Prerequisites

A prerequisite is a course or instructional program that students are expected to complete as a necessary requirement before they are permitted to enroll in another course or instructional program that is more advanced. Students may attempt a course without having prerequisites if they have obtained the consent of the instructor to do so. If consent is not obtained, then students who have not fulfilled published prerequisites may be disenrolled from the course during the first week of classes.

Prerequisites:

• should be limited to specific courses or a realistic definition of specific background (e.g., 6 credits of undergraduate economics or ECON 499);
• should not be used to limit or control enrollment;
• should not include junior standing or senior standing for 300- or 400-level courses;
• should not include the phrase "or consent of instructor," which is always implied. Specify "consent of instructor" only if consent is a requirement;
• may include the phrase "Departmental approval required" in order to prevent the course reference number (CRN) from appearing in the Schedule of Classes if there is proper justification. Once the prerequisite includes this phrase, the department retains the "option" to prevent the CRN from appearing in the Schedule of Classes, it is not required on all sections;
• may not be more advanced than the course (e.g., a 100-level course may not require a 300-level prerequisite);
• may not differ for the 4XX- and 5XX-levels in a dual-listed (4XX/5XX) course;
• may not differ for CROSSLISTED courses.

To change a prerequisite, submit a Category II proposal.

Please see the Office of the Registrar's Prerequisite Policy.

Approval & Revisions: 3/22/02 Additional Information: Category II Proposals