Continuous Enrollment
Policy
Effective Fall quarter 2009, graduate students will be required to maintain continuous enrollment from the time of first enrollment in a graduate program until completion of the degree. Continuous enrollment will be defined as being enrolled during Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters each year. However, if you plan to graduate Summer Quarter, you must be enrolled in Continuous Enrollment during the summer.
One mechanism for meeting this requirement is to register in a special course designated for this purpose during terms in which students are not regularly enrolled. The course designated for continuous enrollment purposes is GS S597 Continued Graduate Study. It is listed in the University catalog and taken through Cal Poly Continuing Education. It is a variable-unit course graded credit/no-credit. Credits in GS S597 do not count toward meeting degree requirements.
Students who fail to fulfill this continuous enrollment requirement will not be permitted to graduate - even if all degree requirements have been completed - until payment has been made for all quarters of non-enrollment (for example, the student may register in GS S597 through Continuing Education, for a number of units equal to the number of non-enrolled quarters).
All students must be enrolled during the quarter in which they graduate.
Deadlines to Register Each Quarter:
- Fall 2011 - November 28, 2011
Fee: $289 @ unit
- Winter 2012 - February 27, 2012
Fee: $289 @ unit
- Spring 2012 - May 29, 2012
Fee: $289 @ unit - Summer 2012 - August 20, 2012
Fee: $289 @ unit
Applicability:
The continuous enrollment requirement for graduate students applies to all graduate programs unless a program exemption has been approved. Students on approved university leaves of absence, as defined in the University catalog (Medical Leave; Planned Educational Leave) are not required to enroll during the leave period. In order for Planned Educational Leave to qualify for exemption from the continuous enrollment requirement, the leave must involve a formal education activity approved by the Dean of Research and Graduate Programs.
Registering in GS S597
- Download the Continuous Enrollment Form [PDF] or pick up registration materials from Cal Poly Continuing Education at Jespersen Hall, (Building 116), Room 101. Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8am to 5 pm, and most Fridays.
- Registration information requires name, date of birth, email address, Cal Poly ID number, program major and specialization, when you last attended Cal Poly and identification of the number of quarters you were not registered.
- Complete registration form and return to Continuing Education, Jespersen Hall (Building 116), in person or via fax (805) 756-5933 and pay the required fees.
- Processing your continuous enrollment may take up to 2 weeks.