Academic Policies

Transfer Restrictions

A maximum of 100 semester units may be accepted in transfer toward fulfilling bachelor degree requirements. Within these 100 units, no more than thirty (30) upper division units may be transferred and no more than ninety (90) lower division units may be transferred. A maximum of thirty (30) semester units is allowable from examinations (AP, CLEP, DANTES, IB). A maximum of thirty-six (36) units may be accepted in transfer at the lower division level for college transcript completion of a Basic Peace Officer Standards Training (POST) certificate. A maximum of 45 semester units may be accepted in transfer toward fulfilling associate degree requirements.

The University will evaluate previous college work to determine its relationship to the requirements of California Baptist University. Only coursework completed with a grade of C- or better will be accepted in transfer. Lower division units and units from institutions that do not offer a baccalaureate degree will not be accepted for upper division credit. California Baptist University does not accept transfer work that was not designated as baccalaureate degree-applicable by the issuing institution.

All coursework completed at other institutions will be computed into the California Baptist University cumulative grade point average regardless of course transferability.

Advanced Placement Credit

Students who score three (3) or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam will receive three units of lower division credit for the equivalent course. For the most current AP score information contact the Office of the University Registrar or visit InsideCBU. More information about the AP Program is available on the College Board website.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and DSST

Students wishing to receive credit for CLEP or DANTES Single Subject Tests (DSST) must provide to the University an official transcript issued by the College Board or by DSST. It is the student's responsibility to seek clarification of degree requirements before taking an examination. Examinations may not be repeated within six months of the testing date. Additional information about acceptable CLEP and DSST exams and scores is available on InsideCBU.

For the most current CLEP score information, contact the Office of the University Registrar or visit InsideCBU. Check the CLEP website at for testing locations.

Enrollment at Other Institutions

To ensure that coursework is transferable to California Baptist University, enrolled California Baptist University students who wish to complete coursework at other institutions and apply this work toward degree requirements at California Baptist University should receive prior approval from the Office of the University Registrar. Coursework completed at another institution without securing California Baptist University's prior approval for the course(s) may not be accepted as transferable. Additional information and appropriate forms are available on InsideCBU.

Credit Hour

California Baptist University defines a credit hour as a minimum of 37.5-45 hours of engaged learning time over the duration of a term. This engaged learning time may be in face-to-face meetings, in a prescribed lab or internship/practicum setting, in synchronous or asynchronous online learning activities, hybrid courses, or in independent reading, research, or writing activities.

Course Load

The standard academic load for undergraduate students is 12-18 units. A student may be approved to register for more than eighteen (18) units if the student has 1) a 3.0 cumulative GPA, 2) a minimum 3.0 California Baptist University session GPA in the preceding semester, 3) no outstanding incomplete course work, and 4) is in good academic standing. Permission for overload is granted on a semester-by-semester basis.

Classification of Students

At the beginning of each semester all students are officially classified in the following manner: