Repeating Courses

California law limits the number of times you may take the same class at a community college. (See Title 5 § 55024, 55040, 55042, 55045 and 58161.)

You may repeat a course for which you have earned a substandard grade (such as F, D or NP) or a W. However, you may not enroll in the same course more than a total of three times, including times when you received a substandard grade or W. If you get a W or substandard grade in the same course twice, you will not be able to enroll in the course again until you contact the Admissions and Records office and obtain clearance for taking the course a third time.

If you repeat a course because of a W or substandard grade, the second grade will replace the first in calculating your GPA, but the initial course and grade will remain on the permanent record. If you take the class for a third time, your GPA will include the third grade and not the first two grades. If you do not successfully complete the course on the third attempt, you must take the course at another college outside the district (not Foothill College), or choose another course if one is available that meets your transfer or graduation requirements.

Most courses cannot be repeated if you receive a grade of C or better, unless you show documented proof that you must repeat the course due to a significant lapse of time (at least three years), a legal requirement for employment or licensing, a disability requiring accommodation or other extenuating circumstances.

However, a small number of courses are designated as “repeatable” under separate conditions listed in the course description. Courses that are designated as “repeatable” are subject to a limit of six enrollments, including any times that resulted in a substandard grade or W, unless otherwise specified.

Only these types of courses are designated as “repeatable” (see Title 5 § 55041):

• Courses for which repetition is necessary to meet major requirements of CSU or UC to complete a bachelor's degree
• Intercollegiate athletics
• Specific courses designated as Special Education that meet criteria set forth in Title 5

Terms of repeatability for these courses are clearly stated in the course descriptions.

Active Participatory Course Limits (Course Families)

There are also limits on certain “families” of related courses that involve active participation – such as physical education, visual arts or performing arts – and these “family” limits apply to classes at both De Anza and Foothill College. (See Title 5 § 55000.)

Under state rules, each of these courses is nonrepeatable and can only be taken one time. In addition, you may not enroll more than six times in courses within a designated course family, regardless of whether the courses are offered at De Anza or Foothill College. This limit includes any times when you receive a substandard grade (D, F, NP or NC) or a W.

If you enroll in a De Anza course that is equivalent to a Foothill course within a course family, you may not take the Foothill course at any time, and vice versa.