» Academic Advising FAQs

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.

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.

You can check your degree requirements in your course 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 2022–2023, choose 2021–2022.)

Then search for your degree to check its requirements:

• Catalogs (2019–2020 academic year and later)

You can use your Program Evaluation (which you'll find in your My.Chapman 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.

Chapman requires all students 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.

Your Academic Advisor (in the Academic Advising Center) will primarily advise you on your non-major requirements, including GE requirements, university degree requirements, and academic policies.

Your major or minor Program Advisor  will primarily help you with questions about your major or minor requirements.  Academic Advisors and Program Advisors work together to help you to complete your degree and navigate your academics. There are also Program Advisors in the department for minor advising who may be different from your major Program Advisor.

Academic Advisors can: 

• Answer questions about academic policy, transfer credit, general education requirements, changing majors, petitions, etc. 
• Provide group advising for new students and assist with registration. 
• Serve as major or minor Program Advisors for undeclared students. 
• Help you get the support you need, whether it’s academic support, financial support or anything else.

 Academic Advisors generally do not help with: 

• Major/minor program specific requirements (your major/minor Program Advisor can assist with that) 
• Career advising (please contact with your school’s/college’s Career Advisor) 
• Study abroad (study abroad details and contact information are on the Global Education website) 
• Residence life/housing (you can contact Residence Life at reslife@chapman.edu)
• Financial Aid (you can contact Financial Aid at finaid@chapman.edu)

Program Advisors can: 

• Answer questions about major requirements.
• Recommended four-year plans for major completion.
• Help you with transfer requirements for your major or minor.
• Help you with class substitutions.
• Help you with any other issues you might have regarding completing your major or minor.
• Provide group advising for majors and minors.
• Assist you with registering for required major courses that may be closed at the time you register. Program Advisors may be able to provide you with a permission number to override course limits.

 Program Advisors generally do not help with: 

• General Education requirements, graduation requirements and questions about specific academic policies. Your Academic Advisor can assist with those.
• Career advising (please contact your school’s/college’s Career Advisor)
• Study abroad (study abroad details and contact information is on the Global Education website)
• Residence life/housing (you can contact Residence Life at reslife@chapman.edu)
• Financial Aid (you can contact Financial Aid at finaid@chapman.edu)

The Academic Advising Center offers several forms of advising, including:

• Walk-ins
• Individual appointments
• Group workshops
• Email advising

All advising is currently being conducted virtually. You can review all your different appointment options on our Appointments page and view the virtual walk-in schedule on our Walk-ins page. These pages can help you determine if your question is more appropriate for an appointment or walk-in.

If you have quick questions, you can join our walk-in hours to speak with an academic advisor. For the most up to date information visit our walk-in hours webpage.

Walk-in hours consists of 10-minute sessions and are meant for general questions. If you need more in-depth help, like reviewing your full Program Evaluation or questions about graduation, you should schedule an appointment rather than doing a walk-in.

A four-year plan is just what it sounds like: an outline of classes to plan to take and academic goals you plan to fulfill so that you can graduate in four years while still accomplishing all you want to do in college.

To start creating your own four-year plan, start by talking to your major Program Advisor. They will help you get started by introducing you to major classes.

Some majors already have a sample four-year plan in place, so reach out to your major department to see if they have one available. If you start from a sample four-year plan, you can then add to it and hone in on your goals by working with your Academic Advisor. 

Keep in mind that four-year plans are always subject to change based on course availability and the choices you make. This is why it is important that you create your own plan, make changes along the way and meet with your Academic Advisor and Program Advisor regularly.

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.

Here are some things you can do if you can't get into the classes you need:

1. Make sure you are on the waitlist. 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.
2. Email the professor to see if they have any spare seats in the class. If they do, they may require you to submit the Permission Number Request form on the Registrar’s website.
3. If you absolutely need the class, you can email the major or minor Program Advisor or 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.

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.

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 Academic Advising. Holds often require 24-48 business hours to be removed.

If you're having trouble enrolling in an open class, try the following:

1. 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.
2. 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.

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.

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 directions to change your grading method.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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 and speak with your major Program Advisors in both your current major and major of interest before declaring a double major.  

To declare a second major, follow the steps on our Change/Add Majors and Minors page.

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 Change/Add Majors and Minors page.

Most minors can be declared by filling out a Change of Major/Minor form and submitting it to the Registrar's Office at registrar@chapman.edu. 

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.

To declare a second major or a minor, 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.

You can explore all the majors and minors we offer at Chapman in your course catalog:

• Catalogs (2019–2020 academic year and later)

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Complete the form with all your intended classes.
4. 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).
5. 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).

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Complete the form with all your intended classes.
4. 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).
5. 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).

As you complete your General Education classes, you’ll be able to explore plenty of different fields that might interest you.

Once you decide on a major, you may even be able to use the General Education classes you’ve taken as credit for the major, bringing you closer to earning your degree. To help with this, we have a document called Exploratory Courses for Chapman University Majors that lists the classes in each major (including General Education classes) that are good options for exploring the major. 

Just keep in mind that you can only share up to nine credits between your major classes and GE.

To find out which of your major classes can also give you GE credit, follow these steps:

1. 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)
2. Go to the General Education page.
3. 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.

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.
• Meeting with your Academic Advisor regularly.
• Meeting with your major Program Advisor regularly.

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 Academic Advisor.

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.

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

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 Program 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.

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.

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

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 consider withdrawing from the class. For the first 10 weeks of a semester, you can withdraw from a class in your My.Chapman 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.

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 in the Academic Advising Center throughout the semester for guidance on improving your GPA.

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.

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 Academic Advisor and major Program 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.