Frequently Asked Questions

How do I contact an academic advisor?

  1. Non-admitted students should contact: Information Center, Welch Hall A-240, (310) 243-3696
  2. Admitted Freshmen contact: University Advisement Center, Welch Hall, A-220, (310) 243-3538 and their major department (if a major is declared).
  3. Admitted Transfer students with a declared major, contact: major department
  4. Admitted Transfer students without a major, contact: University Advisement Center, Welch Hall, A-220, (310) 243-3538.
  5. Admitted B.S. Nursing Students contact the Nursing Program and the University Advisement Center, Welch Hall, A-220, (310) 243-3538, email bsnge@csudh.edu.
  6. Admitted Special Majors contact: University Advisement Center (310) 243-3538; Welch Hall A-220.
  7. EOP students contact: EOP Office, Welch Hall, D-350, (310) 243-3632.
  8. Admitted Student Support Services Students, contact S.S.S. Program at EAC 300, (310) 243-2143.

Graduate Students

  1. Graduate Students (admitted into a Graduate Program) contact: Graduate Department.
  2. 2nd Baccalaureate Degree Students contact: major department for major advising; University Advisement Center, Welch Hall A-220, (310) 243-3538, for General Education Advising.
  3. Unclassified Post-Baccalaureate Students contact: Graduate Studies Office for subject and degree advice; academic department for course and major advice, Welch Hall D-340, (310) 243-3308.
  4. Teaching Credential students contact: Teacher Education Department, SOE 1010, (310) 243-3522.
  5. Certificate Program students contact: Program/major office for advice.

Is my CSU General Education Certification recognized at CSU Dominguez Hills?

Yes, CSU Dominguez Hills accepts both partial and complete General Education Certifications from California community colleges and universities. The UC/CSU Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) is also accepted.

Can I use both lower division and upper division General Education courses from another college?

Yes, lower and upper division General Education courses taken at accredited colleges and universities can meet requirements at CSU Dominguez Hills. However, at least 9 units of General Education courses must be taken in residence at this university. Contact the University Advisement Center, Welch Hall A-220, (310) 243-3538 for further information.

Can I meet with an advisor to review and or appeal my General Education requirements?

Yes, admitted students should contact the University Advisement Center, Welch Hall A-220, (310) 243-3538.

How many units can I transfer to CSU Dominguez Hills?

Students may transfer a maximum of 70 semester units from Community Colleges. However, students may receive credit for meeting additional lower division requirements beyond 70 units, but no additional unit credit will be applied to the minimum 120 needed for graduation. There is no limit on the number of units transferred from four year colleges and Universities. Nevertheless, students must complete at least 30 units in residence at this University for a baccalaureate degree.

Who must take the Entry Level Math and English Placement Tests (ELM and EPT)?

All admitted undergraduate students who are not exempt from these requirements based on SAT, ACT, Advance Placement Tests or college level math and English course work taken at another college must take the tests. The tests must be taken prior to course enrollment or registration. Contact the University Advisement Center, Welch Hall A-220, (310) 243-3538 for details.

Do I need a major to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree?

Yes, all students must complete the requirements for both a specific major and General Education for a bachelor’s degree. Minors are optional.

Do I need a minor to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree?

Most majors do not require a minor for the bachelor’s degree. Minors are a secondary field of study that can sometimes be related to the major, but are usually from an entirely different curriculum. A typical minor requires 15 units, but can range from 12 units to 69 units.

What is the minimum number of units required for a Bachelor's Degree?

A Bachelor of Arts degree requires a minimum 120 units; a Bachelor of Science requires a minimum of 124 units. At least 30 units must be in residence at CSU Dominguez Hills, 24 units must be upper division including 12 upper division units in the major and one-half of the upper division units for a minor. Also, at least 9 units of General Education courses must be completed in residence.

What is the minimum grade point average (GPA) needed for graduation?

  • 2.0 minimum GPA in all college units attempted.
  • 2.0 minimum GPA in all CSU Dominguez Hills course work.
  • 2.0 minimum GPA in upper division Major course work (some majors require a C grade or better in each course)
  • 2.0 minimum GPA in upper division Minor course work (some minors require a C grade or better in each course)

What are the Statutory requirements for the Bachelor's Degree?

Undergraduate students must take the following two courses:

  • HIS 101 United States History
  • POL 101 American Institutions
  • Students who have taken a Political Science course in another state should contact the Political Science Department for information on meeting the California portion of the requirement by test.

What is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)?

The GWAR is an upper division, writing requirement that must be passed prior to graduation. The requirement is met by passing the Graduation Writing Exam (GWE), or taking a specified upper division, writing course: ENG 350 or IDS 397 AND 398. Equivalent courses or tests taken at other CSUs can be used to meet the requirement. Inquire about credit at the Testing Office, WH A-210, (310) 243-3909.

What is the University's Credit/No Credit grading policy?

Up to 24 units of Baccalaureate level courses from all institutions attended may be applied to a Bachelor's Degree. With the exception of English Composition, Quantitative Reasoning, Logic/Critical Reasoning, and Oral Communication, other General Education requirements may be met with courses graded CR/NC. All major and minor courses must be taken for a letter grade (A-F). Prerequisite courses for the major or minor must also be taken for a letter grade.

What is an Incomplete (I) grade?

Incomplete grades are assigned when both the student and the instructor agree that the student is unable to complete a definable part of course work and there is a possibility that the work can be completed. The instructor and the student complete an Incomplete Grade contract stating the reason for requesting the Incomplete grade, the amount and nature of the course work to be completed, and the date by which the specified work will be completed (maximum one year). The contract is submitted to the Registrar with the instructor’s grade roster at the end of the semester.

What is a “WU" grade?

The “WU" grade is defined as an unauthorized withdrawal. A “WU" grade has the grade point equivalent of an "F". Faculty often assign a “WU" grade to a student who did not withdraw from the course but has not participated in most or all of the course assignments or tests. A “WU" grade is a final grade that cannot be changed by submitting additional course work. Students may repeat the course and implement the Repeat and Cancel Policy if applicable.

What is the University's Repeat and Cancel Policy?

The Repeat and Cancel policy may be used only by students seeking a baccalaureate degree and applies only to undergraduate courses. The policy may be used only for grades WU, F, D, D+, C-, and IC. For courses completed before fall 2009, the student must file a "Notice of Repeated Course" form with the Registrar. The previous grade is removed from the student's grade point average. However, the grade remains on the transcript but is annotated as being discounted form GPA calculations. Beginning fall 2009, students are limited to 16 semester units of Repeat and Cancel.

Should you have any questions, please visit the UAC in Welch Hall A-220 or email uac@csudh.edu or call 310-243-3538.

University Advisement Center
California State University, Dominguez Hills