Frequently Asked Questions

When will the semester term start at Cal Poly?

Cal Poly’s first semester will be fall August 17, 2026 and the first day of classes will be August 24, 2026.

Why is Cal Poly moving to a semester calendar?

In fall 2021, the CSU informed Cal Poly that the university is expected to move to semesters by fall 2025 (deadline since extended to fall 2026). The chancellor’s letter outlined three primary reasons why a semester-based calendar will be beneficial to Cal Poly students.

• First, a semester calendar will better allow Cal Poly to address some important articulation and equity issues.
• Second, it will enhance student success in several areas, such as summer internship start and end dates and study abroad.
• Third, the university can achieve greater administrative efficiency both locally at Cal Poly and more widely as part of the CSU system (as Cal Poly is currently the only university among the CSU’s 23 campuses that is on a quarters calendar).   

Read the chancellor’s full letter to President Armstrong on the campus communications page.

Why did Cal Poly receive an extension on its conversion to semesters?

Cal Poly requested an extension due to new curricular developments related to AB 928, which is an assembly bill approved by the legislature in fall 2021. AB 928 is designed to allow for a common general education transfer pathway from community colleges to both California State University and University of California institutions.

A new CSU GE executive order is expected in summer 2024. Because that timeline would not give us time to develop our local GE template and convert our GE curriculum for a fall 2025 semester, we were granted an extension.

How is the university supporting students during the conversion process?

The entire campus community is committed to supporting students as Cal Poly transitions from quarters to semesters. Faculty, staff, and administrators across all divisions have worked hard to identify changes that may impact students. While preserving and enhancing the Learn by Doing curriculum, Cal Poly students will have the necessary support to earn their degrees. Students should expect frequent communication about changes and opportunities to engage with programming that will support them in their academic goals.

What tools are available to help students prepare for semester conversion?

• Degree Progress Report (DPR): Available in the My Cal Poly Portal, the DPR lists completed and needed courses. 
• University Catalog: Contains information on course requirements, descriptions, prerequisites, General Education, and university policies. Students starting before Fall 2026 are on the 22-26 Quarter catalog, which has different requirements than the 26-28 Semester catalog.
• Curriculum Sheets and Flowcharts: Available on the Office of the Registrar Flowcharts web page, these tools help students stay on track toward graduation. The semester curriculum flowcharts will be finalized and published later this academic year for the 2026-2027 year.

What can incoming students do now to help them prepare for semester conversion?

• Check the semester conversion advising page often for updates.
• Consult the Degree Progress Report in the My Cal Poly Portal to identify completed and needed requirements.
• Degree Planner will allow you to see what a semester schedule might look like; you can use this tool to anticipate how to arrange your classes.
• Pay attention to advice from faculty and advisors to stay on track for graduation.
• Check email regularly for updates from the university, colleges, departments and/or advising centers for information about semester conversion.
• Follow your advising center’s social media and/or check their website for updates.
• Attend semester conversion informational events as offered.
• Take advantage of opportunities for internships, research, and mentoring.

What can student supporters do during the conversion process?

• Please encourage your students to pay attention to notifications from advisors to ensure they are on track to graduate. 
• Please encourage your students to consider taking summer courses so that they can be closer to meeting their graduation requirements.   

How can students, student supporters and community members stay updated on the conversion process?

Check and bookmark the semester conversion website. This site will be continuously updated to provide resources for faculty, staff, and students.

How will semesters affect student services on campus?

Student services will not be interrupted. Offices will adjust to ensure students are supported before, during, and after the conversion to semesters.

How will semesters affect student study abroad and summer opportunities?

Once on a semester calendar, Cal Poly will be better aligned with other semester campuses, allowing students to participate in various curricular and co-curricular activities, including study abroad programs, internships, and National Student Exchange Programs.

How will the calendar affect my ability to get a summer job, internship, or research opportunity?

The semester calendar will make it easier to pursue summer jobs, internships, or research opportunities, as employers often align their start dates with the end of a spring semester. Keep in mind that the summer prior to our first semester term will be shorter than typical.

When will the Academic Year 26-27 catalog be available?

It is available now. Please review the catalog here.

What will the summer session preceding Fall 2026 conversion to semesters look like? 

The last summer on quarters (Summer 2026) there will be a 5-week and a 7.5-week session.

What are the differences and similarities between a quarter system and a semester system

• What will my schedule look like under the semester model? How many units will I need to complete on semesters (Unit Converter)?
• Quarter Requirements: First-time, first-year undergraduate students need to complete 180-quarter units to graduate, typically taking four 4-unit courses per term.
• Semester Requirements: Students will need to complete 120-semester units to graduate, typically taking five 3-4 unit courses per term. The length of a semester is 15 instructional weeks, compared to 10 instructional weeks in the quarter model.

How will other schedules be impacted, e.g. Athletics, major university events such as Open House, Commencement and orientation programs (SLO Days and WOW)?  

The semester conversion will affect the timing of major university events to align with the new academic calendar. Events such as Athletics, Open House, Commencement, and orientation programs (SLO Days and WOW) will be rescheduled to fit the semester structure. For example, under the new calendar Commencement for San Luis Obispo is scheduled for May 22–23, 2027. These changes are designed to maintain continuity and ensure that students and families can plan accordingly.

Will General Education (GE) requirements change with the semester conversion?

Yes. Students who follow the new 2026–2028 semester catalog will be required to complete the 34-unit Cal-GETC lower-division GE pattern. This is a reduction from the 39-unit GE pattern used in the 2022–2026 quarter catalog. The change includes the removal of GE Area E (Lifelong Learning) and one course from Area C (Arts and Humanities).

These changes do not apply to students who remain on the quarter catalog. Most continuing students will stay on the 22–26 catalog unless they choose to switch. Students should consult with their academic advisor to determine which catalog and GE pattern is best for their academic goals. Please consult the section on catalog rights.

Will the requirements for my major change?

Possibly. Your academic department may make substitutions for specific classes due to semester conversion. However, whether your overall major requirements change depends on which catalog you follow.

Students who remain on the 2022–2026 quarter catalog will continue to follow their existing major requirements, though some course substitutions may be necessary due to changes in course offerings. Students who switch to the 2026–2028 semester catalog will follow a newly developed semester curriculum, which may include updated or restructured requirements.

Some departments may choose to move all students within a given cohort to the semester catalog if they believe the new curriculum better supports student success. Even in those cases, students retain their catalog rights and can choose to remain on the quarter catalog. It’s important to meet with your academic advisor to determine which catalog is most beneficial for your academic goals

To help interpret these changes:

• Many colleges have created requirement maps that show how quarter courses align with semester offerings.
• Departments and advising centers may offer additional resources, including advising sessions, flowcharts, and planning tools.

If you are unsure how your courses will count after the conversion, or whether you should switch catalogs, consult your department or college advising center for personalized guidance.

In addition, consult the semester conversion advising page for resources, including links to advising centers

How will this affect my course planning? How do I know which classes to take and when?

Careful planning will be essential during the transition to semesters. You will have support throughout the process with updated planning tools, course maps, and support from academic advisors. Departments may offer bridge or cap courses (see below) to help students complete course sequences that span the conversion.

What happens if I cannot finish a sequence of courses before the semester conversion?

Some majors include course sequences—groups of related classes that must be taken in a specific order (for example, PHYS 141, 142, and 143). With the transition to semesters, the content of some sequences is being redistributed across fewer or differently structured courses.

If you are partway through a sequence when the conversion happens, you may not have all the content needed to move directly into the next semester course. To help with this, some departments will offer:

• Bridge Courses: Short, 5-week courses designed to fill in missing content so you can continue in the sequence.
• Cap Courses: Full, 10-week courses that allow you to complete a sequence that no longer exists in the same form under the semester system.

Availability of these courses will vary by department. If you are in a sequence now or planning to start one soon, talk to your academic advisor to make sure you’re on the right path.

Will class sizes and the number of class sections offered increase with semester conversion? 

Class sizes depend on various factors, including teaching practices, department enrollment targets, instructor availability, and classroom or lab space. These factors will continue to inform class sizes and the number of course sections under the semester system

How will my Poly Profile account for semester conversion? 

Your official transcript will differentiate between the quarter classes you have taken and the semester courses you will take. More information will be available later this academic year.

What if my program changes my major for semesters or deactivates classes I still need to take?

Your degree requirements are based on the catalog that was active when you first enrolled at Cal Poly (for most continuing students, this is the 2022–2026 catalog). A catalog is an official document that outlines all the program requirements and university policies in effect for that academic year.

As a student, you have what are called catalog rights. This means you can complete your degree based on the requirements in place when you enrolled, even if those requirements change later. With the transition to semesters, Cal Poly has published a new catalog (2026–2028) that includes updated major and GE requirements.

You have the option to:

• Take semester courses but stay on your current (quarter-based) catalog, with some course substitutions as needed, or
• Switch to the new semester catalog, which may offer updated or streamlined requirements.

Some departments may choose to move all students in a cohort to the semester catalog if they believe it better supports student success. However, your catalog rights allow you to choose to remain on the quarter catalog if that is a better fit for your academic goals.

We strongly recommend meeting with your academic advisor to review your options and determine which catalog is best for you.

Will my quarter units count toward my degree following the conversion?

All units you earned on quarters at Cal Poly will count toward your total degree, though some may fulfill different requirements.

Will my graduation timeline change?

Not necessarily. The university is committed to ensuring that no credits are lost and that students can graduate on time. However, students are encouraged to meet with advisors to develop a personalized transition plan, especially if they are in high-unit majors or nearing graduation

Does a graduate student need to do anything to prepare for semester conversion?

Meet with your Graduate Coordinator to plan a course of study that leads to successful degree completion without loss of credit. If nearing completion, aim to graduate before Fall 2026. If not, develop a transition plan with your coordinator.

What if I decide to change majors before the semester conversion?

Consult with your academic advisor on how changing your major will affect your course requirements and time to graduation.

If I am applying to Cal Poly as a transfer student, how will semester conversion affect me?

The impact of semester conversion on transfer students depends on when you enroll and which catalog you follow.

• Students enrolling before Fall 2026 will begin on the quarter system and may complete their degree under the 2022–2026 quarter catalog. However, depending on your major and how far along you are in your program, you may be given the option—or in some cases, be advised—to switch to the semester catalog once it becomes available.
• Students enrolling in Fall 2026 or later will begin on the semester system and follow the 2026–2028 semester catalog.

Cal Poly has worked extensively to become more transfer-friendly as part of the semester conversion process. This includes aligning more closely with the semester calendars used by most California Community Colleges, simplifying GE pathways through Cal-GETC, and developing tools to help students understand how their transfer credits apply under both catalogs.

If you are a prospective or incoming transfer student, we strongly encourage you to:

• Review the transfer credit evaluation process
• Ask your advisor how your credits will apply under each catalog
• Stay informed about any department-specific guidance related to the transition

Why are we changing scheduling patterns?

Cal Poly will launch semesters in fall 2026. To prepare, consistent scheduling patterns are needed to maximize classroom use, support student progress, and align with CSU standards.

Who was consulted?

Department schedulers, department chairs and heads, the Academic Senate Instruction Committee, and the Academic Senate Executive Committee. Four focus groups were also held, and surveys were reviewed.

What were the main items requiring additional decisions?

Two areas needed further consultation:

• UU Hour
• Final exam length and schedule

What is happening with UU Hour?

Decision: Beginning fall 2026, UU Hour will move to Fridays, 11:00–11:50 a.m.

Reasoning:

• Retaining UU Hour on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. would have required Monday/Wednesday 7:00 a.m. classes.
• Faculty strongly indicated they did not support 7:00 a.m. classes.
• Students indicated they wanted to avoid missing classes on Thursdays during UU Hour.

What is happening with final exams?

Decision:Cal Poly will use a 2½-hour final exam schedule, which allows for adequate testing time and 30 minutes of passing time between exams.

Reasoning:

Three options were considered: 2 hours, 2½ hours, and 3 hours.

Concerns with each option:

• 2 hours: not enough testing time for some courses.
• 3 hours: only 10 minutes of passing time between exams
• 2½ hours: provided a middle ground.

Where can I find the full semester scheduling patterns?

The complete semester scheduling patterns are posted on the Registrar’s website.