Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 University Catalog 
    
2015-2016 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Academic Affairs Support



Introduction

California State University, Fullerton offers affordable, high quality undergraduate and graduate programs that reflect the best of current practice, theory and research, and are designed to meet the needs of our diverse students, as well as our region and the state of California.  The key mission of the University is to make learning preeminent on our campus.  By combining the best qualities of teaching and research universities, actively engaged Cal State Fullerton students, faculty and staff work in close collaboration to expand knowledge.  The mark of a Cal State Fullerton graduate is a person who has developed the habit of intellectual inquiry; is prepared for a challenging profession; seeks strengthened relationships with the community; and contributes productively to society.  We strive for excellence by offering rigorous and intellectually stimulating academic programs that undergo periodic formal review by the University and by external academic accreditation agencies.  Our General Education program is designed to provide a strong foundational understanding of disciplines and subject areas, as well as to ensure well-educated students upon graduation.  This is achieved by integrating into the degree programs foundation courses in the physical sciences, the social sciences, the humanities, and fine arts.  Articulation agreements with the local community colleges clarify the courses that will be accepted for credit in both General Education and degree programs.  Currently, the academic programs available at the University include 55 bachelor’s degrees, 52 master’s degrees, one Ed.D. program, one Doctorate in Nursing Practice program, 65 minors and a variety of initial and advanced credentials for teaching and Preschool-12 school settings.

Among our master’s degrees is a large MBA program.  Other graduate programs range from the M.A. and M.F.A. in the arts and performing arts to M.A. and M.S. degrees in diverse programs such as computer science, counseling, engineering, education, reading, sciences, the humanities, and the social and behavioral sciences, as well as a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree designed to prepare students to enter professional and multicultural social work practice.  Many graduate-level classes are offered in the late afternoon or evening to accommodate working students. Online programs include an M.S. in Environmental Engineering, M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology, an M.S. in Information Technology, and an M.S. in Software Engineering.  

Cal State Fullerton offers two doctoral degrees. The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is available in two concentrations.  The Community College Leadership concentration prepares community college professionals for leadership roles in higher education. The Preschool-12 Leadership concentration prepares mid-career educators for careers as administrators, principals and superintendents in school systems throughout California. The Doctor  of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) prepares nurses for increasingly complex practice, and for faculty and leadership roles in nursing.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

College Park 1060
657-278-2614

The provost and vice president for Academic Affairs is the chief academic officer for the campus and provides leadership for the planning and management of all academic and instructional resources that support the teaching, scholarship and research mission of the University. Working with the president, college deans, academic administrators, the academic senate, students, and the campus community, the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs provides leadership for all academic planning, resources and operational matters. 

Each college and academic program publishes information that is available on the University’s website - fullerton.edu. The Office of  the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs maintains other academic-related information, including:

  1. current undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered in classrooms and online;
  2. learning opportunities through University Extended Education that provide access to the University for working professionals and businesses, international students and groups, retirees, and other members of the community;
  3. recruitment and personnel processes for faculty, librarians, and other instructional personnel;
  4. instructional classrooms, laboratories and other academic-related facilities;
  5. student enrollment, retention, and graduation rates; and
  6. names of associations, agencies or governmental bodies that accredit and approve the University and its academic programs.

Academic Advisement

University Hall 123B
657-278-3606
fullerton.edu/aac

Academic Advisement provides academic advising to matriculated undergraduate students with respect to General Education and graduation requirements, major exploration, University policies and procedures, and referral to other campus resources Above that, its mission is to work in a collaborative partnership with students, a shared responsibility, where the adviser and student are equally invested in the educational process and holistic development of the student.

Academic Advisement is the academic home department for undeclared students, providing services normally offered through the declared student’s major department. Additionally, the department provides information, programs and referrals to support students in their academic careers and progress to timely graduation. Students needing information about the implications of academic probation are required to complete the Probation Tutorial prior to visiting Academic Advisement for in-depth advisement.

Probation and disqualification advising must be preceded by students completing specific online tutorials hosted on the center’s website.

Advising is provided on a walk-in basis and students must bring a current printed copy of their TDA to meet with an academic adviser. Arrangements can also be made to support non-traditional student populations such as night (only) students with limited appointments, if deemed necessary, outside regular advising hours. Please visit fullerton.edu/aac for hours of operation, wait time, and contact information for special requests.

Academic Programs

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
McCarthy Hall 133
657-278-3602

The Office of Academic Programs focuses on three areas: curriculum, student success and academic quality. In consultation with college deans, the Academic Senate, appropriate faculty committees, and campus divisions the Office of Academic Programs has responsibility for the planning, direction, and implementation of academic curriculum, programs, and policies for undergraduate and graduate education, general education, university advisement, assessment of learning outcomes, institutional and program accreditation, program performance reviews, and various other university and system-wide programmatic initiatives. The Associate Vice President for Academic Programs provides leadership and oversight for the Office of Academic Programs, and works in consultation and collaboration with the directors of Academic Programs (Assessment and Educational Effectiveness, Academic Advisement Center, Freshman Programs, Graduate Studies, Health Professions Advising Office, Honors Program, Undergraduate Studies and General Education) to assist in the implementation of University and system policies and in assuring the quality of the curriculum, academic programs and student success. The Director of Assessment and Educational Effectiveness takes leadership roles focused on coordinating the collaborative, campuswide effort aimed at continuous improvement of student learning and the services that support learning, through assessment; the Director of the Academic Advisement Center provides leadership and oversight of the Academic Advisement Center; the Director of Freshman Programs takes a leadership role in providing curriculum and services to support first-year students’ successful transition to higher education at Cal State Fullerton; the Director of Graduate Studies takes leadership roles focused on graduate programs; the Director of the Health Professions Advising Office takes a leadership role in preparing, informing, and advising CSUF students about post-baccalaureate careers in the health professions; the Director of the Honors Program takes a leadership role in sustaining a program whose vision is to be a nationally recognized model of inclusive excellence through a sustained commitment to access, student success, academic rigor, and high quality learning; and the Director of Undergraduate Studies and General Education takes leadership roles focused on undergraduate programs, including general education. The Associate Vice President for Academic Programs also provides oversight of institutional and professional program accreditations as the campus Accreditation Liaison Officer.

Academic Senate

Pollak Library North 120
657-278-3683
fullerton.edu/senate

The Academic Senate is an integral part of University governance and collegial decision-making. The Academic Senate, governed by a constitution and bylaws, develops, formulates and reviews educational and professional policy that becomes University policy if approved by the President. Examples of educational and professional policy include curricula; academic standards; criteria and standards for the selection, retention and promotion of faculty members; academic and administrative issues concerning students; and allocation of resources.

The Academic Senate consists of 48 members including the University President, provost/vice president for Academic Affairs, two representatives from CSUF Associated Students, Inc., three elected CSU academic senators, the president of the exclusive bargaining representative for Unit 3 faculty, a member of the Emeritus Professors of CSUF, the immediate past chair of the Academic Senate (except when the incumbent chair is re-elected), two part-time faculty members, and two full-time staff members.

Shared governance at CSUF involves the Academic Senate and other faculty members through membership on boards, ad hoc committees, and general committees, in addition to the standing committees. Representing the faculty, the Academic Senate works with administrators, staff and students, exemplifying “The Fullerton Way” of collegial governance.

There are 18 standing committees of the Academic Senate: 1) Academic Standards Committee; 2) Assessment and Educational Effectiveness; 3) Campus Facilities and Beautification Committee; 4) Elections Committee; 5) Extended Education Committee; 6) Faculty Affairs Committee; 7) Faculty Development Center Board; 8) General Education Committee; 9) Graduate Education Committee; 10) Information Technology Committee; 11) International Education Committee; 12) Internships and Service Learning Committee; 13) Library Committee; 14) Planning, Resource, and Budget Committee; 15) Student Academic Life Committee; 16) University Advancement Committee; 17) University Committee on Writing Proficiency; and 18) University Curriculum Committee.

There are three general committees of the faculty: 1) Faculty Personnel Committee; 2) Professional Leaves Committee; and 3) Faculty Research Committee.

Center for Internships and Community Engagement

Langsdorf Hall 206
657-278-3746

fullerton.edu/cice/

The Center for Internships and Community Engagement was established to offer students the opportunity to formally integrate academics with practical experiences prior to graduation. Academic internships and service-learning programs offer students both domestic and international opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills in “real” situations in business environments, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. These practical experiences allow students to expand their knowledge, apply theories and skills learned in the classroom, prepare for successful entry into the job market, and develop as socially responsible citizens.

Additionally, academic internships and service-learning offer opportunities for students to:

  • Gain work and service experiences
  • Network and develop industry contacts
  • Earn academic credit
  • Solidify academic and career goals
  • Earn money while learning
  • Explore various career options within a major
  • Demonstrate personal and social responsibility
  • Become engaged in their communities and issues of concern to them

The programs involve the cooperation of faculty, employers and service sites that provide opportunities for students to fulfill their academic, civic and professional needs. Each internship/service-learning placement is monitored by the site while faculty members provide guidance to students, ensuring the academic integrity of the work/service experience.

Students who wish to participate in service-learning should explore their departments’ course offerings for those that include service-learning. In addition, some departments offer international service-learning opportunities.

Students participating in academic internships must:

  • Be at least in their junior year of study or have instructor consent
  • Be in good academic standing
  • Meet the prerequisites and minimum G.P.A. required by the department
  • Receive approval from the appropriate faculty coordinator
  • Enroll in the department’s internship course

Academic internships and service-learning experiences must be consistent with subject matter of the course. In most departments up to six units of internship credits may be earned.

Distance Education

Accessibility to learning is highly regarded at Cal State Fullerton and technology is used to extend classrooms beyond the boundaries of time and place.

Online Classes and OASIS

The University Extended Education (UEE) Department of Distance Education develops, delivers and maintains engaging online classes that go beyond the traditional “face-to-face” format. A quality online learning experience is provided through course development and management based on proven instructional methods that are supported by the latest technology and exemplary student and faculty support. These courses provide an alternative for those whose work schedules, family responsibilities or transportation concerns impede commuting to campus for scheduled classes. Online learning opportunities that are currently available or in development include individual courses, degree programs, degree completion programs, and certificate programs.

OASIS (Online Academic Strategies & Instructional Support) serves the entire University by providing a comprehensive array of services related to training, development and support for online teaching and learning. Services include instructional design; multimedia production; lecture production; and other IT support to help faculty develop, deliver, and maintain their online courses. A comprehensive development support team (including instructional design, graphic design and video production) works one-on-one with faculty and departments. In addition to hands-on support, the OASIS website (oasis.fullerton.edu) offers a wide range of quick tutorials. 

OASIS is located in Pollak Library South 237. For more information on OASIS call 657-278-4528.

Instructional Televised Instruction

Information Technology’s Academic Technology Center provides Instructional Televised Instruction (ITI) , which offers interactive videoconferencing. Three classrooms are designed and equipped for distance education and currently deliver University classes to the Irvine Campus, CSUF Garden Grove Center, other CSU campuses, and other off-campus locations, including workplace classrooms in businesses and industry. Students at remote sites can interact with instructors, as well as with on- and off-campus classmates in a “live” exchange of information and ideas.  A special videoconferencing facility is also available for instruction and administrative use.

Satellite teleconferencing is also available, and the Titan Cable Channel network makes CSUF programming available on commercial cable systems throughout Orange County.

The Academic Technology is located in Pollak Library South 237. For additional information, contact the center at 657-278-4050, atc@fullerton.edu.

Enrollment Services/Admissions and Records

Langsdorf Hall 114
657-278-2300

The Office of Admissions and Records is responsible for the administration of the admission, registration, records, and other academic services to undergraduate and graduate students in the regular sessions of California State University, Fullerton. These programs and services provide information about the University’s curricula and requirements to school and college counselors; admit and readmit students within enrollment categories and priorities; evaluate the applicability of undergraduate transfer credit toward all-University requirements of the curriculum; and provide liaison in the identification and resolution of articulation problems of transfer students.

Units of Admissions and Records also register student programs of study, including enrollment into classes; maintain academic records; administer academic probation and disqualification policies; provide enrollment certifications on student request, including transcripts of academic records; certify the completion of degree requirements; receive petitions for exceptions to academic regulations; and provide information about these programs and services.

Faculty Affairs and Records

McCarthy Hall 128
657-278-2125
fullerton.edu/far

The Office of Faculty Affairs and Records (FAR) oversees the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreements and applicable campus policies for Faculty (Unit 3), and for Teaching Associates, Graduate Assistants, and Instructional Student Assistants (Unit 11). FAR works in collaboration with the Faculty Development Center and the Division of Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion to provide faculty with support for successful academic careers.

FAR coordinates the following processes for academic employees: Retention, Tenure and Promotion (RTP); Temporary Faculty (Lecturer) Evaluations, Post-Tenure Review; Range Elevation; Student Opinion Questionnaires; Sabbatical Leaves; and campuswide orientations for Academic Student Employees (Unit 11).

FAR is the official repository for documents and correspondence concerning full-time faculty and administrative faculty, and has the responsibility for retaining documentation pertaining to employment, reappointment, tenure, promotion, and the evaluation of faculty performance.

The FAR office is open throughout the year Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Faculty Development Center

Pollak Library South 244
657-278-4722

Established in 1998, the Faculty Development Center is charged with promoting faculty development, vitality and enrichment. The center is responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive program of support for all instructional faculty across a broad spectrum of professional activities, including but not limited to: teaching and learning, use of instructional technologies, assessment, scholarly research and creative activities, professional and service activities, and other campuswide intellectual, recognition and community-building events.

The guiding principles of the Faculty Development Center (FDC) are:

  • Recognize and support faculty, and acknowledge the broad range and depth of their varied accomplishments, both individual and collaborative
  • Enhance faculty instructional development to support student learning and engagement
  • Promote interdisciplinary collaboration and build a sense of community among faculty with shared interests and professional development goals
  • Offer programs that reflect an awareness of the different stages of faculty growth and development
  • Align faculty growth and development with the University’s mission, goals and strategies
  • Encourage and support faculty in exploring new roles and developing new skills

Given these principles, the FDC is a collaborative effort that includes a faculty director, academic technology consultants, a graphic artist, support staff, a team of faculty coordinators and liaisons, and a Senate-convened advisery board with faculty, administrator and student representation.

Specifically, the Faculty Development Center fosters faculty professional development in teaching, research, and service; coordinates funding programs supporting teaching; assists new and tenure-track faculty with orientation and retention/tenure/promotion workshops; works with part-time faculty and lecturers; arranges events, conferences, seminars, workshops, and colloquia that support teaching and learning; and assists faculty with the production of graphics for use in presentations, scholarly publications, and posters for display at conferences. Faculty coordinators provide additional services based on their areas of expertise.

With the goal of enhancing teaching and learning, the FDC provides instruction, support and consultation on a spectrum of academic technologies useful to faculty who teach in person, online, or in a blended environment. Technologies range from learning management systems, to multimedia development tools, to a variety of web-based applications, statistical software, and making technology-based information accessible to all. Teaching strategies and tips are integrated within workshops.

For more information on specific activities, workshops, programs, and events, contact the Faculty Development Center at 657-278-4722 or visit fdc.fullerton.edu.

Graduate Studies

McCarthy Hall 112
657-278-2618

fullerton.edu/graduate/

The Office of Graduate Studies provides campuswide leadership in graduate student affairs and operations, administering several scholarship and fellowship programs for graduate students at CSUF (the Graduate Equity Fellowship, CSU Pre-doctoral Fellowship and CDIP Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program), overseeing the Title V, pt. B, PPOHA federal program, and serving the campus community as a resource on state regulations and campus policies. The Office of Graduate Studies monitors graduate student enrollment processes (continuous enrollment, leave of absence, GRAD 700 registration, petition review), classification status (Study Plan), academic standards (probation and disqualification), and assists department graduate program advisers.

Central to the Office of Graduate Studies service is  the evaluation of each student’s graduate study plan for classification status, as well as the review of each student’s record for completion of requirements (graduation check), and posting the awarding of the graduate degree.  All master’s theses and doctoral dissertations are reviewed in the Office of Graduate Studies, an important final step before graduation.

Grants and Contracts

College Park 205
657-278-2106

The Office of Grants and Contracts provides assistance to University faculty and staff in their efforts to obtain external funding in support of their research and other scholarly activities. The office offers the following services: pre-proposal consultation; training on proposal preparation and submission; assistance with budget preparation; and complete review and timely submission of accurate proposals to external funding agencies. The office also: drafts, reviews and negotiates contractual documents; provides oversight of the internal routing, review and approval processes for all proposals submitted to extramural funding agencies; and coordinates regulatory compliance requirements for proposals. All necessary reports on proposal submissions are maintained by this office.

Information Technology

Langsdorf Hall 700
657-278-8500

The Division of Information Technology strives to be a strategic, innovative, and best‐in‐class IT organization that provides a leading‐edge technology environment for students, faculty and staff to advance the University mission and goals. We advance the University’s vision and goals by contributing to educational innovation and providing agile, cost‐effective, and reliable technology services and facilities to our campus community.

Institutional Research and Analytical Studies

College Park 1060
657-278-4205
fullerton.edu/analyticalstudies

Institutional Research and Analytical Studies provides and promotes institutional self-understanding through research and analysis. The office is responsible for organizing and presenting research results, models, alternative scenarios, and other information essential to campus policy formulation, academic planning, resource allocation, assessment and quality, and institutional effectiveness.

Enrollment trends and forecasting, student and faculty demography, recruitment and retention, resource allocation and utilization, curricular change and student learning, and any other topic relevant to documenting and improving educational and institutional effectiveness are all within the office’s purview. The office is the University’s central resource for institutional facts and figures, methodological advice and problem-solving, and official statistics for the campus.

International Programs and Global Engagement

University Hall 244/College Park 207
657-278-2787/657-278-2909

International Programs and Global Engagement facilitates the University’s commitment to internationalization. The office initiates and administers contacts with partner institutions around the world in order to foster the exchange of faculty and students and coordinate international programming.  Areas include Study Abroad and Exchange, University Semester Abroad, the American Language Program, Student and Scholar Services, and International Programs and Partnerships. For additional information, see the section of this catalog titled “International Programs and Global Engagement .”

The Paulina June and George Pollak Library

657-278-2714/2633

Chief among campus learning resources is the Pollak Library, named in 1998 after Dr. Paulina June Pollak - a CSUF English Professor Emerita - and her husband George. Located at the center of the campus and offering collections of approximately 3 million items, the Library consists of a six-story South Wing and a newer four-story North Wing.

In addition to book and bound periodical collections of more than 1 million volumes, the Library provides access to more than 150 online databases, more than 200,000 ebooks, and more than 30,000 electronic journals, and contains a wide array of other materials, including government publications (federal, state, local and international), audiovisual collections, archival and rare items, maps, microforms and computer software. Books and other materials are selected to support the learning mission of the University.

As part of the University’s learning mission, the Pollak Library offers a variety of instructional programs and services. Library faculty conduct instructional sessions for CSUF classes in all disciplines One-to-one instruction in the use of the Library’s collections and services is provided at the main Reference Desk. The Library is also the site of the Information & Learning Commons (ilc.library.fullerton.edu/) including over 500 computers, smart group study rooms, tutoring services and more.

For the convenience of users, photocopiers, printers, and microform reader-printers are available in locations throughout Pollak Library. These are operated with coins or TitanCards. Other specialized facilities include media listening and viewing rooms, and group study rooms. Wireless Internet access is available on all floors of the library.

The TitanCard issued by the University serves as a Library card for checking out books and other materials. Library users are responsible for the on-time return of all materials charged out on their cards.

Reciprocal borrowing agreements with all other CSU libraries and some nearby academic libraries allow CSUF students, faculty and staff to visit and check out materials from those locations. In addition, Interlibrary Loan (ILL) obtains materials not owned by Pollak Library for CSUF students, faculty, and staff through local, state, and national interlibrary-loan networks.

The Pollak Library’s home page (library.fullerton.edu) serves as the gateway to Library resources and offers a wealth of information about the Library’s collections and services. Remote access to licensed library resources is provided to students, faculty and staff via portal authentication through the library home page gateway.

University Extended Education

Registration and Information
College Park 100
657-278-2611

University Extended Education (UEE) is a rich and varied component of California State University. UEE works with academic units to create and administer programs that extend the University’s resources out into the community.

Academic Credit Programs

UEE administers academic credit programs that are self-supporting and do not receive state tax revenue. These include: Intersession, Open University, the Fullerton FEMBA at Irvine, a Master of Science in Taxation in Irvine, a Master of Science in Counseling at Garden Grove, a Master of Social Work at Irvine, a full-time MBA, an online degree completion Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, an online degree completion Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Master of Science in Software Engineering, contract credit programs for local and international constituencies, as well as administrative services for Summer Session.

Professional Development Programs

Continuing education fills a critical need in a challenging job market. Certificate programs provide innovative learning experiences to help professionals stay current on the latest technologies and best practices, or to develop the skills and knowledge to explore a whole new career.

Custom Workforce Training Solutions

Programs taught on-site at local companies and tailored to meet specific training needs yield proven results: development of real-world knowledge; improved team performance and productivity; increased employee satisfaction and retention; and an enhanced, shared knowledge base.

Programs for Educators

A wide variety of programs are offered in the field of education. These include professional development in the areas of education of the gifted, reading, beginning teacher training, school business management, special education and online teaching.

The American Language Program

ALP welcomes international students who want to improve their academic English language skills, increase their TOEFL and IELTS scores, and prepare for study at a U.S. college or university. Special features of this intensive academic English program include small class sizes, eight proficiency levels and conversation practice with American students. Student life activities are an integral part of the program. They provide social and cultural experiences and an opportunity to practice English in real-life situations.

Distance Education

The Distance Education Department extends the resources of California State University, Fullerton beyond its immediate geographic area through the use of technology. The Distance Education team helps develop and create classes that go beyond the traditional “face-to-face” classroom format and are delivered online. 

Summer Programs for Children and Teens

Summer Art Camp is an opportunity for youths aged 7-14 to immerse themselves in a variety of art forms while learning to express their creativity. Academic classes are also offered to advance knowledge in topics such as mathematics and writing.

Learning in Retirement

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at California State University, Fullerton (OLLI-CSUF) is part of a nationally recognized network of organizations for retirees, semi-retirees and those approaching retirement. OLLI-CSUF is self-supported and offers a wide range of classes and activities for an active, healthy life.