What are prerequisites in college?

Hey everyone, I have seen the term 'prerequisite' used often when discussing college courses. Could someone please explain what it means and how it affects your classes?

Hi! Great question. Prerequisites, often abbreviated as "pre-reqs," are courses that a student needs to complete before enrolling in a more advanced course in the same subject area. The purpose of prerequisites is to ensure that students have the necessary foundational knowledge and skills to be successful in a higher-level course.

For example, if you're looking to take an advanced economics course, you might be required to complete an introductory economics course first. This is because the advanced course may build upon concepts and theories introduced in the introductory course, and having that foundation will help you better understand and engage with the material.

Prerequisites can be particularly important in sequential subjects, such as mathematics, sciences, and language courses. For instance, you often need to complete Algebra I before taking Algebra II, as the latter assumes a solid understanding of the concepts taught in Algebra I.

To find out if a course has prerequisites, you can consult the college's course catalog or website, where they will usually list the required prerequisites for each course. Additionally, it's essential to keep track of which prerequisites you have satisfied when planning your course schedule—your academic advisor can be a great resource for helping you navigate this process.

Lastly, it's worth noting that some colleges might allow placement tests or previous experience (such as AP courses in high school) to satisfy prerequisite requirements, but this can vary on a case-by-case basis. If you believe you have prior knowledge that would satisfy a course's prerequisite, discuss this with your academic advisor to see if any exceptions or alternatives are available.