Placement FAQs

The Placement Process

The MiraCosta placement process provides you with the information you need to get started in the math and English courses that best support your academic journey. Complete the placement process in a variety of ways:

MiraCosta Application

The MiraCosta CCCApply application may ask you to provide the following:

High school GPA
Highest high school math/English course completed
High school math/English coursework and grades

Have your high school transcript information accessible while applying to help with this step. Students who provide this information on the application will receive an email with their math and English placement within a few days. This placement notification is also available in the Message Center located in your SURF Student Center.

Didn't Provide Information On The MiraCosta Application?

Submit any of the following to Testing Services to complete the placement process:

Official or unofficial high school transcript (email with SURF ID to testing@miracosta.edu).
Multiple Measures Self-Report Update form

Based on how your cumulative, unweighted high school GPA and courses completed meet the multiple measure criteria, students may be placed directly in transfer-level or transfer-level with concurrent support English and mathematics courses.

Guided Self-Placement Tools

MiraCosta College offers guided self-placement tools for Math, English, and ESL for students who do not have access to their high school transcript information or who attended high school outside of the United States. These tools can be assigned to your SURF Student Center. Please email us at testing@miracosta.edu for more information on this process.

IMPORTANT!

You must have an Application for Admission on file and a SURF ID number to complete the placement process.
We are excited to share that California Placement Legislation AB 705 gives more students the opportunity to enroll directly in transfer-level (or transfer-level with support) math and English courses via the placement process
Contact the Testing Office at 760.795.6685 or testing@miracosta.edu if you have questions or need more information.

What placements does MiraCosta offer?

For Math, English and ESL placement, we offer Guided Self-Placement Tools. Many students will be eligible for placement using Multiple Measures (high school GPA and coursework) submitted through the MiraCosta application. Students may also submit their High School Transcripts or complete a Multiple Measures Self-Report Form and submit this to testing@miracosta.edu

Can I complete the placement process remotely?

Yes! All placement services, including our guided self-placement tools and multiple measure placements are available to students remotely. Please email testing@miracosta.edu or call 760-795-6685 for more information. To submit multiple measures information for placement, please email your high school transcript (official or unofficial) to testing@miracosta.edu or complete the Multiple Measures Update Form.We look forward to assisting you!

What if I am a student with a disability needing an accommodation for testing?

If you have a disability needing an accommodation, you may wish to contact the Student Accessibility Services Office (Rm 3006 at the Oceanside campus, x6658).

Are there any alternative placement options (i.e. AP, IB, prior credit)?

Yes! Please visit our Alternative Placement Options page for more information on using AP/IB scores, prior course credit, and other options for placement.

I already hold a college degree. Can I enroll in a course without completing the placement process?

Placement is not required for enrollment unless the course has a prerequisite that needs to be met via the placement process or prior coursework. For more information on submitting transcripts from other institutions, visit our Admissions and Records website.

What is AB 705 and what does it mean for me?

We are excited to share that California State Law AB 705 gives more students the opportunity to enroll directly in transfer-level (or transfer-level with support) math and English courses via the placement process. Visit our page on AB 705 for more information.