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Graduation Requirements

Graduation Under a Particular Catalog

Students are required to follow the graduation requirements specified in the catalog that was current when they first enrolled at the University. However, academically, a student is permitted to follow any subsequent catalog, as long as it is not expired. The chosen catalog's requirements will remain valid for the student until they complete their degree or until the catalog expires after six years, whichever occurs first. Students who re-enroll at California Baptist University after any official or unofficial withdrawal, or after an enrollment break of more than one semester, will be subject to the graduation requirements of the catalog that is current at the time of their re-admission. The University does not guarantee the availability of courses or programs that have been phased out.

At the University's discretion, policies, tuition and fees, and other information may change annually and will apply to all students. Updates regarding current policies, tuition and fees, and other information are available from the Office of Academic Advising, Office of the University Registrar, Student Accounts, Student Services, and other University offices.

Graduation Check List (Bachelor's)

Students should review their degree audit, available on LancerLink - My Registration and Academic Record, on a regular basis to evaluate progress toward graduation. To be considered for graduation, students must:

  • Complete all academic requirements for the major, minor, and/or concentration, consistent with the catalog under which student enrolled at the University or subsequently selected

  • Complete at least 124 semester units of credit, at least 39 of which must be upper division (300 level and 400 level courses)

  • Complete at least 36 units at California Baptist University, at least 30 of which must be upper division (300 level and 400 level courses)

  • Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 overall with no grade below C- in the major field of study

  • Complete all general education requirements

  • Complete and submit a graduation application for planned graduation date

  • Satisfy all financial obligations to the University

  • Be in good academic standing (not suspended or academically disqualified) at the time of completion

Graduation Check List (Associate's)

Students should review their degree audit, available on LancerLink - My Registration and Academic Record, on a regular basis to evaluate progress toward graduation. To be considered for graduation, students must:

  • Complete at least 60 semester units of credit

  • Complete at least 30 units in residence at CBU

  • Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 overall with no grade below C- in the major field of study

  • Complete all general education requirements

  • Complete all coursework in a major as selected from the University Catalog

  • Complete a graduation application for planned graduation date

  • Satisfy all financial obligations

  • Be in good academic standing (not suspended or academically disqualified) at the time of completion

Approval for Graduation

Students should submit a Graduation Application upon successful completion of ninety (90) or more earned units. Once the Application is submitted, the University Registrar will complete a degree evaluation and audit, verifying the student's eligibility to graduate, which qualifies the student to participate in commencement ceremonies. To avoid a Late Graduation Application fee, Graduation Applications must be submitted by the application deadline. Students submitting applications after the degree posting date will be required to apply for the next eligible degree date. Student's inability to complete degree requirements by the designated degree posting date may require re-application and an additional fee.

Space within each commencement exercise is limited. Students submitting a Late Graduation Application may participate in the immediate commencement on a space availability basis. However, although student's degree will post upon completion of degree requirements, the student may be deferred to the subsequent commencement ceremony.

Degree Posting Dates

The University posts degrees three times each year, regardless of the specific date all work is completed. All degree requirements must be met prior to the posting date. The three approximate posting dates are at the end of the regular fall semester (last day in December), the end of the regular spring semester (first Friday in May), and the end of the regular summer semester (last day in August). Degrees completed between posting dates will be posted at the next scheduled date.

Once the degree is posted, no changes will be made to the transcript.

English Writing Proficiency

All students must demonstrate proficiency in writing standard English. They may do so by earning at least a C- (or demonstrating comparable writing competence) in both course and course (or course and course). Students are placed in composition courses based on high school English grades, SAT/ACT/CLT scores and/or transfer coursework. Students wishing to challenge their placement may take an English placement exam one time prior to the last day to add a course in their first semester of enrollment at CBU. Students are required to enroll in the composition requirements until successfully completed. No student is eligible to graduate unless the Office of the University Registrar's official records show the English proficiency requirements have been met.

Requirement for Units Completed at California Baptist University

Students seeking a bachelor's degree are required to complete 36 units at California Baptist University, of which at least 30 units must be taken at the upper division level (3000 level and 4000 level courses). Students seeking an associate degree are required to complete 30 units at California Baptist University.

General Education

The General Education curriculum consists of 40-55 units of coursework designed to provide the student with a strong and diverse academic preparation. In keeping with the ideal of a liberal arts education, the general education curriculum provides students with a broad exposure to the world of ideas and the arts to secure a foundation for students to successfully move into their major of study. In addition, a decidedly Christian perspective is integrated into the requirements and afford the student an opportunity to develop a Christian worldview.

Upper Division

Students must complete a minimum of 39 units of upper division coursework for graduation of which at least 30 units must be completed at California Baptist University. Upper division requirements can only be fulfilled with courses at the 300 and 400 (Junior and Senior) level. Lower division units cannot be used to fulfill upper division requirements. Upper division requirements for which a student receives an academic variance must be replaced by upper division electives. Students seeking substitutions and exemptions must submit an Academic Variance Form for approval.

Majors and Minors

When completing a major and minor, twenty-four (24) units must be unique to the major, of which at least eighteen (18) must be upper division. Nine (9) upper division units must be unique to the minor. Coursework for credit toward a major, minor, or concentration must be passed with a minimum grade of C-. Certain disciplines may also require a minimum grade of C (2.0) in the lower-division prerequisites. Science courses with virtual labs may not meet major requirements.

Double Major

Students who wish to concurrently complete two majors may do so by meeting the following conditions:

  1. Students complete all of the required courses listed in the catalog for both majors;

  2. Not more than four (4) upper division courses may be common to both majors; and

  3. Twenty-four (24) units must be unique to each major, of which at least eighteen (18) units must be upper division.

Second Major

Students who previously earned a baccalaureate degree at another institution and wish to complete an additional major at California Baptist University must complete all requirements for the major as listed in the catalog current at the time of enrollment into the University. The student must complete the regular graduation application process. Students completing a second major will receive a certificate of completion. No certificate is granted for an additional minor.

Additional Major or Minor

Students who previously earned a baccalaureate degree at California Baptist University may complete an additional major or minor by completing all requirements for the major or minor, as listed in the catalog current at the time of readmission to the University. For an additional major, a minimum of twenty-four (24) units must be unique to the major and at least eighteen (18) units must be upper division. Nine (9) upper division units must be unique to the minor. The student must complete the graduation re-application process. Students completing an additional major will receive a certificate of completion. No certificate is granted for an additional minor.

Second Degree

Students seeking a second baccalaureate degree must complete a minimum of thirty (30) distinct units in a second area of major studies. Twenty-four (24) of these units must be at the upper division level (3000 level and 4000 level courses). A minimum of 154 total units are required for graduation with a second degree. All general education (if different from first degree), prerequisites, supporting courses, and departmental requirements for each major and degree, including units completed at California Baptist University, must be completed.

Electives

An elective course is one which a student takes because of personal interest and is used to fulfill overall degree requirements. Electives may be taken from the regular University courses offered in each department. Students should plan carefully and complete prescribed coursework first to avoid a scenario in which more than 124 semester units are necessary to graduate.