About Clearing Prerequisites

Sometimes, a course you may want to take will have a prerequisite--a course you are required to complete before you can enroll in a more advanced course.

Ways to Clear Prerequisite:

▶ Email the District Office

An email can be sent to the Prerequisite Evaluators at our District Office: prereqinquiry@sdccd.edu.

Include your student ID number, contact information and the specific course in which you want to enroll.

Please attach an electronic copy of your transcripts that verify completed coursework.

A prerequisite course must have been taken at a regionally accredited college or university in which a grade of "C" or better has been earned. "D" grades are not acceptable.

▶ Submit Proof Of Prerequisite/Corequisite (Online Form, JIRA)

An online form can be submitted to clear prerequisites/corequisites.

After completing the form, attach an electronic copy of your transcript which verifies completed coursework.

Then submit the form, and check your email for updates regarding the status of the clearance.

You can complete the online form here: Proof of Prerequisite/Corequisite.

▶ Attend a Drop-In Counseling Session | Counseling In Student Services (Building I400, 3rd Floor)

Students who have taken courses at another college or university may see a drop-in counselor with their unofficial transcripts.

You may request to see a drop-in counselor by calling or emailing the Counseling Office at 619-388-2672 or sdmesafollowup@gmail.com.

Be sure to have an electronic copy of your transcript available.

▶ Challenge the Prerequisite via Challenge Exam | Admissions

If you have not taken the prerequisite course, but can demonstrate via an exam that you have the sufficient knowledge of the prerequisite course,

you may be able to clear the prerequisite.

The challenge Exam process is not intended to be a way for students to skip required courses. It is meant to be a tool to challenge the level of initial placement.

If successful, these challenges are departmental clearances of prerequisite classes only.

They are not for credit and will not appear on your transcript.

Challenge Exams

Math

Students that have received a a placement in math that they feel is lower than their abilities can take a Challenge Exam to attempt to clear the prerequisite for the
higher-level course.

Chemistry

Students who have prior knowledge in chemistry can take an exam to challenge the Chem 152 prerequisite before taking Chem 200 by enrolling in Chem 20, which is designed to
help students review material before taking Chem 200.

Contact Dr. Amanda Fusco-Hernandez at afusco@sdccd.edu for more information.

Languages

Challenge Exams in some of the foreign language classes are available. Explore Language & Literature

Frequently Asked Questions

What Courses Can I Challenge?

Math Challenge

Math 104 Trigonometry

Math 116 College Algebra

Math 121 Basic Techs/Applied Calc I

Math 141 Pre-Calculus

Math 150 Calculus/Analytic Geometry I

Chemistry Challenge

Chem 152 Introduction to General Chemistry

Language Challenge

Chinese

French

German

Italian

Japanese

Russian

Spanish

Tagalog

Vietnamese

Where Can I Find Information on Math Course Sequence?

Review the Math Course Sequence

Can I See Challenge Before I Decide to Submit a Challenge?

Sample Challenge Exams

How do I start the Petition to Challenge process?

You may submit a request directly to mySDCCD (JIRA) or contact Lauren Beltran (Admissions) at lbeltran001@sdccd.edu

*Contact up until two weeks before start of the semester.

Otherwise, during the first week of classes, exams are available through the Department Chair by appointment only.

Admissions by phone at 619.388.2682, by email at SDMesaAdmissions@sdccd.edu or visit in person on the first floor in Bldg. I400, room 102.

To submit a request directly to mySDCCD, click on Petition to Challenge

Student petition drop down

Drop down to select Student Petition and complete the form.

select Petition to Challenge

Drop down on Type of Petition and select Petition to Challenge.

How much time do I need for the Challenge Exam?

Depending on the exam you are challenging. Please review the time limit for each test:

60 Minutes:

Math 104: Trigonometry

Math 116: College Algebra

Math 121: Calculus

Math 141: PreCalculus

90 Minutes:
Math 150: Calculus (Calculator provided)

45 Minutes:

Chemistry 152

Languages

Writing exams | contact Department Chair Hannah Padilla Barajas at hpadilla@sdccd.edu or Admissions 619.388.2687 SDMesaAdmissions@sdccd.edu.