College Courses
College Courses
College Credit for High School Diploma
College or university courses, including online college or university courses, may be taken for high school credit if prior permission is received from the principal or designee to assure that provisions of this procedure have been followed. Arrangement to apply this credit toward high school graduation must be made prior to the first meeting of the course, and the following stipulations apply:
1. The course must be taken after the student has completed two years of high school.
2. Students may apply a maximum of forty (40) high school credits from college or preapproved college online courses toward high school graduation. In addition to these (40) credits, students may repeat a class which has been attempted and failed at the high school level.
3. It is the responsibility of students who wish to apply college credit toward graduation requirements to see that their transcript is forwarded to the high school registrar in a timely manner. Seniors must see that the counselor and the registrar are informed of the intent to use college credit. Students should notify their counselor prior to the beginning of each class that high school credit is their intent. They must also notify the registrar one week before the end of the class whether or not they are passing in a college class. College teachers are not included in credit/passing checks which are done to determine whether or not a student can participate in graduation ceremonies. Counselors should provide students with appropriate forms for these notifications.
4. Online courses taken outside of the district must be pre-approved by the district designee prior to enrollment.
Students will be allowed high school credit on the following schedule:
College Units |
Equivalent High School |
2 semester units (3 qtr. units) |
2.5 credits |
3 semester units (4.5 qtr. units) |
5 credits |
4 semester units (6 qtr. units) |
5 credits* |
5 semester units (7.5 qtr. units) |
10 credits |
* Through petition, students may request to receive 10 credits for college courses earning 4 semester units. Petitions require parent/guardian permission and will be made through the school site counseling office. Petitions are subject to principal approval. Approval will be based on the student’s post-secondary plans to ensure that the course meets post-secondary entrance requirements.
Students who receive one semester unit (minimum 35 hours) for a physical education class will receive 2.5 high school credits in physical education.
PUSD Board Policy:
Petition to receive 10 credits for college courses earning 4 semester units.
PUSD Board Policy AR 6172.1 Enrollment in College or University Classes.
PUSD Board Policy 6152(e) College Credit for High School Diploma.
College Courses Process
Students may petition to take classes at colleges by completing the K-12 Special Admission Approval Form. The appropriate form (depending on where you are planning to attend) must be submitted to the school for signature and approval. This form is obtained by the school you are planning to attend.
Please send all completed forms to Andrea Martinson-Fuller, [email protected]. Mrs. Martinson-Fuller will collect the forms and review them with the school’s administration each week.
Please include the following in your email:
Full name
Student ID number
Name of courses you wish to take
State whether or not you want the course to transfer back to your Rancho Bernardo transcript. An RBHS Pre-Approval form will need to be completed and there are limitations to transferring credit that will be considered when reviewing your request.
Palomar College Courses
The form can be found on the K-12 Admissions section of their website.
- Palomar K-12 Admissions form
- Palomar calendar (Important Dates of which to be aware)
- Palomar Catalog. NOTE: Even though the classes may have a campus location, some classes may be offered ONLINE. Read information thoroughly.
Palomar Contacts for questions about the above:
Admissions Hours: Monday - Thursday: 7:30 am - 6:00 pm | Friday 7:30 am-2:00 pm
Phone: 760-744-1150, ext 2164
Email: [email protected]
The San Diego Community College District (Miramar, Mesa, City)
The San Diego Community College District also allows high school students to take courses. They have an online course request process that you can find here.