Prerequisites
Prerequisites & Evaluation Process
Most courses offered through Butte College have some type of prerequisite or recommended preparation. These are used to establish a student's readiness for the content to be covered within a course. Prerequisites and recommended preparation include previously completed coursework or achievement of a specified skill level established from an assessment test.
How to Submit Transcripts/Test Scores from Another Institution
Challenging Prerequisites (Special Permission)
1. Submit the Placement and Prerequisite Evaluation (PDF) form if you have:
- Coursework completed with a grade of 'C' or better at another institution
- Assessment scores in reading, English and/or math from another institution
- AP (Advanced Placement) Exam score of '3' or higher*
- Early Assessment Program (EAP)
Students will not be permitted to enroll in reading, English, math or any course requiring prerequisite clearance until an evaluation is complete. An approved
clearance does not guarantee a space in any course.
2. After completing the form please submit it to the Assessment Office:
- Hand deliver:
- Main Campus Location (click here for a campus map)
Student & Administrative Services (SAS) Building
1st floor, Assessment Office (Room 110)
- Main Campus Location (click here for a campus map)
- Mailing Address:
- Butte College
ATTN: Assessment
3536 Butte Campus Dr.
Oroville, CA 95965
- Butte College
- Fax (530) 895-2249
- The Butte College Chico Center (2320 Forest Ave.) may fax your completed documents to the Assessment Office.
Be sure to include your phone number and Butte College student I.D. number. Call our office to ensure your material was received and to determine if everything is cleared for you in the computer prior to attending orientation/registration.
Unofficial transcripts and grade reports are acceptable for establishing placement. If you have had official transcripts sent to the College, you'll need to complete the Placement and Prerequisite Evaluation form to initiate an evaluation of your transcripts for placement purposes or to meet a prerequisite.
ALLOW ONE WEEK FOR EVALUATION
- Courses that require a previously completed course as the prerequisite (e.g., French I is the prerequisite to French II). These are indicated in the class schedule with an asterisk (*) symbol. The catalog and the counseling office can provide more information on this type of prerequisite.
- Reading, English, math, ESL, and select science courses require either: Satisfactory completion (grades of 'C' or better) of the prerequisite course or qualifying eligibility established from an assessment test. The assessment test has a five year time limit; after that, course eligibility drops back by one level.
Some courses require a 'corequisite' that is, concurrent enrollment in an additional specified course(s). This means all of the indicated courses need to be taken during the same term.
Most courses have specified basic skill placement levels as "recommended preparation." These levels are listed in the college catalog with the course descriptions and are shown as Recommended Prep. The faculty have established recommended placement levels for their courses to inform students of the basic skills (i.e., reading, writing and math skills) needed to perform satisfactorily, that is, receive at least a 'C' grade. The placement levels for most courses are: Reading IV, English III. Some courses have higher or lower levels and certain courses have math levels as recommended preparation. Levels are established by performance on the Basic Skills Assessment or completion of college reading, English, and/or math courses. Recommended preparation is advisory.
Challenging Prerequisites (Special Permission)
For information on how to challenge a prerequisite for a reading, English or math class, contact the Assessment Office (530.895.2511). Student challenges to their course eligibility in reading, English, and math classes, that have been established through assessment testing, may also be pursued through the Counseling Office. Students also may challenge other types of prerequisites or a corequisite for a course. The student will bear the initial burden of showing that grounds exist for the challenge. The challenge should be directed to the department which offers the course.
The following is a list of the grounds under which a challenge may be pursued:
- The student has the knowledge or ability to succeed in the course despite not meeting the prerequisite (documentation required).
- The student will be subject to undue delay in attaining the goal of his or her educational plan because the prerequisite or corequisite course has not been made reasonably available (Ed Plan must be on file).
- The prerequisite or corequisite is not valid because it is not necessary for success in the course for which it is required (documentation required).
