Forms & Policies
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Please contact records@humboldt.edu if you need assistance with Adobe Sign. Contact the ITS helpdesk at help@humboldt.edu if you need assistance with your username and password.
Adobe Sign Help
Adobe Sign Instructions (Students)
Learn how to complete, sign and track your forms in Adobe Sign.
Learn how to submit a form using Adobe Sign. (2:45)
Look up who needs to sign your form and their Humboldt username emails (login required)
Adobe Sign Instructions (Faculty/Staff)
Learn how to sign, decline and delegate forms.
Forms
Advisor Change E-Form
Notify the department that you want to change your advisor.
Audit Petition
Request permission to audit a course. (uses Adobe Sign)
Certificate of Study E-Form
Apply for a certificate of study and declare (or update) the term the certificate will be completed. Recommend filing one year in advance.
Confidential Status E-Form
Request your directory information be kept confidential.
Course Title Change Request - IAW
Request a specific title for an independent academic work (IAW) course. (uses Adobe Sign)
Credit by Examination, Request for
Use to request credit by examination (challenge a course)
CSU Application for Intrasystem Concurrent or Visitor Enrollment
Use to apply for CSU Intrasystem Visitor or Concurrent program. This program permits enrollment in person at another CSU campus on a space available basis for a maximum of one semester.
Diploma Cover E-Form
Order a replacement diploma cover.
Diploma Replacement E-Form
Order a replacement or copy of your diploma.
Educational Leave Request (Undergraduate) E-Form
Request a leave of absence if you are unable to attend Humboldt for a semester.
Enrollment Status Change Request E-Form
Cancel an educational leave or withdrawal.
Extension of the One-Year Time Limit for Removal of an Incomplete Grade
If you have a current Incomplete Grade Contract (no final grade assigned), you are eligible to request an extension of up to one additional year with this petition.
Graduation Date Change E-Form
Move your graduation date earlier or extend (postpone) to a later semester.
Graduation: Apply for Graduation (Instructions)
Instructions for applying for graduation (bachelor's degree) in Student Center
Graduation: Late Application for Graduation (bachelor's degree) E-Form
Used to apply for graduation (bachelor’s degree) when the date is no longer available to apply through Student Center
Honors Cord for Commencement
Used to request permission to purchase an honors cord when cumulative GPA after last semester was below 3.50, but you anticipate being eligible once current grades are included. (uses Adobe Sign)
Incomplete Grade Contract (Instructions) E-Form
Instructions for accepting an Incomplete Grade Contract in Student Center
Major Change
Used to declare or change your major (or major concentration). This form uses Adobe Sign.
Major Change for Seniors
Used to request to change your major or concentration after earning 90 or more units. (uses Adobe Sign)
Minor: Declare or Update E-Form
Used to add, drop or change a minor.
Petition for Exception to University Policy E-Form
Used to request an exception to repeat policy and change a grade mode after the deadline
Petition for Grade Forgiveness of First “WU” Grades E-Form
Undergraduate students may petition to have the first WU grade(s) earned at Cal Poly Humboldt be excluded from their GPA.
Raise Unit Cap (Petition) E-Form
Add classes beyond the 19-unit cap for the current semester. (uses Adobe Sign)
Request for Credential Check E-Form
Second Major - Drop E-Form
Used to drop a second major.
Second Major/Concentration Request
Add a second major or concentration (double major). This form uses Adobe Sign.
Teaching Credential - Authorization to Release Records E-Form
This form is used to authorize the release of educational records for the purpose of processing a credential.
Time Conflicts (Add Courses with)
Request permission to add courses with scheduling conflicts. (uses Adobe Sign)
Verification of Enrollment E-Form
Request proof of attendance / enrollment at Humboldt.
Withdrawals E-Form
See the How to Withdraw webpage for information and the withdrawal petition.
Academic Notice & Disqualification
Academic Notice & Disqualification
Academic Notice
An undergraduate seeking a bachelor’s degree, a post-baccalaureate student seeking a second bachelor’s degree, or an unclassified post-baccalaureate student will be placed on academic notice if either the overall grade point average or the cumulative GPA at Humboldt falls below 2.0 (C grade average).
Disqualification
If a student is on academic notice and the Cal Poly Humboldt cumulative GPA is below the following levels, the student will be academically disqualified:
- Freshmen (<30 units) below 1.50
- Sophomores (30 to 59.9 units) below 1.70
- Juniors (60 to 89.9 units) below 1.85
- Seniors (≥90 units), post-baccalaureate students seeking a second bachelor’s degree below 1.95
- Unclassified post-baccalaureate graduates below 1.95
- Graduate students, including those who are classified or conditionally classified, and credential seeking students will be placed on academic notice if their Cal Poly Humboldt cumulative grade point average falls below a 3.0 (B grade average). A graduate coordinator may also notify a student of academic notice or disqualification for failure to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses taken to satisfy the requirements of the degree. Graduate students may be placed on probation and/or disqualified for failure to make adequate progress in the program, as defined by the requirements and policies of individual programs, by recommendation of the program faculty and graduate coordinator, and action of the graduate dean. While on academic notice, if a graduate student or a credential student’s cumulative GPA at Cal Poly Humboldt is below a 3.0 for a second consecutive term, the student will be academically disqualified.
Disqualified students will not be allowed to register unless they are formally reinstated and/or readmitted to the university. A disqualified student may be excluded from attending Cal Poly Humboldt for up to one year or more. Regularly enrolled students who are academically disqualified from Humboldt are not eligible to enroll in coursework through Extended Education. The student must demonstrate that she/he can maintain the minimum GPA at Humboldt. Regularly enrolled students who are academically disqualified from Humboldt are not eligible to enroll in Open University through Extended Education for one academic year. For information regarding the petition process for reinstatement, please contact the Office of the Registrar, SBS 133, 707-826-4101.
Financial aid and veterans educational benefits have satisfactory academic progress criteria that can affect aid eligibility. Baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate level veterans and eligible dependent students will be placed on veteran’s academic probation if their cumulative grade point average at Cal Poly Humboldt falls below a 2.00. Veterans and eligible dependents are permitted a maximum of two semesters on probation before their benefits will be terminated due to unsatisfactory academic progress. Contact the Veterans Certification Officer, LIB 58, 707-826-6272 for information regarding veterans educational benefit criteria.
Financial Aid: Maintaining Eligibility
Veterans Enrollment and Transition Services: Satisfactory Progress Guidelines
Reinstatement
Disqualified students will not be allowed to register unless they are formally reinstated and/or readmitted to the university. Regularly enrolled students who are academically disqualified from Humboldt are not eligible to enroll in coursework through Extended Education. for additional information.
See Office of Admissions: Disqualification & Reinstatement for additional information.
Undergraduate and Unclassified Post-baccalaureate Students
First DQ: Student must take off a minimum of one semester before reapplying.
Second DQ: Student must take off a minimum of a full year before reapplying. Students may be required to take additional time off, or complete courses at a different institution before being readmitted.
Third DQ: No option to reapply to Humboldt. May complete coursework elsewhere and reapply to a different CSU campus.
Graduate and Credential Students
First DQ: Students may be immediately reinstated to the university given a positive recommendation from the graduate program including an agreement by a graduate faculty member to serve as the student’s advisor submitted to the Graduate Studies Office.
Second DQ: Student must take a minimum of one semester off before reapplying. Students may be required to take additional time off. Students may be readmitted to the university given a positive recommendation from the graduate program including an agreement by a graduate faculty member to serve as the student’s advisor. Students will be required to provide a letter with a statement describing the reasons for the academic probation and a plan to address the underlying problems in order to increase the likelihood of success. Both documents will be forwarded to the Graduate Studies Office for processing. After the absence period, an admission application is required for reinstatement consideration. Cal Poly Humboldt reserves the right to accept applications for disqualified students during specified application terms only. Please contact the Office of Admissions for more information.
Third DQ: No option to reapply to Humboldt. May complete coursework elsewhere and reapply to a different CSU campus.
Academic Standing
Academic Standing
Good Academic Standing
Students are considered in good academic standing if their Cal Poly Humboldt cumulative grade point average (GPA) and overall GPA are:
2.0 or above (undergraduate students)
3.0 or above (graduate students)
Administrative/Academic Probation
Administrative/Academic Probation
A student may be placed on administrative-academic probation 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 three terms. (Note: A student whose withdrawal is directly associated with a chronic or recurring medical condition or its treatment is not to be subject to Administrative-Academic probation for such withdrawal.)
- Repeated failure to progress toward the stated degree objective or other program objective, including that resulting from assignment of 15 units of NC (No Credit), when such failure appears to be due to circumstances within the control of the student.
- Failure to comply, after due notice, with an academic requirement or regulation, as defined by campus policy which is routine for all students or a defined group of students (examples: failure to complete a required CSU or campus examination, failure to complete a required practicum, failure to comply with professional standards appropriate to the field of study, failure to complete a specified number of units as a condition for receiving student financial aid or making satisfactory progress in the academic program).
A student who has been placed on administrative-academic probation may be administratively disqualified if any of the following occur:
- The conditions for removal of 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 that the student has previously been placed on administrative-academic probation, although the student is not currently in such status.
Special Cases of Administrative-Academic Disqualification
An appropriate campus administrator in consultation with academic department, Dean of the College, and/or other appropriate parties, may disqualify a student who at any time during enrollment in a program leading to professional licensure or credential, has demonstrated behavior so contrary to the established standards and criteria of the profession for which the student is preparing as to render the student 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.
Students who have been disqualified, either academically or administratively may not enroll in any regular campus session (e.g., open university), and may be denied admission to other educational programs operated or sponsored by the University.
Graduate Student Administrative-Academic Probation and Disqualification
Add/Drop Date
Add/Drop Date
The deadline for students to change their course schedule without penalty, known as the Add/Drop date is 11:59 p.m. on the Monday after the second week of classes of the regular semester term.
After the deadline, approval to add or drop a class requires approval of a documented serious and compelling reason. See the Resolution on Decoupling Drop/Add Dates from Census (22-14/15-APC), registration help and withdrawal process for additional information.
Catalog Rights (Continuous Enrollment)
Catalog Rights (Continuous Enrollment)
Catalog rights are based on when and where a student begins college and how long they have been “continuously enrolled.”
Students who have been enrolled either at a California Community College or a CSU campus for at least one semester or two quarters of consecutive calendar years are considered to be “in continuous attendance.”
A student in continuous attendance may choose to meet the requirements for graduation specified in the Cal Poly Humboldt catalog which was/is in effect:
When the student first enrolled in any CSU or California community college,
When the student first enrolled at Humboldt, or
When the student graduates.
NOTE: Students changing their major or minor may be required to complete the major or minor requirements in effect at the time of the change.
Change Your Major
Change Your Major
Freshmen, Sophomores or Juniors
Visit Change Your Major
Seniors
Students are not permitted to change majors after they have earned 90 units,unless the new major can be completed in less than 140 total units. Students who choose to change majors and cannot complete the required courses in less than 140 units may submit a request for an exception to the department chair and college dean.
Credit Hour (Unit)
Credit Hour (Unit)
Credit Limitations
Credit Limitations
Extension & Correspondence
No more than 24 semester units of extension or correspondence courses will count toward a bachelor’s degree. Note: These may not count toward the residency requirement.
Open University
No more than 24 semester units of Open University / Special Session courses will count toward a bachelor’s degree. No more than nine units of Open University / Special Session courses can apply toward a master’s degree (courses must be listed on the candidate’s approved master’s program).
Transfer Credit
No more than 70 semester units earned at an accredited community college may transfer to Cal Poly Humboldt. (California Code of Regulations, Title 5).
Athletics & Intramural Credit
No more than six units earned in intercollegiate athletics may count toward graduation requirements. No more than two units of intramural courses may count toward graduation.
Credit/No Credit
No more than 24 semester units of credit/no credit (mandatory and/or optional) mode courses taken at Cal Poly Humboldt will be counted toward the bachelor's degree. Courses used to fulfill major requirements may not be taken on an optional credit/no credit basis. Check with your academic advisor for more information. Students may take only one optional CR/NC course per semester at Cal Poly Humboldt. See Grades & Academic Standing to learn more about grade modes.
Graduate Students, refer to Graduate Credit below.
Educational Leave / Leave of Absence
Educational Leave / Leave of Absence
A student may request a leave of absence or educational leave from the university in order to pursue other educationally related activities or to clarify their educational goals. Undergraduate students must submit a request to go on leave to the Office of the Registrar, SBS 133. Graduate students should contact the Office of Academic Programs & Undergraduate/Graduate Studies, SH 217A, for information.
Leave Eligibility
You must attend at least one term prior to requesting a leave of absence. A leave of absence maintains continuing student status. This allows a student to maintain catalog rights and eligibility to enroll for the term immediately after the expiration of the leave without reapplying to the university.
Leave Limits
While on leave, a student is not considered enrolled and is not eligible for any services from the university. The student will be apprised via their preferred email address of registration information and deadlines for the term they are to return to Cal Poly Humboldt.
A leave of absence may be requested for one or two terms, but may be extended for two additional terms (for a maximum of four terms) under special circumstances. For more information, or to obtain an educational leave request form, contact the Office of the Registrar.
Final Evaluations Week
Final Evaluations Week
Final evaluations may be traditional exams, presentations, portfolio sharing, performances, critiques, oral examination, field trips or other evaluative activities. Students shall be informed of the nature of the final evaluation at the beginning of the semester.
Finals week is part of the instructional period for a course. All courses shall have a final evaluation during finals week, with the following exceptions:
Laboratory or activity only courses may have their final evaluations during the class’s regular meeting time during the last week of class.
Courses that are non-traditionally scheduled (weekend workshops, theatre productions that last only six weeks, etc.).
Classes with both lecture/discussion and laboratory/activity components shall have:
final evaluations for the lecture or discussion portion of the class during finals week, and
final evaluations for the lab/activity portion (if applicable) during the last week of classes. This type of evaluation shall not substitute for the final class evaluation. Students should not be expected to complete these types of finals outside of the normally designated times for the class.
In-class final evaluation activities must occur during the final evaluation time designated for the course (not the week before).
Out-of class final evaluation activities such as take-home examinations, final papers must be due no earlier than the designated final evaluation time slot for the course (students may voluntarily submit their work earlier).
The final evaluation date and time designated for a course as published in the Registration Guide may not be changed except in special circumstances, which must be approved in writing by the department chair and dean. Beginning Fall 2019, personalized final exam schedules will be available in both Student and Faculty Centers.
The course syllabus shall include the date and time of the final evaluation for the class. Any student who finds it impossible (for serious and compelling reasons) to participate on the date, time, or place scheduled must make arrangements in advance with the instructor.
Grade Forgiveness of First “WU” Grade(s)
Grade Forgiveness of First “WU” Grade(s)
- An undergraduate student may petition the Office of the Registrar at any time prior to degree awarding. After the degree has been awarded, petitions will not be considered.
- Petitions will only be considered for the first term a student receives one or more “WU” grades at Cal Poly Humboldt. Petitions will not be permitted in subsequent semesters.
- This policy does not apply to grades received at other institutions.
Graduate Credit
Graduate Credit
No grade below a B- is to be counted as a passing grade for meeting requirements for the master's degree. In fact, some programs require students to repeat work for which they received a grade below a B. Check with your program's graduate coordinator for more information.
Graduate students can choose optional credit/no credit (CR/NC) only for courses not required by their approved program. No more than one-third of master’s degree courses may be taken CR/NC.
Graduate Credit - Earned as Undergraduate
Undergraduate students may petition to earn graduate credit under the following circumstances:
Course must be taken in the final semester of the student’s senior year;
no more than six units remain to complete requirements for the bachelor’s degree;
cumulative GPA is 2.5 or higher;
courses must be upper division or graduate level.
The course is not counting toward undergraduate degree requirements;
application for graduation (degree check) is on file with the Registrar;
no more than nine units taken as an undergraduate may be applied to the master’s degree;
If you are interested in applying credit earned during the final semester of your senior year to a master’s degree complete a “Petition for Graduate Credit” (To be Earned in Final Semester of Senior Year) form available in the Office of Academic Programs & Undergraduate/Graduate Studies, Siemens Hall 217A.
Minimum Grade Requirement (Master’s Degree)
A B- is the minimum passing grade for courses used to satisfy the requirements of a Master’s Degree at Humboldt. A higher grade standard than the campus minimum (B-) may be specified by a graduate degree program. Policy for A Minimum Passing Grade Requirement for Graduate Degrees #02-10/11-APC
Minors
Minors
A minor consists of 12-30 units, 6 of which must be upper division. A minimum 2.0 (C) GPA is required. Courses used for a minor can also be used for general education. Minors must be completed in conjunction with a bachelor's degree. A minor cannot be posted if completed after the bachelor's degree has been awarded.
Students are generally prohibited from earning a major and minor from the same program. Exceptions can be made in major and minor combinations in which: [1] at least 9 units required for the minor are not already required for the major. In cases where there are “concentrations” within the major, a student must take a concentration such that at least 9 units for the minor are not counted towards the major, and [2] the major and minor must have different titles.
Minors are listed on the student's transcript. Minors are not listed on the diploma.
Repeating Courses
Repeating Courses
Undergraduate Students
Learn how to check your repeat/withdrawal units in Student Center.
Repeating Courses with Grade Forgiveness
You may repeat courses only if you earned a grade lower than a C.
You may repeat up to 16 units with grade forgiveness (the new grade replaces the former grade in the calculation of GPA).
You may repeat an individual course no more than two times. Each of these attempts counts toward the 16-unit maximum for repeats.
Grade forgiveness will not be allowed for a course for which the original grade was the result of a finding of academic dishonesty.
If you are interested in repeating a course with grade forgiveness, submit a Petition for Exception to University Policy to the Office of the Registrar, SBS 133, if special circumstances are involved.
Course Repeats with Grades Averaged
You may repeat an additional 12 units of coursework with grade averaging (both the original and new grade are included in the calculation of GPA) for a maximum total of 28 units of course work. This limit applies only to units completed at Cal Poly Humboldt.
Exceptions: Courses set up by the department to be repeatable for which the automatic repeat process does not take place. For instance, ESM 111 is set up by the department to be repeatable 4 times. This means that a maximum of 5 attempts of this course will count toward the student’s grade point average.
If you are interested in repeating a course with grades averaged, submit a Petition for Exception to University Policy to the Office of the Registrar, SBS 133, if special circumstances are involved.
If you are repeating a course at Humboldt that was previously taken at another college (equivalency is already established by articulation agreement), consult with the Office of the Registrar after you pass the equivalent course at Humboldt regarding grade forgiveness of transfer credit.
The grades of I, NC, RP, RD, and W are not considered as attempts for grade point average computation. Contact the Office of the Registrar, SBS 133, regarding courses taken prior to fall semester 1996. Please note: Some universities calculate all attempts of every course and ignore the undergraduate grade point average provided by Cal Poly Humboldt for post-baccalaureate programs (e.g. graduate level programs, law school, and medical schools).
Students who are pursuing a second bachelor’s degree or who are unclassified post-baccalaureate students are eligible to use the undergraduate repeat policy. Students should Petition for Exception to University Policy to the Office of the Registrar, SBS 133
Graduate Students
Repeating Courses
Graduate students may repeat courses; however, all grades will appear on the permanent record and count in the grade point average. The units earned toward the degree count only once.
Note: A student may not take a course at Cal Poly Humboldt, repeat it at another college, and then use the repeat policy to remove the Cal Poly Humboldt course from the grade point average.
Second Major (Double Major)
Second Major (Double Major)
Students may earn a bachelor’s degree with two majors by completing the requirements for both programs. Although both majors appear on the permanent record, the student receives one degree.
Students may declare and complete a second major only if they meet the following criteria:
- Declare second major before earning 90 units; and
- Demonstrate that they can graduate with both majors completed in fewer than 140 total units.
Students who choose to complete a second major and cannot complete the required courses in less than 140 units may submit a request for an exception to the department chair and college dean.
Withdrawing from Courses
Withdrawing from Courses
Add/Drop Deadline
Students are responsible for adding or dropping courses and ensuring their schedules are correct prior to the Add/Drop Deadline: 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the Monday after the second week of classes. The specific date each semester is available on the Academic Deadlines webpage.
Definitions
Drop: Disenrollment from a course before the add/drop deadline. Dropped courses are not recorded on the student's transcript.
Official Withdrawal: Disenrollment from a course after the add/drop deadline with approved documented serious and compelling or catastrophic reasons per the definitions, timelines and limits listed below. See Grades & Academic Standing for grading symbols and definitions.
Withdrawal for Serious and Compelling Reasons
Timeline: Withdrawal for serious and compelling reasons are considered after the add/drop deadline through 11:59 p.m. on Monday of the 11th week of classes.
Serious and Compelling Reasons are defined as events that are typically outside a student’s control and generally limited to: mental and physical health, loss of care for dependents, inappropriate behavior of someone else in the classroom, and serious reversal in the student's financial situation. The Office of the Registrar will review the student’s request and documentation. If the student provides sufficient documentation, the faculty members teaching the course will be notified that a student has petitioned for a withdrawal and be given the opportunity to provide feedback to the Office of the Registrar. Withdrawal for serious and compelling reasons count toward the 18-unit limit for Official Withdrawals.
Withdrawal Limits
Students may withdraw from no more than 18 semester units of coursework at Cal Poly Humboldt. Learn how to check your repeat/withdrawal units in Student Center.
Withdrawal for Catastrophic Reasons
Timeline: Requests for withdrawal for catastrophic reasons are considered after the Add/Drop Deadline through the end of instruction. This is the only category of withdrawal permitted in the last five weeks of instruction.
Catastrophic reasons are defined as events that are clearly beyond a student’s control, preventing attendance. Examples include severe medical and/or mental health conditions, being called to military service, consequences of the death of a close family member, or being directly impacted by natural disaster. Verifiable documentation of the event must be provided to the Office of the Registrar, who will determine whether or not a Catastrophic Withdrawal is appropriate. If the student provides sufficient documentation to the Office of the Registrar, faculty members teaching the course or courses will be notified that a student has petitioned for a Catastrophic Withdrawal and be given the opportunity to provide feedback to the Office of the Registrar. Withdrawal for catastrophic reasons do not count toward the 18-unit limit for Official Withdrawals.
Impacts of Withdrawal
Students who receive financial aid funds are urged to consult with Financial Aid prior to withdrawing from the university regarding any required return or repayment of grant or loan assistance received, which may result in a debt owed to the institution and negatively impact eligibility to receive financial aid in future semesters. International students here on an F1 or J1 visa are urged to consult with their immigration advisor prior to any drops or withdrawals regarding the effects these changes may have on their immigration status.
Disclosure of Student Information
We take your privacy seriously. Read more about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).