GE Petitions and Exceptions

An exception allows a course not previously approved to fulfill a requirement if it meets the content criteria for the designation area. Once approved and entered by a GE Liaison, the course will appear as fulfilling the requirement on the student's Degree Audit.

Process for Requesting an Exception

1. Review the Criteria: Check the content criteria for GE and BD requirements.
2. Compare your Course: Match the course syllabus to the criteria.
3. Meet with your GE Liaison: Contact your college/school's GE Liaison. Provide the course syllabus for evaluation.
4. Evaluation: The GE Liaison will determine if the course meets the criteria.
   1. Approval: If approved, the course will be coded to fulfill the requirement.
   2. Denial or Further Review: If the Liaison cannot determine eligibility, they will guide you to submit a petition.

Qualifications for an Exception

• Course must be 2.6+ credit hours.
• Course must address the content criteria for the requirement.
• Courses may fulfill one Core GE (AI, WR1, WR2, QL) or one Breadth GE (FF, HF, LS, PS, BF). Some may also fulfill a BD (CW, DV, IR, QI, DI, LR).
• Courses may double-count with major/minor requirements.

Exceptions for University of Utah Courses

Students are encouraged to choose GE and BD courses already approved and listed in the class schedule and course catalog. Exceptions for U of U courses are rare but may be considered under unique circumstances through the petition process.

1. Consult Your Liaison: GE Liaisons can help determine if unique circumstances may qualify an exception.
2. Submit a Petition: If recommended, view petition details on the previous tab.

A petition is a formal request for further review after all other options for seeking an exception have been exhausted. Petitions are reviewed by the Office of General Education and as necessary, members of the General Education Curriculum Committee (GECC).

Before submitting a petition:

1. Meet with a GE Liaison: Contact your college's GE Liaison to discuss potential exceptions. Many can be approved without submitting a petition. 
2. Transfer Credit: Ensure transfer courses are posted in the "Summary of Transfer Credit" section of your Degree Audit. Only officially posted courses can be evaluated.
3. Math (QL) Courses: QL courses must be evaluated by the Department of Mathematics. Submit evaluations using the Transfer Course Evaluation Form.

Steps to submit a petition:

1. Access the Petition Form:
   1. Click the petition link and sign into your CIS account.
   2. Complete the form.
2. Provide Required Information:
   1. Section 1: Student Info - Autofill will complete most fields; add your major (or "Undecided")
   2. Section 2: Course Info - Include:
      1. Appeal type (transfer, U of U, or Learning Abroad pre-approval).
      2. Institution where the course was completed.
      3. Course details (e.g., PSY 1010: Intro to Psychology).
      4. Requested GE/BD code (e.g., AI, FF).
      5. Personal statement explaining how the course meets the criteria.
      6. For U of U courses only, describe the unique circumstances that support the petition.
   3. Section 3: Attachments -
      1. Upload a copy of the syllabus.
      2. Upload a PDF of your Degree Audit (instructions to save as PDF are provided).
3. Submit Your Petition: Once completed, the form will route the appropriate evaluator.

Ready to submit?

Petition form coming soon.