College of Community & Public Service Advising Center
Override Request Process
Pre-requisite courses provide the background necessary for successful performance in a course. The university uses an automated check of students’ records - including transfer work and test scores - at the time of registration to determine whether students have successfully completed the pre-requisites for certain courses. The online catalog lists pre-requisites in the course descriptions.
Prerequisite checking applies to all students regardless of their level or college. Pre-Requisites are enforced by Banner at the time of registration.
You will be permitted to register if you have satisfactorily completed, are currently enrolled in the pre-requisites for the course, or have departmental approval to be in the course.
Satisfactory completion means:
- Meeting the minimum grade requirement by completion of a GVSU course or an equivalent transfer class.
- Having a test score that meets the requirement.
If you have not completed and are not registered for the pre-requisite, then you will receive a pre-requisite error message when you try to register.
What to do when you receive this error:
1. If you have not yet satisfied the pre-requisite requirement(s), revise your academic plan to satisfy the pre-requisite course(s) prior to registering for the subsequent course so that you are academically prepared and have the background necessary to be successful.
2. If you have already completed the pre-requisite requirement(s) through AP or CLEP testing, request an override from the department using the Prerequisite Override Request Form and indicate this as the reason. You should then request official score results be submitted from the reporting agency directly to GVSU Records, 1 W Campus Drive, Allendale, MI 49401. We cannot accept photocopies of your score report. You may be removed from the requested course if you do not provide proof of pre-requisite completion prior to the start of the semester.
3. If you have already completed the pre-requisite requirement(s) through course work at another institution but it's not showing on your MyBanner records, request an override from the department using the Prerequisite Override Request Form and indicate this as the reason. You should then request an official transcript be submitted from the other institution directly to GVSU Records, 1 W Campus Drive, Allendale, MI 49401. We cannot accept photocopies or unofficial copies of your transcript to update your record. You may be removed from the requested course if you do not provide proof of pre-requisite completion prior to the start of the semester.
4. If you are enrolled, or plan to enroll, for the pre-requisite requirement(s) through course work at another institution prior to taking the subsequent course at GVSU, request an override from the department using the Prerequisite Override Request Form and indicate this as the reason. After completion of the course(s) you should then request an official transcript be submitted from the other institution directly to GVSU Records, 1 W Campus Drive, Allendale, MI 49401. We cannot accept photocopies or unofficial copies of your transcript to update your record. You may be removed from the requested course if you do not provide proof of pre-requisite completion prior to the start of the semester.
5. If your request does not meet one of the criteria above, you may request an override from the department using the Prerequisite Override Request Form . However, unless exceptional circumstances exist, a student will be required to satisfy the pre-requisite course(s) prior to registering for the subsequent course. This is also the appropriate choice for students seeking entrance to "permit only" courses such as internships and independent studies. On the form Indicate under the pre-requisite required box "permit" and in the "other" box explain what you are trying to register for.
Page last modified March 1, 2012
