Waiver of Degree Requirements

Waiver of any degree requirement must be approved in advance and filed in writing with the Registrar. Department chairs may waive major, minor and supporting requirements.

All-University degree requirements with the exception of physical education may be waived only by petition to and action of the Academic Standards Committee. Petitions for waiver of general education requirements should be supported by the student’s advisor and recommended by the appropriate academic college.

The chair of the Physical Education department must approve a waiver of required physical education courses.

Petitioning for Waiver of Degree Requirements

All petitions must be presented in writing to the chair of the Academic Standards Committee and must be accompanied by a letter of support from the academic advisor. A general petition must be received at least two weeks before the meeting at which it is to be considered. Seniors requesting a waiver of graduation requirements should petition at least one month before commencement.

The chair of the committee may, if necessary, request additional information from the student petitioners, advisors, other faculty members or administrators. Ordinarily, student petitioners do not have the privilege of a personal appearance before the committee. If students are allowed to appear in person, the committee members may ask any questions they consider pertinent.

Petitioners will be informed of the committee’s decision in writing by an appropriate officer of the University. All petitions and discussion about petitions will remain confidential within the committee.