Saddleback College's 3-step Matriculation Process was designed to assist college students with achieving specific educational goals: earning a Certificate, Associate Degree, or Transfer to a 4-year college or university.

Students are assigned a matriculation status of "Required" or "Not Required" when they apply for admission to Saddleback College. Based off application data, most first-time college students are required.

Exemption criteria includes the following:

  • Completed 30+ college units at the time of admission
  • Earned an AA/AS degree or higher from an accredited college or university
  • Concurrently enrolled 4-year college or university student taking classes to meet degree requirements
  • Taking non-academic or non-credit classes for educational development (KNES, AESL, EI)
  • Dual-enrolled in grades K-12 (Special Admission)


For questions regarding prerequisites, please contact us via email at scmatric@saddleback.edu or by phone (949) 582-4572.

NOTE: California Community College regulations state that all non-exempt students must complete the Matriculation Process steps outlined below prior to registering for any class.

The New Student Orientation module is accessible in MySite from the direct link below. Students must complete all sections and pass the final exam at the end of the orientation module to receive credit and complete Step #1. (Print or take a screen capture of the completion certificate for your records.)

For further details, click here for the Online Orientation webpage.

Go Directly to Online Orientation

Average completion time is 30 minutes.

Saddleback College's Current Assessment Process allows student to obtain Initial Math and English Placement by using either one of the options listed below. Review both placement options and select one to complete Step #2 of the Matriculation Process. (NOTE: Assessment Exams are no longer offered for placement.)

For further details, click here for the Math and English Placement webpage.

Option 1: Use the Guided Self Placement Tool

Complete the Math and English Guided Self Placement (GSP) surveys and receive initial Math and English Placement in 10 minutes. Clicking on the link below will direct you to MySite where you will complete two short surveys. Each survey pulls available high school transcript data to calculate placement. (This option is the fastest and does not require transcript submission.)

Go Directly to Guided Self Placement

Average completion time for GSP is 5-10 minutes.

Option 2: Submit a High School Transcript for Initial Placement

Submit an Initial Math and English Placement Request with a district-issued or school-issued copy of your high school transcript for evaluation. Your transcript must include the following: completion of Math and English courses from 9th-11th grade (3 years or more) and a non-weighted GPA of 3.0 (or higher).

Submit Initial Math and English Placement Request

Average processing time for a high school transcript evaluation is 3-5 business days.

District-issued transcripts are available to SVUSD and CapoUSD students via Parchment

If your high school uses Parchment, you can create an account and download a free district-issued version of your transcript from the following website https://www.parchment.com/order/.

NOTE: Student portal, homeschool, and international high school transcripts cannot be used for the initial placement request. Instead use Guided Self Placement to complete Step #2 (Option 1 above).

The Advisement module helps students determine a potential major, define their educational goal, and prepare a First Semester Plan using My Academic Plan (MAP). The Advisement and First Semester Plan can be completed in MySite after Initial Math and English Placement has been obtained from one of the options above. Once you have created a First Semester Plan, you will have completed Step #3 of the Matriculation Process. For further details, click here for the Advisement & Ed Plan webpage.

Go Directly to Online Advisement and First Semester Plan

Group Advisement Workshops

As an alternative, students can complete Advisement and a First Semester Plan by attending a Group Advisement Workshop with an academic counselor.

View Workshop Events

Special Services Note: If you have a physical, communication, or visual limitation that might require accommodation or if you have extreme difficulty with reading, writing, spelling, math or understanding/remembering information, please contact the Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) Office at (949) 582-4885.