Prerequisites/Restrictions
Prerequisites
Automated Prerequisite Checking
Schedule Builder checks to see if students have completed the required prerequisites for all undergraduate courses. Students not meeting the prerequisite for a course will be prevented from registration in a class unless the system finds an instructor-approved petition on file.
Instructors will review all students who have not met the prerequisite and have the right to remove a student from a course if the student has not completed the appropriate prerequisites. Refer to the General Catalog to determine course prerequisites.
Prerequisite Petition
If a prerequisite is not satisfied, the student will have an option to submit a prerequisite petition through Schedule Builder. This action will put you on a list of students not meeting prerequisites for the faculty of the course to review and determine if you will be completely enrolled in the course.
If you think you have completed all of the prerequisites, you can provide an explanation on the petition along with supporting documentation and submit it for evaluation during your pass time. The instructor will decide if you provided sufficient evidence to satisfy the prerequisite and will notify you if more information is needed. Once the instructor has decided on your petition, an email notification is sent to you. Any questions or concerns in regards to the status of your prerequisite petition should be directed to your instructor.
If you are currently enrolled in a class that has a prerequisite for a class you would like to enroll in for the next term, a petition is not needed. If you later fail to meet the prerequisites, you can submit a prerequisite petition.
Pending Petition
Your petition has a pending status until a final decision is made by your instructor. During the fall, winter, and spring quarters, petitions will be reviewed after Pass Two. During summer sessions, petitions are reviewed after registration appointments.
Your enrollment is not guaranteed until the instructor reviews your petition and makes a determination on your enrollment for the course. If your petition is still pending past the 20-day drop deadline, contact your professor for any questions or concerns.
Approved Petition
If your petition is approved, no further action is necessary.
For waitlisted students, an approved petition makes you eligible to enroll in the course, but you still need to be moved off the waitlist into a course in order to be registered.
Denied Petition
If your petition is denied, you are dropped from the course/waitlist. After a Prerequisite Petition has been denied, any requests to add this course need to be approved by the instructor via Permission to Add (PTA) number.
Enrollment Restrictions
Enrollment in some courses is restricted to certain student populations. Restrictions are listed in Schedule Builder and the Class Search Tool. Students may not enroll in a course with a restriction unless they meet the requirements of the restriction. If the course is restricted to majors, non-majors, seniors, upper division or class, you may request permission to waive the restriction from the instructor or department that offers the course. If the restriction is waived, the department issues a PTA number that allows you to enroll in the course.
If you recently submitted a change of major form, Schedule Builder does not allow you to enroll in courses until the change is approved and your student record has been updated with your new major. You may request permission to waive the restriction from the instructor or department that offers the course. If the restriction is waived, the department issues you a PTA number that allows you to enroll in the course.
Freshman Seminars. All Freshman Seminar (FRS) sections are restricted to freshmen until after Pass Two. Students only receive credit for one seminar per quarter. For more information, see First-Year Seminar.
Please note most course restrictions are removed starting with Pass Two registration.
Types of Restrictions
Student Level Restriction
A student-level restriction refers to undergraduate, second baccalaureate, graduate, etc.
College Restriction
College course restrictions refer to the college of the student’s declared major(s).
Major Restriction
Field-of-study major course restrictions refer to the student’s declared major(s).
Class-Level Restriction
A class-level restriction refers to freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, etc.