Validation of High School Coursework
YEAR-SEQUENCE COURSE
A final grade of C or better in the second semester of a yearlong course is recognized as validation of satisfactory completion of subject performance requirements only in the subjects of mathematics, chemistry or languages other than English.
MULTIPLE-YEAR COURSES
Completion of an advanced course in the same subject presupposes knowledge of the previous course(s) in languages other than English and mathematics. For example, satisfactory completion of a second year of foreign language will validate the first year. The second year of algebra will validate first-year algebra but will not validate geometry. Integrated Math 2 will validate Integrated Math 1, Integrated Math 3 will validate Integrated Math 2. Statistics may be used to validate Algebra I and Intermediate Algebra, but will not validate Geometry. Integrated studies that appear on the interdisciplinary UC “a-g” list will satisfy the subject requirements certified.
The CSU high school requirement in mathematics (algebra, geometry and intermediate algebra) may be validated with higher level college preparatory mathematics courses with a Discipline designation of Advanced Math, including but not limited to Mathematics IV, trigonometry, pre-calculus or calculus.
WHAT COURSES CAN BE VALIDATED?
Only yearlong courses in mathematics, foreign language, or chemistry can be validated by satisfactory grades in subsequent coursework.
Students must repeat the class where a grade less than a C- was earned in the subjects of English, social science, life science, sciences other than chemistry, and visual and performing arts.
WHAT COURSES VALIDATE A GRADE BELOW A "C-" IN GEOMETRY?
A grade of C- or better in a math class where the prerequisite is Algebra 2, except Statistics, will validate Geometry. Examples of these classes include, but are not limited to, trigonometry, math analysis, pre-calculus, or calculus.
IF I START WITH AN HONORS CLASS IN MATH AND RECEIVE A GRADE BELOW A "C-" CAN I SWITCH TO A REGULAR CLASS THE SECOND SEMESTER?
Yes. A satisfactory grade in the second semester of a yearlong course will validate the first semester. Both grades will be calculated in the GPA.
WHAT CLASSES VALIDATE ALGEBRA 2 (INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA)?
One semester of a higher level math, where the prerequisite is Intermediate Algebra, completed with a grade of C- or better will validate both of the required years of Algebra. If it is a class other than Statistics, it will validate the required three years of math- Algebra 1, Geometry and Intermediate Algebra.
HOW DOES VALIDATION WORK WITH INTEGRATED MATH COURSES?
Integrated Math 2 will validate Integrated Math 1, Integrated Math 3 will validate Integrated Math 2.
DOES A "C-" IN THE SECOND SEMESTER OF CHEMISTRY VALIDATE A D IN THE FIRST SEMESTER?
Yes. For admission to a CSU campus, completion of the second semester with a C- or better does validate a grade less than a C- in the first semester of chemistry.
DOES A "C-" IN THE SECOND SEMESTER OF PHYSICS OR BIOLOGY VALIDATE A "D" IN THE FIRST SEMESTER?
No. The second semester in a science other than chemistry does not validate a D in the first semester. The first semester class must be repeated.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET A "D" IN AN ENGLISH CLASS?
You must repeat the class or take another English class and earn a grade of C- or better. If you repeat the exact same course, only the subsequent grade will be calculated in your GPA. If you take another class, both grades will be used in the GPA calculation.
Students must repeat the class in the subjects of English, social science, life science, sciences other than chemistry, and visual and performing arts where a grade less than a C- was earned.
IF I TAKE AN AP EXAM AND EARN A 3 OR BETTER, DOES IT VALIDATE D GRADES IN ENGLISH?
No, but passing the English AP exam with a score of 3 or higher will satisfy the 4 years of English requirement and grant you college credit. All the grades, including those lower than a C-, will be counted in the GPA. If the test is taken in the senior year, the score may be received too late for admission purposes.
I GOT A D IN THE FIRST SEMESTER OF MY FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASS.
A grade of C- or better in the second semester of a yearlong course will validate the first semester, and the grade in the first semester of a yearlong course will be counted toward the GPA. If the first semester exact same course is repeated, then only the higher grade will be counted in the GPA.
MY NATIVE LANGUAGE IS NOT ENGLISH, AM I REQUIRED TO TAKE A FOREIGN LANGUAGE?
Submit a letter of verification from your high school that you are a speaker of a foreign language or take the SAT II subject exam and score at least 550 or take the AP exam and score at least 3 or provide proof of attendance at a non-English speaking school through the 8th grade.
I GOT A D IN THE FIRST SEMESTER OF MY ART CLASS.
You must repeat the class since satisfactory grades in subsequent semesters do not validate previous grades in visual and performing arts classes. If you repeat the exact same course, only the better grade will be calculated in your GPA.
