Time Frame to Obtain a Baccalaureate Degree

• All baccalaureate degree requirements will be completed within a period of ten (10) years preceding award of a Cal Poly degree.
• This ten-year time frame applies to all newly-admitted students and returning students.
• All major and support courses required for the baccalaureate degree must be completed within the aforementioned ten-year period immediately preceding award of the degree.
• Courses completed prior to this ten-year period may be revalidated by a demonstration of competence, knowledge of the subject, and/or currency in the discipline, as may be prescribed by the department offering the course.  The instrument for this is the Petition for Special Consideration.

Sources:

Academic Senate Resolution: AS-389-92/IC "Resolution on Time Frame to Obtain Degree" (PDF).  Adopted 26 May 1992.

California Code of Regulations: Title 5, Section 40401 "Election of Regulations". Amended 4 December 1984.

Cal Poly Academic Catalog: "Choice of Catalog / Catalog Rights".

Updated: 11/21/2023