Enrollment Information & Policies
Open Class Policy
It is the policy of MiraCosta College that, unless specifically exempted by statute, every course section or class shall be fully open to enrollment and participation by any person who has been admitted to the college and who meets such requisites as may be established.
Limited English speaking students who are otherwise eligible will not be excluded from any vocational education program.
Los estudiantes que est·n calificados para entrar en el programa de educaciÛn vocacional no pueden ser excluidos debido a su inglÈs limitado.
Attendance at First Class Meeting
You must attend on time the first class meeting. Instructors may drop absent students to make way for “crashers.”
If you decide not to attend a class for which you have enrolled, it is your responsibility to officially drop the class by submitting a drop card directly to the Admissions and Records Office or online.
“Crashing” Full Classes
Some classes fill quickly. While you can keep checking SURF for a spot to open in a closed class, we recommend instead that you substitute another class or a different course altogether. If, however, you want to try “crashing” a closed class, you must go to the first class meeting, preferably early. Let the instructor know you are not enrolled and wish to “crash” the class. You will need to wait while the instructor introduces the course and calls the roll. If there are no-shows (enrolled students who don’t claim their seats) or withdrawals (enrolled students who decide the class is not what they want), you may be allowed to enroll. The instructor will issue you a permission number which may be used to process your enrollment using SURF or in person at the Admissions and Records Office. Be ready to process your add and pay your fees immediately to claim your spot in the class.
Class Cancellations
Classes with insufficient enrollment will not meet. Notification to affected students will be emailed, phoned or mailed. Students are encouraged to adjust their schedules by picking alternative courses/times as soon as possible. Choices become increasingly limited toward the end of Late Enrollment. Instructors are not required to accept students who have missed the first week of classes. Therefore, students are urged to act quickly in substituting for canceled classes.
Students who choose not to substitute another class for a canceled class will be automatically refunded their fees.
Adding/Dropping Classes
Add and drop deadlines are strictly enforced.
Students are encouraged to use SURF to add and drop classes whenever possible. Adds requiring instructor permission may be processed using SURF - the instructor will issue the student a permission number. After the add deadline, SURF will generally be available for students to process drops and access their account information. However, students attempting to meet drop deadlines should be prepared to process the drop in person at the Admissions and Records Office in case SURF or the drop function is unavailable.
The deadline for adding short term classes is five working days from the start of the class. Exceptions are noted in the class listings. For students receiving financial aid, all adds must be completed by the first week, including short-term classes.
Late adds are generally not accepted. however, there is a petition process for students who have serious extenuating circumstances. The petition, which is available in the Admissions & Records Office, must be signed by both the instructor and the division Dean. Missing the add deadline due to inability to pay fees, misunderstanding of the add deadlines, confusion about enrollment expectations, transfer or graduation requirements, holds or online enrollment mistakes are not acceptable reasons for petitioning. See the Petition for Late Add for more information.
The final drop deadline for full semester and short-term classes is 75% point of the class, unless the instructor has set an earlier date. Late withdrawls are not accepted. The Financial Aid drop deadline is two weeks from the start of the semester.
Permission Numbers
A permission number allows you to enroll in classes that require instructor permission. These classes generally include full or “closed” classes that a student “crashes” or classes that require an audition. The “old way” to add these classes is to have the instructor sign an Add Card, bring it to the Admissions and Records Office, stand in line and pay to add the class. The “new way” is to get a permission number from the instructor and use it to enroll in the class using the SURF online enrollment system. When selecting the class, the permission number is entered. Full payment is required at the time of enrollment to complete the process of adding the class.
If the class you want to enroll in is full, go to the first class meeting, preferably a little early. Let the instructor know you are not enrolled and wish to “crash” the class. You will need to wait while the instructor introduces the course and takes attendance. If enrolled students are not there or choose to drop the class, you may be allowed to enroll. If so, the instructor will give you a permission number. Use this permission number when enrolling on SURF.
If you are crashing an online class, contact your instructor via email. If your instructor responds with a permission number, use the number to enroll on SURF.
All enrollment restrictions must be cleared prior to enrolling in the class. Permission numbers do not override prerequisites, holds, debts, class conflicts, repeats, add deadlines or other enrollment restrictions!
Use your permission number by the add deadline for the class--your permission number will expire on the add deadline. Students who miss the add deadline and have extenuating circumstances will need to petition the instructor and the instructional dean to add a class late.
Be sure to make payment on the same day you enroll.
Permission numbers may only be used ONCE by the student to whom they are issued.
To use the SURF online enrollment system, you must be either a continuing student or have submitted an application to the college. Go to www.miracosta.edu for more information.
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Auditing Classes
Auditing is sometimes allowed for students who wish to repeat a credit lecture course or a repeatable performance, skill or activity course when the opportunities for repetition have been exhausted. Approved auditors will not receive credit for the class. Auditors will pay a non-refundable audit fee of $15.00 per unit and will also be charged for all instructional materials. Students enrolled in 10 or more units may audit an additional three or fewer units without paying the fee. Students may obtain an audit form at the Admissions and Records Office and secure approval of the instructor and chair of the department. Instructors and/or department chairs reserve the right to approve or disapprove any audit according to their discretion, and their decisions are final.
Repeating Classes
There are two types of courses where students may be allowed to repeat. The first are activity, performance and skill classes which have been designated as repeatable. Notice the symbol + in the class schedule. These classes may be taken several times (usually a total of four) and each grade will count. Students do not have the option of improving substandard grades for these repeatable courses.
The second option is for repeating regular courses (those that don’t have the repeatable designation) when the first grade(s) is substandard; F, D, NC or NP. In these cases the student may repeat substandard grades twice in order to raise the GPA. Students must enroll in person in the Admissions and Records Office beginning with the second repetition.
Students are not allowed to enroll in or audit two or more sections of the same credit course during the same term unless the length of the courses allow participation without enrolling in or auditing more than one section at any given time.
Regulations on Requisites
MiraCosta College enforces prerequisites and corequisites during the enrollment process.
A prerequisite is a requirement which 1) is authorized by statute or regulation, 2) is necessary to protect the health and safety of students or others or 3) assures that the student will have skill or knowledge presupposed to receive at least a “C” grade in a course. Students who have not taken a mandatory prerequisite at MiraCosta College must provide transcript or other evidence that they have taken the course elsewhere. You cannot use a prerequisite determination for any other purpose. Official evaluation of course work begins with a visit to a counselor. NOTE: Even if an instructor signs an add card for his/her class, no student can be officially enrolled without clearance of prerequisites.
A corequisite is a companion course to a targeted course. It teaches skills and/or knowledge without which a student is highly unlikely to pass the targeted course.
An advisory is the recommended preparation that a student is advised but not required to meet before or in conjunction with enrollment in a course or educational program. Students have the right to take a course without meeting the advisory on recommended preparation and are encouraged to do so if they feel that their education, work experience or other circumstances have prepared them.
MiraCosta College offers a timely challenge process to a student who feels s/he should be allowed to override a mandatory requisite for any of the grounds listed below [Title 5-55201(f)]:
- The student has the knowledge or ability to succeed in the course or program without meeting the prerequisite or corequisite;
- The student will be subject to undue delay in attaining the goal of his or her educational plan because the prerequisite or corequisite course has not been made reasonably available;
- The prerequisite or corequisite is either unlawfully discriminatory or is being applied in an unlawfully discriminatory manner;
- The prerequisite or corequisite has not been established in accordance with the district’s process for establishing prerequisites and corequisites;
- The prerequisite or corequisite is in violation of Title 5.
If the challenge is upheld, the student will be allowed to remain in the course or program providing a space was available when the challenge was filed. If the challenge is not upheld, the student will be removed from the class roster. Specific information concerning the challenge procedure is available in the Admissions and Records offices on both campuses as well as in the college catalog. To challenge a requisite, use the “MiraCosta College Requisite Review Form” on page A-5 of the current class schedule or print the "Requisite Review Form" under the student forms online.
Open Courses/Equal Opportunity Policy/Disability Accommodation
MiraCosta College is committed to providing equal education and employment opportunities to all persons regardless of, but not limited to, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or parental status, disability, age, sexual orientation or status as a Vietnam-era veteran.
It is the policy of MiraCosta College that, unless specifically exempted by statute, every course section or class shall be fully open to enrollment and participation by any person who has been admitted to the college and who meets such requisites as may be established.
Limited English-speaking students who are otherwise eligible will not be excluded from any vocational education program.
In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974, MiraCosta College has designated Connie Wilbur, (760) 795-6300, as its Section 504 Coordinator. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Coordinator is Carol Rodriguez, (760) 795-6866. Students or community members with verified disabilities are entitled to appropriate accommodations. A variety of alternative formats are readily available; others may require additional time to provide. For specific details, contact the Disabled Student Programs and Services Office, (760) 795-6658, or the Admissions and Records Office, (760) 795-6620 or (760) 634-7870.
If you need information about the grievance procedure to resolve complaints of discrimination, including sexual harassment, contact the college Title IX Coordinator at the Oceanside Campus Human Resources Office, (760) 795-6855.
Igualdad de oportunidades/servicios y ayuda para personas incapacitados
El Colegio de MiraCosta se compromete a proporcionar igualdad de oportunidades en la educación y en el empleo a todas las personas sin establecer límites en cuanto a raza, religión, país de origen, sexo, estado civil o familiar, capacidad física, edad, orientación sexual, o situación como veterano de la guerra de Vietnam.
Los estudiantes que tienen derecho a entrar a un programa de educación vocacional no pueden ser excluidos debido a limitaciones en su inglés.
Dando cumplimiento con a la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1974, el Colegio MiraCosta ha nombrado a Connie Wilbur, (760) 795-6300, como su coordinadora de la Sección 504 de dicha ley. La coordinadora de ADA es Carol Rodríguez, (760) 795-6866. Los estudiantes o miembros de la comunidad con incapacidades comprobadas tienen derecho a las adaptaciones correspondientes. Est· disponible una variedad de adaptaciones alternativas; otras adaptaciones pueden requerir tiempo adicional para que puedan ser proporcionadas. Para obtener mayor información específica, comuníquese a la Oficina de Programas y Servicios para Estudiantes Incapacitados al (760) 795-6658, o a la Oficina de Admisiones y Archivos al (760) 795-6620.
Si necesita mayor información respecto a los procedimientos para la resolución de quejas relacionadas con asuntos de discriminación, incluyendo el acoso sexual, comuníquese con la Oficina de Recursos Humanos del campus de Oceanside, al teléfono (760) 795-6855.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (F.E.R.P.A.)
All student records of MiraCosta College are kept in accordance with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
A student may request access to those campus records which personally identify the student; the student may challenge the accuracy of the record or the appropriateness of its retention in the college records. Regardless of age, student consent is needed for the release of records covered by the act to outside parties (e.g., parents, spouses, military, law enforcement, prospective employers, and federal investigators) except for those agencies entitled to access under the provisions of the act (e.g., college officials; other schools; federal, educational and auditing officers; requestors in connection with the application or receipt of financial aid).
Amendments to the act permit the college to release what is called “directory information,” provided that the student or former student has not specifically asked the college to refrain from releasing such information. Check with the Admissions and Records Office for specific directory information and notification of student rights.
If you wish directory information not to be released without your prior written consent, please indicate on the college application or send a signed request to the Admissions and Records Office, Sta. 10A, MiraCosta College, One Barnard Drive, Oceanside CA 92056-3899.
Directory Information
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits the College to release what is called “directory information”. The following items are considered by MiraCosta College offices to be “directory information”:
- Name of student
- Address of student
- Phone number of student
- Date and place of birth
- Dates of attendance at MiraCosta College
- Year of graduation from MiraCosta College
- Degree received
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Weight and height (applicable to members of athletic teams only)
- Major field of study
- Academic honors and awards received
- Previous educational institutions attended
- Enrollment status (full-time, half-time)
- Photograph
- Email address
This information may be used for news releases and stories about students and former students, graduation programs, honors lists and other information released to the public. In addition, employers and companies which perform background checks may verify degree, enrollment status and dates through the National Student Clearinghouse. Other requests for student information require a signed release from the student or a subpoena.
If a student does not wish any or all of the directory information indicated above to be released, please send a signed request to the Office of Admissions and Records, MiraCosta College, One Barnard Drive, Oceanside, California 92056.
Students wishing to inspect and review their education records should contact the Office of Admissions and Records (Building T110). Access will be provided in the Admissions and Records Office at MiraCosta College, Monday through Friday, by appointment. When possible, this access will take place within ten working days of receipt by the Office of Admissions and Records of a written request, but in no cast later than fifteen working days after receipt of the written request.
Students will also be provided, upon request, with copies of any educational record, as defined above, at a nominal cost paid in advance. Contact the Admissions and Records Office if you have any questions regarding the privacy act.
Federal Tax Credit
In accordance with federal tax credit legislation, MiraCosta College will mail a verification 1098T form at the end of January to each registered student. Information will also be reported to the IRS. If you did not provide your correct Social Security number to the Admissions and Records Office, complete a change of information form to ensure accurate reporting to the IRS. Please check with your tax preparer to determine if you are eligible to take advantage of this credit and the amount you may deduct.
Student Right-to-Know Rates
In compliance with the Student-Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-542), it is the policy of our college district to make available its completion and transfer rates to all current and prospective students. Beginning in Fall 2004, a cohort of all certificate-, degree-, and transfer-seeking first-time, full-time students were tracked over a three-year period. Their completion and transfer rates are listed below. These rates do not represent the success rates of the entire student population at MiraCosta College, nor do they account for student outcomes occurring after this three-year tracking period.
Based upon the cohort defined above, 28.99 percent attained a certificate or degree or became “transfer-prepared” during a three year period, from Fall 2004 to Spring 2007. Students who are “transfer-prepared” have completed 56 transferable units with a GPA of 2.0 or better.
Based on the cohort defined above, 23.19 percent transferred to another postsecondary institution (UC, CSU, or another California community college) prior to attaining a degree, certificate, or becoming “transfer-prepared” during a five semester period, from Spring 2005 to Spring 2007.
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