1) Admission

• No exemptions

2) Orientation

• Students with the following educational goals: preparation for a new career, advancement in their current job/career, maintenance of a certificate or license, educational development, or completion of credits for high school diploma

• Students enrolled in an apprenticeship program

• Students who have an associate degree or higher

• Students concurrently enrolled at a four-year college Back to Top

3) Assessment

• Students with the following educational goals: preparation for a new career, advancement in their current job/career, maintenance of a certificate or license, educational development, or completion of credits for high school diploma

• Students enrolled in an apprenticeship program

• Students who have an associate degree or higher

• Students concurrently enrolled at a four-year college

• Students who have taken the placement tests within the last three  years Back to Top

4) Counseling/Advising

• Students with the following educational goals: preparation for a new career, advancement in their current job/career, maintenance of a certificate or license, educational development, or completion of credits for high school diploma

• Students enrolled in an apprenticeship program

• Students who have an associate degree or higher

• Students concurrently enrolled at a four-year college

• Students who have taken the placement tests in the last three years Back to Top

5) Follow-up

• No exemptions

Admission is open to anyone who meets one of the following criteria:

• Persons who possess a high school diploma or California high school proficiency exam certification or GED with an average score of 45 or higher.

• Persons 18 years of age or older or emancipated minors who do not possess a high school diploma or equivalent may be admitted by the college under provisional admission status.

• High school students requesting concurrent enrollment may be admitted as "special part-time" students subject to the following criteria: Back to Top

a. Verification of high school grade point average (GPA) as stated in Policy 3000;

b. Is qualified for the course based on the required preparation as certified by the principal;

c. The requested course is UC/CSU transferable or advanced technical;

d. The requested course is not available at the school of attendance.

Persons who do not meet one of the admission criteria stated above will not be admitted under any circumstances.

All new students must file an application for admission at the Admissions Office. Students who have not been in continuous attendance for one year must file a new application for admission.

Applications for admission to San Diego City, Mesa and Miramar Colleges will be available on the Internet beginning with the Fall 2001 semester. You may access the online application at  www.communitycollege.net/applyonline

Every male citizen of the U. S. and male immigrant residing in the U. S., ages 18 through 25, must register with the Selective Service.       Back to Top

Students will be given an assessment appointment at the time of application.

Assessment guides students through the college curriculum. It is commonly used by community colleges to assist students in selecting courses best suited to their abilities and educational goals.

Assessment includes testing as well as other measures and is intended to assist students in meeting course prerequisites.

Students may meet course prerequisites based on other factors such as past educational achievements in mathematics or English or course completion.

Testing accommodations are available to students with disabilities. Contact Disability Support Programs and Services. Back to Top

Matriculating students who have been admitted to the college are expected to attend an orientation session before registering for classes at the college. The orientation program provides important information to students about the programs and services available at the college as well as strategies for student success.

New students are encouraged to attend a session with a counselor to develop a plan for their first semester in College. This important session will provide an interpretation of assessment results and recommended course placement and strategies for success. This is the first step in developing a Student Education Plan. Back to Top

The Student Education Plan (SEP) is an important tool to assist students in successfully attaining their goals without wasted time and effort. Counseling and career planning services are available to help students make wise choices concerning the programs and courses available.

The Student Education Plan (SEP) is an agreement which contains the official requirements for graduation and/or transfer. All transcripts of prior college work must be on file and and evaluated by the Evaluations Office before an official education plan can be prepared. See the Graduation section on page 57 for graduation filing requirements.

A SEP typically lays out a program of study for a four or six semester period. These plans allow students to determine how long it will take to complete a program of study and to be sure that all program requirements can be met within a particular period of time. Education plans may be changed. The student should review plans periodically with a counselor. They are revised as a student's goals or objectives change.

Assessment of interests and aptitudes is also available to those students who want more information or assistance in order to choose the "right" programs or courses. Back to Top

Follow-up services are available to all students as part of the college's commitment to student success. These services include a periodic review of student progress and education plans to assist students in reaching their educational goal. Students who need additional support services will be referred to those services. Back to Top

All students can register, drop, or add classes by telephone. ClassTalk is the name of the San Diego Community College District's telephone registration system. New and continuing students who have a valid application on file will receive an appointment to register by ClassTalk and a combined district class schedule in the mail for fall and spring semesters.

By using the combined schedule of classes and ClassTalk, a student can enroll in any available course offered at City, Mesa or Miramar Colleges. The class schedule is also available on the web at: http://www.sdccd.edu/schedule/classsch/termselect.cfm

ClassTalk is easy to use. Written instructions for using ClassTalk may be found in the combined schedule of classes and in the Admissions Office.    Back to Top

The following information and services are available through ClassTalk:

• registration

• a recording of the class schedule, fees, and payment deadlines

• cancellation of registration

• adding and dropping classes

• grade information

• purchase of parking permits

• purchase of an Associated Students College Membership

Up-to-date class schedule information and course descriptions for each campus are available on the Internet at http://www.sdccd.edu/schedule/classsch/termselect.cfm   This web site displays new classes, cancellations, and changes after the printed schedule has been distributed. A search engine allows students to search for classes by academic subject, by time and day, or by key words. Back to Top

Students may add classes by telephone until the deadline date published in the schedule of classes.

Students will not be allowed to add classes beyond the published deadline.

To add a class once the semester has begun, students must obtain an add code from the instructor, then must process and pay for the added class through ClassTalk.

If an instructor finds that a student has given his or her add code to another student, the instructor should administratively drop the student who was not issued the add code. Back to Top

Students may drop or withdraw from classes by telephone until the deadline dates published in the schedule of classes. Deadline dates not published in the schedule of classes are available in the Admissions Office.

It is the student's responsibility to drop classes. If a student remains on the class roster beyond the withdrawal deadline, the student will receive a letter grade even if he or she has stopped attending class.

*NOTE: The "withdrawal" deadline for the 18 week primary session is the Friday of the 11th week of instruction. Consult the class schedule for the published dates. Back to Top

Registration may be administratively canceled for the following reasons:

1) failure to pay all mandatory fees in accordance with the fee payment schedule;

2) using an add code issued to another student;

3) failure to meet the terms and conditions of a fee deferment;

4) failure to meet academic or progress standards;

5) denial of a "Petition to Challenge a Prerequisite." Back to Top

A student may be excluded from class or the college whenever the student:

1) Exhibits behavior which interferes with the educational process. An instructor may remove a student from two class sessions for disruptive behavior. (Refer to Policy 3100: Student Rights, Responsibilities and Administrative Due Process); or

2) Is found to have a communicable disease which requires isolation pursuant to a directive from the County Department of Public Health. Back to Top

No children are allowed in any classroom, or to be left unattended on the campus.

The maximum study load for a semester is 20 academic units exclusive of physical education activity units and/ or 25 units including physical education. In special circumstances, in which a student has an exceptional record of academic achievement, the Counseling Department may consider a request to increase this limit.

Students are reminded that each unit of credit is calculated to involve a total of at least three hours of classroom and outside time per week. Thus, a 20-unit study load represents a 60-hour work load each week. Students working full-time are advised NOT to attempt a full-time college program.

Twelve units of credit is considered a minimum fulltime program during a semester; nine units is three quarters time and six units, half-time.

The maximum study load for summer session is 12 academic units excluding physical education and/or 15 units including physical education. Back to Top

Consistent with state law and the goal of providing a fair and equitable registration system for all students, the San Diego Community College District has established the following priority system for assigning registration appointments for Fall and Spring semesters:

1) EOPS and DSPS students

2) Continuing students

3) New matriculating students

4) New students

5) Students possessing a baccalaureate or higher degree who are not matriculating

Within each of the five groups, students are prioritized according to cumulative units, including transfer units and work in progress. New students are assigned an appointment on a first-come, first- served basis. The priority is as follows: Back to Top

1) 50.0-69.9 units

2) 70.0-89.9 units

3) 49.9-0 units

4) more than 90 (in ascending order)

The priority system for Summer sessions is:

1) EOPS and DSPS students

2) Currently enrolled students

3) Previously enrolled students

4) New students

PREREQUISITES are courses that must be completed with a "C" or better prior to registration in a specific course.

COREQUISITES are courses that are required to be taken the same semester as another course.

LIMITATIONS ON ENROLLMENT are other restrictions that are stated in the course description such as "not open to students with credit in..." Back to Top

Students who believe they have sufficient grounds may challenge a prerequisite, corequisite, or limitation on enrollment. A student may obtain a Petition to Challenge in the Admissions Office and a copy of Procedures 5500.2. The completed petition must be filed in the Admissions Office no later than ten working days prior to the published add deadline for the course being challenged. Students who challenge a prerequisite or corequisite after the start of the semester must obtain an add code issued by the instructor prior to completing the petition. Contact the Admissions Office for additional information.

Residency is determined when a student applies for admission to the College. The following paragraphs summarize the rules and regulations related to student residency for tuition purposes. Details are found in the CA Education Code, section 68000 and Title 5, sections 54000-54072. Back to Top

Every person who is married or is age 18 or older and under no legal restriction may establish residence. Certain minors may also establish residence.

A California "resident" is a person who has resided in the state for more than one year prior to the residence determination date and shows "intent" to make the State of California their permanent residence.

An undocumented student is precluded from establishing residency. Restrictions also apply to some visas, please see the Residency Office.

The residence determination date is the day immediately preceding the first day of classes for each semester. Back to Top

No one factor determines residency. The following factors are called "indices of intent." They, along with a person's presence in California, are among the factors considered in determining California residency:

• Filing California state income taxes as a resident

• Possessing a California driver's license and a vehicle registered in California

• Voting in California

• Owning residential property in California for personal use

• Being licensed to practice a profession in California

• Having an active checking and/or savings account in a California bank

• Showing California on military records (Leave and Earnings Statement)

• Possessing a marriage license or a divorce decree issued in California

• Having paid nonresident tuition in another state

Several exceptions to the residency rules apply. They include, but are not limited, to the following: Back to Top

• Active duty military personnel stationed in California

• Dependents of active duty military personnel stationed in California.

• Certain minors who remained in California when their parents moved

• Self-supporting minors

• Full-time employees of the college or a state agency, or a child or spouse of the full-time employee

A student's residency status is determined at the time of application. Nonresident students must pay nonresident tuition in addition to the enrollment fee and other fees for credit classes. Tuition must be paid in full at the time of registration. Back to Top

A student incorrectly classified as a California resident is subject to reclassification as a nonresident and payment of all nonresident tuition. If incorrect classification results from false or misleading facts, a student may be excluded from classes or the college upon notification.

Reclassification to resident status must be requested by the student. Financial independence during the current year and preceding two years will be considered at the time the student requests reclassification. Information regarding requirements for reclassification is available in the Residency or Admissions Office.

Tuition will not be refunded to a student classified as a nonresident due to lack of documentation if, at a later date, documentation is presented for a previous semester. Back to Top

To appeal a residency determination decision, a student may file a Residency Determination Appeal form with the college Admissions and Records Supervisor.

Students are cautioned that this summary of rules regarding residency determination is by no means a complete explanation of their meaning or content.

For further information, contact the residency clerk in the Admissions Office. Changes may have been made in the statutes and in the regulations since this catalog was published. Back to Top

Providing false information necessary for establishing residency will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the college.

Contact the Admissions Office for more details.

San Diego City College will accept a limited number of nonimmigrant F-1 visa students. Acceptance into a program at the college is necessary before Immigration and Naturalization Service Form I-20 (certificate of eligibility) is issued by the college Admissions Office. The decision to grant an acceptance will be based on all evidence received prior to the deadlines. Students may contact the International Student Admissions Office at the following address to request forms or information: Back to Top

International Student Web Site
International Student Admissions Office
(619) 388-3476

San Diego City College
1313 Twelfth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101

1) An international student must register for and maintain a minimum of 12 units each semester while at City College. Part-time F-1 status will not be approved. The registration status and academic performance of all international students will be monitored by the college.

2) A recent photograph must be submitted with an application (passport size is acceptable).

3) Prospective international students are advised that they must comply with all requirements of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and of San Diego City College to be admitted as international students.

4) A transfer student from another accredited United States college or university must:

a. follow set transfer procedures of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; and

b. have pursued a full-time course of study with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (C) at the college the student was last authorized to attend. (An official transcript must be filed).

Application Fee: All international students are required to pay a $100.00 non-refundable application fee. Upon admission to the college, the fee will be applied toward the first semester nonresident tuition. The fee is valid for up to one year from the date processed. Back to Top

Admission for Fall Semester: Students must complete all admissions requirements no later than June 1 to be admitted for the fall semester. Since the processing of an application normally requires a minimum of three to five months, students are strongly encouraged to file an application by March 1 of the current year. Students who meet the June 1 deadline will be notified as soon as possible of their admission status. Admission to summer session is restricted to international students properly cleared by May 1 for admission to the Fall semester.

Admission for Spring Semester: Students must complete all admissions requirements no later than November 1 to be admitted for the Spring semester. Students who meet the November 1 deadline will be notified as soon as possible of their admission status. Back to Top

1) An international student must have graduated from high school (or its equivalent) with a grade point average of "C" (2.0) or better.

2) Students who have obtained a GED (General Education Development) must have attained a minimum score of 45.

3) Transcripts of all previous secondary and college/ university education must be submitted, including an English translation of the transcript, before an application will be considered. Back to Top

To be considered for admission, an international student whose native language is not English must present a minimum score of 500 on an International Test of English As a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 173 on the computerized version. Institutional reports or photocopies will not be accepted. Students may petition to waive the TOEFL requirement under one of the following conditions:

1) completion of a transfer level college English composition course at an accredited United States institution with a grade of "C" or higher;

Advanced Degrees: An international student in possession of an associate degree or its equivalent (completion of about 60 semester units) may be determined to be beyond the course offerings of City college and is encouraged to apply to a four-year college or university. Back to Top

1) Each international student must submit verification of sufficient financial resources. The verification must indicate the ability of the student to finance each year's education and living expenses to the satisfaction of the International Student Advisor (normally $13,000 a school year for two semesters).

2) An international student attending the college must pay all mandatory fees, including nonresident tuition, enrollment fees, and health services fees.

3) Financial aid is not available to F-1 visa international students.

4) An international student may not accept off-campus employment while attending college unless approval is granted by the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the International Student Advisor.

The college is located near public transportation and housing. The college does not provide or assist with housing. Housing is the responsibility of the student.

All other visa categories or immigrant classifications, other than F- , must see the Residency Office. Students who are residing in the United States on other than F-1 student visas must comply with all restrictions on total units enrolled as specified by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Back to Top

The enrollment fee is assessed of all students, including nonresidents. The fee is currently $11.00 per unit.

Waiver of the enrollment fee is available to students who petition and qualify as recipients of benefits under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, the Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary (SSI) program, or the General Assistance program. Back to Top

Indentured apprentices are exempt from enrollment fees for Apprenticeship Program classes only.

Financial Aid may be available to students who qualify for assistance.

Certain exemptions apply to "special part-time high school students." Contact the Admissions Office for more information.

All students are assessed a mandatory fee for health services and accident insurance. The health services fee is currently $12.00 per semester ($9.00 for summer session). The following students are exempt from the health services fee: Back to Top

1) Students attending under an approved apprenticeship program.

2) Students who, at the time of enrollment, are recipients of benefits under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program, the Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Program, or the General Assistance program.

3) Students exempt from payment of the enrollment fee.

4) Students enrolled exclusively in off-campus classes. These students pay only the accident insurance portion of the fee, which is currently $2.50.

In addition to the enrollment fee and health fee, tuition is charged to students who are not legal residents of California for tuition purposes. The 2001- 2002 non-resident tuition fee is $120.00 per unit. Back to Top

Students enrolled in occupational courses that require direct clinical practice must pay a fee for liability insurance. Liability insurance fee is automatically assessed at the time of registration. The current fee is $7.00 per semester.