A prerequisite is a course or other body of knowledge that will enhance a student's chance of success in another course. Without it, a student is highly unlikely to be successful in the course for which the prerequisite is required. The San Mateo County Community College District will enforce all course prerequisites that have been approved and are listed in the Catalog and Schedule of Classes.

FAQs

1. Why prerequisites?
   Title 5 (state regulations that govern community colleges) requires that, if a course has a prerequisite, it must be necessary for success in the target course. Furthermore, the college must ensure that the prerequisite is equitably and fairly enforced and that it has been approved in a separate action by the curriculum committee at each college. If you have not completed the prerequisite(s), you may not enroll in the course for which the prerequisite(s) is/are required.
2. What if I am currently enrolled in the prerequisite course(s)?
   If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite course(s), the computer will not block your enrollment in the course. However, should you receive a final grade other than "A", "B" or "C" or "CR" in the prerequisite course(s), you will be notified in writing by Admissions and Records that you have been administratively withdrawn from the course. You are advised to see a counselor for further assistance with enrollment.
3. What if I completed the prerequisite at another college outside the San Mateo County Community College District?
   In order to receive credit for prerequisite courses taken at other colleges outside the San Mateo County Community College District, you must file a "Prerequisite Equivalency/Reciprocity of Course Placement" form with a counselor or on-line. The form can be found at the Student Services Information Center in Building 2 or on Skyline's web page. Submit the form with a copy of your unofficial transcript or grade report from the other college to a counselor for review. If your "Prerequisite Equivalency/Reciprocity of Course Placement" is approved by a counselor, the enrollment "flag" will be lifted, thereby allowing you to enroll in the course.
4. What happens if my request for prerequisite equivalency is not approved?
   If your prerequisite equivalency is denied because the course you completed was determined not to be equivalent to the prerequisite course, you will be notified by a counselor. You must then either complete the prerequisite course(s) or challenge the prerequisite course(s).
5. What if I have met the prerequisite with placement test results from another California Community College?
   Placement test policies vary at each of the colleges within the San Mateo County Community College District. Students may submit placement test recommendations from other California community colleges in lieu of taking the placement tests at Skyline College if the placement test was taken within the last two years and the tests are consistent with the Skyline placement test. It is the student's responsibility to provide placement test results for counselor review. Attach a copy of your placement test results to the "Prerequisite Equivalency/Reciprocity of Placement" form, which can be obtained at the Information Counter in the Student Services Center, Building 2 or print the prerequisite form (pdf). If the counselor determines that your placement recommendations from other California community colleges are accepted, the enrollment "flag" will be lifted, thereby allowing you to enroll in the course.
6. What happens if my placement test results from another community college are not accepted?
   You will need to complete the prerequisite course(s), take Skyline's placement test or challenge the prerequisite.
7. Will the San Mateo County Community College District accept coursework from high school as completion of a prerequisite?
   No. However, students who have completed high school coursework in certain subject areas (e.g. mathematics, foreign language), may be able to challenge a course prerequisite based on high school work. Check the college catalog course description for further information.
8. Can an instructor sign me into his or her class without having completed the course prerequisite(s)?
   No. The purpose of prerequisite enforcement is to make sure you have the necessary background to be successful in the course. An instructor's signature will not override the prerequisite requirement for the course.
9. What if the course instructor does not want the prerequisite enforced?
   Individual instructors cannot arbitrarily change prerequisites or enforce other enrollment standards unless they have been approved by the curriculum committee at each college. State regulations require uniformity among sections of the same course.
10. How is the computer blocking enforced?
    When you attempt to enroll in a course section, the computer will determine whether there is/are prerequisite(s) for the course. If not, you may enroll. If there is/are prerequisite(s), the computer then searches your placement and transcript record in the San Mateo County Community College District to see whether the prerequisite course(s) has/have been met. If you have successfully met the prerequisite(s) for the course or placement criteria, you may enroll in the course. If not, you will be informed that the prerequisite(s) has/have not been completed and you will not be allowed to enroll in the course. You are advised to see a counselor for further assistance with enrollment. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite course(s), the computer will not block your enrollment in the course. However, should you receive a final grade other than "A", "B" or "C" in the prerequisite course(s), you will be notified in writing by Admissions and Records that you have been administratively withdrawn from the course. You are advised to see a counselor for further assistance with enrollment.
11. What if I want to "waive" the prerequisite?
    WAIVERS ARE NOT ALLOWED. If the course has an approved prerequisite, it must be enforced. You do, however, have the right to challenge a prerequisite on certain grounds.
12. How can I challenge a prerequisite?
    You can challenge the prerequisite on one or more of four grounds, listed below:
    • If you believe you have the knowledge or ability to succeed in the course without completing the prerequisite
    • If you believe that the prerequisite has been established in violation of Title 5 regulations or the SMCCCD District Model Policy
    • If you believe that the prerequisite is discriminatory or is being applied in a discriminatory manner.
    • If you believe that the prerequisite course has not been made reasonably available.
13. How do I file a prerequisite challenge?
    If you wish to file a prerequisite challenge, you'll follow these steps:
    • The "Prerequisite Challenge Form" is available here or at the Student Services Information Center in Building 2 or from a counselor. A counselor can help you determine whether you would benefit from the challenge process.
    • Next you should contact a counselor, or the appropriate division dean to obtain specific information about filing and documenting your challenge request.
    • If you elect to challenge, submit the completed challenge with documentation to the appropriate Division office for review.
    • You will be notified in 5 business days if your challenge is subsequently approved, and you will be allowed to enroll in the course. If your challenge is not approved, you will be administratively withdrawn from the course.
14. What is the deadline for filing a completed prerequisite challenge packet?
    You must submit your completed prerequisite packet no later than five (5) working days prior to the last day to drop/add classes. If the course you wish to enroll in is a late start class, contact the Division Office for deadline dates.
15. Is there a timeline for processing challenges?
    Yes. The challenge must be acted on by the college no later than five working days after you submit the completed challenge packet to the division office designated on the "Prerequisite Challenge Form". If the college exceeds the five day limit, you will be allowed to stay in the class.