Admissions and Records
Prerequisite Clearance
Before enrolling in a course with a prerequisite, you must show you've already met it. Select your situation from the options and follow the steps to clear your prerequisite before your registration date.
How to Clear Your Prerequisite
Completed at Fullerton College or Cypress College
You should be cleared automatically by the registration system if any of the following apply:
- You are currently enrolled in the appropriate prerequisite course at Fullerton College or Cypress College and are registering for a future semester.
- You have completed the appropriate prerequisite course at Fullerton College or Cypress College.
- You have completed the FC or Cypress assessment process and placed into a specific course level in English, ESL, Reading, or Math.
- For chemistry students: you have taken the Chemistry assessment test at Fullerton College and received the appropriate placement score.
If the above applies to you, attempt to enroll through myGateway on your registration day. If you encounter a prerequisite restriction, contact the Counseling Department.
Completed at Another College or University
You must contact the Fullerton College Counseling Center to obtain clearance. A General Information session (brief meeting with a counselor) is recommended — no need to schedule a full 45-minute appointment for clearance only.
Schedule a General Information appointment and bring:
- Transcripts from the other college (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) showing completion of the prerequisite with a grade of "C" or better. In-progress work or grade cards are not accepted.
- For out-of-state or private college coursework: course descriptions or outlines as supporting documentation.
- For coursework completed prior to 1995: a copy of the course description must be included.
Understanding Prerequisites, Corequisites & Advisories
Generally, prerequisites are met through satisfactory completion of appropriate coursework with a grade of "C" or higher. In some cases they may also be met through high school transcripts, AP scores, or an assessment test score from another California Community College (must be less than two years old).
Assessment testing at California Community Colleges has been replaced by alternative multiple-measure placement. Learn more: Assembly Bill 705 (AB 705).
When a course has a prerequisite, it means a student must have certain documentable skills and/or knowledge before entering the course. This knowledge is considered necessary for success. The prior knowledge may be a skill (e.g., types 35 words per minute), a license or certificate (e.g., a current Cosmetology License), an ability (e.g., speaks and writes Spanish fluently), a test score, or successful completion of a prior course (e.g., English 60 with a grade of "C" or better).
The student must complete the prerequisite with a grade of "C" or better before enrolling. Grades of D, F, or NC are not acceptable.
When a course has a corequisite, a student must take another specific course concurrently with it. In some cases, the corequisite may be taken prior to the course — but must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher.
For example, with many science lab courses, students may take the required lecture course either prior to the lab or concurrently with it.
When a course has an advisory, certain preparation is recommended — but not required — before enrolling. The student is advised to meet the condition before or alongside enrollment, but is not blocked from enrolling if they have not.
For example, an introductory design course may be advised before enrolling in more specialized art courses.
Still have questions?
The Fullerton College Counseling team is ready to help you get cleared and registered.