Frequently Asked Questions

PreReq Check is short for Banner Enforced Prerequisite Checking Process which is an automated process within eServices that determines if a prerequisite has been earned before a student can register for the requisite class.

Previously, completion of prerequisite courses as a condition of enrollment in certain courses was not enforced by the registration system.

Beginning with the advance registration period for the spring term of 2012, the registration system will prevent the registration for a course where a prerequisite has been mandated by the department offering the course unless

• The prerequisite course has been completed successfully with at least the minimum required grade, or
• The student is enrolled in the prerequisite course (in the current term) at the time of registration for the subsequent course.

Courses that are listed as prerequisites for enrollment in another course are identified in Banner.

Satisfying a prerequisite for registration purposes is demonstrated by the appearance of the course on the student's academic transcript with at least the minimum required grade or the current registration in the prerequisite course.

VCU is implementing the PreReq Check to:

• Help students ensure prerequisites are completed before enrolling in a required course, thereby minimizing a potential hurdle to a timely graduation
• Ensure that students who are enrolled in all courses are adequately prepared for those courses, and
• Ensure consistent, fair and accurate enforcement of prerequisites throughout the university

A prerequisite is an academic requirement that must be completed before the start of the course requiring the prerequisite. For now, Banner will enforce only course prerequisites (not test scores).

Course prerequisites refer to academic preparation for a course that is obtained through successful completion of prior coursework with an acceptable grade. Course restrictions refer to matriculation-related preparations such as acceptance to a particular major, attainment of a classification level, such as senior, etc.

Prior to registration, we encourage you to review the prerequisites and restrictions for any course by:

• Searching the current term schedule of classes at http://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/scheduleofclasses/ for the course and selecting the detailed course view by clicking on the title of the course
  
  
  
  
• Reading the course description for the course at http://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/vcucourses/ by searching for the course and selecting the course details by clicking on the title of the course
  
  

Yes.

This is the message eServices will display if a student has not satisfied the prerequisite(s) or is not currently enrolled in the prerequisite(s) for a course:

Yes.

Beginning with the advance registration period for the spring 2012 term, the university is eliminating the use of paper overrides and transitioning to an electronic override process. However, paper overrides will still be necessary during the late registration period.

Moving to an electronic override process during the advance registration period will eliminate the need for students to visit the Student Services Center simply to have an override entered for them. Our hope is that it will simplify the registration process for those students who need overrides

When an electronic override is obtained, permission for the student to enroll in the specified course is loaded into Banner by a staff member authorized to enter override permissions. After the permission is loaded into Banner, the student will register for that course in eServices in the same manner that they register for any course that does not require an override.

Paper overrides will still need to be used during the late registration periods.

If you are a degree-seeking student at VCU, please check your unofficial transcript on eServices to determine whether the prerequisite course in question has been posted on your VCU record. Three possible scenarios exist. 

1. First, the prerequisite course has been posted correctly and, subsequently, you will be able to register for your next course without issue. 
2. Second, the prerequisite course has not been posted. You should immediately contact the Transfer Center (http://www.transfer.vcu.edu/)  (Hibbs Hall 223, 804 827-1349) to determine whether VCU has received a transcript containing the missing course.  The Transfer Center can only post credits if VCU has received an official transcript from the other college. You must also earn a minimum grade of C for the course to transfer.
3. Third, the prerequisite course has been evaluated and posted as something other than the VCU equivalent (e.g., CHEM 1XX instead of CHEM 101 or BIOL 101 instead of BIOL 151). If you think that the transfer course should be re-evaluated, you should make such a request to the Transfer Center. The Transfer Center will review the course description and, if necessary, contact the VCU department teaching the VCU equivalent to make a decision.

If you have not been admitted into a degree program at VCU and are taking courses as a non-degree-seeking student, then your transfer credits will not be posted. You will need to produce an unofficial transcript showing the prerequisite course, take it to the Transfer Center for an unofficial evaluation to determine the VCU equivalent, and then request an override from the department teaching the required course.

As is always the case, whenever you complete a course at another institution, you should be sure to get an official copy of the transcript from that institution (showing the grade you received for that course) to the Transfer Center as soon as possible so it can be posted to your VCU transcript.

Yes.

Most likely, yes.

Generally, grades of AU do not satisfy prerequisites. Only the course and grade combinations shown in the prerequisites section of the eServices course display or the online course description will serve to satisfy the prerequisites.

Our experience is that students who are allowed to register for courses for which they do not have the prerequisites perform below their potential in subsequent classes, leading to a loss of their good academic standing or require that they repeat the course. This can increase their time to degree completion, or may also dissuade them from completing their course of study.

If you can demonstrate that you have successfully completed the prerequisite course(s), you may check with the college, school or department offering the course to see if that will satisfy their prerequisite requirements.

It won't. You will continue to be registered in the same manner that you have always been registered. As always, you should monitor your registration through eServices registration to ensure that you are aware of any changes.

You should check with the school, college or department offering the course to understand what the instructor will require in terms of preparation for the course.