Frequently Asked Questions
CLICK HERE FOR PREREQUISITE CHALLENGE DEADLINE DATES
- How do I know what the prerequisite is for a class?
- Do I need to complete a Prerequisite Challenge form if I already took or am currently taking the prerequisite or corequisite course at SBCC?
- What if I am currently enrolled in the prerequisite course at SBCC and want to register for a course that requires its completion?
- Where do I find information regarding the prerequisites and/or corequisites for Health Information Technology (HIT) & Cancer Information (CIM) courses?
- What are the options to clear prerequisite and corequisites?
- Where do I find Assessment testing information regarding Math and English or how do I know if I need to take the assessment test?
- How do I challenge prerequisite or corequisite courses completed at other institutions other than SBCC?
- If I completed a Prerequisite Challenge in the past and it was approved, do I need to complete another Prerequisite Challenge?
FAQ's Continued:
- What if I am currently enrolled in the required prerequisite and/or corequisite course at another college and want to enroll next term?
- New: during SUMMER TERMS ONLY
- What if I cannot get my final grade to SBCC by the final deadline?
- Where do I submit my Prerequisite Challenge form?
- I completed the Prerequisite Challenge form, when can I enroll?
- Do my transcripts need to be official?
- I have ordered transcripts from my previous college, how do I know if SBCC has received them?
- What if I've satisfied the prerequisite or corequisite through means other than completed coursework?
- I received a course authorization code, why can't I register?
- I received clearance from the Transcript Evaluation Office to register for my class, why can't I register?
- If I am dropped from the class and have already paid what do I do?
Back to top- How do I know what the prerequisite is for a class? There are different ways to obtain course information. From the schedule of classes (http://sbcc.edu/classes/) you can click on the CRN number of the course that you are interested in and a window will open with the appropriate description. The PREREQ information relates to prerequisites. Click here for a sample view.
- Do I need to complete a Prerequisite Challenge form if I already took, or am currently taking the prerequisite or corequisite course at Santa Barbara City College? No, you do not need to complete a Prerequisite Challenge form. Prerequisite and corequisite courses that are completed or in-progress (IP) at SBCC will be cleared automatically, as will SBCC assessment test scores that satisfy prerequisites.
- What if I am currently enrolled in the prerequisite course at SBCC and want to register for a course that requires its completion? If you are enrolled in the prerequisite course at SBCC you will be allowed to register in the next level course. If you do not pass the prerequisite course with a "C" or better you will be administratively dropped.
- Where do I find information regarding the prerequisites and/or corequisites for Health Information Technology (HIT) & Cancer Information (CIM) courses? CLICK HERE to find the Health Information Technology (HIT) & Cancer Information (CIM) information
- What are the options to clear prerequisite and corequisites? There are many ways you can satisfy prerequisite and corequisites; assessment, completed courses at SBCC, equivalent courses at other institutions, etc, click here for more information on options to clear.
- Where do I find Assessment testing information regarding Math and English or how do I know if I need to take the assessment test? There are many options to satisfy math and English prerequisites; however high school courses do not meet any prerequisites for math or English classes. Please visit the Assessment Center for information and testing alternatives.
- How do I challenge prerequisite or corequisite courses completed at other institutions other than SBCC? If you have completed an equivalent or comparable prerequisite or corequisite course at another institution with a grade of "C" or better, complete Prerequisite Challenge Form A.
- If I completed a Prerequisite Challenge in the past and it was approved, do I need to complete another Prerequisite Challenge?
- Form A: If you completed Form A and have been approved for an equivalent course using external coursework that approval remains in your student profile forever.
- Form B: If you completed Form B and it was approved, it is only valid for that term and does not carry over to the next semester.
Example: If you completed a prerequisite challenge form A in the past and it was approved using an equivalent course, you do not need to complete another challenge for that same class. Challenge: HIT 201, PREREQ: BMS 146 and you completed equivalent course, you do not need to complete another prerequisite challenge form for any challenge requiring BMS 146.To view this clearance in your student profile login to pipeline, https://pipeline.sbcc.edu, select Student Records from the Registration and Records Channel (usually on the right side of your main page), select View Course Placement and Eligibility. This will show assessment placement, credit and eligibility, and course equivalency you have received. An example how it looks:
| Date | Course Placement and Eligibility |
|
20-APR-10 |
AP Credit for ENG 110/Elig 111 |
|
20-APR-10 |
Challenge Eligib Math 130/137 |
|
20-APR-10 |
High School Spanish (C) |
|
20-APR-10 |
BMS 146 Completed Equivalent |
EXTERNAL COURSE INFORMATION:
- What if I am currently enrolled in the required prerequisite and/or corequisite course at another college and want to enroll next term? This is an in-progress challenge and will only be processed for fall and spring terms! Complete FORM A and attach a copy of your current transcript and/or course schedule listing the prerequisite course you are enrolled in. Once the challenge is received and approved you will be permitted to temporarily enroll in your desired course. Final grades for courses in-progress are due on the Priority Review Deadline date, 10 days before the first day of class, NO EXCEPTIONS! Once the final grade is received you will be able to remain in the class, if no final grade is received, you will be dropped. Final grades will ONLY be accepted to the Transcript Evaluation Office one of the following four ways below. It is the students’ responsibility to track the Deadline Dates every semester!
- New: during SUMMER TERMS ONLY: Temporary clearance will not be given for ANY Summer Prerequisite Challenges. Only approved challenges will be cleared to register in desired class. The Transcript Evaluation Office will NOT accept Prerequisite Challenge Form B’s in lieu of final transcripts or grades for Summer terms. This INCLUDES HIGH SCHOOL coursework.
- What if I cannot get my final grade to SBCC by the final deadline? IN-PROGRESS CHALLENGES for FALL and SPRING TERMS ONLY: If you are enrolled in a course requiring a prerequisite and the Transcript Evaluation Office has not received your final grade by the Priority Review Deadline, you will be dropped. We will not make special arrangements; you must submit your final grade as soon as possible to prevent being dropped from the class.
- Where do I submit the Prerequisite Challenge Form? Four ways to submit final grade: By mail: SBCC Transcript Evaluation Office, 721
Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, by fax: (805) 892-3664, by email: prerequisites@sbcc.edu, and in person: To the Admissions and Records, Student Services Building SS-110,
Window 5
Student Services Building hours:
Monday, Thursday: 9:00 am - 4:15 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday: 9:00 am- 6:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm - I completed the Prerequisite Challenge form, when can I enroll? During Registration times for Fall and Spring terms ONLY: Once your paperwork is received, usually within 48 hours (subject to change)*, you will receive email notification from The Transcript Evaluation Office (prerequisites@sbcc.edu) regarding the status of your challenge via your pipeline email account. If your form is complete, you will be temporarily cleared to enroll in your desired course(s)*, summer term excluded. Prerequisite Challenge will be processed or responded to within 10 business days (subject to change)*, excluding holidays and weekends.
- Do my transcripts need to be official? No, Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for prerequisite and corequisite challenges; however for degree and transfer purposes official transcripts are required. Acceptance of unofficial transcripts is at the discretion of the Transcript Evaluation Office. The Transcript Evaluation Office will not accept unofficial transcripts on word documents; they must be scanned or copied from school with student and college name printed
- I have ordered transcripts from my previous college, how do I know if SBCC has received them? Click here for instructions: http://sbcc.edu/admissions/files/IncomingTranscriptsReceived.pdf
- What if I've completed the prerequisite or corequisite through means other than completed coursework? Some prerequisites or corequisites may be satisfied by means other than coursework (e.g. assessment level, certification, license, portfolio, previous knowledge, etc.). Students have the right to challenge prerequisites and corequisites on various grounds other than completions of coursework, in which case a Prerequisite Challenge Form B must be completed.
- I have received an authorization code, why can't I register? Your future instructor may have authorized you to add the course, however this does not exempt you from the prerequisite challenge process, this process goes beyond the instructor's authority. You need to follow the Prerequisite Challenge process and you will be able to use your course authorization code if your challenge is approved by the Transcript Evaluation Office
- I received clearance from the Transcript Evaluation Office to register for my class, why can't I register? An approved challenge does not guarantee space in any course. If the course is closed or has already begun you must contact the instructor and request an add authorization code.
- If I am dropped from a class and have already paid what do I do? You must request a refund here: http://sbcc.edu/fiscalservices/cashier/Refund.php
*PLEASE NOTE: Due to high volume of Prerequisite Challenges, clearance deadlines and timelines are subject to change to accommodate increasing demand
*The ten day clock begins once you receive an email from The Transcript Evaluation Office (prerequisites@sbcc.edu) regarding your Prerequisite Challenge
