Undergraduate Advising FAQs | Chapman University
Source: https://www.chapman.edu/academics/undergraduate/advising/faqs.aspx
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:34
Undergraduate Advising FAQs | Chapman University
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Undergraduate Advising FAQs
Chapman University offers a range of academic advising services to support your academic
planning, assist with registration, and address special interests and needs.
If you can't find the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us at
advising@chapman.edu
.
General questions
Toggle Section
How many classes do I need to take per semester to be considered full time?
You need to take at least 12 credits to be considered a full-time student. Most classes
are 3 credits, while labs are 1 credit. This means you can achieve full-time status
by taking four 3-credit classes. Most students at Chapman take one additional class
(five 3-credit classes for a total of 15 credits per semester).
How many credits can I overlap between GE classes and my major/minor?
Majors:
You can share up to nine major/major discipline credits with your General Education
classes.
Minors:
You can share up to six minor/minor discipline credits with your General Education
classes.
You can use your Program Evaluation (which you'll find in your
Student Center
) to see which degree requirements you have already satisfied and which you still
have remaining. If you have questions about your remaining non-major requirements,
contact your Academic Advisor. If you have questions about your remaining major requirements,
contact your major Program Advisor.
Additionally, you can use your Program Evaluation and transfer credit report (which
you'll also find in your Student Center) to see which requirements you have already
satisfied through AP/IB credit and transfer credits.
Can I declare two themed inquiries? Or a minor and a themed inquiry?
No, you cannot officially declare more than one themed inquiry, nor can you declare
a themed inquiry and minor combination.
However, you can take additional classes in other areas as long as they fit into your
schedule and you meet the prerequisites for the class.
You can find out more about themed inquiries on our
Exploration Focus page
.
Where can I check my degree requirements?
You can check your degree requirements in the
catalog
.
Choose the catalog that corresponds to the year you started at Chapman. (If you are
a transfer student, choose the year before you started at Chapman. For example, if
you started at Chapman as a transfer student in 2023-2024, choose 2022-2023.)
You can also find your degree requirements on your Program Evaluation, which is accessible
via your
Student Center
.
How do I know what classes I should be signing up for?
You can use your Program Evaluation (which you'll find in
your
Student Center
) to see which degree requirements you have already satisfied and which you still
have remaining. If you have questions about your remaining non-major requirements,
contact your Academic Advisor. If you have questions about your remaining major requirements,
contact your major Program Advisor.
Additionally, you can use your Program Evaluation and transfer credit report (which
you'll also find in your Student Center) to see which requirements you have already
satisfied through AP/IB credit and transfer credits.
How do I get an internship?
You can visit the
Internships
page
on our Career and Professional Development site to look up internships and apply
for them. They also have an internship portal if you need help finding an internship
or want to speak with one of their career advisors for help.
Can I earn academic credit for an internship?
Yes, you can earn academic credit for internships, but to do so, you have to register
your internship while you are completing it (not afterwards). You can register your
internship on our
Internships page
.
What are my options for completing the General Education language requirement?
Chapman requires all students to complete a language study at the 200 or above level.
This means that you may need to take the 101, 102 and 201 classes of the same language
to fulfill your requirement.
But if you've studied a language previously or already speak another language fluently,
we give you the option to:
Place into a higher level class by taking a Language Placement Exam.
Test out of your language requirement entirely by taking a Language Proficiency Exam.
Use AP/IB test scores to meet your language requirement (if you took AP/IB classes
in high school)
Just keep in mind that you have to take a Placement Exam or Proficiency Exam before
you start your language classes at Chapman. If you've already started taking regular
language classes at Chapman, you can't go back and take one of the exams.
For more information on placing into a higher level language class or testing out
of your requirement, see our
Language Exams page
.
Registration
Toggle Section
How are registration dates assigned?
For incoming first-year and transfer students, registration dates/times are assigned
at random.
For all subsequent registration periods after your registration as an incoming student,
your registration date/time will be assigned based on credits completed (not including
in-progress credits). The more credits you've completed, the earlier your registration
time will be. For example, seniors register before juniors, juniors register before
sophomores, etc.
Can I change my registration date?
No, you can't change your registration date. Once registration dates are assigned,
they are final.
I want to get into a class that's waitlisted. What can my Advisor do to help?
If a class you want to take is waitlisted, you should enroll into an open course first,
and then get on the waitlist
using the SWAP feature
. It is unlikely you will get into the class if you don’t use SWAP. Check with your
Advisor to see if you can take the class in an alternate semester. If it is critical
to your academic progress to take the course now, submit a
Permission Number Request form
. All requests will go to the appropriate department for review.
What is a permission number?
When there are restrictions preventing you from enrolling in a class (for example:
the class is reserved for majors or there is a prerequisite), the professor or the
chair of the department may be able to give you a permission number. This permission
number will allow you to enroll regardless of the restrictions. To request a permission
number, submit a
Permission Number Request form
.
I can't get into all the major/minor courses I need. What can I do?
Here are some things you can do if you can't get into the classes you need:
Make sure you are on the waitlist and that you used the
SWAP feature
to get there. Many students drop and switch classes during the first week. If you
are on the waitlist, you may be able to get into the class.
Email the professor on the first day of class to see if they will allow you to enroll.
If they do, they may require you to submit a
Permission Number Request form
on the Registrar's website.
If you absolutely need the class, you can email the chair of the department and explain
why you need to take the class that semester. They may also ask you to meet in person
to discuss your situation. In this case, it is a good idea to have an idea for a possible
independent study in mind as well, just in case you can't add the class. If your idea
is approved, you may be able to substitute the class with the independent study.
A class is open, but it won't let me enroll. What do I do?
If you're having trouble enrolling in an open class, try the following:
Check the class description for additional requirements that may be preventing you
from enrolling. Some classes have prerequisites and others are reserved for students
in a particular major or class standing. To request a permission number to override
those restrictions, submit a
Permission Number Request Form
.
Check if the class combines two different sections. Some classes combine two sections
into one large class. The section you're looking at may indicate open seats, but the
actual seat count is of both sections combined. To check the enrollment for the combined
sections, click the course number.
Contact the Registrar's Office
for further assistance. Email is the best method of contact.
What is the difference between a class and a class section?
"Class" is the actual class that is being taught, whereas "class section" refers to
the day, time, location and instructor teaching the class.
How will I know if I have a hold on my record? What should I do if I have a hold?
When you log in to the
Student Center
, look for the "Holds" box on the right. Click on the "details" button and the following
screen will tell you whether you have a hold and if so, which office placed it.
Remember: a hold on your record prevents you from registering for classes.
You will also see a phone number to call for more information on the hold and how
to get it removed. Common holds are from the Business Office, Health Center and Advising.
Holds often require 24-48 business hours to be removed.
After I register, how can I make sure that my classes are counting for the correct
requirements?
There is a section on your Program Evaluation that says, "Other courses not being
used to satisfy Major, Minor, and GE." If one or more of the classes you enrolled
in for the semester is showing up in this section, then it is not being used to satisfy
a specific requirement.
You should always refer to your Program Evaluation to make sure that the classes you
enroll in are being used to satisfy either your GE, major or minor/themed inquiry
requirements.
If you need to change the section a class is counting towards, contact the
Registrar's office
.
How can I change my grade to Pass/No Pass?
You can choose how you want to be graded when you enroll in a class. If you've already
started the semester and are currently taking the class, you can change how you want
to be graded in your
Student Center
. Follow
these di
rections to change your grading method
.
Important notes:
Students should consult with the department chair regarding the choice of "P/NP" grading
for courses in the major.
Undergraduates may take up to six semester credits per academic year (considered Fall
through end of Summer semesters) on a Pass/No Pass basis, excluding courses offered
only on a Pass/No Pass basis.
Please review the complete P/NP policy in the
university catalog
If you are unable to change your grading method online, you can email the
Registrar's Office
at
registrar@chapman.edu
. There are deadlines for changing the grade option every semester, so be sure to
check the
academic calendar
.
How will a Pass/No Pass grade affect me?
Pass/No Pass "grades" are not calculated into your GPA but will still earn you credit
for passing the class and show up as P (Pass) or NP (No Pass) on your transcripts. Please
note that a "C-" or higher grade is required to earn a passing "P" grade.
General Education classes can all be taken as Pass/No Pass. However, some classes
(major and minor requirements for example) don't let you choose the Pass/No Pass option. Students
should consult with the department chair regarding the choice of "P/NP" grading for
courses in the major.
Undergraduates may take up to six semester credits per academic year (considered Fall
through end of Summer semesters) on a Pass/No Pass basis, excluding courses offered
only on a Pass/No Pass basis. Please review the complete P/NP policy in the
university catalog
.
Can I drop a class?
It depends on the date.
First two weeks of the semester:
You can drop a class without a record of enrollment and without penalty.
Weeks three through 10:
You can withdraw from a course with a "W" recorded on your transcript.
What is the difference between dropping a class and withdrawing from a class?
Dropping a class means that the class is completely removed from your academic record.
It will not show up on your transcripts and you won’t be charged for the units.
Withdrawing from a class means the class will remain on your transcripts with a "W"
grade.
Does a "W" affect my GPA?
No, "W" grades are not calculated in your GPA.
However, they do remain on your transcript. This means that if you plan on applying
to graduate school, the schools you apply to will be able to see the W. That said,
one or two Ws should not significantly affect your chances of getting into graduate
school as long as you can explain why you withdrew.
What happens if I stop attending class?
If you stop going to a class without officially withdrawing, you will receive a grade
of "FW" (failure to withdraw), which is calculated as an F in your GPA.
Can I retake a class for a better grade?
Yes. As long as you take the exact same class again at Chapman, your new grade will
override your old one. Both classes and grades will remain on your transcript, but
only the new grade will be calculated into your GPA.
For example, if you did poorly in PSY 101, you can sign up for PSY 101 again in another
semester and only the grade you earn the second time around will be calculated into
your GPA.
You can also repeat a class at another school and transfer the credits to Chapman.
However, the original grade will not be removed from your GPA if you take the class
elsewhere.
Majors and minors
Toggle Section
Where can I learn more about the requirements for my major/minor?
You can see the requirements for your major/minor on your Program Evaluation, which
you can find in your
Student Center
.
Your Program Evaluation shows which requirements you've completed as well as which
ones you have left to complete.
You can also view major/minor requirements in your course catalog:
Catalogs (2019-2020 academic year and later)
How do I change my major?
The process for changing your major depends on which program you want to switch into.
You can find detailed instructions for all programs on our
Changing or Adding Majors page
.
Can I double major?
Yes, you can potentially double major, but it depends on what the two majors are,
how many credits they require, and how you schedule your classes. Some double major
combinations are not allowed because there is already too much overlap in classes.
Some majors require an application or additional requirements, so you will need to
plan ahead to ensure you’ll have time to finish all requirements.
Other programs have a large amount of required classes, so it may not be realistic
to double major in them. Be sure to research major requirements in both your current
major and major of interest before declaring a double major and
speak with your advisor.
To declare a second major, follow the steps on our
Change or Adding Majors page
.
What is a minor? Do I have to declare one?
A minor is a secondary area of academic focus that you can pursue alongside your major.
Minors can expand your skillset related to your major. For example, if you are a Computer
Science major looking to start your own business, you could minor in Entrepreneurship.
Minors can also help you get or stay involved in a subject you're interested in. For
example, if you want a career in physics but also love dancing, you could major in
Physics and minor in Dance.
You don't have to declare a minor, but you are required to complete an
Exploration Focus
as part of your graduation requirements. An Exploration Focus can be a second major,
a themed inquiry, the Honors program or a minor.
Most minors require 18-30 credits. Some also require an application or additional
documents before you can apply. The process for adding your minor depends on which
program (minor) you want to add or switch into. You can find detailed instructions
for all programs on our
Adding a Minor page
.
What is the difference between a minor and a themed inquiry?
A minor is a secondary area of academic focus that you can pursue alongside your major.
Minors are usually 18-30 credits.
On the other hand, a themed inquiry is a smaller set of interdisciplinary classes
designed around a shared topic. Themed inquiries are typically 12 credits. If you
are a transfer student, you may have a credit waiver for part of your themed inquiry;
please review this with your academic advisor.
You can take either a minor or a themed inquiry to fulfill your Exploration Focus
graduation requirement.
Differences between minors and themed inquiries
Minor
Themed Inquiry
A secondary area of academic focus that you can pursue alongside your major.
A small set of interdisciplinary classes designed around a shared topic
18–30 credits
12 credits (possibly fewer for transfer students)
Fulfills Exploration Focus graduation requirement
Fulfills Exploration Focus graduation requirement
When do I need to declare an Exploration Focus (themed inquiry, minor, second major,
honors)?
Students need to declare their additional area of study by the time they have completed
60 credits. If you have not done so by then, a registration hold will be placed on
your account. You will receive reminder emails from the Registrar's office if you
are close to meeting this. If you know what you want to declare before you reach 60
credits you can do so anytime! Some minors or majors have additional requirements
and/or an application to get into the major or minor so please plan accordingly. Students
can change their themed inquiry or minor after declaring it. Please meet with an advisor
to create a plan and make sure you can complete all requirements in time.
How do I declare an Exploration Focus (themed inquiry, second major, minor, honors)?
To declare a second major or a minor or declare a themed inquiry, follow the step-by-step
instructions on the
Change/Add Majors and Minors page
.
To apply to the honors program, see the
How to Apply to Honors page
.
Where can I see all the majors and minors at Chapman?
You can explore all the majors and minors we offer at Chapman in the
Chapman Catalog
.
Can I make my own major if Chapman does not offer one I'm interested in?
Yes. Chapman offers a self-designed major option. But your self-designed major cannot
be too similar to an already-existing major offered at Chapman. You can find the guidelines
and the application for self-designed majors on the
Self-Designed Major form
.
Follow these steps to apply for a self-designed major:
Find a full-time faculty member to work with. This full-time faculty member can be
someone within the field you are looking to study or a faculty member you have worked
with closely in the past. It can also be your advisor.
With the faculty member you choose, come up with a plan for your self-designed major.
Be sure to review all the guidelines and rules on the form.
Complete the form with all your intended classes.
Get all your classes on the form signed by department chairs in the various academic
departments (of the classes you've added to your form).
Get a final signature from the faculty member you've been working with and the chair
of their department (this is the "sponsoring department" signature on the form).
Submit the completed form to the Registrar's Office at
registrar@chapman.edu
. Then just sit tight. A committee member will get back to you soon and let you know
whether your self-designed major has been approved.
Can I make my own minor if Chapman does not offer one I'm interested in?
Yes. Chapman offers a self-designed minor option. But your self-designed minor cannot
be too similar to an already-existing major offered at Chapman. You can find the guidelines
and the application for self-designed minors on the
Self-Designed Minor form
.
Follow these steps to apply for a self-designed minor:
Find a full-time faculty member to work with. This full-time faculty member can be
someone within the field you are looking to study or a faculty member you have worked
with closely in the past. It can also be your Program Advisor.
With the faculty member you choose, come up with a plan for your self-designed minor.
Be sure to review all the guidelines and rules on the form.
Complete the form with all your intended classes.
Get all your classes on the form signed by department chairs in the various academic
departments (of the classes you've added to your form).
Get a final signature from the faculty member you've been working with and the chair
of their department (this is the "sponsoring department" signature on the form).
Submit the completed form to the Registrar’s Office at
registrar@chapman.edu
. Then just sit tight. A committee member will get back to you soon and let you know
whether your self-designed minor has been approved.
Graduation requirements/Program Evaluation
Toggle Section
Where can I find a list of my General Education (GE) Requirements?
You can find your General Education requirements on your Program Evaluation in your
Student Center
. You can also view a list of General Education options on our
General Education page
. Use the links on that page to view the courses you can take to satisfy each category.
How do I know which of my major classes can also count for GE credit?
To find out which of your major classes can also give you GE credit, follow these
steps:
Access the list of classes that are required for your major. You can find this on
your course catalog.
Catalogs (2019-2020 academic year and later)
Catalogs (2018-2019 academic year and earlier)
Go to the
General Education page
.
Choose the GE Inquiry category that you think your major class will satisfy.
For example, if you are a Business major, you are required to take MATH 109. If you
click on the Quantitative Inquiry link on the GE webpage, you will see that MATH 109
is an approved course for satisfying that requirement. Therefore, MATH 109 satisfies
both the requirement for your Business major and the Quantitative Inquiry GE.
How do I know I've completed all of my degree requirements and am ready for graduation?
Knowing whether you're ready to graduate is all about keeping on top of how far along
you are in your degree. You can do this by:
Checking your Program Evaluation regularly. Your Program Evaluation (located in your
Student Center
) tracks everything you need to keep up with your requirements (including credits,
classes, and GPA) so checking it regularly will give you a good grasp of how far away
you are from graduating. Categories that are fulfilled will display a "Satisfied"
status.
Meeting with your advisor regularly.
When I met with my major or minor program advisor, they agreed to let me substitute
a required class in my major with another class that I wanted to take. Why doesn't
this class show up in my Program Evaluation?
When you've substituted or waived a class, your advisor must officially request the
change by emailing the Registrar’s Office. If your Program Evaluation hasn’t been
updated, follow up with your advisor.
I took a class that should count for both major and GE credit, but it is not showing
under the GE section of my Program Evaluation. What should I do?
If a class that should count for major credit and GE credit isn’t showing up under
the GE section of your Program Evaluation, it may be because:
The class also counts for another GE area. Check your Program Evaluation carefully
and make sure the class isn’t listed somewhere else. If it is listed in another section
and you want it moved, submit the
GE Course Usage form
to the Registrar’s office at registrar@chapman.edu.
You have already exceeded the maximum of nine credits that can be shared between major
and GE credit.
If you are not sure, reach out to your advisor.
Transferring credits to Chapman
Toggle Section
How do I transfer classes from another college to Chapman?
To check if classes you want to take at another college will transfer to Chapman,
vist the
Transfer Credit and Articulation page
and see the section for Current Students.
If the class you want to transfer is not on the pre-approved list, contact
articulation@chapman.edu
from your Chapman email. Include your ID number and the information on the course
so the Office of the Registrar can check if the credits will transfer.
How do I order official transcripts that show my Chapman coursework?
You can
order official Chapman transcripts online
through the Registrar's office.
How do I send my transfer transcripts to Chapman?
To send your transfer transcripts to Chapman, ask the school that you are transferring
the credits from to email your official transcripts to
articulation@chapman.edu
.
If you need to mail your transcripts instead, request official transcripts from your
school and send them to:
Chapman University
Attn: Office of the University Registrar
One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866
How do I know if Chapman received my transcript?
The easiest way to see whether Chapman has received your transcripts is to log in
to your
Student Center
and access your Transfer Credit Report. This can be found on the main page of your
Student Center in the drop-down menu. If you need help, talk with your advisor
. You can also look at your Program Evaluation to see if it has been updated.
I have submitted my official transcripts but do not see them reflected on my transfer
credit report or Program Evaluation. What should I do?
It can take a few weeks for transcripts to be sent and processed. If you believe that
they should have been updated by now, reach out to the Registrar's office at
articulation@chapman.edu
.
Is there somewhere I can see how my coursework/test scores transferred?
You can view all your transfer coursework in your Transfer Credit Report, which you
can find on the main page of your
Student Center
in the drop-down menu. If you need help, talk with your advisor
.
What if a class I took at another school is not counting toward my major or a GE
category I think it should count for?
If you think that a class you took at another school should count towards your Chapman
credit but isn't, contact us for help:
For
major
classes, contact your advisor.
For
GE
classes in transfer, review and submit the
Transfer/Study Abroad Course Petition for GE Approval
to the Registrar's Office at
registrar@chapman.edu
.
For questions, email the Registrar at
articulation@chapman.edu
.
What does 100TR mean? 300TR?
This means that you are receiving Chapman credit for those classes but that we do
not offer an equivalent class. 100 means the class is lower division and 300 means
that the class is upper division.
Please review your Transfer Credit Report in your
Student Center
to see how the classes are transferring and to check any additional notes.
You can find additional information on our
Transfer Credit Policies and Guidelines page
.
Can I still turn in my AP/IB scores even though I'm not a new student?
Yes, you can submit AP or IB scores any time.
Before you submit your scores, review the
AP equivalencies
and
IB equivalencies
pages to make sure you are not repeating coursework.
When you are ready to submit your scores, use these links:
Submit AP score
Submit IB score
Academic difficulty
Toggle Section
What should I do if I'm doing poorly in a class?
If you are doing poorly in a class, first try:
Talking to the instructor and asking for help and advice on how you can improve.
Contacting the
Tutoring and Learning Center
for help.
After that, if you find you still can’t improve your grade, you might want to consider
withdrawing from the class. For the first 10 weeks of a semester, you can withdraw
from a class in your
Student Center
or in person at the Registrar's Office. (See the
academic calendar
for specific deadlines.)
Just keep in mind that failing to attend class doesn't count as a withdrawal and will
result in a grade of FW, which is counted as an F in your GPA. Also, if you withdraw
from a class that is required for your major or minor, you will need to retake that
class at a later date.
What is academic probation?
Academic probation is when your semester or cumulative Chapman GPA drops below 2.0.
When you are on academic probation, the amount of credits you can enroll in per semester
is limited:
If your cumulative GPA is
above
2.700, you can enroll in a maximum of 16 credits per semester.
If your cumulative GPA is
below
2.700, you can enroll in a maximum of 14 units per semester.
In addition, an advising hold is placed on your account. To remove the hold, you have
to meet with an assigned advisor throughout the semester for guidance on improving
your GPA.
What is academic dismissal?
Academic dismissal is when you are asked to leave Chapman because of poor academic
performance. You are subject to academic dismissal if:
Your cumulative Chapman GPA remains below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters.
OR
Your semester GPA falls below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters and your cumulative
GPA is below a 2.7
After you have been dismissed, you can still return to Chapman, but you must demonstrate:
Extraordinary circumstances that explain the unsatisfactory academic performance.
That you will succeed when you return.
What do I do if I need to take a semester off?
You can be away from the university for four consecutive semesters with no penalty.
This is called Interrupted Enrollment, and you don't need to fill out any paperwork.
All you have to do is not enroll in classes.
If you plan to be away from the university for a semester or more, we recommend you
meet with your advisor to consider your options, discuss how it will affect your academic
journey and make a plan for your return.
When you are ready to return, all you need to do is register for the upcoming semester
as you normally would. Just make sure to check your Chapman email regularly so that
you don’t miss any enrollment deadlines.
For more information on Interrupted Enrollment, check our
Interrupted Enrollment and Re-Enrollment page
.
Advising
Advising Overview
About Advising Office
Find Your Advisor
Registration Date and Time
Academic Probation and Dismissal
Language Exams
Undergraduate Advising FAQs
AdvisingFest
Contact Advising
Current students:
Contact your advisor
Potential students:
admit@chapman.edu
All other inquiries:
advising@chapman.edu
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Undergraduate Advising FAQs
Chapman University offers a range of academic advising services to support your academic
planning, assist with registration, and address special interests and needs.
If you can't find the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us at
advising@chapman.edu
.
General questions
Toggle Section
How many classes do I need to take per semester to be considered full time?
You need to take at least 12 credits to be considered a full-time student. Most classes
are 3 credits, while labs are 1 credit. This means you can achieve full-time status
by taking four 3-credit classes. Most students at Chapman take one additional class
(five 3-credit classes for a total of 15 credits per semester).
How many credits can I overlap between GE classes and my major/minor?
Majors:
You can share up to nine major/major discipline credits with your General Education
classes.
Minors:
You can share up to six minor/minor discipline credits with your General Education
classes.
You can use your Program Evaluation (which you'll find in your
Student Center
) to see which degree requirements you have already satisfied and which you still
have remaining. If you have questions about your remaining non-major requirements,
contact your Academic Advisor. If you have questions about your remaining major requirements,
contact your major Program Advisor.
Additionally, you can use your Program Evaluation and transfer credit report (which
you'll also find in your Student Center) to see which requirements you have already
satisfied through AP/IB credit and transfer credits.
Can I declare two themed inquiries? Or a minor and a themed inquiry?
No, you cannot officially declare more than one themed inquiry, nor can you declare
a themed inquiry and minor combination.
However, you can take additional classes in other areas as long as they fit into your
schedule and you meet the prerequisites for the class.
You can find out more about themed inquiries on our
Exploration Focus page
.
Where can I check my degree requirements?
You can check your degree requirements in the
catalog
.
Choose the catalog that corresponds to the year you started at Chapman. (If you are
a transfer student, choose the year before you started at Chapman. For example, if
you started at Chapman as a transfer student in 2023-2024, choose 2022-2023.)
You can also find your degree requirements on your Program Evaluation, which is accessible
via your
Student Center
.
How do I know what classes I should be signing up for?
You can use your Program Evaluation (which you'll find in
your
Student Center
) to see which degree requirements you have already satisfied and which you still
have remaining. If you have questions about your remaining non-major requirements,
contact your Academic Advisor. If you have questions about your remaining major requirements,
contact your major Program Advisor.
Additionally, you can use your Program Evaluation and transfer credit report (which
you'll also find in your Student Center) to see which requirements you have already
satisfied through AP/IB credit and transfer credits.
How do I get an internship?
You can visit the
Internships
page
on our Career and Professional Development site to look up internships and apply
for them. They also have an internship portal if you need help finding an internship
or want to speak with one of their career advisors for help.
Can I earn academic credit for an internship?
Yes, you can earn academic credit for internships, but to do so, you have to register
your internship while you are completing it (not afterwards). You can register your
internship on our
Internships page
.
What are my options for completing the General Education language requirement?
Chapman requires all students to complete a language study at the 200 or above level.
This means that you may need to take the 101, 102 and 201 classes of the same language
to fulfill your requirement.
But if you've studied a language previously or already speak another language fluently,
we give you the option to:
Place into a higher level class by taking a Language Placement Exam.
Test out of your language requirement entirely by taking a Language Proficiency Exam.
Use AP/IB test scores to meet your language requirement (if you took AP/IB classes
in high school)
Just keep in mind that you have to take a Placement Exam or Proficiency Exam before
you start your language classes at Chapman. If you've already started taking regular
language classes at Chapman, you can't go back and take one of the exams.
For more information on placing into a higher level language class or testing out
of your requirement, see our
Language Exams page
.
Registration
Toggle Section
How are registration dates assigned?
For incoming first-year and transfer students, registration dates/times are assigned
at random.
For all subsequent registration periods after your registration as an incoming student,
your registration date/time will be assigned based on credits completed (not including
in-progress credits). The more credits you've completed, the earlier your registration
time will be. For example, seniors register before juniors, juniors register before
sophomores, etc.
Can I change my registration date?
No, you can't change your registration date. Once registration dates are assigned,
they are final.
I want to get into a class that's waitlisted. What can my Advisor do to help?
If a class you want to take is waitlisted, you should enroll into an open course first,
and then get on the waitlist
using the SWAP feature
. It is unlikely you will get into the class if you don’t use SWAP. Check with your
Advisor to see if you can take the class in an alternate semester. If it is critical
to your academic progress to take the course now, submit a
Permission Number Request form
. All requests will go to the appropriate department for review.
What is a permission number?
When there are restrictions preventing you from enrolling in a class (for example:
the class is reserved for majors or there is a prerequisite), the professor or the
chair of the department may be able to give you a permission number. This permission
number will allow you to enroll regardless of the restrictions. To request a permission
number, submit a
Permission Number Request form
.
I can't get into all the major/minor courses I need. What can I do?
Here are some things you can do if you can't get into the classes you need:
Make sure you are on the waitlist and that you used the
SWAP feature
to get there. Many students drop and switch classes during the first week. If you
are on the waitlist, you may be able to get into the class.
Email the professor on the first day of class to see if they will allow you to enroll.
If they do, they may require you to submit a
Permission Number Request form
on the Registrar's website.
If you absolutely need the class, you can email the chair of the department and explain
why you need to take the class that semester. They may also ask you to meet in person
to discuss your situation. In this case, it is a good idea to have an idea for a possible
independent study in mind as well, just in case you can't add the class. If your idea
is approved, you may be able to substitute the class with the independent study.
A class is open, but it won't let me enroll. What do I do?
If you're having trouble enrolling in an open class, try the following:
Check the class description for additional requirements that may be preventing you
from enrolling. Some classes have prerequisites and others are reserved for students
in a particular major or class standing. To request a permission number to override
those restrictions, submit a
Permission Number Request Form
.
Check if the class combines two different sections. Some classes combine two sections
into one large class. The section you're looking at may indicate open seats, but the
actual seat count is of both sections combined. To check the enrollment for the combined
sections, click the course number.
Contact the Registrar's Office
for further assistance. Email is the best method of contact.
What is the difference between a class and a class section?
"Class" is the actual class that is being taught, whereas "class section" refers to
the day, time, location and instructor teaching the class.
How will I know if I have a hold on my record? What should I do if I have a hold?
When you log in to the
Student Center
, look for the "Holds" box on the right. Click on the "details" button and the following
screen will tell you whether you have a hold and if so, which office placed it.
Remember: a hold on your record prevents you from registering for classes.
You will also see a phone number to call for more information on the hold and how
to get it removed. Common holds are from the Business Office, Health Center and Advising.
Holds often require 24-48 business hours to be removed.
After I register, how can I make sure that my classes are counting for the correct
requirements?
There is a section on your Program Evaluation that says, "Other courses not being
used to satisfy Major, Minor, and GE." If one or more of the classes you enrolled
in for the semester is showing up in this section, then it is not being used to satisfy
a specific requirement.
You should always refer to your Program Evaluation to make sure that the classes you
enroll in are being used to satisfy either your GE, major or minor/themed inquiry
requirements.
If you need to change the section a class is counting towards, contact the
Registrar's office
.
How can I change my grade to Pass/No Pass?
You can choose how you want to be graded when you enroll in a class. If you've already
started the semester and are currently taking the class, you can change how you want
to be graded in your
Student Center
. Follow
these di
rections to change your grading method
.
Important notes:
Students should consult with the department chair regarding the choice of "P/NP" grading
for courses in the major.
Undergraduates may take up to six semester credits per academic year (considered Fall
through end of Summer semesters) on a Pass/No Pass basis, excluding courses offered
only on a Pass/No Pass basis.
Please review the complete P/NP policy in the
university catalog
If you are unable to change your grading method online, you can email the
Registrar's Office
at
registrar@chapman.edu
. There are deadlines for changing the grade option every semester, so be sure to
check the
academic calendar
.
How will a Pass/No Pass grade affect me?
Pass/No Pass "grades" are not calculated into your GPA but will still earn you credit
for passing the class and show up as P (Pass) or NP (No Pass) on your transcripts. Please
note that a "C-" or higher grade is required to earn a passing "P" grade.
General Education classes can all be taken as Pass/No Pass. However, some classes
(major and minor requirements for example) don't let you choose the Pass/No Pass option. Students
should consult with the department chair regarding the choice of "P/NP" grading for
courses in the major.
Undergraduates may take up to six semester credits per academic year (considered Fall
through end of Summer semesters) on a Pass/No Pass basis, excluding courses offered
only on a Pass/No Pass basis. Please review the complete P/NP policy in the
university catalog
.
Can I drop a class?
It depends on the date.
First two weeks of the semester:
You can drop a class without a record of enrollment and without penalty.
Weeks three through 10:
You can withdraw from a course with a "W" recorded on your transcript.
What is the difference between dropping a class and withdrawing from a class?
Dropping a class means that the class is completely removed from your academic record.
It will not show up on your transcripts and you won’t be charged for the units.
Withdrawing from a class means the class will remain on your transcripts with a "W"
grade.
Does a "W" affect my GPA?
No, "W" grades are not calculated in your GPA.
However, they do remain on your transcript. This means that if you plan on applying
to graduate school, the schools you apply to will be able to see the W. That said,
one or two Ws should not significantly affect your chances of getting into graduate
school as long as you can explain why you withdrew.
What happens if I stop attending class?
If you stop going to a class without officially withdrawing, you will receive a grade
of "FW" (failure to withdraw), which is calculated as an F in your GPA.
Can I retake a class for a better grade?
Yes. As long as you take the exact same class again at Chapman, your new grade will
override your old one. Both classes and grades will remain on your transcript, but
only the new grade will be calculated into your GPA.
For example, if you did poorly in PSY 101, you can sign up for PSY 101 again in another
semester and only the grade you earn the second time around will be calculated into
your GPA.
You can also repeat a class at another school and transfer the credits to Chapman.
However, the original grade will not be removed from your GPA if you take the class
elsewhere.
Majors and minors
Toggle Section
Where can I learn more about the requirements for my major/minor?
You can see the requirements for your major/minor on your Program Evaluation, which
you can find in your
Student Center
.
Your Program Evaluation shows which requirements you've completed as well as which
ones you have left to complete.
You can also view major/minor requirements in your course catalog:
Catalogs (2019-2020 academic year and later)
How do I change my major?
The process for changing your major depends on which program you want to switch into.
You can find detailed instructions for all programs on our
Changing or Adding Majors page
.
Can I double major?
Yes, you can potentially double major, but it depends on what the two majors are,
how many credits they require, and how you schedule your classes. Some double major
combinations are not allowed because there is already too much overlap in classes.
Some majors require an application or additional requirements, so you will need to
plan ahead to ensure you’ll have time to finish all requirements.
Other programs have a large amount of required classes, so it may not be realistic
to double major in them. Be sure to research major requirements in both your current
major and major of interest before declaring a double major and
speak with your advisor.
To declare a second major, follow the steps on our
Change or Adding Majors page
.
What is a minor? Do I have to declare one?
A minor is a secondary area of academic focus that you can pursue alongside your major.
Minors can expand your skillset related to your major. For example, if you are a Computer
Science major looking to start your own business, you could minor in Entrepreneurship.
Minors can also help you get or stay involved in a subject you're interested in. For
example, if you want a career in physics but also love dancing, you could major in
Physics and minor in Dance.
You don't have to declare a minor, but you are required to complete an
Exploration Focus
as part of your graduation requirements. An Exploration Focus can be a second major,
a themed inquiry, the Honors program or a minor.
Most minors require 18-30 credits. Some also require an application or additional
documents before you can apply. The process for adding your minor depends on which
program (minor) you want to add or switch into. You can find detailed instructions
for all programs on our
Adding a Minor page
.
What is the difference between a minor and a themed inquiry?
A minor is a secondary area of academic focus that you can pursue alongside your major.
Minors are usually 18-30 credits.
On the other hand, a themed inquiry is a smaller set of interdisciplinary classes
designed around a shared topic. Themed inquiries are typically 12 credits. If you
are a transfer student, you may have a credit waiver for part of your themed inquiry;
please review this with your academic advisor.
You can take either a minor or a themed inquiry to fulfill your Exploration Focus
graduation requirement.
Differences between minors and themed inquiries
Minor
Themed Inquiry
A secondary area of academic focus that you can pursue alongside your major.
A small set of interdisciplinary classes designed around a shared topic
18–30 credits
12 credits (possibly fewer for transfer students)
Fulfills Exploration Focus graduation requirement
Fulfills Exploration Focus graduation requirement
When do I need to declare an Exploration Focus (themed inquiry, minor, second major,
honors)?
Students need to declare their additional area of study by the time they have completed
60 credits. If you have not done so by then, a registration hold will be placed on
your account. You will receive reminder emails from the Registrar's office if you
are close to meeting this. If you know what you want to declare before you reach 60
credits you can do so anytime! Some minors or majors have additional requirements
and/or an application to get into the major or minor so please plan accordingly. Students
can change their themed inquiry or minor after declaring it. Please meet with an advisor
to create a plan and make sure you can complete all requirements in time.
How do I declare an Exploration Focus (themed inquiry, second major, minor, honors)?
To declare a second major or a minor or declare a themed inquiry, follow the step-by-step
instructions on the
Change/Add Majors and Minors page
.
To apply to the honors program, see the
How to Apply to Honors page
.
Where can I see all the majors and minors at Chapman?
You can explore all the majors and minors we offer at Chapman in the
Chapman Catalog
.
Can I make my own major if Chapman does not offer one I'm interested in?
Yes. Chapman offers a self-designed major option. But your self-designed major cannot
be too similar to an already-existing major offered at Chapman. You can find the guidelines
and the application for self-designed majors on the
Self-Designed Major form
.
Follow these steps to apply for a self-designed major:
Find a full-time faculty member to work with. This full-time faculty member can be
someone within the field you are looking to study or a faculty member you have worked
with closely in the past. It can also be your advisor.
With the faculty member you choose, come up with a plan for your self-designed major.
Be sure to review all the guidelines and rules on the form.
Complete the form with all your intended classes.
Get all your classes on the form signed by department chairs in the various academic
departments (of the classes you've added to your form).
Get a final signature from the faculty member you've been working with and the chair
of their department (this is the "sponsoring department" signature on the form).
Submit the completed form to the Registrar's Office at
registrar@chapman.edu
. Then just sit tight. A committee member will get back to you soon and let you know
whether your self-designed major has been approved.
Can I make my own minor if Chapman does not offer one I'm interested in?
Yes. Chapman offers a self-designed minor option. But your self-designed minor cannot
be too similar to an already-existing major offered at Chapman. You can find the guidelines
and the application for self-designed minors on the
Self-Designed Minor form
.
Follow these steps to apply for a self-designed minor:
Find a full-time faculty member to work with. This full-time faculty member can be
someone within the field you are looking to study or a faculty member you have worked
with closely in the past. It can also be your Program Advisor.
With the faculty member you choose, come up with a plan for your self-designed minor.
Be sure to review all the guidelines and rules on the form.
Complete the form with all your intended classes.
Get all your classes on the form signed by department chairs in the various academic
departments (of the classes you've added to your form).
Get a final signature from the faculty member you've been working with and the chair
of their department (this is the "sponsoring department" signature on the form).
Submit the completed form to the Registrar’s Office at
registrar@chapman.edu
. Then just sit tight. A committee member will get back to you soon and let you know
whether your self-designed minor has been approved.
Graduation requirements/Program Evaluation
Toggle Section
Where can I find a list of my General Education (GE) Requirements?
You can find your General Education requirements on your Program Evaluation in your
Student Center
. You can also view a list of General Education options on our
General Education page
. Use the links on that page to view the courses you can take to satisfy each category.
How do I know which of my major classes can also count for GE credit?
To find out which of your major classes can also give you GE credit, follow these
steps:
Access the list of classes that are required for your major. You can find this on
your course catalog.
Catalogs (2019-2020 academic year and later)
Catalogs (2018-2019 academic year and earlier)
Go to the
General Education page
.
Choose the GE Inquiry category that you think your major class will satisfy.
For example, if you are a Business major, you are required to take MATH 109. If you
click on the Quantitative Inquiry link on the GE webpage, you will see that MATH 109
is an approved course for satisfying that requirement. Therefore, MATH 109 satisfies
both the requirement for your Business major and the Quantitative Inquiry GE.
How do I know I've completed all of my degree requirements and am ready for graduation?
Knowing whether you're ready to graduate is all about keeping on top of how far along
you are in your degree. You can do this by:
Checking your Program Evaluation regularly. Your Program Evaluation (located in your
Student Center
) tracks everything you need to keep up with your requirements (including credits,
classes, and GPA) so checking it regularly will give you a good grasp of how far away
you are from graduating. Categories that are fulfilled will display a "Satisfied"
status.
Meeting with your advisor regularly.
When I met with my major or minor program advisor, they agreed to let me substitute
a required class in my major with another class that I wanted to take. Why doesn't
this class show up in my Program Evaluation?
When you've substituted or waived a class, your advisor must officially request the
change by emailing the Registrar’s Office. If your Program Evaluation hasn’t been
updated, follow up with your advisor.
I took a class that should count for both major and GE credit, but it is not showing
under the GE section of my Program Evaluation. What should I do?
If a class that should count for major credit and GE credit isn’t showing up under
the GE section of your Program Evaluation, it may be because:
The class also counts for another GE area. Check your Program Evaluation carefully
and make sure the class isn’t listed somewhere else. If it is listed in another section
and you want it moved, submit the
GE Course Usage form
to the Registrar’s office at registrar@chapman.edu.
You have already exceeded the maximum of nine credits that can be shared between major
and GE credit.
If you are not sure, reach out to your advisor.
Transferring credits to Chapman
Toggle Section
How do I transfer classes from another college to Chapman?
To check if classes you want to take at another college will transfer to Chapman,
vist the
Transfer Credit and Articulation page
and see the section for Current Students.
If the class you want to transfer is not on the pre-approved list, contact
articulation@chapman.edu
from your Chapman email. Include your ID number and the information on the course
so the Office of the Registrar can check if the credits will transfer.
How do I order official transcripts that show my Chapman coursework?
You can
order official Chapman transcripts online
through the Registrar's office.
How do I send my transfer transcripts to Chapman?
To send your transfer transcripts to Chapman, ask the school that you are transferring
the credits from to email your official transcripts to
articulation@chapman.edu
.
If you need to mail your transcripts instead, request official transcripts from your
school and send them to:
Chapman University
Attn: Office of the University Registrar
One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866
How do I know if Chapman received my transcript?
The easiest way to see whether Chapman has received your transcripts is to log in
to your
Student Center
and access your Transfer Credit Report. This can be found on the main page of your
Student Center in the drop-down menu. If you need help, talk with your advisor
. You can also look at your Program Evaluation to see if it has been updated.
I have submitted my official transcripts but do not see them reflected on my transfer
credit report or Program Evaluation. What should I do?
It can take a few weeks for transcripts to be sent and processed. If you believe that
they should have been updated by now, reach out to the Registrar's office at
articulation@chapman.edu
.
Is there somewhere I can see how my coursework/test scores transferred?
You can view all your transfer coursework in your Transfer Credit Report, which you
can find on the main page of your
Student Center
in the drop-down menu. If you need help, talk with your advisor
.
What if a class I took at another school is not counting toward my major or a GE
category I think it should count for?
If you think that a class you took at another school should count towards your Chapman
credit but isn't, contact us for help:
For
major
classes, contact your advisor.
For
GE
classes in transfer, review and submit the
Transfer/Study Abroad Course Petition for GE Approval
to the Registrar's Office at
registrar@chapman.edu
.
For questions, email the Registrar at
articulation@chapman.edu
.
What does 100TR mean? 300TR?
This means that you are receiving Chapman credit for those classes but that we do
not offer an equivalent class. 100 means the class is lower division and 300 means
that the class is upper division.
Please review your Transfer Credit Report in your
Student Center
to see how the classes are transferring and to check any additional notes.
You can find additional information on our
Transfer Credit Policies and Guidelines page
.
Can I still turn in my AP/IB scores even though I'm not a new student?
Yes, you can submit AP or IB scores any time.
Before you submit your scores, review the
AP equivalencies
and
IB equivalencies
pages to make sure you are not repeating coursework.
When you are ready to submit your scores, use these links:
Submit AP score
Submit IB score
Academic difficulty
Toggle Section
What should I do if I'm doing poorly in a class?
If you are doing poorly in a class, first try:
Talking to the instructor and asking for help and advice on how you can improve.
Contacting the
Tutoring and Learning Center
for help.
After that, if you find you still can’t improve your grade, you might want to consider
withdrawing from the class. For the first 10 weeks of a semester, you can withdraw
from a class in your
Student Center
or in person at the Registrar's Office. (See the
academic calendar
for specific deadlines.)
Just keep in mind that failing to attend class doesn't count as a withdrawal and will
result in a grade of FW, which is counted as an F in your GPA. Also, if you withdraw
from a class that is required for your major or minor, you will need to retake that
class at a later date.
What is academic probation?
Academic probation is when your semester or cumulative Chapman GPA drops below 2.0.
When you are on academic probation, the amount of credits you can enroll in per semester
is limited:
If your cumulative GPA is
above
2.700, you can enroll in a maximum of 16 credits per semester.
If your cumulative GPA is
below
2.700, you can enroll in a maximum of 14 units per semester.
In addition, an advising hold is placed on your account. To remove the hold, you have
to meet with an assigned advisor throughout the semester for guidance on improving
your GPA.
What is academic dismissal?
Academic dismissal is when you are asked to leave Chapman because of poor academic
performance. You are subject to academic dismissal if:
Your cumulative Chapman GPA remains below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters.
OR
Your semester GPA falls below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters and your cumulative
GPA is below a 2.7
After you have been dismissed, you can still return to Chapman, but you must demonstrate:
Extraordinary circumstances that explain the unsatisfactory academic performance.
That you will succeed when you return.
What do I do if I need to take a semester off?
You can be away from the university for four consecutive semesters with no penalty.
This is called Interrupted Enrollment, and you don't need to fill out any paperwork.
All you have to do is not enroll in classes.
If you plan to be away from the university for a semester or more, we recommend you
meet with your advisor to consider your options, discuss how it will affect your academic
journey and make a plan for your return.
When you are ready to return, all you need to do is register for the upcoming semester
as you normally would. Just make sure to check your Chapman email regularly so that
you don’t miss any enrollment deadlines.
For more information on Interrupted Enrollment, check our
Interrupted Enrollment and Re-Enrollment page
.
Advising
Advising Overview
About Advising Office
Find Your Advisor
Registration Date and Time
Academic Probation and Dismissal
Language Exams
Undergraduate Advising FAQs
AdvisingFest
Contact Advising
Current students:
Contact your advisor
Potential students:
admit@chapman.edu
All other inquiries:
advising@chapman.edu
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