Download Prerequisite Petition Form

Definitions
Prerequisite
Corequisite
Advisory or recommended preparation
Limitations on enrollment
Access to Courses

When I try to register for a class, Web Connect says I need a prerequisite.  What is the prerequisite for the class I'm trying to add?
You can check the prerequisite to a class use the following resources:

• College Catalog - Course Descriptions
• Class Schedule - printed beneath each course and number, (not section number)
  
• Online using the Class Schedule Search and clicking on "additional Info."

Prerequisite Clearance - How do I clear a prerequisite?
To clear a prerequisite, you must have one of the following:

• an equivalent course taken at another post secondary institution;
• an assessment test in either English and/or math taken at a local area community college;
• an Advanced Placement (AP) test score that meets the Cuyamaca College AP Score for college credit.

If you believe you qualify, you may submit the appropriate documentation for review by completing the Petition for Prerequisite Clearance/Challenge.  Please read the front and back of this form for complete instructions.  Submit this form along with appropriate documentation to the Counseling Center for processing.

Prerequisite Challenge - How do I challenge a prerequisite?
English/Math Placement Challenge
Chemistry 120 Challenge
General Challenge to any Prerequisite

• Student Responsibilities
• College Responsibilities

English/Math Placement Challenge
If you already took the English and/or math assessment at Cuyamaca College, but wish to challenge your placement level, contact the Assessment Office at 619-660-4426 to schedule a challenge exam. Only exams given by the Cuyamaca College Assessment Office are acceptable for this purpose.

Chemistry Challenge
Please review the Cuyamaca College catalog regarding Chemistry prerequisites. If you wish to enroll in Chemistry 141 without taking Chemistry 120, you must take the Chemistry challenge exam. Contact the Assessment Office at 619-660-4426 to schedule an appointment. If you have taken an equivalent course to Chemistry 120, please complete Option I of this form.

General Challenge
The challenge process is designed for students who believe they have met a course prerequisite through means other than what is listed above.  You may challenge a prerequisite based on one or more of the following:

1. You have acquired through work or life experiences the skills and knowledge that is presupposed in terms of the course or program for which it is established. You must provide thorough documentation as to what skills and knowledge you have obtained, and how you obtained them. For example, if you are challenging CS 119 & 119L, you would provide written documentation describing your programming experience. In addition, you may choose to contact the chair person of the Computer Science Department to discuss your programming experience, and/or have a faculty member who teaches in the discipline give a written recommendation on the front of this form.

2. You will be subject to undue delay in attaining the goal in your educational plan because the college has not made the prerequisite or co-requisite course reasonably available.

3. You can demonstrate that you do not pose a threat to yourself or others in a course which has a prerequisite established to protect health and safety.

4. The prerequisite has not been established in accordance with the District’s process for establishing prerequisites and co-requisites, and has not been established in accord with Title 5.

5. The prerequisite or co-requisite is either unlawfully discriminatory or is being applied in an unlawfully discriminatory manner.

Student Responsibilities

1. Obtain a Prerequisite Clearance/Challenge from instructional faculty or the Counseling Center.

2. Complete the form by doing the following:

a. Select either I, “Prerequisite Clearance based on equivalent/similar course;” or II, “Grounds for Challenge.”
b. Attach supporting documentation, i.e. transcript and course descriptions if needed.
c. Provide a detailed explanation for number II, “Grounds for Challenge.”

3. It is advisable to speak with an instructional faculty member who teaches in the discipline you are challenging. However, it is not required.

4. If you are utilizing option II, “Grounds for Challenge” for English or math, you are required to take the Assessment test prior to filing the petition. To obtain a review of your challenge request, you must submit a Petition for Prerequisite Clearance/Challenge to the  Counseling Office no later than 10 working days prior to the published add deadline for the course being challenged. Students who challenge a prerequisite or corequisite after the start of the semester should speak with a counselor.

College Responsibilities

1. The completed form is forwarded to Division Dean or Dean of Counseling.

2. You will be notified within five (5) working days from the date the form is returned regarding the result of your petition.

3. To ensure timely processing, the following steps will occur:

a. Petition is completed by the student with appropriate documentation and signatures;
b. Petition is forwarded to the Division Dean or Dean of Counseling & Matriculation for action;
c. Petition is returned to the Dean of Counseling;
d. Student is notified by phone and/or email;
e. If petition is approved, prerequisite is cleared.