Student Affairs | SDSU College of Arts & Letters

Frequently Asked Questions

> what is course forgiveness?
> how does an incomplete work?
> how do I declare/change my major?

If you have other questions, more answers can be found at either http://www.sdsu.edu/faq/ or at the Office of the Registrar website, http://arweb.sdsu.edu/sic/

What is Course Forgiveness?

Only undergraduate students are eligible for Course Forgiveness.
Students can use as many as four times for lower division courses and once for upper division courses.
If a student receives a C- or lower in a class, the student has the option to repeat the course using Course Forgiveness. While the original grade will remain on the student's records, the grade earned in the repeat (whether higher or lower than the original grade) will be used in place of the earlier grade in calculation of grade point averages.
In the semester that a student wants to repeat a course, s/he must file a Course Forgiveness Form in the Office of the Registrar before the end of the add period.
The repeated course must have the same number and title as the original course.
Classes can only be repeated for forgiveness twice.

How does an Incomplete work?

An Incomplete indicates that a portion of the required coursework has not been completed during the regular semester due to unforeseen, but justifiable reasons and earning course credit is still possible.
It is the student's responsibility to bring relevant information to the instructor and to reach an agreement with the instructor as to how the remaining course requirements will be fulfilled.
An Incomplete is not appropriate if attendance of a major portion of class is necessary the next time it is offered. Do not re-enroll in the same course to make up an Incomplete.
The conditions for the removal of the Incomplete will be put in writing and kept on file in the department office until the Incomplete is removed or the one-year time limit has lapsed.
Once the student fulfills the agreed conditions of the Incomplete, the instructor of record will submit a grade change.
If the student does not fulfill the conditions of the Incomplete before one calendar year has passed, the “I” will be changed to an “IC” which is computed as a failing grade in your GPA.

How do I declare/change my major?

The first thing to do is check with the department of your intended major for requirements and filing periods.
Get a Change of Major form from the Office of the Registrar; obtain the necessary departmental approval; return the completed form to the Office of the Registrar.
You will be held to the catalog requirements that are in effect when you submit your Change of Major form.
If you are admitted as a pre-major, you must complete specific requirements before you are admitted to the major.







	HOME PAGE ABOUT CAL DEAN'S OFFICE AREAS OF STUDY STUDENT AFFAIRS FAQ's Office Staff Commencement Faculty/Student Issues Change Of Program or Status Academic Probation & Disqualification Departments & Advisers Scholarships Freshman Success Program CAL Student Council Class Schedule Contact Information Useful Links FACULTY & RESEARCH NEWS & PUBLICATIONS COMMUNITY OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL EMERITUS FACULTY ALUMNI TECHNICAL SUPPORT GIVING TO CAL CONTACT US SITE MAP Last update: April 5, 2004	Frequently Asked Questions > what is course forgiveness? > how does an incomplete work? > how do I declare/change my major? If you have other questions, more answers can be found at either http://www.sdsu.edu/faq/ or at the Office of the Registrar website, http://arweb.sdsu.edu/sic/ What is Course Forgiveness? Only undergraduate students are eligible for Course Forgiveness. Students can use as many as four times for lower division courses and once for upper division courses. If a student receives a C- or lower in a class, the student has the option to repeat the course using Course Forgiveness. While the original grade will remain on the student's records, the grade earned in the repeat (whether higher or lower than the original grade) will be used in place of the earlier grade in calculation of grade point averages. In the semester that a student wants to repeat a course, s/he must file a Course Forgiveness Form in the Office of the Registrar before the end of the add period. The repeated course must have the same number and title as the original course. Classes can only be repeated for forgiveness twice. How does an Incomplete work? An Incomplete indicates that a portion of the required coursework has not been completed during the regular semester due to unforeseen, but justifiable reasons and earning course credit is still possible. It is the student's responsibility to bring relevant information to the instructor and to reach an agreement with the instructor as to how the remaining course requirements will be fulfilled. An Incomplete is not appropriate if attendance of a major portion of class is necessary the next time it is offered. Do not re-enroll in the same course to make up an Incomplete. The conditions for the removal of the Incomplete will be put in writing and kept on file in the department office until the Incomplete is removed or the one-year time limit has lapsed. Once the student fulfills the agreed conditions of the Incomplete, the instructor of record will submit a grade change. If the student does not fulfill the conditions of the Incomplete before one calendar year has passed, the “I” will be changed to an “IC” which is computed as a failing grade in your GPA. How do I declare/change my major? The first thing to do is check with the department of your intended major for requirements and filing periods. Get a Change of Major form from the Office of the Registrar; obtain the necessary departmental approval; return the completed form to the Office of the Registrar. You will be held to the catalog requirements that are in effect when you submit your Change of Major form. If you are admitted as a pre-major, you must complete specific requirements before you are admitted to the major.

The statements found on this page/site are for informational purposes only. While every effort is made to ensure that this information is up-to-date and accurate, official information can be found in the university publications.