Dec 11, 2024  
2024-2025 University Catalog 
    
2024-2025 University Catalog

Academic Affairs



Introduction

Cal State 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 its diverse students, as well as the region and the state of California. The key mission of the university is to make learning preeminent on campus as Titans reach higher. 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. CSUF strives for excellence by offering rigorous and intellectually stimulating academic programs that undergo periodic formal review by the university and by external academic accreditation agencies. Currently, the academic programs available at the university include 57 bachelor’s degrees, 61 master’s degrees, the Doctorate of Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) program, the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) program, 72 minors, 24 certificate programs and 17 credential programs, including teaching credentials.

The 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 foundational courses in the physical and life sciences, social sciences, 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.

Among our applied master’s degrees are public administration (M.P.A.), public health (M.P.H.), social work (M.S.W.), fine arts (M.F.A.) and business administration (M.B.A.). Other graduate programs include the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Science (M.S.) degrees in arts, humanities, communications, social sciences, applied health, accounting, biology, computer science, counseling, engineering, English, history, kinesiology, athletic training, mathematics, modern languages, music and psychology. Many graduate-level classes are offered in the late afternoon or evening to accommodate working students. Fully online programs include the M.S. in curriculum and instruction, M.S. in environmental engineering, M.S. in instructional design and technology, M.S. in information technology, M.S. in literacy and reading education, M.S. in software engineering, M.S. in statistics and M.S. in transformative teaching in secondary education.

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. This doctorate also offers a nurse anesthesia concentration.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

College Park 1060
657-278-2614
fullerton.edu/acadaffairs

The provost and vice president for academic affairs is the chief academic officer for the campus and provides leadership for planning and managing all academic and instructional resources that support the equitable teaching, scholarship and research mission of the university. Working with the president, college deans, academic administrators, Academic Senate, students and 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 at fullerton.edu.

Academic Advising

Undeclared and Academic Advising Center
Pollak Library North 1
657-278-3601

College Advising/Student Success Center
http://fullerton.edu/academic-advising/

Academic advisers provide relational and holistic 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. The mission of academic advising is to work in a collaborative partnership with students, have a shared responsibility and investment in the educational process and holistic development of the student.

Students are expected to meet with their academic adviser at least once every semester. There is a team of academic advisers in the college student success centers. Some colleges also have faculty as academic advisers. Students can find their college-specific advising information on the Academic Advising website. For students who have not declared a major, the Undeclared and Academic Advising Center is the academic home department.

Academic Programs

College Park 950
657-278-3602

In consultation with college deans, the Academic Senate, appropriate faculty committees and campus divisions, the Office of Academic Programs is responsible for planning, directing and implementing academic curriculum, programs and policies for undergraduate and graduate education, general education, experiential learning, faculty development and other university programs, including OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) and the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at Cal State Fullerton. The associate vice president for academic programs provides leadership and oversight for the Office of Academic Programs and works in consultation and collaboration with Academic Program assistant vice presidents (Graduate Studies, Undergraduate Studies and General Education) to assist in implementing university and system policies and in ensuring the quality of the curriculum, academic programs and degree services.

The Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at Cal State Fullerton

The Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at Cal State Fullerton was dedicated in the fall of 1979 in a joint venture with the city of Fullerton. The 26-acre botanical garden is a living museum of rare plants from around the world. The ecologically arranged botanical collection depicts habitats from the desert to the tropics and offers a tranquil retreat from urban life. Arboretum facilities include the Visitor Center and the Orange County Agricultural and Nikkei Heritage Museum, the campus’s first “green” building. The arboretum also is home to Heritage House, a restored 19th-century dwelling, and serves as a cultural museum for north Orange County. The Arboretum and Botanical Gardens has achieved ArbNet’s Level IV accreditation since 2017, becoming one of three arboreta in the State of California and one of 28 in the world to achieve this level of accreditation.

Learning in Retirement

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Cal State Fullerton 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 and continued learning.

Academic Senate

McCarthy Hall 133
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: 1) ex officio members, including the president of the university, vice president for academic affairs, immediate past chair of the Academic Senate (except in the case when the incumbent chair is re-elected), ASCSU Senators and president of the exclusive bargaining representative for Unit 3; 2) 38 full-time faculty members, of which six shall be at-large and 32 shall represent specific constituencies, all of which shall be elected by the Academic Senate electorate according to the procedures set forth in the bylaws; 3) two part-time faculty members elected by the part-time faculty according to the procedures set forth in the bylaws; 4) two students appointed by Associated Students Inc.; 5) two staff members elected by the staff according to the procedures set forth in the bylaws; and 6) a member appointed by the emeritus professors of Cal State Fullerton.

Shared governance at CSUF involves senators on 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 includes administrators, staff and students exemplifying “The Fullerton Way” of collegial governance.

There are 21 standing committees of the Academic Senate, appointed by the Academic Senate: 1) Academic Standards Committee; 2) Assessment and Educational Effectiveness Committee; 3) Campus Facilities and Beautification Committee; 4) Diversity and Inclusion Committee; 5) Elections Committee; 6) Extended Education Committee; 7) Faculty Affairs Committee; 8) Faculty Development Center Board; 9) Faculty Research Policy Committe; 10) General Education Committee; 11) Graduate Education Committee; 12) Honors Program Advisory Board; 13) Information Technology Committee; 14) International Education Committee; 15) Internships and Service Learning Committee; 16) Library Committee; 17) Planning, Resource and Budget Committee; 18) Student Academic Life Committee; 19) University Advancement Committee; 20) University Committee on Writing Proficiency; and 21) University Curriculum Committee.

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

Extension Programs

657-278-2611
extension.fullerton.edu

Extension Programs is a rich and varied component of Cal State Fullerton. Extension works with academic units to create and administer programs that extend the university’s resources out into the community. For additional information, see the Extension Programs  section of this catalog.

Academic Credit Programs

Extension administers a variety of CSUF academic credit programs that are self-supporting and do not receive support from state tax revenue. These include: Summer Session, Winter Session, Open University enrollment, certificate programs and courses, online bachelor’s degree completion programs (B.A. in Sociology, B.A. in Business Administration, B.A. in Humanities and Social Sciences), postbaccalaureate programs (Pre-Health Professions) and master’s degree programs (M.S. in Counseling, Master of Social Work, Fully Employed MBA, accelerated M.S. in Software Engineering and and accelerated M.S. in Applied Computer Science).

Professional Development Programs

Continuing education fills a critical need in a challenging job market. Certificate programs, training progrrams and courses provide innovative learning experiences to help professionals stay current on the latest technologies and best practices, or to develop the skills and knowledge to transition into a whole new career. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) may be awarded for professional development courses.

Custom Workforce Training Solutions

Programs taught for 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. for more information, visit Community & Corporate Engagement.

Educator Courses and Programs

A wide variety of programs are offered for pre-K-12 educators. These include professional development in the areas of teacher induction, various credential prerequisites, game-based learning and other courses and programs.

Faculty Affairs and Records

Pollak Library 290
657-278-2125
fullerton.edu/far

The Office of Faculty Affairs and Records oversees the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and applicable campus policies for faculty (Unit 3). FAR works in collaboration with the Faculty Development Center, Academic Technology 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; temporary faculty (lecturer) evaluations; post-tenure review; range elevation; student opinion questionnaires; sabbatical leaves; and difference-in-pay leaves.

FAR is the official repository for documents and correspondence concerning full-time 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 244
657-278-4722
fdc.fullerton.edu

Established in 1998, tthe Faculty Development Center promotes career-long faculty development in teaching and learning, scholarly and creative activities, professional and service activities, and the use of technology in these activities. Through its offerings in these areas, the FDC strives to support all faculty in exploring new interests and developing new skills, foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and community amongst faculty, recognize and support faculty in their varied accomplishments, support student learning by enhancing faculty development and connect faculty growth to the university’s mission, goals and strategies. The FDC workshops offer a place to connect, create and collaborate with colleagues. In-person and online resources support faculty as teachers, scholars, artists and leaders.

The guiding principles of the FDC are to:

  • Support faculty in different stages of growth and professional development.
  • Support faculty in exploring new interests and developing new skills.
  • Foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and community among faculty.
  • Recognize and support faculty in their varied accomplishments.
  • Support student learning by enhancing faculty development.
  • Connect faculty growth to the university’s mission, goals and strategies.

The Faculty Development Center is a unit within Academic Programs, which is led by the Associate Vice President for Academic Programs. It is under the direction of a center director. The center includes support staff, a quality design inclusive learning design coordinator, Canvas consultants, a team of faculty fellows and liaisons, and a senate-convened advisory board with faculty, administrators 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; and arranges events, conferences, seminars, workshops and colloquia that support teaching and learning. With the goal of enhancing teaching and learning, the FDC also provides instruction, support and consultation on a spectrum of academic technologies useful to faculty members who teach in person, online or in a blended environment. Faculty coordinators provide additional services based on their areas of expertise. In addition, the FDC enlists the expertise of faculty across campus to provide professional development on topics of interest.

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

College Park 950

gradstudiesrecept@fullerton.edu
657-278-2618

fullerton.edu/graduate

Cal State Fullerton’s graduate programs provide high-quality educational experiences for students from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. Programs include certificates, credentials, master’s and doctoral degrees in a wide variety of disciplines, leading to upward mobility through meaningful employment or continued education. The university supports students’ needs by providing a nurturing environment that is sensitive to the demands of work and home life. The Office of Graduate Studies is the central resource for graduate education on our campus. It provides leadership and support for graduate program curriculum development, offers guidance for state regulations and university policy, administers scholarship and fellowship programs for graduate students, provides academic support and services through the Graduate Studies Center in Langsdorf Hall, hosts graduate student events, provides graduate adviser support and leads graduate student success initiatives. Working closely with campus partners, the office oversee admissions, enrollment, degree progress and graduation to provide comprehensive support for all graduate students.

International Programs

657-278-2787
international.fullerton.edu

International Programs facilitates the university’s commitment to: recruiting and creating a sense of belonging for international students, cultivating and nurturing partnerships with universities around the globe, supporting visiting scholars, and equipping our students with essential global competencies through study abroad and global engagement and more. The office initiates and administers contracts with partner institutions around the world to foster the exchange of faculty and students and coordinate international programming. Areas include Study Abroad and Global Engagement, University Semester Abroad, and International Students and Scholars.

Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning

fullerton.edu/data

The Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning leads systematic and integrated efforts to examine the effectiveness of university programs, curricula, services and operations; provides meaningful data to support strategic planning and decision-making at all levels of the university; plays a critical role in demonstrating accountability to accreditation, external entities and the general public; fosters a campuswide culture of data-informed decision-making, continuous improvement, and teaching and learning innovations. Accreditation, analytical studies, assessment, data governance, enrollment planning, institutional research, strategic planning and quality assurance comprise OIEP’s core functional areas:

  • Accreditation: OIEP works closely with campus constituents to support university and discipline accreditation efforts.
  • Analytical studies: OIEP coordinates and conducts research studies related to campus initiatives and educational effectiveness, including grant evaluation and support.
  • Assessment: Working in close collaboration with diverse units across campus, OIEP oversees the universitywide assessment process and facilitates the development, implementation and alignment of assessment plans in the program/unit, department, college/division and university levels.
  • Data governance: OIEP collaborates with other campus stakeholders to ensure data integrity, coordination and management.
  • Enrollment planning: In close collaboration with campus partners, OIEP leads the analytical component of strategic enrollment management, including efforts such as target setting and enrollment projections.
  • Institutional research: OIEP ensures compliance with internal and external mandated reporting requirements, completes external survey reporting, maintains databases and dashboards for institutional data, and responds to ad hoc data requests.
  • Strategic planning: OIEP leads the campus strategic planning process through a data-driven approach, coordinating activities ranging from developing the strategic plan to supporting the campus in tracking the plan progress.
  • Quality assurance: OIEP oversees program performance review, a universitywide quality assurance process.

The Paulina June and George Pollak Library

657-278-2633
library.fullerton.edu

Chief among campus learning resources is the Pollak Library, named in 1998 after CSUF Professor Emeritus of English Paulina June Pollak and her husband, George. Located at the center of the campus and offering robust physical and electronic collections, the library consists of a six-story south wing and a newer four-story north wing.

The library provides access to over 200 online databases, over 140,000 electronic journals and online collections of streaming audio, video and digitized primary source materials. In addition to physical and electronic book collections of almost two million volumes, the library also contains a wide array of other materials, including print and online government publications (federal, state, local and international), audiovisual collections, archival and rare items, maps and microforms. Library collection 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, in both in-person and distance learning sections. Patrons can obtain instruction in the library’s resources, get reference and research assistance and make appointments for longer research conferences both at the reference desk on the first floor north or virtually from the library’s website. The library also houses the five Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers, the Academic Support Centers, the Center for Scholars and University Honors Program, and the Graduate Student Success Center.  The first floor of the library provides access to public-use computers, smart group study rooms, tutoring services and more.

For the convenience of users, photocopiers, printers and a microform reader are available in locations throughout the library. These are operated with funds from a user’s TitanCard. 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.

The Library’s participation in the Unified Library Management System gives users seamless access to print materials both in Pollak Library and at the 22 other CSU campus libraries.  Students, faculty and staff can check out materials from these other libraries and also can obtain materials not available in the CSUs through the Interlibrary Loan system which provides access to libraries across the country.

The Pollak Library’s homepage 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 homepage gateway.

Office of the Registrar

Langsdorf Hall 114
657-278-7601

The Office of the Registrar provides services to undergraduate and graduate students in the regular sessions of Cal State Fullerton. Units within these offices register students in class and programs of study, maintain academic records, administer academic notice and disqualification policies, and provide enrollment certifications on students requests. Additionally, this office will certify the completion of degree requirements and receive petitions for exceptions to academic regulations.

Research and Sponsored Projects

fullerton.edu/doresearch

The Office of Research and Sponsored Projects includes:

Office of Grants and Contracts

ASC-213
657-278-7679

The Office of Grants and Contracts assists with proposal preparation, review and timely submission of proposals to external funding agencies, and appropriate training related to these functions; assures proposal compliance with funding sponsor and regulatory agency requirements; serves as the lead in review of grant awards and in the issuance, review and negotiation of contracts, subcontracts and related agreements. This office provides oversight of the university’s proposal review and approval process, maintains data, and prepares all necessary reports on proposal submissions.

Office of Research Development

ASC-226
657-278-2134

The Office of Research Development assists faculty in identifying funding sources for their research and creative activities; promotes institutional and collaborative grant development; provides guidance, training and assistance in preparing high-quality, competitive proposals.

Office of Research Compliance

ASC-232
657-278-7763

The Office of Research Compliance assures universitywide compliance with federal, state and local agency policies and regulations that involve research and creative activities, including use of human and animal subjects, biosafety and policies regarding conflict of interest, export control, responsible conduct of research and research misconduct.

Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)

ASC-204
657-278-3157

The Office of Sponsored Programs oversees the post-award administration of grants and contracts awarded to the university through the CSU Fullerton Auxiliary Services Corporation. Services include invoicing and grant accounting, submitting required reports (e.g, effort reporting), handling audits and negotiating the university’s indirect cost agreement.

Undergraduate Research Opportunity Center (UROC)

PLN-203
657-278-7905

The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Center promotes and expands opportunities for faculty-student research and creative activities that: increase student engagement, learning and success; Identifies and provides resources needed to support student scholars and faculty mentors, and enhance campus student research climate; organizes on-campus events, including Summer Undergraduate Research Academy (SUReA), CSU Student Research Competition SRC) and Student Creative Activities and Research (SCAR) Day; increases student participation in off-campus student research competitions (SCCUR, NCUR); and provides professional development opportunities to students and faculty mentors.

Student Academic Support

Student Academic Support is committed to creating and actualizing a welcoming, inclusive and equitable university environment where all students feel supported and have the agency to be successful in their academic and personal journey at Cal State Fullerton.

In addition to holistic and relational Academic Advising teams, Supplemental Instruction, University Learning Center and the University Honors Program, students are supported through various programs and initiatives, including Health Professions Advising, Supportive Pathways to First Year Program, Early Assessment Program, California Promise/Fullerton Finish, Academic Success Advising and RESET (Reimagining Success for Every Titan) program, and the Black Student Academic Success Advising Program.

Supplemental Instruction

Supplemental Instruction is an academic assistance program that provides weekly, peer-led group study sessions for students taking bottleneck, key gateway or traditionally difficult courses (those with high D, F or W rates). Sessions are led by an SI leader who has mastered the course material and brings students together in a collaborative learning environment to improve understanding of key topics, review and discuss important concepts, develop study strategies and prepare for exams. SI is provided for all students who want to enhance their understanding of course material and improve their grades; it is not just for those students who are struggling. To view the current SI schedule and learn more about the program, visit Supplemental Instruction website.

University Learning Center

The University Learning Center provides individualized content tutoring in over 50 undergraduate general education and major courses. Students can schedule their own appointments through the ULC online appointment system. The ULC also offers a series of Academic Coaching Workshops throughout the semester. These workshops focus on a variety of topics such as time management, note taking, test preparation, study skills, goal setting, motivation and more. Content tutoring subjects and Workshop schedule are listed on the website at www.fullerton.ulc. The ultimate goal of the ULC is to help students acquire and develop valuable learning skills and strategies to succeed at CSUF.

Undergraduate Studies and General Education

College Park 950
657-278-3602

The Office of Undergraduate Studies and General Education facilitates the planning and coordination of academic curriculum and programs for undergraduate education and general education, in accordance with systemwide and university policies. The office oversees the quality of curriculum and academic programs to ensure they provide a transformative learning experience for all Titans. It facilitates and responds to requests for new curriculum and curricular changes. The University Honors Program, Supplemental Instruction and the University Learning Center reside in the Office of Undergraduate Academic Programs.

University Testing Center

The University Testing Center no longer administers any examinations. It serves as an archive of past tests only. Most standard tests are now online or can be taken at other testing sites. Students entering majors that require placement tests, such as chemistry/biochemistry or mathematics, should contact the major department directly to arrange for a placement exam.