Letters & Science Academic Advising :: Minimum Cumulative Progress (MCP)

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Last updated: March, 2008

This website is designed to help undergraduates in the College of Letters and Science understand the Minimum Cumulative Progress policy that was established in June 2007 by UCSB’s Academic Senate (Divisional Regulation 45). Although we are able to answer many questions below, some issues are still being resolved. We will update this site as soon as new information is available so please make sure you keep checking it.

What is MCP and why is it important?

The MCP policy was designed and approved by the faculty to provide important guideposts for academic progress. By meeting MCP guidelines, students graduate in a timely manner and open up UCSB’s admissions slots for new freshmen and transfers. In addition, UCSB receives funds for undergraduate education based on the number of units our students take. This policy is designed to encourage students to take the number of units each quarter that improves UCSB’s claim on university instructional revenues. At the same time, the MCP requirement establishes a reasonable expectation of student workload.

What is the MCP guideline?

For students entering as freshmen, the chart below sets expectations for cumulative progress.

Guideline for Minimum Cumulative Progress (MCP)
Number of MCP Quarters *	Units Completed **
1	12
2	27
3	42
4	56
5	71
6	86
7	101
8	116
9	132
10	148
11	164
12	180

*Includes all regular quarters at UCSB except those for which an MCP exception is granted (see below)

**Excludes units prior to admission to UCSB such as AP, IB and community college units earned in high school.

To satisfy the MCP guidelines, you are expected to enroll in a minimum of 12 units during a regular quarter of enrollment (Fall, Winter, Spring) and meet the “Units Completed” target listed for each MCP quarter. For example, by the end of their second MCP quarter, freshmen are expected to have completed 27 units, and by the end of their fifth MCP quarter, students who enter as freshmen are expected to have completed 71 units.

Students entering as freshmen should keep in mind that units earned before UCSB matriculation (e.g. Advanced Placement Exam units, International Baccalaureate credit, or enrollment in college courses while in high school) do not count for MCP. MCP is based only on units taken after you become a UCSB student. Pre-matriculation units will however count towards units needed for graduation.

For transfer students entering UCSB with 90 to 105 units, the first quarter at UCSB is considered to be quarter 7 for the purpose of MCP calculations. For these transfer students all units transferred to UCSB will count toward your MCP total. Transfer students who transfer with less than 90 units or more than 105 units are inserted at Quarter 1 of the table. Their MCP units completed is calculated as only the units completed after first enrollment at UCSB.

How and when will the MCP policy be implemented?

The following information represents a change from what you might have heard about how MCP policy will affect continuing students in Fall 2008. The result of this change is that no student will carry an MCP deficit or a positive MCP balance into academic year 2008/2009. Please read the following carefully.

The policy will be first implemented in Fall quarter, 2008. All students are subject to MCP irrespective of when they entered the university.

All students who enrolled at UCSB as freshmen, irrespective of when they first enrolled at UCSB, will start at quarter 1 on the above table. Note that this means that no units earned prior to Fall 2008 will be included in the MCP total units completed. For example, a student who entered as a freshman in Fall 2006 will start in Fall 2008 at MCP quarter 1 and will have to complete a minimum of 12 units in his or her first MCP quarter, irrespective of how many units he or she has previously completed.

All students who enrolled at UCSB as transfer students, irrespective of when they first enrolled, and who transferred with between 90 and 105 units, will start at quarter 7 on the above table. Note that this means that only units transferred in prior to matriculation at UCSB will be included in the MCP total units completed. For example, a transfer student who came to UCSB in Winter quarter 2008 with 95 units, will start in Fall 2008 at MCP quarter 7. At the beginning of Fall quarter 2008, this student will have 95 completed MCP units (equal to the units transferred in) and will be required to complete a minimum of 101 units by the end of their first MCP quarter. Any units they earned in Winter 2008 and Spring 2008 will not be included in the MCP total units completed, but they will count towards graduation requirements.

All students who enrolled at UCSB as transfer students, irrespective of when they first enrolled, and who transferred with less than 90 or more than 105 units will start at quarter 1 on the above table. Note that this means that no units earned prior to Fall 2008 will be included in the MCP total units completed. For example, a student who entered as a transfer student in Fall 2007, will start in Fall 2008 at MCP quarter 1 and will have to complete a minimum of 12 units in his or her first MCP quarter, irrespective of how many units he or she has previously completed.

Which units count towards my MCP unit total?

Units from all credit-bearing courses completed with a passing grade at UCSB are counted.
Units from in-progress courses (IP) will be counted as units passed.
Incomplete units are counted in the quarter during which the course was originally taken once a grade is assigned.
If a student receives a passing grade in a course and then repeats and passes the same course, units from each enrolment will count as MCP units during each relevant quarter up to a total of 16 repeated units. Beyond 16 repeated units, if the course was not passed at the first attempt, the units from a repeated course WILL count as MCP units. Beyond 16 repeated units, if the course was passed at the first attempt, the units from the repeated course WILL NOT count as MCP units. No partial credit for courses below 16 repeated units will be allowed towards MCP.

What about Advanced Placement units, International Baccalaureate units, or units completed prior to matriculating to UCSB?

For students who come to UCSB as freshmen, advanced placement (AP) units, International Baccalaureate (IB) units, and units completed prior to your first regular full-time quarter at UCSB will not count toward minimum progress; however, units earned prior to UCSB matriculation will count towards the 180/184 units needed for graduation. As we noted above, units taken in the UCSB Summer Session immediately preceding your first fall quarter of enrollment will count in your MCP unit total.

Do courses completed over the summer count toward minimum progress?

After Fall 2008, any units earned from UCSB summer course work after enrollment at UCSB will count towards MCP. Similarly, any transferable units earned at another college after Fall 2008 will count toward minimum progress.

Before Fall 2008, the only summer session units that can be used towards satisfaction of MCP are those units earned by a transfer student that are included in their pre-matriculation transfer units.

Starting in summer 2009, summer will provide an opportunity for students to earn MCP units. This allows students to reduce an MCP deficit or bank MCP units for future quarters.

Can I be granted an exception from MCP?

The Academic Senate regulation gives the Dean of Undergraduate Education the authority to grant exceptions for certain periods of time from MCP. MCP exceptions granted for any quarter result in neither the quarter nor the units earned during that quarter being included in MCP totals.

Exceptions will be granted without requiring any action by the student in the following circumstances:

The relevant period of study for students attending UC EAP, UCDC and UC Sacramento.
Students with a permanent disability who are registered with the Disabled Students Program (DSP).
Where approval of a complete retroactive withdrawal for a quarter is approved, the quarter is treated as an MCP Exception.
Where a student is put on an academic enrollment agreement, an MCP exception will be made based on the units required in the contract. There is no limit on the number of Contract/Exceptions given.
Students with approved permanent deficit loads.
Off-Campus Studies students.
EAP Reciprocity students.
Inter-Collegiate Athletes.

Students may apply, with appropriate supporting documentation, for an MCP exception. The process for applying for an exception is currently being developed. Further information about the process and its expected release date will be announced as soon as possible. In general terms, students will be eligible to apply for an exception to MCP on the basis of significant personal commitments for work, personal, family, and health reasons. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

Can I review my own MCP record?

We are currently working to provide a display in NEW GOLD that will allow you to access your personal MCP calculation. This display will be available in May 2008.

When will the College first review my MCP status?

For students who have an an even numbered MCP quarter in Spring 2009, the first MCP review will take place at the end of Spring 2009. Students with an odd numbered MCP quarter at the end of Spring 2009 will have their records reviewed for the first time at the completion of their next even numbered MCP quarter. Subsequent reviews will take place at the end of each student’s even numbered MCP quarter.

What happens when I have an MCP deficit?

If, when the college reviews your MCP record, you have an MCP deficit for the previous two consecutive MCP quarters, you will be placed on MCP probation. If you continue to carry an MCP deficit for two further consecutive quarters, you will be subject to dismissal because of failure to comply with MCP.

Will I still be able to graduate if I have not met minimum progress?

If you have officially filed to graduate and have met all degree requirements you will be allowed to graduate even if you are subject to MCP dismissal.

What happens if I have more than 12 MCP quarters?

This issue is under consideration.

What if I have other questions?

Please contact the College Advising Office in Cheadle Hall 1117 if you have further questions.

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