VIII. Program Substitutions & Waivers

Course substitutions and program requirement waivers may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. In all cases:

• Liberal Arts & Sciences, SUNY Gen Ed, and total program credit requirements must still be met.
• Substitutions and waivers are reviewed by the Office of Registration & Records and subject to approval by the Department Chairperson of the student’s program and the Academic Dean.

A. Course Substitutions

Substitutions allow a student to take a different course in place of the required course in a program.

• Courses may only be substituted, not waived, as a student must have completed the correct number of credits for their program at the time of graduation.
• To request a substitution, students should speak with their Navigator or Faculty Advisor as soon as possible. A college employee must submit the “Program Substitution & Waiver” form on behalf of the student.
• The “Program Substitution & Waiver” form must include an explanation of how the student will meet the program learning outcomes despite substituting a requirement.
• The form requires approval from the Department Chairperson, in consultation with program or discipline faculty, the Academic Dean, and the Office of Registration & Records.
• Substitutions are time sensitive, as they may impact a student’s financial aid and ability to graduate.

B. Waiving a Program Requirement

Waivers may be allowed for things such as minimum grade requirements or time constraints in certain programs.

• To request to waive a program requirement, students should speak with their Navigator or Faculty Advisor as soon as possible. A college employee must submit the “Program Substitution & Waiver” form on behalf of the student.
• The form requires approval from the Department Chairperson, in consultation with program or discipline faculty, the Academic Dean, and the Office of Registration & Records.
• Waivers for program requirements are time sensitive, as they may impact a student’s financial aid and ability to graduate.