California State University, Chico offers a wonderful array of courses and academic programs—including majors, minors, options, credentials, and certificates—in an enriching residential environment. Your program represents a considerable commitment of your time, money, resources, and effort. Plan early and revisit your plan frequently to make the most of your college education.
You will plan your program most effectively by understanding the three basic course components of the baccalaureate and the relationship of these to each other:
The details of t hese components are described in the Bachelor's Degree Requirements section . You may already have met some of these requirements before coming to Chico State.
The most easily identifiable portion of your academic program is your major. A major is defined as a program of related courses, and all University-level prerequisites to those courses, that focus on a particular field of study. Majors include broad areas of knowledge in what is often referred to as "the liberal arts" such as English, history, psychology, mathematics, and chemistry. These majors prepare students for wide-ranging careers. Other majors are professionally or technically oriented. These draw heavily on the liberal arts in applied settings such as business administration, computer science, recreation administration, and engineering. Successful completion of a major, along with other requirements, is recognized by award of the appropriate degree.
You may declare your major on your application for admission to the University. If you are a freshman or sophomore and, like many, still deciding on your academic or career goals, you may elect to remain “ undeclared ” until you determine the direction you plan to take. As an undeclared student , you will be supported in major exploration and course selection by the First-Year Experience program , located in MLIB 208, and a dedicated professional ad visor in Academic Advising Programs , located in SSC 220 .
Many of the majors offered by the University have options. An option is an officially recognized specialization within a major. For example, within the business administration major, you may choose the accounting or finance option, among several other choices. Options include specific requirements plus a core of courses taken by all students in the major regardless of the option selected. Successful completion of an option is noted on your transcript.
For those considering a career in education, Chico State offers several programs leading to various teaching credentials. Programs include those that lead to the multiple subject (elementary) credential, to a single subject (secondary) credential in many academic areas, or to any of a variety of specialist credentials. Completion of the subject matter requirements for many of these include all requirements for the corresponding major, and most are identified as a specific option within the major. See the Education section for more information on credentials.
If you are considering continuing in a professional training program at another university, you may need to enroll in specialized courses of study within, or in addition to, your major, which are called pre-professional programs. Pre-professional programs and advising are designed to provide a solid background for further study in dentistry, law, library science, medicine, optometry, physical therapy, veterinary medicine, and other professions requiring advanced study. The academic departments that provide pre-professional advising are committed to their students. They have spent many years building relationships with professional schools so that their students receive the best possible information and assistance in their efforts to be admitted to and succeed in professional programs.
While your major provides an in-depth study of your discipline, General Education (GE) is designed to acquaint you with a variety of academic disciplines and to provide a broad understanding of contemporary experience in light of the scientific, cultural, social, intellectual, and artistic heritage of the world. GE helps you discover the connections among various fields of knowledge and prepares you for success as a lifelong learner and civically engaged member of a democratic society.
Your major is likely to overlap with GE requirements. One or more specific GE courses are required or are elective credits for almost all of the majors offered. As you plan your program, consider those GE courses that are required for majors of interest.
GE is organized into thematic Pathways that give you the opportunity to earn an interdisciplinary minor in one of 10 subjects.
Chico State's GE program also includes the opportunity for you to pursue Honors in General Education . Honors students satisfy nearly half of their (GE) requirements by taking distinctive Honors courses that provide interdisciplinary approaches to big questions.
You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in U.S. Diversity and at least one in Global Cultures.
To satisfy the University's Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) requirement, you must complete a GE Written Communication (A2) course with a grade of C- or higher, and a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) course in your major with a grade of C- or higher. You also must complete two additional Writing (W) courses.
The remaining component of your study at Chico State, and the part most easily personalized, is your selection of elective courses. Except in a few high-unit majors, considerable freedom remains for you to take courses that satisfy your interests or needs beyond the requirements of your major and General Education. Such courses might include an activity in music or physical education, an opportunity for service through Community Action Volunteers in Education (CAVE), or additional courses in an academic area of interest. You may also use available elective units to complete a minor or certificate, an additional major, or a self-designed block of courses concentrating on a single field of study.
A minor is an approved group of related courses —similar to a major but requiring fewer courses —successful completion of which is recognized by certification on the transcript by the Registrar. Minors are an opportunity to complement your major with a set of courses from a related discipline or to gain knowledge of a different field of study entirely.
Minors may consist only of those courses stipulated by the departments, schools, or academic units having administrative control of the program and, in addition, shall include all college-level prerequisites to the courses so stipulated. "A minor shall include not fewer than 18 nor more than 30 semester units. Each minor shall include a minimum of 6 upper-division units" ( EM 86-001 ).
Separate from its undergraduate degrees, t he University offers certificate programs , a group of university-level courses or related experience t hat are open to students enrolled in degree programs as well a s those pursuing a more specific educational goal. Successful completion of a program is recognized with a certificate of completion awarded by the University.
Students completing certificate programs are not obligated to meet other University graduation requirements. Coursework completed to satisfy certificate programs might be applied to related majors.
Students will qualify for admission to certificate programs only if they are admissible by University and departmental standards, policies, and procedures. Students qualifying for admission may be completing or have completed a bachelor's degree and may wish to receive additional certification in a professionally oriented field of study, or may choose not to go beyond the program of courses required for the certificate.
U ndergraduate certificate program s include no fewer than 12 semester units. A maximum of six units of transfer credit may be granted ( EM 23-018 ). A grade point average of 2.0 must be earned and/or maintained to complete an undergraduate-level certificate. Academic programs overseeing certificates may set higher minimum standards.
To graduate in four years, plan to take a full course load (15-16 units per semester) and monitor your progress closely. The University is here to support your goals at every step. Advisors in Academic Advising Program and your major are available to help you navigate requirements and explore options. The need to work or the pursuit of additional educational opportunities may make a four-year plan more challenging, but with careful planning and sound advising, a student can graduate in four years and include important educational activities such as internships and study abroad. It is possible to complete any bachelor's degree program offered by the University in four years or less. Many students do it even in our most demanding majors. Winter and summer session courses also provide opportunities to earn additional credit during the year and stay on track for graduation.
By understanding how your major requirements, General Education, and elective units work together, you can create an academic program that is interesting and satisfying to you, and you can minimize problems that may delay your graduation. Here are some strategies to help you plan your coursework at Chico State.
Following are samples of the distribution of units in three of the more than 60 majors from which you may choose. Units required to complete majors vary from 30 to over 100. The examples suggest how the above strategies apply in programs of various sizes. (Note: If you have already accumulated college credit, these models may not accurately reflect your circumstances. See your advisor.)
Psychology—a low - unit major. Psychology majors frequently complete combinations of second majors, one or more minors, internships, and additional psychology credits in preparation for careers or graduate work. Though the total units of the major are few, careful attention to the four-semester sequence of required courses is important.
Business Administration (Marketing Option)—a medium - sized major. Business administration majors who complete minors must plan carefully and take advantage of courses that count for both GE and the major or minor. Many complete a cooperative education program and are actively involved in various professional student groups sponsored by the College of Business.
Mechanical Engineering—a high unit major. Mechanical and other engineering majors must plan their programs carefully and take full advantage of GE modifications, and the overlap between GE and the major. Sequencing of courses is very important, especially with regard to mathematics. Inadequate preparation in math and science may extend the time required to complete the program. Some majors complete math minors, much of the credit for which counts for both programs.
Time is important; quality is paramount. We strive to provide you with an enriched educational experience within a residential community of faculty and students for however long you choose to study at Chico State. Be sure you read and understand the rights, responsibilities, and rules found in this University Catalog . Ask an academic advisor for clarification if you do not understand any part of the catalog.
For additional tips on how to graduate within your planned time frame, contact Academic Advising Programs in SSC 220, 530-898-5712, chicoadvisor@csuchico.edu .
A college education is exciting, difficult, and deeply satisfying work. It requires both discipline and courage.
Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires six units of honors coursework completed over two semesters.
The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.
Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:
Honors in the Major is not part of the Honors Program. Each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.
Each semester the college deans recognize superior scholarship by including on their Dean's List those students who earn a 3.5 GPA or better on 12 or more graded units the preceding semester.
Honors at graduation shall be granted to students who graduate with a baccalaureate degree within the following cumulative grade point average (GPA) range after final grades are posted:
• Cum laude: 3.50-3.74
• Magna cum laude: 3.75-3.89
• Summa cum laude: 3.90-4.0
We acknowledge and are mindful that Chico State stands on lands that were originally occupied by the first people of this area, the Mechoopda, and we recognize their distinctive spiritual relationship with this land, the flora, the fauna, and the waters that run through campus. We are humbled that our campus resides upon sacred lands that since time immemorial have sustained the Mechoopda people and continue to do so today.