matriculated, degree seeking students are eligible for prior learning assessment (PLA).To petition for credit through PLA, the student is required to register the “x96 directed study” course or an existing CALMAT class that is closest to the learning experience during the regular registration period for a semester. This course guides students in the compilation of an experiential learning portfolio and in the preparation of a petition for the appropriate number of credits, typically 3.0 or 4.0. The portfolio should provide evidence to support the petition and include a resumé or curriculum vitae.

Each document submitted must address the outcomes/content of a specific course description from a regionally or nationally accredited institution. A ‘Pass’ grade on a submitted portfolio is equivalent to at least a ‘C’ grade.

Learning must be clearly differentiated from experience in the writing of the PLA essay. Credit is not awarded for experience alone but for demonstrating knowledge and the application of that knowledge. The learning experience demonstrated and verified through PLA must be academically equivalent to college-level learning. Developmental, remedial and self-help courses are not considered comparable to college-level courses. The learning experience for a PLA petition must have taken place following the student’s graduation from high school. There must be adequate documentation to verify the authenticity and appropriateness of the learning experience being assessed.

The student must be able to demonstrate college-level writing skills throughout the PLA process. Correct use of standard English including grammar, spelling, punctuation, and organization in written work is required.

Credits earned through PLA do not fulfill residency requirements nor do they meet eligibility for financial aid or loan deferment.

The University does not guarantee that another university will accept PLA credit in transfer or as a prerequisite for graduate school. Students interested in transferring to another college or applying to graduate school should check with that school about their transfer policies.

Prior Learning Assessment and Academic Degree Requirements

A maximum of one third of credit hours can be granted through the PLA process. Above the one third level, a written statement by the Dean or Provost is required.

Course credit granted through a PLA petition cannot duplicate transfer credit or any other coursework used to fill degree requirements.

After each petition for credit (portfolio document) is assessed, students will receive a notification letter indicating the results of the assessment. The student’s transcript designates the course title and number of upper or lower division credits awarded.

Prior Learning Assessment Fees

Students must pay an assessment fee of $80 per credit for the x96 course. This fee is due at the time the student registers to take the course. Fees and tuition are payable to the University. This fee is not refunded if the petition for credit is denied. A portfolio will not be submitted for assessment by a faculty member until the fee is paid. The PLA fee is for the assessment of the portfolio document not for the “purchase of credit" therefore, the assessment fee is not refunded if the petition for credit is denied.

Students who withdraw from the x96 course will have a percentage of their tuition refunded according to the refund policy (see Refund Information in Financial Information).

During the x96 course, students must contact their faculty advisor to discuss possible
portfolio choices and how those choices will fit into their degree plans. All x96 students will work with their faculty advisor to develop their future portfolio choices. Complete PLA portfolios must be submitted by the end of the semester which students register the x96 class.

A PLA portfolio for which the credit has been denied cannot be rewritten and resubmitted using the same course description and/or content, nor can a denied portfolio be resubmitted using a different course description.

An assessing faculty member and a faculty advisor (maybe the same person) are assigned to each student when they register for the x96 class. Advising includes preparation and guidance on individual degree programs, analysis of transfer credit, course selection advice, and graduation processing. The faculty advisor helps PLA portfolio students to double check that courses for which students are petitioning for PLA credit will satisfy unfulfilled degree requirements.

PLA portfolio assessing faculty members evaluate each student’s PLA portfolio for course credit, and they determine the appropriate credit award. Assessing faculty have both educational credentials at the master degree level or above as well as demonstrated practical experience in the course subject area that they are evaluating.

Appeal of Assessment Decisions

Students who wish to appeal a denial of credit from their portfolio assessment should direct their concerns to the Dean of their program.The appeal must be in writing and received within eight (8) weeks of the date of the denial notification. In the appeal letter the student should address the areas of weakness noted by the assessor and indicate why s/he feels credit should have been awarded. The Dean will discuss the appeal with the assessing professor and make a decision concerning the appeal. The student may be required to present additional information to demonstrate and verify learning. If the Dean upholds the initial denial of credit, a student may present an additional appeal to the Provost. The decision of the Provost on a PLA denial of credit is final.

Confidentiality of the Portfolio

During the PLA development and assessment process, a student’s work may be viewed for academic purposes only. If the student signs a PLA Release Authorization Form, specified parts of his/her portfolio document may be used for educational purposes such as viewing by other students and for teaching by faculty members. Before such use, all personally identifiable and/or proprietary information should be removed from the portfolio. Students must not include in any portfolio materials that violate the legal and moral right to privacy of any individual or organization.

After each portfolio has been assessed for credit and a notification of credit letter is sent, PLA materials will be returned to the student.