Developmental Coursework and Unit Limits

Developmental coursework consists of non-degree-applicable basic skills courses. These courses are designed to prepare students for success in college-level classes and are designated with a course number from 0 to 49 (e.g., ENGL 30, ESL 40, MATH 30). A student’s need for developmental coursework is determined using appropriate assessment instruments, methods, or procedures.

Students cannot receive more than 30 semester units for developmental coursework subject to the following exceptions:

• A student who is enrolled in one or more courses of English as a Second Language is exempt from this unit limitation.
• A student who has been officially identified by the college as having a learning disability is exempt from this unit limitation.

A student who demonstrates significant, measurable progress toward the development of skills appropriate to enrollment in college-level courses may request a waiver of this unit limitation. Such a waiver, if granted, will be given for specified periods of time or for specified units pursuant to standards approved by the MiraCosta College Board of Trustees.

Students who need more than 30 units to develop college-level basic skills will be restricted to taking only noncredit courses, non-degree-applicable courses that do not involve remediation, and those degree-applicable credit courses that do not have basic skills prerequisites or advisories on recommended preparation.

(Source: MCCD Administrative Procedure 4222. All MiraCosta College board policies and administrative procedures are located on the Board of Trustees webpage.)