Prerequisite Checking,
Student Information
"Course entry codes"
English/Humanities Division (206) 546-4770 ● Room 5390 or 5327
Math/Science Division (206) 546-4567 ● 2800 Bldg.

Shoreline Community College is dedicated to your educational success and recognizes the importance of appropriate preparation for classes. Since March 2006, the college registration system checks prerequisites for the following courses at the time that you register for them:

- Economics &201 (was 200)

- Philosophy &106 (was 120)

- Mathematics 070, 080, 098, 099, &107, 111, &141 (was 110), &142 (was 120), &146 (was 108), &148 (was 112), &151 (was 124), &152 (was 125), &163 (was 126), &171 (was 170), 211

- English 080, 090, 100, &101, &102

- Health Care Information 134 (Click here for details on: Health Care Information)

- Chemistry 121 and 171 (Click here for details on: Chemistry)

As of Summer 2008 many course numbers have changed; in those cases the old course numbers are noted in parentheses above. Courses with an “&” are Common Course Numbers and will be consistent across WA Community Colleges.

Prerequisites are posted as part of the course descriptions in the catalog and course schedule. If you were blocked from registration for any of these courses, and you believe you do have the prerequisites, the Math and English faculty are available to talk with you and ensure you will be able to register for the appropriate level class. 

Course Placement is based on documented performance through a test result or college course, and for mathematics placement these need to be within three years.  Students with mathematics courses more than three years old are recommended to talk to a Math Placement Advisor. Students with math test scores more than three years old need to re-take the placement test.  In special circumstances, students may be placed with permission of a Math or English Placement Advisor or the instructor of the class section they wish to take. Students who already have a Bachelors Degree are encouraged to discuss their math placement with a Math Placement Advisor.

Placement Tests

ASSET, COMPASS

The COMPASS test is our primary placement test for both math and English. The ASSET test is given by request for those students not comfortable taking the test on the computer.

SAT, ACT

SAT and ACT test scores of any testing date can be used for English placement. 

      Compare your results with the English Prerequisite Checking List, and the  Econ/Phil/Math Prerequisite Checking List which include approved test scores.

      Generally, we recommend the COMPASS (Assessment Center) test as the best placement tool.

For Economics &201, Philosophy &106 and Mathematics classes,
placement is based on documented test results or college courses taken
within the last THREE years.

Students with older test scores will need to re-test at the Assessment Center.

New students:

An English and Math Placement Advisor will be available at all of the New Student Advising & Registration sessions. When you attend the session, please be sure to bring copies of your test scores and transcripts. 

Continuing/Returning Students: 

You will be able to register for the next level if you had a 2.0 grade or higher in a completed class or have the minimum test scores. Classes with grades below a 2.0 do not meet the prerequisite for the next level. For math courses, the three year limit applies.

      Registration for the next level class will be based on:

a) You are currently enrolled in the prerequisite class, or 

b) Your previous/prerequisite class has a grade of 2.0 grade or higher AND for Economics &201, Philosophy &106 and Mathematics courses, it was taken within the last three years, or

c)  Your original placement test score; again, for Economics &201, Philosophy &106 and Mathematics courses, the test needs to be within the last three years.   

d) If you are currently in a class that serves as a prerequisite, please check your grade to ensure you meet the minimum grade requirement. During the break, the English and Math departments will also check the grades and withdraw students not meeting the prerequisite requirement. We strongly encourage students to do this themselves.

Transfer Students:

If you took the ASSET, COMPASS, SAT or ACT test, or an English or math class at another college, be sure to send your test results and/or official transcript to the Admissions Office.
If you are blocked by the registration system, here is what to do:

a)   Review the prerequisites by reviewing the course description in the Class Schedule, the English Prerequisite Checking List, the Econ/Phil/Math Prerequisite Checking List and/or the English Course Equivalency Chart for WA State Community Colleges and Public Universities or the Math Course Equivalency Chart for WA State Community Colleges and Public Universities.

b)  If you think you qualify to register for a particular course, please show copies of your test scores and transcripts to an English or Math Placement Advisor or the class instructor for registration authorization. 

Questions? Our faculty and staff are available to talk with you and make sure that you will be able to register for the appropriate level class.
English: See the English Placement Advisors’ schedule link for office hours, or call the Division Office at (206) 546-4770. 
Economics/Philosophy/Mathematics: See the Math Placement Advisors’ schedule link for office hours, or call the Division Office at (206) 546-4567. 

For additional information, click on the links below:

Assessment Center for testing information and schedule.
Class Schedule for course description and prerequisites.
English Course Equivalency Chart for WA State Community Colleges and Public Universities.
English Placement Advisors’ schedule for office hours.
English Prerequisite Checking List (includes approved courses and test scores)
Math Course Equivalency Chart for WA State Community Colleges
    and Public Universities
Math Placement Advisors’ schedule for office hours.
New Student Advising & Registration sessions for dates and times.
Econ/Phil/Math Prerequisite Checking List which includes the approved
    courses and test scores. 

Using course entry codes

Many courses require prerequisites or an instructor’s permission to register. In most cases it is the responsibility of the student because the computerized registration system does not check. However, for the classes listed in this web site, the registration database IS programmed to check. When Shoreline CC’s computer data show that you meet the prerequisites for a course you are registering for, you will be registered. When this information is not in our database, or you do not automatically meet the prerequisites, you will be blocked. The block can be overridden with a course entry code. A course entry code is a 5-digit number that is “attached’ to the course. Math and English Placement advisors as well as the deans of Science and of Humanities Divisions can review your situation and give you and entry code. In addition, the instructor of the class you wish to take can approve entrance to the class. To use a course entry code:

1. In an item number field on the Registration form, enter the class item number of the course
    that you want to add.
2. Click the Submit Add/Drop button.
    Registration is blocked for the class and a message appears indicating a course entry code
    is required. In the blank field next to the message, enter the 5-digit course entry code for the class.
3. Click the Submit Entry Code button.

Additional reasons registration for a class may be blocked are:

- you are registering before your assigned registration date;

- you are a new students at Shoreline CC and have an advising requirement;

for both reasons, please contact our Admissions Office for more information and clarification of our registration policies.

- the class is already full;

you will have an opportunity to add yourself to a class waitlist.