Course Repetition Policy
Only courses which fall into the following categories may be repeated. Enrollment in two sections of the same course is not permitted.
1. The course schedule and catalog descriptions state that a course may be repeated a pre-approved number of times, which may be once, twice, or three times. If the description states that:
This course may be repeated
- one time - it may be taken twice for credit
- two times - it may be taken three times for credit
- three times - it may be taken four times for credit
2. Golden West College courses in which a substandard grade (D, F and/or NP) was received. Students who wish to repeat a course in which a substandard grade was earned may retake the course at any regionally accredited college or university to alleviate the substandard grade earned at Golden West College provided the repeated course is equivalent to the one taken at GWC. Equivalency will be determined by the appropriate department at GWC. Prior to repeating a course, students should consult the GWC Admissions and Records Office or GWC Counseling Office to ensure the original GWC course is equivalent to the course being repeated. Students who repeat a course in which a substandard grade was earned at GWC may repeat that course only one time, except upon appeal for extenuating circumstances. Appeal forms are available in the Admissions and Records Office.
Upon completion of the repeated course, the student must file a Petition to Change the Grade of a Repeated Course in the Admissions and Records Office. For repeated courses taken outside of Golden West College (or Orange Coast College, or Coastline Community College) students must include official transcripts and copies of catalog descriptions and/or course outlines from colleges or universities where courses were repeated. The student's academic transcript shall then be annotated reflecting exclusion of the previously recorded course work with the substandard grade for purposes of grade point calculation and for all considerations associated with the awarding of certificates and degrees. However, previously recorded course work shall neither be removed nor otherwise obliterated from the permanent record.
3. Special classes which meet the needs of students with a documented disability may be repeated in compliance with Title 5, Section 56029, of the Education Code.
NOTE: Some transfer institutions may elect to include both courses in their computation of the grade point average to establish entrance requirements.
Line Out Requests
Students who wish to repeat a course in which a substandard grade was earned may retake the course at any regionally accredited college or university to alleviate the substandard grade earned at Golden West College provided the repeated course is equivalent to the one taken at GWC. Equivalency will be determined by the appropriate department at GWC. Prior to repeating a course, students should consult the GWC Admissions and Records Office or GWC Counseling Office to ensure the original GWC course is equivalent to the course being repeated. Students who repeat a course in which a substandard grade was earned at GWC may repeat that course only one time, except upon appeal for extenuating circumstances. Appeal forms are available in the Admissions and Records Office.
Upon completion of the repeated course, the student must file a “Repeated course grade petition” in the Records Office. For repeated courses taken outside of Golden West College (or Orange Coast College , or Coastline Community College ) students must include official transcripts and copies of catalog descriptions and/or course outlines from colleges or universities where courses were repeated. The student's academic transcript shall then be annotated reflecting exclusion of the previously recorded course work with the substandard grade for purposes of grade point calculation and for all considerations associated with the awarding of certificates and degrees. However, previously recorded course work shall neither be removed nor otherwise obliterated from the permanent record.