Common Course Numbering:
What Students Need to Know

Any Cascadia student who has taken classes prior to summer quarter 2008 should read this and be familiar with how Common Course Numbering will impact you.

For help, contact Student Advising & Support Services in Kodiak Corner, 425.352.8860, advising@cascadia.edu

1. What is Common Course Numbering?
The Common Course Numbering (CCN) system is shared by the Washington State community and technical colleges.  It is a system for renumbering and renaming courses that are commonly shared among the 2-year colleges in Washington.

2. Why is this information important to me?
If you have taken any classes at Cascadia before summer 2008, it is very important for you to check the list of course changes to ensure you do not accidentally take the same course twice as result of the new course number/title changes.

3. I am a new student who has never taken classes at Cascadia.  Do I need to use the course change list and continue reading?
Only if you are transferring to Cascadia and have previously taken classes at another Washington State community and technical college.

4. How will I know when a course is part of the common course group?
“Common courses” (equivalent at all community and technical colleges) are identified with a “&” behind the course prefix (for example, ENG 201 is now ENGL&111). The course change list is available online at http://www.cascadia.edu/schedules/docs/Common Course Numbering Table.pdf or in Kodiak Corner.

5. Does this affect how classes transfer to a university?
No. Common course numbers and titles were changed to simplify transferring between community and technical colleges.   
Many courses not on the course change list continue to be considered transferable coursework under the Direct Transfer Agreement between community and technical colleges and universities.

Note: Unchanged courses that were transferable prior to common course numbering continue to be transferable. In addition, courses that were not transferrable before the change still are not. It is recommended you check with the receiving institution as the transferability of individual courses is the sole prerogative of the receiving school.

6. So the only classes that have changed are the ones with the “&” sign, right?
No.  Actually, some Cascadia courses – even those that aren’t “common” - had to change because of the common course numbering system.  Please read the course title, course description and the course change list carefully before registering, so you don’t register for a class you have already taken!

7. How will all of this affect my transcript?
All classes taken prior to summer quarter 2008 will remain the same. Classes taken after summer 2008 will use the new course number and/or title. You will see a message on your transcript to denote the beginning of the Common Course Numbering program as of summer quarter 2008.

8. Won’t online registration stop me from taking a class I’ve already taken?
The online registration will not catch that the item number for a CCN course is the same as a course you have already taken under the former prefix, title and/or number. You must cross-reference CCN courses against the course change list.

Note: When using the online schedule planner, you will need to add the “&” to the common courses as they are listed in the schedule and catalog. For example, ENGL&101 (not ENG 101).

9. What if I’m in the middle of a sequence of classes, like math or biology?
If you are following a sequence, particularly in the math and science areas, you should work closely with an advisor to assure that you do not repeat a course you have already taken, and that you can identify the next course in the sequence.  For example, the “old” course BIOL 201, General Cell Biology, has been changed to BIOL&211, Majors Cellular, and the next course in that sequence is BIOL&212, Majors Animals.

Top of Page