P/NP versus Grade

Updated 8/16/2021

Considering P/NP for a class this semester?

Not every class at SRJC is set up to be taken for Pass/No Pass. If the class is already offered with the ability to take it as Pass/No Pass, you can change it between Pass/No Pass, or letter grade, until the end of the semester.  

Before changing from a letter grade to Pass/No Pass, it may be in your best interest to consult with a Counselor or directly with your transfer school(s).

You may want to proceed with caution if you are considering graduate school, as letter grades may be required for that admission process or recommended in staying competitive.

  • Typically, it is recommended that you do not take a class required for your major for Pass/No Pass. Campuses usually want major prep courses completed for a letter grade. If you have already taken a class for P/NP before declaring the major, it may be possible to change the Pass grade to a letter grade. Please speak with a Counselor to learn more.
  • Due to COVID-19, CSU and UC have made exceptions to their policies for taking classes for Pass/No Pass.
    • CSU Transfers - All 23 CSU campuses permitted Pass/No Pass grades to be used toward "golden four" coursework, general education classes, and major prep classes that were completed in Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall 2020 as well as Winter, Spring or Summer 2021.
    • UC TransfersUC temporarily suspended its cap on Pass/No Pass units required to enroll at a UC campus as a junior. Any courses taken with P/NP grading in the spring and summer 2020 semesters will not count toward the UC’s limit of 14 semester transferable units. Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, LA, Merced, Riverside, San Diego and Santa Barbara will accept Pass grades in major preparatory coursework completed in spring 2020 for all majors. Santa Cruz will accept Pass grades in major prep coursework completed in spring 2020 for all majors except Psychology and Cognitive Science. Pass grades in major preparation are acceptable as noted above for admission purposes only; articulation of courses with Pass grades will be determined by the individual department after you enroll at UC.
      • Please note, we highly recommend you make a statement in the Additional Comments section of the UC application that you took a course required for your major for a Pass grade in spring or summer 2020 due to COVID-19 and that you are aware the UC made an exception because of the circumstances.
    • International Students who need to demonstrate English proficiency may still need a letter grade in their English courses. Consult with each school to see if a letter grade is acceptable in this case.
  • If you are applying to a California Independent or Out of State campus, you need to research their Pass/No Pass policies. If you took classes for P/NP during spring and summer 2020 because of COVID-19 specifically ask if considerations are being made to their admission and major prep requirements.