Course Waivers & Substitutions

Current Cal Poly Students:

Although a curriculum is specified for each major, under certain conditions a student may be permitted some deviation from the established curriculum. See the major department for substitutions involving major or support courses.

All Cal Poly students are expected to complete the GE courses specified in their degree programs. Cal Poly GE courses must be selected from the GE requirement list. Substitutions are not permitted except in extraordinary circumstances. Students requesting exceptions must follow petition procedures, outlined on the GE web site. This process may take several weeks.

For General Education (GE) courses:

1. Consult with Academic Advisor to determine appropriate process and form
2. Meet with DRC Access Specialist for recommendation (if requesting substitution as a Reasonable Accommodation)
3. Submit completed GE Course Substitution Petition to Academic Records (Requires signatures of academic advisor, department chair, and dean of college)

For major or support courses:

1. Consult with Academic Advisor to determine appropriate process and form
2. Meet with DRC Access Specialist for recommendation (if requesting substitution as a Reasonable Accommodation)
3. Submit completed Substitution for Major or Support Courses Petition to Academic Records (Requires signatures of academic advisor, department chair, and dean of college)

Applicants for Cal Poly Admission:

Students with disabilities applying to Cal Poly are encouraged to complete college preparatory course requirements if possible. If an applicant is judged unable to fulfill a specific course requirement because of his/her disability, alternate college preparatory courses may be substituted for specific subject requirements. Although the distribution may be slightly different from the course pattern required of other students, students qualifying for substitutions must still complete 15 units of college preparatory study.

1. Submit Online Cal Poly Application for Admission
2. If denied admission, student should request a consultation between guidance counselor/advisor and Dir. Of Disability Resource Center (DRC) to discuss nature of substitution.
3. Submit appeal of denial to Director of Admissions
4. Director of DRC submits recommendation to Director of Admissions.
5. Director of Admissions makes final decision.

Students should be aware that course substitutions may limit later enrollment in certain majors, particularly those involving mathematics.

 

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