Advanced Placement (AP)
The Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board permits high school students to take college-equivalent courses while in high school, and, based upon comprehensive qualifying examinations, receive advanced placement and credit at participating universities and colleges.
Credit is applied to undergraduate degrees for the successful completion of examinations of the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. Students who present scores of three or better will be granted up to six semester units (nine quarter units) of college credit. In order to receive credit students must request electronic scores to be submitted to Fresno State directly from the College Board.
Credits earned through advanced placement are not included among the maximum of 30 units of credit for prior learning(external examinations) that may be credited toward a bachelor’s degree. Students may not receive credit for the equivalent course for which they already have received credit from an AP examination. Please visit the External Exam Credit website fora full list of AP exam articulation.
For more information, contact Admissions at 559.278.2261.
Classification of Students
Student class levels are determined as follows:
- Freshmen. Students who have earned a total of fewer than 30 semester units.
- Sophomores. Students who have earned a total of 30 to 59 semester units inclusive.
- Juniors. Students who have earned a total of 60 to 89 semester units inclusive.
- Seniors. Students who have earned 90 semester units or more.
- Postbaccalaureate/Graduates. Students who have at least one bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is designed to be a means through which recognition, academic credit, and placement may be given for less conventional forms of educational experience or learning. Credits earned through CLEP are included among the maximum of 30 units of Credit by Examination that may be credited toward a bachelor’s degree.
Within the restrictions of systemwide policy, this university awards up to 6 units of credit for successfully completed CLEP examinations. Such credit is applied to the total units required for the baccalaureate degree. Effective with exams taken spring2018, some exam credit is applied to the General Education requirements as detailed on the External Exam Credit website. Not all CLEP examinations are acceptable under CSU system policy. It is the responsibility of the student to check with the appropriate department to determine whether it accepts CLEP credit to meet any degree requirement. This should be done prior to taking the CLEP exam. The CLEP exam articulation table can be found on the External Exam Credit website.
Credit by Examination (CBE)
Credit by examination is designed to encourage matriculated students to seek college credit in courses in which they have competence through prior learning or experience, outside the usual academic processes. This permits students to accelerate their progress to a degree. Credit earned by examination does not meet the residence requirement of the university and is not available for graduate level courses. For further information, consult the department where the course is offered.
Graduate Students: Credit by examination for coursework may be used to fulfill prerequisites and/or toward the determination of admission eligibility and may not be applied toward the total units required for a master’s degree.
All students must meet term deadlines for CBE credit. For more information, review the Application for Credit by Examination form on the Office of the University Registrar website.
Credit for Military Service Coursework
Lower-division elective credit is given for recruit training for initial entry into the service and clears G.E. Area E. Credit given may vary depending on the branch of service. At the student’s request, the Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript can be reviewed for American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations for non-collegiate instruction units. A maximum of 30 units is allowed for Credit for Prior Learning, which includes Military credit. If interested, students should visit the Veterans Resource Center and meet with an Advisor to complete the Request for Evaluation of Military Credit form. You can find more information regarding the evaluation of military credit on the Fresno State Military Credit website.
DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support) maintains the educational records of the servicemen and women who have completed DSSTs (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests), CLEP (College Level Examination Program)examinations and GED tests. DANTES has also maintained USAFI (United States Armed Forces Institute) transcripts since that organization ceased to exist in 1974.
College credit is awarded for acceptable DSST scores as recommended by DANTES. Equivalency for DSST credit is determined by our departments. Other credits recommended by DANTES (CLEP, etc.) must meet university guidelines for the awarding of credit for those examinations. DANTES/USAFI credit is considered Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) at Fresno State with a maximum of 30 semester units. If your CLEP exam was militarily funded, the scores for all CLEP and DSST exams are automatically reported to the JST. If your CLEP exam was not funded through the military, you can request a transcript from College Board.
Credit for Non-Collegiate Instruction
This university grants undergraduate degree credit appropriate to the baccalaureate degree for successful completion of non-collegiate instruction, either military or civilian, that has been recommended by the Commission on Educational Credit and Credentials of the American Council on Education. The number of units allowed are those recommended in A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Services and the National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs.
Early Start Program (ESP)
The goal of the Early Start Program (ESP) is to better prepare students in written composition and mathematics/quantitative reasoning before the fall term of freshman year, improving students’ chances of successful completion of a baccalaureate degree.
- If required to participate in ESP, as determined by multiple measures, students will begin in the summer before the start of the freshman year.
- For general information about ESP including fees and course listings, visit csustudentsuccess.org/early-start-overview. Students are encouraged to visit the campus website for ESP information once admitted.
- Eligible financial aid applicants with an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $6,000 or less will be eligible for waiver of the per unit ESP fee. For more information on assessments, placements and the Early Start Program, please visit www.csustudentsuccess.org.
Independent Study
Independent study is offered to give students experience in planning and outlining a course of study on their own initiative under departmental supervision. Independent study should deal with a special interest not covered in a regular course or with the exploration in greater depth of a subject presented in a regular course. Each department has an independent study upper -division course (190). In addition, some departments have a lower-division course (90) and/or a graduate-level course (290). Students who utilize Military Benefits need to speak to the Veterans Resource Center before enrolling in an Independent Study course.
To be eligible for independent study, students should have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher. This requirement may be waived in exceptional cases, when approved by the department chair. Maximum credit of 6 units in independent study courses is allowed toward the bachelor’s degree, and maximum credit of 6 units in independent study courses may be approved for use toward a 30-unit master’s degree. Such credit is limited to a maximum of 3 units per semester. Under extraordinary circumstances more than 3 units per semester may be allowed on petition to the department chair.
Eligible students desiring to register for Independent Study must first obtain the consent of an instructor, who will guide the project, and the chair of the department in which the course is given. Students must register for Independent Study courses during the regular registration period in the same manner as they register for any other course at the time of registration.
An independent study course normally includes an oral examination by a committee set up by the supervising instructor, a formal report that is filed in the department office, and an abstract of the study that is filed with the department chair. Approval forms and copies of the current regulations may be obtained from department, school, or college offices. The entry on the permanent record shows the discipline and course number only; the title does not appear.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Credit is granted for International Baccalaureate Higher Level examinations passed with a score of 4 or higher (some exams require a score of 5 or higher). International Baccalaureate examinations taken spring 2018, or later, will be applied to general education areas as noted on the External Exam Credit website. Contact Admissions at 559.278.2261 for more information.
Placement Measures for First-Year GE Written Communication and Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning Courses
Freshmen skills assessment and placement for General Education written communication and mathematics/quantitative reasoning shall be based on systemwide skills assessment standards that include the Early Assessment Program/ Smarter Balanced Achievement Levels, ACT scores and/or SAT scores, high school coursework, high school GPA and math GPA.
Skills assessments are not a condition for admission to the CSU; they are a condition of enrollment.
These skills assessments are designed to inform entering freshmen of placement in appropriate baccalaureate-level courses based on their skills and needs.
First-time freshmen in need of support as determined by the skills assessment will be placed in supported instruction. Supported instruction is designed to assist students in credit bearing courses. Students may also be required to participate in the Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Program.
The Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Programs offers pathways and academic and social support that align with each incoming student’s needs. The programs’ goal is to ensure that first time students successfully complete the General Education (GE) written communication (A2) and math/quantitative reasoning (B4) requirements within their first year.
Assessments and Placement for GE Written Communication
Has Fulfilled the GE Subarea A2 English Requirement
The student has met the requirement via completion of one of the following:
Advanced Placement (AP) Test
- 3 or above: AP Language and Composition
- 3 or above: AP Composition and Literature
College Transfer Coursework
- Completed approved college course that satisfies CSU GE Area A2 (written communication) with a grade of C- or better
Placement in a GE Subarea A2 English Course
The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures- informed standards via one of the criteria below:
English CAASPP/EAP Test
- Standard Exceeded
- Standard met and completed 12th grade approved year-long English course (CSU ERWC, AP, Weighted Honors English) with grade of C- or better
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Test:
- 550 or above
- 510 - 540 and completed 12th grade approved year-long English course (CSU ERWC, AP, Weighted Honors English) with grade of C- or better English
ACT Test
- 22 or higher
- 19-21 and completed 12th grade approved year-long English course (CSU ERWC, AP, Weighted Honors English) with grade of C- or better
High School Courses and GPA
- Weighted GPA 3.3 or above
- GPA 3.0 or above and completed approved 12 grade year-long English course (AP, CSU ERWC, Weighted HonorsEnglish)
- GPA 3.0 or above and completed Honors English
- GPA 3.0 or above and 5 or more years of high school English
Placement in a Supported GE Subarea A2 English Course
The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures- informed standards via one of the criteria below:
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Test:
- 510 - 540 and 4 or more years of high school English
ACT Test
- 19-21 and 4 or more years of high school English
High School Courses and GPA
- Weighted GPA 3.0 or above and 4 or more years of high school English
Placement in a Supported GE Subarea A2 English Course and Participation in the Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Program
Based on multiple measures evaluation, student needs additional academic support including participation in the Supportive Pathways for First Year Students Program. Visit csustudentsuccess.org to learn about the Program.
Assessments and Placement for GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
Non-Math Intensive Majors (Algebra and Statistics Disciplines, Non-STEM and Undecided Majors) Has Fulfilled the GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
The student has met the requirement via completion of one of the following:
Advanced Placement (AP) Test
- 3 or above: Calculus AB
- 3 or above on AP Calculus BC
- 3 or above on AP Statistics
- 3 or above on AP Computer Science Principles
International Baccalaureate (IB) Test
- 4 or above on Math Higher Level (HL)
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- 50 or above on: Calculus, College Algebra, College Algebra-Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus or Trigonometry
College Transfer Coursework
- Completed math/quantitative reasoning college course with a C- or better that satisfies CSU GE Area B4
Placement in a GE Sub-area B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures-informed standards via one of the following criteria:
CAASPP/EAP Math Exam
- Standard Exceeded
- Standard met and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a C- or better
- Standard met and 4 or more years of high school math or quantitative reasoning
SAT Math Test
- 570 or above
- 520 - 560 and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a C- or better
ACT Math Test
- 23 or above
- 20-22 and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a C- or better
High School Courses and GPA
- Weighted math GPA 3.0 or above and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a C-or better
- Weighted math GPA 3.0 or above and 5 or more years of high school math or quantitative reasoning
- Weighted high school GPA 3.7 or above
- Weighted high school GPA 3.5 or above and 4 or more years of high school math or quantitative reasoning
Placement in a Supported GE Sub-area B4 Math/ Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures- informed standards via one of the criteria below:
High School GPA
- Weighted math GPA 3.3 or above
- Weighted high school GPA 3.0 or above
Placement in a Supported GE Sub-area B4 Math/ Quantitative Reasoning Requirement and Participation in the Supportive Pathways for Frist-Year Students Program Required
Based on multiple measures evaluation, student needs additional academic support including participation in the Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Program. Visit csustudentsuccess.org to learn about this program.
Assessments and Placement for GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning: Pre-STEM/STEM and Other Math- Intensive Majors
Has Fulfilled the GE Sub-area B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
The student has met the requirement via completion of one of the following:
Advanced Placement (AP) Test
- 3 or above on AP Calculus AB
- 3 or above on AP Calculus BC
- 3 or above on AP Statistics
- 3 or above on AP Computer Science Principles
International Baccalaureate (IB) Test
- 4 or above on Math Higher Level (HL)
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- 50 or above on: Calculus, College Algebra, College Algebra-Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus or Trigonometry
College Transfer Coursework
- Completed math/quantitative reasoning college course with a C- or better that satisfies CSU GE Area B4
Placement in a GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures- informed standards via one of the criteria below:
CAASPP/EAP Math Exam
- Standard Exceeded
- Standard met and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a C- or better
SAT Math Test
- 570 or above
- 520 - 560 and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a C- or better
ACT Math Test
- 23 or above
- 20-22 and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a C- or better
High School Courses and GPA
- Weighted math GPA 3.5 or above and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a grade of C- or better
- Weighted math GPA 3.5 or above and 5 or more years of high school math or quantitative reasoning
- Weighted high school GPA 3.7 or above
Placement in a Supported GE Subarea B4 Math/ Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures- informed standards via the criteria below:
High School Math GPA
- Weighted math GPA 3.3 or above
Placement in a Supported GE Subarea B4 Math/ Quantitative Reasoning Requirement and Participation in the Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Program Required
Based on multiple measures evaluation, student needs additional academic support including participation in the Early Start Program. Visit the Early Start website to learn about the Early Start Program.
The goal of the Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Program (SPFY) is to
- Ensure that first-time students successfully complete the General Education (GE) written communication (A2) and math/quantitative reasoning (B4) requirements within their first year
- Better prepare students in written composition and mathematics/quantitative reasoning before the fall term of freshman year, improving students’ chances of successful completion of a baccalaureate degree.
- For general information about Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Program (SPFYP), visit csustudentsuccess.org/supportive-pathways. Students are encouraged to visit the university website for SPFYP information once admitted.
- Eligible financial aid applicants with an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $6,000 or less will be eligible for waiver of the per unit SPFY fee. For more information on assessments, placements and the Supportive Pathways for First Year Students Program, please visit www.csustudentsuccess.org.
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