For Advisors

Exceptions for University Requirements

announcing new ugs exceptions form

We are excited to announce the launch of our new UGS Exceptions Form. It generally works the same way as the old form but has some new enhancements! 

  • There is now a back button! Should you need to go back and make a change, please feel free to do so! 
  • There are some new exceptions options which you can see in the list below 
  • You can upload up to 3 files at a time 
  • Only Student Accessibility Services staff should use the SAS request option in step 2.

Click here to access form.  

List of Available Exceptions

  • General Education Request 
    • Allow acceptance of D鈥檚 for gen ed requirement due to student completing all other major requirements 
    • Close Enhanced Gen Ed block due to student already completing older gen ed curriculum 
    • State Gen Ed 
      • State Communication (Gordon Rule) 
      • State Computation (Gordon Rule) 
      • State Humanities 
      • State Social Sciences 
      • State Natural Sciences 
    • USFSM Core Curriculum 
      • USFSM Natural Science 
      • USFSM Social Science 
      • USFSM Humanities 
      • Gen Ed Elective 
      • Communication & Critical Thinking Pillar 
      • Leadership & Ethics Pillar 
      • Community Engagement & Diversity Pillar 
      • SLS 1107 Foundations of University Success 
      • SLS 2122 Foundations of Professional Success 
    • USFSP Core Curriculum 
      • USFSP Natural Science 
      • USFSP Social Science 
      • USFSP Humanities 
      • Gen Ed Elective 
      • Major Works/Major Issues 
      • Literature and Writing 
    • USF Tampa FKL 
      • Fine Arts 
      • Humanities 
      • Human & Cultural Diversity in a Global Context 
      • Physical Science 
      • Life Science 
      • Social & Behavioral Science 
      • Human Historical Context and Process 
      • Writing Intensive 
      • Capstone 
    • OneUSF Enhanced Gen Ed 
      • Creative Thinking 
      • Information & Data Literacy 
      • Human & Cultural Diversity 
      • Ethical Reasoning & Civic Engagement 
      • High Impact Practice 
  • State Requirement Request 
    • Allow course substitution for foreign language entrance (FLENT) due to student completion of all other degree requirements and documentation of student meeting the spirit of the requirement 
    • Civics Literacy 
    • Allow waiver of state-mandated summer hour requirement due to completion of all other degree requirements 
    • Credit-by-Exam request (e.g., student not receiving expected credit) 
  • University Request 
    • Allow waiver of 42 upper level (UL) requirement with 40-41 earned UL credits due to student completion of all other degree requirements 
    • Allow waiver of USF credit residency requirement due to completion of all other degree requirements 
    • Allow course substitution or grade exception for foreign language exit (FLEX) due to student completion of all other degree requirements and documentation of student meeting the spirit of the requirement 
    • Allow a course to count for both the minor and the major, beyond the allowed 6 credits of overlap 
    • Exception to Honors at Graduation 
    • Allow repeat coursework to count towards degree 

general information

In the event any student experiences circumstances that prevent them from meeting a university requirement for undergraduate graduation, students may work with their academic advisor to request a wavier or substitution to satisfy the requirement. Reasons for the request often include, but are not limited to, unavailable course options, facilitating timely graduation, utilizing transfer credits to reduce excess credit hours, and supporting accommodations from the office of Students Accessibility Services (only to be submitted by SAS staff).

Please keep in mind that any request for exception should be considered as an option of last resort, and every attempt should be made to ensure the student is able to meet all university and program requirements as listed in University policy and the Undergraduate catalog.

PROCEDURES  

  1. Request for Exception for University Requirements must be made ONLINE via the  Any email requests submitted directly to UGS personnel will not be used to render a decision and the sender will be asked to resubmit using the above online form.
    Students are NOT permitted to submit their own exception requests and will receive an error message prompting them to contact an academic advisor if they attempt to do so.

  2. Submitters must enter their contact information and the student鈥檚 name plus UID.

  3. Submitters must choose one of three categories listed above for the request. If you believe the request does not fit into any of the available categories, please contact Leslie Tod (tod@usf.edu) for clarification.

  4. Submitters must include a narrative that states:
    1. The course or requirement being waived or substituted
    2. Why the student is unable to meet the requirement
    3. What course or plan of action is recommended to satisfy to requirement
    4. And any additional information that may help support the request.

  5. All requests must be fully supported with documentation to demonstrate why the recommended course of action benefits the student. If recommending a course substitution, please supply a course syllabus (or at minimum, a detailed course description) for the recommended substitution to provide supporting information for the request, such as: the new course鈥檚 learning content/outcomes, textbooks/course materials, assessment or other relevant information. Any request related to a Student Accessibilities Services request MUST be submitted by SAS staff.

    Important: Undergraduate Studies personnel reserve the right to delay or deny any request for lack of appropriate or comprehensive documentation.

    Upon completion, submitters will receive a confirmation email. An additional email will follow to document the Dean鈥檚 decision.

    Note: Do NOT reply to these emails as they are sent from an unmonitored account

If you experience issues submitting a request, please contact Assistant Dean Kyna Betancourt at kbetancourt@usf.edu.