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Course Substitutions

Course Substitutions

 

Students are expected to complete all requirements for graduation in order to earn a Bachelor’s degree from the College of General Studies. Occasionally, a course substitution may be appropriate. This may be considered when:

  1. A student is prevented from taking a required course due to extenuating circumstances. Failure to enroll in a required course is not considered an extenuating circumstance.
  2. A student has identified a new course whose goals and content align with the goals and academic focus of their CGS major, minor, or certificate (for example, a study abroad course).

Course Substitution Limits

 

The number of course substitutions permitted depends on the type of CGS academic plan you are completing. Please review the limits below before discussing a request with your advisor.

CGS Majors and Certificates

Students may appeal for a maximum of two course substitutions for a major or certificate.

Only one substitution may be applied to the core requirements of a major or certificate.

Study abroad exception: Students may apply substitutions for up to three courses from an approved study abroad program. Only one of these may be applied to the core requirements.

CGS Minors

Course substitutions for the core requirements of a minor are not permitted.

Students completing a minor may seek:

  • One course substitution for elective credit toward the minor; or
  • Up to two course substitutions if the courses are from an approved study abroad program.

Transfer Credits

Students who have transferred in half of the credits for a major, certificate, or minor cannot seek course substitutions.

Guidelines and Expectations

 

The CGS Course Petition Committee must review and approve any substitution of course requirements for your CGS program (major, minor, or certificate). Incomplete or inaccurately completed petition requests may result in processing delays or denial of the appeal.

It is essential that you meet with your CGS advisor to review your course selections, discuss the viability of your request, and consult on how to prepare a well-formulated petition. Please contact your advisor as soon as you know that you wish to explore the possibility of a course substitution.

Important Note

Students who are not officially in a CGS program (major, minor, or certificate) must declare their CGS academic plan first and then meet with an advisor to discuss their course options and needs.

If you are a non-CGS student pursuing a CGS minor or certificate and do not have an assigned CGS advisor, please visit CGS during walk-in hours to meet with an on-duty advisor. See the CGS Advising page for the current walk-in schedule.

Preparing Your Petition

A well-formulated and complete petition helps ensure faster processing and reduces the chance of rejection. The committee expects a well-prepared request to include the following:

  1. A completed CGS Course Substitution form. The form is available online below.
  2. A justification for the request. Explain why the substitution is being requested and why the proposed course is an appropriate replacement.

    Note: Depending on the nature and complexity of the request, your advisor or the committee may ask for additional background information. This may include your standing in the academic program or previous course substitution appeals for the program in question.

  3. Required supporting documentation. Examples include course syllabi, catalog descriptions, and internship agreements.

    Note: You are responsible for collecting and providing all required documentation for your request.

Considering an internship waiver? The internship waiver process is separate from course substitutions. Visit the CGS Internship Policy webpage for more information.

Submitting the CGS Course Substitution Online Form

 

If your advisor agrees that submitting a course petition is reasonable, you may submit your appeal using the online form below.

CGS Course Substitution Online Form

Access the Online Form

Before You Submit

  • This form is only for course substitution requests for a CGS major, minor, or certificate. For general education course reviews and approvals, consult your CGS advisor.
  • You may submit up to three course substitution requests using the form.
  • Discuss each requested substitution with your advisor before submitting your appeal.

You’ve Submitted Your Course Appeal. What’s Next?

 

After you submit the form and attach the appropriate documentation, your appeal will be sent to your CGS advisor, who will review it for completeness and clarity. The petition will then be reviewed by the CGS Course Petition Committee, which will either approve or deny the request.

What to Expect

  • Submitting a petition does not guarantee approval.
  • Review of course substitutions may take a minimum of 10 business days. Submit your petition well in advance to allow for possible delays.
  • For an update on the status of your appeal, contact your CGS advisor or CGS Academic Programs at cgsapa@pitt.edu.

Questions? Contact your CGS advisor before submitting your petition to discuss your request and make sure you have the information and documentation you need.

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