You Are Here:

Prerequisite Coursework

Acceptable courses must be transferable to Palomar College.
NOTE: Required coursework MUST BE COMPLETED and a grade MUST BE ISSUED before a student is eligible to apply.

We do not accept the courses from the following institutions:

  • San Joaquin Valley College (science courses)
  • Sophia.org
  • Southern California University of Health Science
  • StraighterLine.com
  • UCSD Extension
  • United States University
  • University of Phoenix (science courses)

Science Coursework

Students must receive a grade of “C” or better in each course AND have a combined 2.5 minimum GPA.
Lecture and lab courses must be taken in the same term and be at least 4 semester units. Courses must be taken in person**.
**We will be accepting science courses taken during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic years that were meant to be taught in person, but were temporarily moved online due to COVID. Beginning Fall 2022, students are expected to take science courses in person. Courses must be transferable to Palomar College.

  • Anatomy
    • Taken within the last 10 years
    • Palomar College: BIOL 210
  • Physiology
    • Taken within the last 7 years
    • Palomar College: BIOL 211
  • Microbiology
    • Taken within the last 7 years
    • Palomar College: BIOL 212

Combined Anatomy/Physiology courses (A&P I, A&P II) must be taken within the last 7 years.

Courses taken at Palomar College where a grade of “C” or better is earned cannot be retaken at Palomar College.
Retake Policy: Once a student has completed all 3 science courses with a grade of “C” or better, one course may be retaken at another college to attempt a higher grade.

The expiration year will be based on the term. Therefore, if you are applying for Fall 2024, the last term Anatomy will be accepted is for Fall 2014. The last term for Physiology & Microbiology will be accepted is Fall 2017.

General Education (Fixed Set Coursework)

Students must complete one course from each category. The specific courses listed serve as examples of which Palomar courses fulfill each requirement. Students must receive a “C” or better and have a combined GPA of 2.0 to receive credit. To determine if coursework is equivalent and transferable to Palomar, please contact an Academic Counselor.

  • English Composition
    • ENG 100 English Composition
    • ESL 110 College Composition for Non-Native Speakers (taken Fall 2020 or later)
  • Speech, Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication
    • SPCH 100 Oral Communication
    • SPCH 115 Interpersonal Communication
    • SPCH 120 Human Communication
  • Mathematics (Intermediate Algebra or higher transfer-level math course)
    • MATH 56 Beginning/Intermediate Algebra
    • MATH 100-245, excluding MATH 197
      • MATH 110 College Algebra
      • MATH 115 Trigonometry
      • MATH 120 Elementary Statistics
    • BUS 204
    • PSYC/SOC 205 Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
    • High School Algebra II/Integrated Math III (include high school transcripts in application if using high school coursework)
    • We cannot accept BST 322 from National University
  • Psychology
    • PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology
    • PSYC 105 Marriage, Family, and Intimate Relationships
    • PSYC 110 Developmental Psychology – Child Through Adult
    • PSYC 115 The Psychology of Personal Growth and Development
    • PSYC 120 Social Psychology
    • PSYC 125 Human Sexuality
    • PSYC 130 Psychology of Women
  • Sociology
    • SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
    • SOC 105 Marriage, Family, and Intimate Relationships
    • SOC 110 Social Problems
    • SOC 125 Human Sexuality
    • SOC 130 Introduction to Sociology of Health
    • SOC 135 Gender and Society
    • SOC 145 Psychology and Sociology of Aging
    • ANTH 105 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (or Cultural Anthropology from another accredited college)
  • Humanities
    Please refer to our current Course Catalog, Associate Degree General Education Requirements to review Area C: Humanities
    • American Indian Studies
    • Language courses, like ASL, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, etc.
    • Literature (English courses)
    • History
    • Humanities
    • Philosophy
    • Religious Studies

For all questions regarding coursework, please contact Academic Counseling directly. All courses used in your application are subject to evaluation and approval by Palomar College for completion of the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degrees.