Prerequisite Course Waiver Requests based on Completed College Coursework or Advanced Placement (AP) Test Score Report
Prerequisite Course Waivers Processed by Counseling
The Santa Monica College courses listed below have a computer enforced prerequisite and counseling can only process waiver requests for these classes, If you have completed the prerequisite course at another regionally accredited institution with a grade of ‘C’ or higher, or satisfied the prerequisite course by an Advanced Placement Exam Score of ‘3’ or higher please submit an online counseling inquiry with the following: a legible copy of your unofficial college transcript clearly noting the college/university where the course was taken, semester/quarter taken, and grade received which includes your name, and/or a copy of your College Board AP test score report. Indicate the course(s) you want to enroll in, your name, and your SMC ID number with your request. Decisions are emailed to your SMC email.
- Business 32, English, ESL, Statistics, and Math classes
- Anatomy 1, Biology 21, and Chemistry 11
Waivers for Other Chemistry, Physics & Biological Science
Counseling is NOT able to process these requests; however, directions for prerequisite course waiver requests are included below.
Prerequisite course waivers for science courses listed below are processed by the Science Department. Provide the following: a legible copy of your transcript that includes your name, web links to the course descriptions or course outlines, or the class syllabus. Include your name and your SMC ID number, and indicate the specific class you want to enroll in and email to sciencewaivers@smc.edu
- Anatomy 2, Biology 22 and 23, Microbiology 1, Nursing 17, Physiology 3 (Life Sciences)
- Chemistry 12, 21, 22, 24, 31, Physics 7, 9, 22, 23, 24, and Engineering 12, 16, 21, 22 (non-math prerequisites) (Physical Sciences)
Prerequisite course waiver requests are reviewed and processed by the SMC science department.
Prerequisite Course Waivers Issued by Other Departments
If you have completed the prerequisite course at another accredited institution with a grade of ‘C’ or higher, provide the following in an email: a legible copy of your transcript that includes your name and the college name, include your name and your SMC ID number and indicate the specific class you want to enroll in and submit your request via email, see below for specifics.
To request a prerequisite course waiver for Acct 6 & Acct 7, please email the Business department at Nasser_Dana@smc.edu. Please note it may take up to 10 days to review Acct 6 & Acct 7 requests.
To request a prerequisite course waiver for Architecture and Interior Architectural Design courses, please email the Design Technology Department Chair: cordova_sheila@smc.edu. The Architecture and Interior Architectural Design studio courses at Santa Monica College are uniquely designed and sequenced for our program. Prerequisite substitutions beyond ARC 10-Studio 1 are rarely considered. You must include:
- A clear copy of your transcript showing your name and the college name
- Your full name and SMC ID number
- The specific SMC studio course you wish to enroll in
- Examples of your studio project work or a request to schedule a meeting to review your portfolio
Important Disclaimer for ARC and IARC courses:
Approval of a prerequisite waiver to enroll in a higher-level ARC/IARC studio course
at SMC does not establish course equivalency at any transfer institution. Transfer
universities may require you to repeat coursework or submit additional materials for
portfolio or course reviews, regardless of the waiver granted by SMC. Students should
always consult with CMD Counselors(opens in new window) to understand how coursework
completed at other institutions may impact their individual transfer plans.
To request a prerequisite course waiver for Computer Science 20A or 20B please contact the CSIS Department or email the CS department chair. Email: Stahl_Howard@smc.edu
To request a prerequisite course waiver for Early Childhood Education 21 or 22 please contact the Early Childhood Education Department or email the ECE department chair. Email: Gary Huff, huff_gary@smc.edu
To request a prerequisite course waiver for Film 32 or 33 please contact the Communication and Media Studies Department or email the CMD department chair shaw_redelia@smc.edu or to request the Film 31 Challenge Exam please contact Drew Davis davis_drew@smc.edu.
Prerequisite course waivers for the following upper-division courses Communication Studies 310, Engl 300, IxD 330-470, or Psychology 320 are only available to students admitted into the Interaction Design (IxD) B.S. program. For waivers, please contact the CMD Counselor Amanda Garcia at Garcia_Amanda@smc.edu or Ashley Adjei at Adjei_Ashley@smc.edu. For information on applying to IxD, please visit ixd.smc.edu
To request a prerequisite waiver for Photography courses, email Photography Chair, Josh Sanseri, at sanseri_josh@smc.edu.
Any Other Class with a Prerequisite Course
Waivers for courses not listed above are not required at the time of enrollment (e.g., Chemistry 10 and Physics 6).
College Board Advanced Placement Course Placement
Placement/prerequisite course waivers will be issued according to the following:
- A score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP English Language & Composition or Composition & Literature exam will qualify you for English 2;
- A score of 3, 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB exam will qualify you for Math 8;
- A score of 3 on the AP Calculus BC exam will qualify you for Math 8;
- A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam will qualify you for Math 10, 11, 13, and 15.
- A score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Chemistry exam will qualify a student for Chemistry 11.
Note: If using college coursework from a regionally accredited institution or AP test scores to qualify for an AA degree, Cal-GETC, IGETC, or CSU GE Certification, you must request that your official transcript be sent from the college you attended and/or request that the College Board send your official AP test score report to SMC's Admissions. Speak with a counselor in the General Counseling & Transfer Services Center to request the evaluation and to avoid taking classes you don’t need.