Regulations of the
Academic Senate
University of California
400. Medical and Physical Examinations (Rp 30 May 73)
Chapter 1. Publication of Admission Requirements
410.The Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, or its designated agent, shall annually review, and revise as is deemed necessary, the statement of minimum admission requirements. This statement shall include such supplementary information as the Board directs. (Am 17 June 2009)
All changes in the minimum requirements for undergraduate admission, and in the recommendations for preparation for college level work, to the curricula of the various colleges, schools, and departments, shall be immediately reported to the systemwide Director of Admissions for dissemination and implementation. (Am 17 June 2009)
Each college retains the right to recommend to the Academic Senate its specific requirements for the Bachelor's degree in the various curricula of the college. Each college is to announce these specific requirements and to advise prospective students that failure to select prerequisite high school courses wisely may prevent graduation in four years. [See SR 412.] (En 17 June 2009)
This chapter applies to students who submit an application for freshman admission to the University and have completed no term of course work at a postsecondary institution following graduation from high school (summer session excepted). Students who have completed Community College coursework prior to high school graduation will also be viewed as freshmen. High school graduates who have completed college-level work at an accredited postsecondary institution (except in the summer following high school graduation), shall be applicants for advanced standing under the provisions of Chapter 4. (Am 17 June 2009)
418. {SR 418 as set forth below, is to be valid for freshmen entering the University through spring 2012}
Each Applicant for admission must submit scores on an approved core test of Mathematics, Language Arts, and Writing. The applicant must also submit scores on approved supplementary subject matter tests to be taken in two different "a-f" subject areas: History/Social Science, English, Mathematics, Laboratory Science, Language other than English, or Visual and/or Performing Arts. (Am 4 May 95; Am 28 May 2003)
Approval of tests shall be determined by the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, with the concurrence of Academic Council and the Assembly of the Academic Senate. The minimum scores acceptable shall be determined by the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, and may vary depending upon the overall grade-point record of the applicant. (Am 28 May 2003) (Am 17 June 2009)
419. (En 17 June 2009) {SR 419 as set forth below, is to be valid for freshmen entering the University beginning in fall 2012}
Each Applicant for freshman admission must submit official scores on an approved test of Mathematics, Language Arts, and Writing on or before the date established by the Office of Admissions.
Approval of tests shall be determined by the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools with the concurrence of the Academic Council and the Assembly of the Academic Senate.
Each applicant for freshman admission must arrange for the University to receive, prior to the date established by the Office of Admissions, the final official high school transcript as well as a transcript for all collegiate courses that have been attempted.
The final official transcript from the high school from which the applicant graduated must show the date of graduation and the grade and the year taken for each course used to satisfy the requirements specified in Regulation 424. (Am 19 May 69, CC 2 May 77; Am 26 May 82) (Am 17 June 2009)
422. (Rp 17 June 2009) See SR 414
Article 3. Minimum Requirements for Admission for Graduates of Secondary Schools in California
Candidates applying for freshman admission on the basis of a transcript of record from a secondary school in California must satisfy the course work requirements specified in this regulation. (Am 2 Jun 77; Am 26 May 82; Am 3 May 90; Am 24 May 00) (Am 17 June 2009)
For the purpose of this Regulation, a unit consists of a year-long college preparatory course approved by the University at the applicant’s high school, in one of the following subject areas: History/Social Science, English, Mathematics, Laboratory Science, Language Other Than English, Visual and Performing Arts, and College-Preparatory Electives. A minimum of 15 units must be completed in grades 9-12 as specified in paragraph C of this Regulation. However, courses in Mathematics and Language other than English taken in grades 7 and 8 may be included in the required 15 units if the courses are accepted by the applicant’s high school as equivalent to high school courses that meet the a-g requirements of SR.424.C. At least 7 of the 15 required units must be completed during the applicant’s last two years in high school. A minimum of 11 units must be completed before the end of grade 11. (Rev 4 May 1995) (Am 17 June 2009)
Notwithstanding Paragraph A of this Regulation, a campus may elect to admit an applicant who does not present the required minimum 15 units prior to high school graduation, provided that the applicant has completed 11 units before the end of the grade 11, including those specified in Paragraph C of this Regulation. Campuses should exercise this option sparingly, and only when an applicant presents a strong overall record of academic achievement that is at least comparable to the records of other applicants admitted to the campus. (Am 17 June 2009)
3. Specific Subject Requirements
The following subject requirements must be satisfied through the completion of approved courses of study as provided in Bylaw 145.B.5.
- History/Social Science, 2 units. One unit of world history, cultures, and historical geography; and, one unit of US History or one-half unit of US History and one-half unit of Civics or American government. (Am 17 June 2009)
- English, 4 units. College-preparatory English composition and literature. (Rev 4 May 1995) (Am 17 June 2009)
- Mathematics, 3 units. Four are recommended. Must include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. (Am 17 June 2009)
- Laboratory science, 2 units. Three are recommended. Must provide basic knowledge in at least two of the fundamental disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics. (Am 17 June 2009)
- Language other than English, 2 units. Three are recommended. Both units must be in the same language. (Am 17 June 2009)
- (effective 2003)
Visual and performing arts, 1 unit. Must be a single, year-long course in dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art. (Am 17 June 2009)
- (effective 2003)
College preparatory elective, 1 unit. Additional approved a-f courses beyond the minimum required, or courses that have been approved specifically in the ‘g’ subject area (Am 17 June 2009)
Applicants for freshman admission must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 in all University-approved college-preparatory course work taken in grades 10 and 11. For purposes of this Paragraph the grade point average is based on the scale of A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1 for standard college-preparatory courses, and A = 5, B = 4 and C = 3 for honors-level, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and college courses approved by the University, except that the number of semesters of high school courses receiving the additional honors point shall be limited to 8 semesters/4 courses. (Am 17 June 2009)
Alternate ways to complete the subject requirements specified in 424.C.a-g include:
A. Taking approved subject matter tests and achieving such scores, as the Board of Admissions and Relations
with Schools may determine, or
B. Completing with a grade of C (2.0) or higher one transferable college-level course (3 semesters or 4-5
quarter units) for each missing high school subject course specified in SR 424.C.
C. Completing more advanced courses with passing grades, as the Board of Admissions and Relations with
Schools may determine, provided that such courses assume knowledge acquired in lower-level coursework.
(Am 4 May 95) (Am 8 Mar 72) (En 25 May 83) (Am 17 June 2009)
Applicants for freshman admission who do not satisfy the requirements of Regulation 419 or 424 may submit scores on admissions examinations as specified by the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools. Applicants who have achieved satisfactory scores, as determined by the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, are entitled to a review of their application for admission. (Am 4 May 95) (Am 17 June 2009)
Article 4. Admission of Applicants other than Graduates of Secondary Schools in California
Students applying for freshman admission on the basis of transcript of record from an accredited secondary school outside of California must complete a four-year course of study that includes at least 15 college-preparatory courses as specified in SR 424, the required examinations specified in SR 418 (SR 419 beginning in fall 2012) and must meet scholarship requirements with a minimum grade point average shall be determined by the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools with the concurrence of the Academic Council and the Assembly of the Academic Senate. (Am 17 June 2009)
Candidates who are not graduates of a high school or other secondary school are entitled to admissions review if they satisfy the provisions of SR 440. (Am 17 June 2009)
An English language examination approved by the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools is required to determine the proficiency of applicants for admission whose native language is other than English, unless they come with satisfactory credentials from an institution in which the language of instruction is in English. No credit is assigned on the basis of this examination. Applicants who do not meet the minimum level of proficiency required by the campus(es) to which they have applied will not meet the minimum requirements for admission to the University. (Am 17 June 2009)
The Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools regards four years of literature and composition taught in a language of instruction other than English as satisfying the English (‘b’) subject requirement as specified in SR 424 paragraph C. A student who satisfies the 'b' subject requirement in this manner will satisfy the ('e') subject requirement (Language Other than English) by attaining fluency in English as demonstrated by satisfactory performance on an approved English test or attaining a grade of C or better in at least two English composition courses taught in English. The amount of credit which a student receives for their native language when it takes the place of the English English (‘b’) requirement, depends upon the accreditation status or recognition of the school by the Ministry of Education of the country of origin. [See SR 480.] (Am 26 May 82) (Am 17 June 2009)
458. (Repealed 20 Feb 2008)
460. (Rp 17 June 2009) See Chapter 5
Applicants will be selected for admission on the basis of processes that conform to the Guidelines for Undergraduate Admission as issued and amended by the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools with the concurrence of the Academic Council and the Assembly of the Academic Senate.
Notwithstanding the requirements for freshman admission specified in SR 418 (SR 419 beginning in Fall 2012) SR 419, 424, 440, and 450, applicants who do not satisfy the University’s minimum requirements may be admitted provided that the proportion of the enrolled freshman class admitted to a campus in this manner does not exceed six (6) percent.
465. (En 17 June 2009) {SR 465 as set forth below, is to be valid for freshmen entering the University beginning in fall 2012}
Each applicant for freshman admission who satisfies the provisions of SR 419, SR 424 and SR 428, who completes all 15 required units of college-preparatory course work specified in SR 424 by the date of graduation from a California secondary school, and who either:
A. satisfies an index, determined by the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, that places students in the top nine (9) percent of California high school graduates based on grade point average in all University-approved college preparatory courses taken in grades 10 and 11, and on scores on approved admissions tests; or
B. falls in the top nine (9) percent of their high school graduating class based on grade point average in all University-approved college-preparatory courses taken in grades 10 and 11 as determined by the University;
shall be admitted to at least one campus of the University. Such applicants not selected for admission by any campus to which they apply will be referred to a campus with available spaces. For purposes of paragraphs A and B above, the grade point average is based on the scale of A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1 for standard college preparatory courses, and A = 5, B = 4 and C = 3 for approved honors-level, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and college courses approved by the University, except that in the case of Paragraph A, the number of semesters of courses receiving the additional honors point shall be limited to 8.
The Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, with the concurrence of the Academic Council and the Assembly of the Academic Senate, shall periodically adjust the index referred to in SR 465, paragraph A, to achieve the intended goals of the University's admission policy.
Admission of students to advanced standing in the academic colleges is under the jurisdiction of the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools.
Application for examination for advanced standing on the basis of work done before entrance to the University should be made to the appropriate Admissions Officer upon entrance to the University.
Applicants may be given advanced standing in the University on the basis of certificates from other colleges and universities, upon the approval of the certificates by the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools. The Board is empowered to adopt with regard to other collegiate institutions such working rules as may seem proper, to reject the certificates, in whole or in part, to defer the final granting of credit in advanced standing pending the completion, by the applicant, of satisfactory work in residence at the University, and to require examinations in any or all of the subjects offered. Applications for supplementary credit on the basis of work done before entering the University should be filed with the appropriate Admissions Officer at the time of application for admission.
Applicants for admission to the University by transfer from other collegiate institutions must meet one of the following four requirements. (Am 4 May 95)
A. An applicant who met the requirements for Admission to Freshman Standing specified in Chapter 2 of
this Title may be admitted to the University provided the applicant has maintained a grade-point
average of at least 2.0 in all transferable college course work.
B. An applicant who met the requirements for Admission to Freshman Standing specified in Chapter 2 of this Title
with the exception of the tests specified in SR 418 (SR 419 beginning in 2012) and/or the Specific
Requirements specified in SR 424 (A) (2) may be admitted to the University provided the applicant has
maintained a grade-point average of at least 2.0 in all transferable college course work and has remedied the
missing requirements by
- completing with a grade of C or higher one transferable college course (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units) for each missing high school subject specified in SR 424 (A) (2) and
- completing with a grade of C or higher 12 semester (18 quarter) units of transferable college course work in case not all tests specified in SR 418 (SR 419 beginning in 2012) have been taken. (Am 17 June 2009)
C. An applicant who did not meet the requirements specified in (A) or (B) may be admitted to the University
provided the applicant has completed 60 semester (90 quarter) units of transferable college course work, has
maintained a grade-point average of at least 2.4 in transferable college course work, and has completed all of
the following with a grade of C or higher:
- Two transferable college courses (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units each) in English Composition. One of the English Composition courses is to be equivalent in level to the transferable course which would satisfy (on some campuses only in part) the English Composition requirement at the University. The second course can be (but is not required to be) the 'English Composition/ Critical Thinking' course used to satisfy part of the English Communication requirement of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum specified in SR 478. Courses designed exclusively for the satisfaction of remedial composition requirements as defined in SR 761 cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.
- One transferable college course (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units) in Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning.
- Four additional transferable college courses (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units each) chosen from at least two of the following subject areas: the Arts and Humanities; the Social and Behavioral Sciences; and the Physical and Biological Sciences.
D. Applicants who at the time of graduation from high school do not meet the criteria of Regulations 418 and
424, but who stand in the upper 12.5 percent of their graduating classes, as determined by criteria established
by BOARS, and who have achieved a GPA of at least 3.0 in such of the courses prescribed by Regulation 424
as they have completed, may apply simultaneously for admission to a California Community College and for
conditional admission to a campus of the University, subject to the satisfaction at the Community College of
the provisions of Regulation 476 B and C.
The courses acceptable under (B) and (C) will be determined by the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools. The Board may waive requirements (C) (1), (C) (2), and (C) (3) upon the presentation of appropriate test scores.
When four or more UC Senate Divisions agree to accept a course from a given California Community College as transferable for preparation for a specific major, the course will be deemed as transferable for the same major at all UC Senate Divisions one year after notification of the divisions. Similarly, if four or more Senate Divisions agree to accept a set of courses as adequate for lower-division major-preparation for a UC upper-division major discipline, that set of courses will be deemed as accepted for lower-division preparation in the same major at all the UC Senate Divisions one year after notification of the Senate Divisions. During the year following initial notification, individual Senate Divisions may decline to participate in the agreement. Additionally, all Senate Divisions will be given an annual opportunity to opt out of any previous obligation resulting from this regulation. The Academic Council or the senate agency it so designates shall advise the President on the implementation of this regulation so as to ensure that there is adequate notice for all Senate Divisions, that Senate Divisions have an annual opportunity to opt out of these obligations, and that community college students who intend to transfer to UC are minimally affected by a Senate Division's decision to no longer accept a course or set of courses.
Applicants for admission to the University by transfer can fulfill the lower division Breadth and General Education (B/GE) requirements by completion of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum. (En 5 May 88) (Am 3 May 90)
A. Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum
The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum and the guidelines and specifications that apply to its fulfillment are provided in the following table:
Systemwide Lower Division Breadth and General Education Requirements for Students who Transfer to the University of California
|
Subject Area |
Required Courses | Units Required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1) | Foreign Language | Proficiency | Proficiency |
| 2) | English Composition | 2 courses | 6 semester units or |
| 8-10 quarter units | |||
| 3) | Mathematics/ | 1 course | 3 semester units or |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 4-5 quarter units | ||
| 4) | Arts and Humanities | 3 courses | 9 semester units or |
| 12-15 quarter units | |||
| 5) | Social and Behavioral | 3 courses | 9 semester units or |
| Sciences | 12-15 quarter units | ||
| 6) | Physical and/or | 2 courses | 7-9 semester units or |
| Biological Sciences | 9-12 quarter units | ||
| Totals | 11 courses | 34 semester units | |
B. University Policy for the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (Am 3 May 90)
The University's policy for the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum is as follows:
- To fulfill the lower division B/GE requirements prior to transferring to the University of California, a student has the option of fulfilling the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum or fulfilling the specific requirements of the school or college of the campus to which the student will transfer.
- If the lower division B/GE requirements are not satisfied prior to transfer, the student will be subject to the regulations regarding B/GE lower division requirements of the school or college of the campus to which the student transfers, with the following exception. A student may fulfill the lower division B/GE requirements by fulfilling the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) after the transfer, provided all four of the following conditions are met. (Am 25 Feb 99)
a. A student may complete a maximum of two courses of the IGETC after transfer.
b. Either (1) The last-attended community college must certify the IGETC area(s) and the one or two courses yet to be completed, and that the lack of these courses was for good cause such as illness or class cancellation, OR (2) for students intending to major in the physical and biological sciences, the last-attended community college must certify that the student has substantially completed the articulated lower division courses for the major and that the student has completed the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum except for (i) one course in Arts and Humanities and (ii) one course in Social and Behavioral Sciences; students in this category may satisfy the IGETC requirement in Physical and Biological sciences with a year-long sequence in a single laboratory science. (Am 11 May 2005)
c. A student who has been approved to complete one or two IGETC courses after transfer may take a certified IGETC course in the area remaining to be completed at any California community college subject to the UC campus rules regarding concurrent enrollment or, at the option of the UC campus, may take approved substitute courses at that UC campus.
d. The IGETC must be completed within one academic year (two semesters or three quarters plus any summer that might intervene) of the student's transfer to UC.
3. Only courses accepted for baccalaureate credit at UC, and in which a grade of C or better was
attained, can be applied toward fulfillment of the UC lower division B/GE requirements.
4. Credit for College Board Advanced Placement Tests can be used for partial fulfillment of the
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum. For the category of English Composition, a score
of 5 can be used to satisfy one semester or two quarters of this requirement. For all other disciplines, a
score of 3 or higher on the appropriate AP test may be used to satisfy one semester or two quarters of
the requirement. (En 3 May 90)
Article 2. Language Credit for Native Languages Other Than English
A student whose native language is not English and who has completed at least nine years of education conducted in that native language may receive credit for language courses in it only if the courses are advanced courses at the upper division level. College credit for literature in the native language is allowed only for courses taken in native institutions of college grade, or for upper division and graduate courses actually taken at the University of California or at another English-speaking institution of approved standing. (See SR 456.) (Am 26 May 82)
Chapter 5. Admission to Special Status and to Limited Status
Special students who wish to transfer to regular status may receive matriculation credit on the basis of advanced continuation courses completed in the University with a grade of not lower than "C." Credit is allowed for high school science courses only when such courses are a printed prerequisite to the college course completed by the applicant.
The Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, or its designated agents, shall ascertain the qualifications of applicants for special status under policies laid down by the Board. The admission of such students requires the approval of the dean of the college or school in which they seek to enroll. Applicants must be at least twenty-one years old, and no applicant will be admitted directly from high school.
Applicants for admission to limited status may be admitted by the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, or its designated agents. The program of courses to be pursued by each such applicant must have been approved, either (A) in the case of an applicant who seeks eventual admission to regular status in a professional school, by the dean of that school, who shall certify that completion of the proposed program, with such grades as may have been specified, will qualify the applicant to be considered for admission to regular status in the school, or (B) in the case of an applicant who desires to satisfy some other definite need or interest, by the dean of the college or school in which the student will enroll. In each case, the applicant's proposed program of courses and the specified period of time for which the applicant is to be admitted must have been finally approved by the dean of the appropriate college or school. An applicant will not be admitted to limited status for the sole purpose of raising a low scholarship average. [See SR 314.]
Chapter 6. Transfer of Students
Any student may be transferred from one college or school of the University to another upon the approval of the dean or other responsible officer or committee of the college or school to which admission is sought. A form of petition for such transfer is supplied by the Registrar. The dean or other responsible officer or committee of the college or school to which the student is transferred shall determine the extent to which courses completed prior to the transfer may be accepted in satisfaction of the degree requirements of that college or school.
Transfer of Breadth/GE Requirements (En 7 May 87)
A. Students who transfer from one UC campus to another and who have completed the Breadth/General Education (B/GE) requirements of the campus from which they have transferred (excepting for upper division B/GE requirements) will be considered to have met the B/GE requirements of the campus to which they transfer.
B. Students who transfer from one UC campus to another prior to completing the B/GE requirements of the campus from which they transferred will complete their B/GE requirements subject to the regulations of the campus to which they transfer.
C. The above policy is not restrictive with respect to upper division requirements for graduation on the individual campuses.
Chapter 1. General Requirements for Admission
510.
Persons holding the degree of Bachelor of Arts, Letters, Philosophy, or Science, from a reputable institution authorized by law to confer those degrees, and maintaining standards for those degrees accepted by the Graduate Council concerned as equivalent to those of the University of California, or holding any other degree or certificate which the Graduate Council concerned may accept as equivalent, may be admitted as graduate students in the University of California, provided that the official credentials presented show that the scholarship requirements imposed by the Council of the Graduate Division concerned are satisfied. Applicants whose purpose is to become candidates for a second Bachelor's degree will, however, not be admitted as graduate students. [See SRs 300, 650.] (EC 3 Nov 69)
Chapter 2. Examination of English for Foreign Students
520.
Entering foreign graduate students are required to pass the regular examination in English required of entering foreign undergraduate students. [See SR 454.]
540.
Credit toward a University degree may be earned only for work or examinations for which a student has registered. Such registration requires prior approval by the Faculty concerned, but the appropriate Graduate Council may grant exceptions to persons seeking higher degrees. With the approval of the appropriate Faculty, under written petition a student in good standing who is enrolled in a limited amount of regular class work may undertake certain matriculation or University examinations for advanced standing.
542.
No student may enter upon any organized instructional activity until registered and enrolled with the approval of the appropriate study list authority. No student may begin or continue a course if the officer of instruction in charge considers the student unqualified by lack of preparation. Late registration may not be used to justify inadequate performance in a course.
A UC student's home campus must permit a student in good standing to enroll simultaneously in courses offered by the home campus and in course(s) offered by another UC campus. Similarly, a UC student's home campus must also permit a student in good standing to enroll in summer courses offered by another UC campus. However, non-home campuses are not obliged to accept enrollment by students from other UC campuses. Each campus may set an upper limit on the total number of non-home campus enrollment units or courses its own student may apply toward graduation requirements.
In order to ensure that the units will count toward any requirements, including unit requirements, students in residence at their home campus must inform the home campus in writing before enrolling in a course offered by another UC campus. This may be accomplished by electronic or conventional means, according to the home campus's procedures.
If the student wishes a course taken on a non-home UC campus to satisfy a breadth, major, or other specific requirement (other than unit credit), he or she is responsible for determining that an existing formal agreement establishes that the course will satisfy the requirement OR for securing approval, in advance of registering, from the relevant academic unit on the home campus. If these requirements are not met, the home campus may refuse to allow the course to satisfy specific requirements (other than unit requirements).
UC courses approved by either UCEP or CCGA as system-wide courses shall be listed in Divisional catalogues. (En 10 Nov 04)
546.
Registration in special studies courses for undergraduates must be approved by the chair (or equivalent) of each department concerned. This approval must be based upon a written proposal submitted to the chair. (En 19 May 69)
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