Enrolling in Courses

Students may enroll online using the SURF online enrollment system with certain exceptions (e.g., prerequisite, time conflict, or "in progress" class). All enrollment instructions, important dates and times, and online restrictions are described in each semester's class schedule.

The college provides early enrollment dates for matriculated students (see Matriculation), students participating in Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) or Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS), and active duty or recently discharged military personnel. (Contact Admissions and Records, DSPS, EOPS, or Veterans Services for more information.)

Credit Courses

Most MiraCosta College courses are offered for credit. That means they are taught by credentialed faculty who meet with students at regularly scheduled times or in self-paced or online formats, and they offer graded instructional experiences that require preparation averaging two hours of additional study for every hour of instruction. Credit courses are offered to meet requirements for two- and four-year degrees, job preparation or advancement, and basic skills.

Courses numbered from 100 to 199 are associate-degree applicable and represent freshman-level material and expectations for vocational or academic programs.

Courses numbered from 200 to 299 are intended for college sophomores. They often assume skills and knowledge acquired in freshman-level courses. Like the 100-level courses, they are taught at the college level and are applicable for an associate degree.

Note: 100- and 200-level courses may or may not be appropriate for transfer to a four-year college or university. The Transferring Course Work section of the catalog identifies courses that are transferable.

Courses numbered from 800 to 899 are college preparatory or basic skills courses that cannot be applied toward an associate degree. Students may take a maximum of 30 units of such courses; however, an exception is made for students who need English as a second language or who are learning disabled as identified by the college. (For more information, see Non-Degree Applicable Courses in the Academic Policies section of the catalog.)

Courses numbered from 900 to 999 do not fall in any of the above categories but are, for the most part, specialized or advanced. These courses cannot be applied toward an associate degree.

Course Outlines

Students wishing detailed information about courses, such as minimum standards in terms of learning objectives, types of assignments, and level of difficulty involved, may access course outlines at www.miracosta.edu/instruction/webcms.htm under Public Access.

Course Selection

Course selection is generally the student's responsibility and is based on the student's academic plan and previous academic record. Enrollment in English and math courses may require placement testing, which is described under "Assessment" in the Matriculation section of the catalog (see Matriculation). Members of the counseling staff are available to assist students in evaluating their academic potential and in making proper class selections.

Requisites

Some courses have prerequisites that must be met before a student can enroll in them. A prerequisite is a condition of enrollment that a student has to meet in order to demonstrate current readiness for enrollment in a course or program. It is a requirement that 1) is authorized by statute or regulation, 2) is necessary to protect the health and safety of the student or others, or 3) assures the student has the skills or knowledge without which he or she would be unlikely to receive a satisfactory grade in the course for which the prerequisite was established (per Title 5 §55003). Course work that is determined to meet a higher-level prerequisite course may be used to clear a lower-level prerequisite. For example, if a student has cleared the prerequisite for calculus, then he or she has also cleared the prerequisite for statistics.

A corequisite is another condition of enrollment. It is a course that must be taken in the same semester as another course either because it is authorized by statute or regulation or because it teaches skills and/or knowledge without which the student would be highly unlikely to receive a satisfactory grade in the companion course.

Meeting and Clearing Prerequisites

Students may meet prerequisite requirements through satisfactory completion of designated MiraCosta courses or by completing course work from other regionally accredited post-secondary institutions. Additionally, students may meet prerequisites by qualifying through appropriate MiraCosta competency or other approved exams. High school course work may not be used to clear prerequisites unless the prerequisite listed in the catalog specifically allows for it.

Only grades of "C" or higher (2.0 grade points based on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent) may be used to clear a prerequisite unless the course description states otherwise. To clear prerequisites taken at another institution, students need to provide a transcript or other evidence, such as a grade report, to the Admissions and Records Office along with a Requisite Review Form. The office reviews the transcript or other evidence to determine applicability.

All prerequisites need to be cleared before students can enroll online. Students who are enrolled in a requisite course can enroll in a course that requires the prerequisite for the following semester pending proof of the requisite course's satisfactory completion. If a student does not pass the requisite course with a "C" or better, he or she will be involuntarily withdrawn from the course and refunded applicable fees.

Challenging Prerequisites

MiraCosta offers a timely challenge process to students who believe they should be permitted to enroll in a course or program without meeting the prerequisite or corequisite requirement. The only grounds for challenge are as follows (per Title 5 §55003):

• The student has the knowledge or ability to succeed in the course or program despite not meeting the prerequisite or corequisite
• The student will be subject to undue delay in attaining the goal of his or her student educational plan because the prerequisite or corequisite course has not been made reasonably available
• The requisite or limitation on enrollment is in violation of Title 5, was not established according to MiraCosta College Board Policy, or is unlawfully discriminatory or is being applied in an unlawfully discriminatory manner
• The enrollment limitation does not have a basis allowed in Title 5 or is not justified by the facts
• The course has a health and safety prerequisite, but the student can demonstrate that he or she does not pose a threat to himself or herself or others.

If the challenge is upheld, the student may remain in the course or program. Specific information concerning the challenge procedure and the required forms are available in the Admissions and Records Office.

From MCCCD Board Policy/Administrative Procedure 4260.

Multiple and Overlapping Enrollments

Students may not enroll in two or more sections of the same credit course during the same term unless the length of the courses allows enrollment without the student being enrolled in more than one section at any given time.

Enrollment in two or more courses that have overlapping meeting times is not allowed except in special circumstances. To request approval for such an exception, the student needs to submit a Time Conflict Approval Form. If the student is allowed to enroll in overlapping classes, then for attendance accounting purposes, he or she must satisfy the following requirements (per Title 5 §55007):

1. The student provides sound justification other than scheduling convenience
2. The director of Admissions and Records approves the schedule
3. MiraCosta maintains documentation describing the justification and showing the student made up the hours of overlap during the same week under the instructor's supervision.

From MCCCD Board Policy/Administrative Procedure 4226

Adding Classes

Full-semester-length and 15-week classes may be added through the first week of the semester or, at the instructor's discretion, through the second week. If a student wishes to add a class that is closed (full), he or she may attend the first class meeting and request a permission number from the instructor if room becomes available. A student has not successfully added a class until he or she has officially enrolled and paid the appropriate fees. The instructor will ask the student to verify enrollment with the receipt obtained from SURF or the Admissions and Records Office/Student Accounts. A student may not add a class after the deadline listed in the class schedule. Students who believe they have extenuating circumstances for adding late may petition the instructor and appropriate dean. Deadlines for short-term, late-start, and open-entry classes are available in the Admissions and Records Office.

From MCCCD Administrative Procedure 5075

Dropping Classes

Students are responsible for dropping their own unwanted classes; however, instructors may drop students who are absent for the first class meeting or who have excessive absences thereafter. In addition, students may be dropped for non-payment, for failing to meet prerequisites, or as a result of disciplinary action (see Student Rights & Responsibilites). To avoid receiving a failing grade, a student must officially drop a class either by using the online SURF system or by submitting a Drop Card to the Admissions and Records Office by the appropriate deadline. The instructor's signature is not required on the Drop Card. Three deadlines pertain to dropping a class: the first entitles the student to a refund and no record on his or her transcript; the second deadline results in a "W" (withdrawal) rather than an evaluative grade and no refund; and the third deadline is the 60% withdrawal date for calculating return of Title 5 funds for financial aid purposes. Each semester's class schedule lists the deadlines for dropping standard full-semester and short-term classes.

Wait List for Full Classes

Some classes fill quickly. Students who cannot substitute another section of a full class or who cannot choose a different course altogether may sign up for the wait list and attend the first class meeting. If enrolled students are not present or other students decide to withdraw from the class, the instructor may allow students from the wait list to enroll. The instructor issues those students a permission number to use for adding the class on SURF. Students who wish to waitlist online courses should select wait list and contact the instructor via e-mail to inquire about possible openings.

Class Attendance

Students must attend the first class meeting and arrive on time or risk being dropped from the class to make room for another student. Students taking online courses should log in to the course on the first day of class. Directions for logging in are located at www.miracosta.edu/cybercosta.

Instructors are required to drop any student who stops attending class prior to the semester census date (generally the first two weeks of classes). After that, instructors establish their own attendance policies, defined in their course syllabi, which may include dropping students for excessive absences up until the "drop" deadline (see class schedule for the drop deadline).

If a student chooses to drop a class, it is his/her responsibility to do so using the SURF online enrollment system or in person at the Admissions and Records Office. Instructors are allowed to drop students for non-attendance but are not required to do so. A student who does not take responsibility for dropping a class may receive an "F" as a final grade.

Auditing Classes

The Board of Trustees authorizes auditing of classes only when the student has exhausted all opportunities for repetition as allowed for both non-repeatable and performance, skill, or activity courses. Students who have completed course work in the same class at another institution must provide transcripts to Admissions and Records.

Students requesting permission to audit must complete a Petition to Audit form and secure approval of the instructor and the department chair. The instructor and department chair reserve the right to approve or disapprove any audit according to their discretion, and their decision is final. Priority will be given to students enrolling in the course for credit. Students may not obtain permission for auditing until after the class add deadline in order to allow non-auditors to enroll. Auditors will not be counted in enrollment-based decsions about maintaining or canceling classes.

Payment of $15 per unit is required at the time of submission of the paperwork to Admissions and Records. A student enrolled in classes to receive credit for 10 or more semester units, may audit for free, three or fewer semester units. Admissions and Records staff will verify payment and that the student has met the repetition conditions for the course.

Audit fees are not covered by the Board of Governors Fee Waiver Program. Audit fees are non-refundable once the audit has been approved, paid, and submitted to Admissions and Records.

MCCCD Administrative Procedure 4070

Fees

MiraCosta College is required by state law to charge each student a per-unit enrollment fee for credit classes. This fee is subject to change as directed by the California Legislature. All other fees are subject to change as directed either by the California Legislature or by the MiraCosta College Board of Trustees in accordance with Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.

Detailed information about fees, financial aid, and scholarships can be found in each semester's class schedule, in the Financial Aid Office (located in Building 3000 of the Oceanside Campus), and on the Student Services page of the college website: www.miracosta.edu/studentservices.

Fees are due at the time of enrollment. Any debt will result in denial of further enrollment privileges and withholding of services, such as transcript requests and enrollment verifications.

Non-Resident Tuition

International students pay a per-unit non-resident fee. A student classified as a non-resident is required, except as otherwise provided, to pay a non-resident fee per unit in addition to the regular enrollment fee.

Cost of Textbooks

Most credit courses require students to provide their own textbooks, lab manuals, workbooks, and supplies. Course materials such as these can be purchased new or used from the college bookstore. Because textbooks are often more expensive than the enrollment fee, students are encouraged to participate in the bookstore's used book and book buy-back program. Students who need assistance paying for books should contact the Financial Aid Office to determine their eligibility for financial aid, book grants, or book loans.

Books for classes taught at the Oceanside Campus and all online courses must be purchased at the Oceanside Spartan Bookstore or the Oceanside Web site; books for classes taught at the San Elijo Campus must be purchased at the San Elijo bookstore or the San Elijo website; books for classes taught at the Community Learning Center (CLC) must be purchased at the CLC bookstore.

Health Services Fee

All students enrolled in credit courses and taking any number of units at the Oceanside Campus, San Elijo Campus, Community Learning Center, or Oceanside College of Beauty are required to pay a health services fee as prescribed by the MiraCosta College Board of Trustees.

Students enrolled in credit courses conducted at other locations must also pay the health services fee. However, companies or school districts that arrange for MiraCosta to conduct classes at off-site locations may request a waiver of the health services fee by providing proof of accident insurance. Arrangements for a fee waiver need to be made with the Office of Instruction when off-site class negotiations are conducted.

The following students are not required to pay the health services fee:

• Those taking only online courses or studying abroad. (These students must notify the Student Accounts Office to be exempted from the fee.)
• Those who are enrolled in noncredit courses. (They may choose to pay the fee if they want to use and benefit from the health and medical services that the Health Services Office provides.)
• Those who depend exclusively upon prayer for healing in accordance with the teachings of a bona fide religious sect, denomination, or organization. (These students must present documentary evidence of their affiliation with a bona fide religious sect, denomination, or organization.)

Instructional Material Fees

Some courses have a "required instructional and other materials" fee, which means students must purchase certain materials as a condition of their registration, enrollment, or entry into a class. These materials must be necessary for the student to achieve the respective course's objectives, and they must be of continuing value to the student outside of the classroom setting (per Title 5 §59402). Examples of these materials include, but are not limited to, tools, equipment, and clothing that are necessary for a student's vocational training and employment.

Parking Fees

All student vehicles parked on campus must be registered with the Parking/Campus Police Office, which is located in Parking Lot 1A on the Oceanside Campus and on the east side of the entrance to the San Elijo Campus. Upon request, the office will provide a copy of all the rules and regulations that pertain to parking on campus.

A parking fee is charged for registration of each vehicle each semester with some exceptions, which are listed in the class schedule, and the fee varies with the type of vehicle. Students receive a parking decal when they register their vehicle, and it needs to be affixed properly to the registered vehicle. Students who violate the college's parking rules and regulations are subject to citations and fines.

Student Center Fee

A Student Center fee of $1 per credit unit with a maximum of $10 per academic year (summer through spring) is charged to students enrolled in on-campus credit classes at the San Elijo or Oceanside Campus. This fee is waived for students who provide the Financial Aid Office with documentation of their participation in AFDC/TANF, SSI, or General Relief.

Student Identification Card (optional)

The student identification (ID) card supports a variety of college services, such as using computer and language labs and writing checks in the college bookstore. The student ID card also serves as the college library card, expediting access to the library circulating collection and academic reserve collections. Students without a valid MiraCosta student ID card must provide proof of current semester registration along with a government-issued photo ID and proof of current address to access these library services.

Another advantage of having a student ID card is the cardholder discount students receive at various North County businesses, such as at participating copy centers, theatres, restaurants, clubs, museums, and sports events. In addition, ID card fees help fund a number of student activities and campus events as well as the publication of the Chariot student newspaper.

To obtain a card, students need to pay the fee at enrollment and bring their receipt of purchase and a picture ID to the Student Activities Office at either campus.

Auditing Fees

Auditors must pay a non-refundable audit fee per unit and are charged for all instructional materials and parking. Students enrolled in 10 or more units may audit an additional three or fewer units without paying a fee.

Transcript Fees

Two transcripts are provided to each student without cost. Additional copies cost $5 each. An additional $2 processing fee is charged for transcripts ordered online.

 

Refunds

Student Eligibility for Refund

Refunds of enrollment, non-resident, Student Center, health services, and materials fees are given to the following students:

• Those whose classes have been canceled by the district
• Those who have officially dropped from classes (they have dropped online using SURF or turned in a Drop Card to the Admissions and Records Office) during the first two weeks of a full-semester class (or by 10 percent of a short-term class)
• Those who are members of an active or reserve military service who receive orders compelling a withdrawal from courses at any time during the semester.

Processing of Refunds

Refunds are processed at the end of late registration. They are automatically mailed or credited to the student's credit card throughout the semester. Students who have not received their refund by the sixth week of classes should call the Student Accounts Office at 760.795.6835.

Students who receive federal financial aid funds and totally withdraw before the 60 percent date of the term require a refund and repayment calculation to determine funds owed back to the various federal aid programs by both the college and the student. Unofficial withdrawals (grades of all Fs and/or Ws) also require a refund and repayment calculation. Refunds of federal aid programs are made according to a formula established by the U.S. Department of Education. Additional information is available in the Financial Aid Office.

Penalty for Dishonored Checks

A $10 penalty is levied for every check dishonored by the bank and returned to the college. This penalty is in addition to any and all other fees, fines, and charges.

A $10 processing fee is charged for a clearance of a HOLD that has been put on a student's record.

Delinquent Debt Collection Charge

Each student is responsible for paying all fees for a term or session. When classes remain on or are added to a student's schedule and fees are not paid, the fees owed are past due and subject to the collections process. If a delinquent debt is sent to the State Chancellor's Office Tax Offset Program, a 25 percent penalty charge may be added to the balance owed.