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Forms and petitions

Attention to all students submitting forms/petitions:

There are a variety of forms and petitions to address student's various academic needs. Most San Diego Mesa petitions are processed through the District's Forms & Documents website. Please note, many forms require meeting with a counselor or faculty member to determine eligibility/necessity of the request. 

If you do not see a specific petition/form listed in regards to Evaluations, please contact our department via email at mesaevaluations@sdccd.edu and include your full name, student user ID, and contact phone number. 

For SDCCD staff, the electronic Eval Binder is available here.

Academic Renewal

Academic renewal is a means whereby a student may have prior college work excluded from current grade point average. In all cases of academic renewal, the original courses and grades will remain on the transcript with a code in the reference column that indicates academic renewal has been applied to those courses. Once the petition is approved, action is not reversible. Note: A student may only earn three symbols (A, B, C, D, F, P, NP, W) in a course. Below are the two types of Academic Renewal.

1. Academic Renewal by Course Repetition:

View Policy AP 3910.2 here.
 
A student who receives a substandard grade (“D” or “F” or “NP”) in a course may repeat that course three times and have a new grade(s) replace the substandard grade(s) in the district's computation of a student's GPA. The course being repeated must be the same name as the original course, not its equivalent.

Registration into a course in which two grades of “D” or “F” or “NP” has already been received will be permitted by MySDCCD for the first and second repeat of the course. No petition is necessary. At the end of the semester, the academic renewal will automatically be processed and the student's academic record will be annotated to indicate academic renewal.

Policy:

  • No course in which a “C” or better grade has been earned may be repeated.
  • Students will not be allowed more than four enrollments in similar active participatory courses in Physical Education and Visual and Performing Arts, regardless of grade or symbol earned.
  • Academic renewal is not allowed for work experience courses.
  • Each course in which an unsatisfactory grade (“D,”“F,” or “NP”) has been earned may be repeated twice without a petition. The course being repeated must be the same as the original course, not its equivalent. Only the newly-earned units and grades will be used in computing the grade point average.
  • Students will not be allowed more than three enrollments in any course, regardless of grade or symbol earned.

Procedures:

  • After meeting with a counselor, the Petition for Academic Renewal with Course Repetition and required documents can be submitted through the District's Forms & Documents page here.
  • If the petition is approved, the student's academic record will be annotated to indicate academic renewal
  • Note: Students who would like to repeat a course for a fourth time in which a "D” or “F” or “NP” or "W" was earned three times, must submit a Petition for Exception to Course Repetition Policy. See the Academic Review Committee page for details on submitting the petition.

2. Academic Renewal Without Course Repetition:

View Policy AP 3910.4 here.

A student with a semester of substandard academic performance that is not reflective of present demonstrated ability may petition to have the substandard semester disregarded in computation of grade point average.

  • Students with degrees or certificates: Course(s)/Semester/Session prior to earning a degree or certificate are not eligible for academic renewal.
  • A maximum of one semester/session or 12 units, whichever is greater can be disregarded.

Requirements for consideration:

  • Course(s)/Semester/Session must be substandard (below 2.0 GPA). 
  • Transcripts from all institutions attended must be officially on file.
  • Student must successfully complete, in a regionally accredited college or university, 15 units with a GPA of at least 2.0 subsequent to the coursework to be disregarded. All courses taken during the semester/session in which the student reaches or exceeds the 15 unit minimum will be used in computing the 2.0 GPA.
  • One year must have elapsed since the most recent coursework to be disregarded was completed.

Procedures:

  1. After meeting with a Counselor, the Petition for Academic Renewal Without Course Repetition can be submitted electronically through the District's Forms & Documents page here.
  2. An Evaluator will determine whether all conditions for academic renewal without course repetition have been met.
  3. If the petition is approved, the student's academic record will be annotated to indicate academic renewal for the appropriate term(s).
  4. Students will receive an email once the process is complete. The status will also be available in their Advising Notes in the mySDCCD portal under "My Academics".

Apply for Graduation

Are you planning to earn a Degree and/or Certificate of Achievement? If so, please note that receiving your degree/certification is not automatic. Students must Apply for Graduation via the mySDCCD portal in order to process and receive an AA/AS degree or Certificate of Achievement.

Students can Apply for Graduation online through their portal: www.myportal.sdccd.edu under the "My Academics" tab, located on the left-hand side of your student dashboard. Students should apply for graduation during their last year of completing their AA/AS degree and/or Certificate of Achievement.Be sure to meet all deadlines when Applying to Graduate. Click here to visit the SD Mesa Apply for your Degree/Certificate website.

Click here for a printable flyer of 2022-2023 Graduation Deadlines.

Need assistance applying for your degree/certificate? Watch the tutorial here:

To learn more about graduating, see the Graduation section for details.

Certificate of Performance

A Certificate of Performance recognizes the attainment of knowledge and/or skill through the successful completion of two or more courses as specified by a department. Certificates of Performance are designed to prepare students for employment, job enhancement and/or job advancement. To qualify for the Certificate of Performance, students must satisfy the requirements and follow the procedures listed below:

Requirements:

  • Achieve a grade of "C" or better in each of the required courses.
  • Complete all required course work in the San Diego Community College District.
  • Course substitutions or course equivalencies from other colleges may not be used to satisfy Certificate of Performance requirements. For additional information please see a counselor.

Procedures: All coursework for the Certificate of Performance must be completed with grades posted before a student can petition for their Certificates of Performance.

  1. Students will find, download, complete and submit form through the District's Forms & Documents page here
  2. The processing takes about two weeks. Students will receive an electronic certificate via email.

Credit For Prior Learning: Credit by Exam, Industry Standard and Student-Created Portfolio

The following types of Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) are submitted electronically via the District's Forms & Documents page (JIRA): Credit by Examination, Industry Standard Certifications, and Portfolios.  Students must submit a separate request for each course they wish to apply for.  (Policy AP 5235)

For a list of approved courses eligible for CPL, please visit here.  The list of approved courses is established by the Office of the Vice President of Instruction. If a course is not listed, please contact CPL Faculty Tonya Whitfield twhitfie@sdccd.edu

Requirements:

  • Recommended: Meet with a counselor
  • Active college application and be in good standing
  • Official Transcripts from all previously attended colleges/ universities must be on file.
  • Education plan on file
  • Apply for credit for a course listed in the current College catalog
  • Not be currently enrolled in the course 

Procedures:

  1. Student fills out the application for CPL online through the District's Forms & Documents page here and must enter the course they are applying for, the method of CPL, and attach any supporting documentation.

  2. Once submitted, the request will be routed to the College Evaluations and District Evaluations to verify eligibility. 

  3. District Student Services will build the course, enroll the student, and assign the request to the appropriate instructor for the CPL class.  The instructor and student will be notified via the system that they can begin the CPL.

  4. The instructor will review student documentation and/or administer an exam, and will issue a grade. 

  5. The student will be provided the grade and will be required to accept or deny the credit. If the student denies the credit, the process will stop and the request will be closed.  If the student accepts the credit, the request will be forwarded to District Office Records.

  6. District Office Records will enter the grade and add the course to the student’s transcript with CPL and the method.

Notes: *If the student is not eligible to receive CPL for the course, the evaluator will enter a comment into JIRA why the course is not eligible, and cancel the request.  The student will be notified via an email generated by JIRA. 

Credit for Prior Learning: Military (dd-214, JST, CC of the air force)

(Policy AP 5235 continued) Military Credits will be awarded automatically upon verification of at least 6 months of continuous active duty. The credits will meet the district requirements for Health Education and Exercise Science, as well as Area E for CSU Breadth.

  • Two (2) Physical activity courses at 1 unit each.
  • One (1) Health Education course at 2 units.

Additionally, credit may be available for courses taken through the various branches of the military as recommended by A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services published by the American Council on Education.

Additional Credit for Military Service: To receive additional credit for military service or military school students must be enrolled and, in most cases, must have an education plan on file.

  • Military credit cannot be used to satisfy the American Institutions requirement or the English Composition requirement.
  • Credit in the major must be approved by the department.
  • Contact the Veteran's Office or see a counselor to request additional credit for military service or school.

Credit for Standardized Tests

Policy 3900.4. Academic credit is available for students who take and pass, at the appropriate level, examinations offered through the following standardized tests:

  • Advanced Placement Examinations (AP)
  • College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  • Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), and
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)

For detailed information on tests scores and applicable credit, refer to the college catalog pages 74-92.

Procedure:
1. Student is currently enrolled in a college of the District
2. Student has submitted official transcripts and official test scores.
3. Student submits a Request for Transcript Evaluation form through the District's Forms & Documents page here and must attach their score report in their request.

Limitations:

  •  AP and CLEP examinations may be used to partially clear the American Institutions requirement. See catalog for details
  • The English composition requirement can be met by the AP exam. 
  • Credit will not be granted for equivalent courses completed.
  • Grades are not assigned, nor is the credit used in calculating grade point average.
  • Credit granted by SDCCD does not necessarily transfer to other institutions. Transferability of credit is determined by the receiving college or university. 
  • Credit awarded through non-traditional education may not be used for grade alleviation.
  • A maximum of 30 cumulative units may be granted for acceptable scores on any combination of AP, CLEP, DANTES, or IB.
  • Duplicate credit will not be awarded for nontraditional education sources and completed coursework.

Petition for Modification of Graduation Requirements

Any variation to major requirements for a degree or certificate must be approved by the academic department under which the major is offered.

Approved petitions are only applicable for majors offered at Mesa College.

Click here to view information on why and how to do a Modification of Grad Requirements.

Requirements:

  • An electronic Educational Plan must be on file. If you are unsure if you have an electronic educational plan, please see a counselor.
  • Unofficial transcripts with desired course substitution, if course has been completed.
  • Course Description of desired course substitution, if taken or planned to be taken outside of SDCCD.

Please note: Substitution = to replace a course required with another course(s). A minimum of 18 units is required for the major for all degree programs.

Procedures: It is highly recommended that you meet with a counselor to determine whether a modification is necessary.

  • Meet with a Counselor to review elgibility and collect the appropriate documents in order to submit your request. Your petition and required documents must be submitted through the District's Forms & Documents page here
  • Approved course substitutions are inputted into a student's education plan after submitting an application for graduation.
  • All final official transcripts must be on file to have the modification applied to the student’s degree and/or certificate of achievement prior to awarding the degree.​
  • *Petitions to Waive a District GE Graduation requirement will automatically be sent to the Academic Review Committee to be reviewed.

Petition for Approval of Major-area Electives

This petition is only used for the Associate in Science and Certificate of Achievement in Business Management, the Honors Global Competencies Certificate of Achievement at Mesa College and for course selection when students are seeking multiple degrees.

Procedures:

  • Student meets with counselor to select appropriate courses or major electives.
  • The student and the counselor sign the Major Area Electives form.
  • After form is complete, submit form through the District's Forms & Documents page here
  • The evaluator makes the necessary changes in the student's educational plan.

Petition for Exception to course repetition Policy

Students who believe that they have a compelling reason for an exception to a policy (i.e. any academic policy) may file a petition. There is one petition for exception to policy: Petition for Exception to Course Repetition Policy. See the Academic Review Committee page for details.

This petition must go through the Academic Review Committee process.

Request for General Education Certification

Students who need certification of completion of lower-division general education requirements for transfer to UC or CSU, must complete the Request for Certification. Please submit the Request for General Education Certification through the District's Forms & Documents page here.

Please refer to the General Education Certification page for the requirements and procedure.

Reissue Diploma:

Diplomas for associate degrees and certificates of achievement are automatically mailed to the student's official address on file. Students are responsible for updating address changes within their student portal through myportal.sdccd.edu. Diplomas are mailed usually eight weeks after of the end of the semester.  

To order a duplicate copy of your diploma:

  • Student emails mesaevaluations@sdccd.edu inquiring with their full name, date of birth, and student User ID #
  • Evaluations staff will review records and proceed with the following instructions:
    • Student completes the Request to Reissue Diploma form and submits form online near the bottom of the page on the District's Forms & Documents page here
    • Evaluations staff will reach out to the student to submit $10 reissue fee.
    • Once fee is paid, Evaluations Staff will submit reorder for diploma and will be mailed to the student in 6-weeks or less.

San Diego Mesa College Evaluations Office Contact:
619-388-2680 | mesaevaluations@sdccd.edu