Prerequisites, Corequesites and Advisories
What are Prerequisites, Corequisites and Advisories?
It is the intent of Sacramento City College to guide students into courses in which they will have the greatest chance for academic success. There are courses in which students would be highly unlikely to succeed without being prepared with certain skills and knowledge. As a result, the college must limit enrollment in these courses to students who have demonstrated that they have the foundation to succeed.
A Prerequisite is a course requirement that a student must meet in order to demonstrate current readiness for enrollment in a course or educational program. Example: Students must complete ENGWR 300 with a grade "C" or better before they can enroll in ENGWR 301.
A Corequisite is a course that a student is required to enroll in at the same time as enrolling in another course. Example: Students must enroll in MATH 401 if they are enrolled in PHYS 410.
An Advisory is a suggested, but not required, course or skill level that a student is advised to meet prior to enrolling in a course or program. Example: PSYCH 360 has an advisory of ENGRD 310 or
ENGWR 100 completed with a grade "C" or better, indicating to the student their critical reading and writing skills improve their chances of success in the psychology class.
Prerequisite Challenge Procedures for Students
If you feel that you can meet the requirement, or if one of the conditions below exits, then you can challenge a prerequisite. A Prerequisite Challenge Form can be obtained from any division office. The form will explain what you must do. Criteria for challenging a prerequisite are:
- You have knowledge or ability to succeed in the course without the prerequisite. You must demonstrate to the department faculty to their satisfaction that this is true.
- You believe that the prerequisite is discriminatory or being applied in that manner. You must demonstrate how this is true.
Once you have completed the challenge procedure, instructional faculty will review your challenge. You will be informed in writing of their decision within five (5) working days. You may attend class during the five days you are waiting for their decision.
How are Prerequisites enforced?
Course requisites are enforced during the first week of instruction. No single staff or faculty member can "waive" an enrollment requirement for a student who wishes to enroll in a course that has an established prerequisite. Once a prerequisite has been legally established and adopted for a course, all students wishing to enroll in the course must be required to meet the prerequisite, and this requirement must be applied consistently. Students wishing to challenge the requisites must follow college procedures as described. Additionally, Allied Health departments enforce program departments for health occupations during the program application period.
How can students meet these requirements?
There are several ways for students to meet these requisites:
- Take the prerequisite course;
- Go through the Assessment process and place into the target course, if the prerequisite is in English, Math or Reading; or
- Take an equivalent class at another college;
- Currently enrolled in the class, but will be monitored during the final grade process.