Course waivers and substitutions

Course substitutions need the approval of the student’s advisor and the DGS. Start by filling out the Petition to Substitute a Course.

Substitutions for FSoS core classes are not allowed. The core courses offer content unique to the discipline and involve processes that make learning objectives very challenging, if not impossible, to address with course and/or independent study substitutions.

Rationale:

1. All students, especially those entering without a family social science background, need the unique disciplinary coursework to maintain the credibility of the FSoS degree.

2. The FSoS overall degree program design offers flexibility and choices.

3. Acceptance into the graduate program (Plan A, Plan B, and PhD) assumes availability to take a full-time course load.

4. In extremely rare circumstances, when events are beyond a student’s control, a student could be allowed to create a substitute learning experience for a maximum of one core course. The student and advisor should consult with the faculty member who teaches the core course in question. The student and adviser should explore alternatives with the main discussion of the student’s request to be reviewed by the student’s FSoS examination committee members, and then be brought to the DGS for review.