Exceptions to Policy

Please complete your petition by accessing the appropriate link below for your specific request. 

Exceptions to College and University policies are approved only under rare and extraordinary circumstances. To request an exception to policy, you must submit a Petition for Exception to Policy Form. *NOTE: All supporting documentation must be included in order to submit the petition, which is processed by the Office of Student Services. You will be notified via email when the review has been completed, no later than 10 business days after your submission. After 10 business days, please contact our office at cmnsque@umd.edu to check on the status of your petition if you have not received a decision.

Please read the descriptions of exceptions carefully. Submitting the wrong form will result in a significant delay in the decision.

Online Forms

For the following exceptions, you only need to submit the forms below:

Repeat Policy

  • This exception is for repeat violations. The University allows students two repeats of a single course. This request is for a repeat over this limit (third attempt).
  • The University allows students a total of 18 repeat credits. This request is for repeating over 18 credits.
  • If both of these apply, please indicate both.

Late Add/Drop/Drop Over 4 credits

  • Late add is a request to add a course or change the credits for a course after schedule adjustment.
  • Late drop without a “W” is a request to drop a course after the last day of schedule adjustment (first ten days of the semester). This request is rare and is considered if a student did not attend the course.
  • Late drop with a “W” is requesting to drop a course with a “W” after the last day to drop a course with a “W” (withdrawal).
  • Late drop over 4 credits - The University allows a student to drop up to 4 credits per semester. This request is to drop over this limit.
  • If you wish to withdraw from the semester completely, that is handled by the Office of the Registrar.

Change Grading Method

Students are responsible for selecting grading methods by the end of the schedule adjustment period for each semester. This exception is to request a grading method change. 

Coursework in Final 30 Credits

  • It is University policy that the Final 30 credits of a degree must be taken at UMD. Please read the Final 30 Credit In Residence Policy carefully and consult your academic advisor if you have questions. In extenuating circumstances, a petition for an exception to policy can be submitted.
  • If you wish to enroll in another institution within your final 30 credits before graduation, you must submit an exception to policy petition to take Coursework in your Final 30 Credits outside of UMD, explaining why you need to take this coursework elsewhere so close to graduation, and fill out a Permission to Enroll (PTE) form (if applicable).
    • Final 30 credit in-residence policy: Students are only allowed to take a maximum of 6 credits outside of UMD during their final 30 credits with advanced approval by the dean of the academic unit from which the student expects to receive the degree (excluding internships and study abroad).
  • Please see below for the appropriate form(s)
    • Permission to Enroll forms
      • Domestic coursework (89 credits or less earned): Students who have earned 89 or less credits wishing to take courses at another institution (i.e., outside of UMD) are required complete one form:
        1. Permission to Enroll (PTE) form
      • Domestic coursework (90 credits or more earned): Students who have earned 90 or more credits wishing to take courses at another institution (i.e., outside of UMD) within their final 30 credits are required complete two forms:
        1. Permission to Enroll (PTE) form (you must select that you are within your final 30 credits on the PTE form)
        2. Coursework in Final 30 Credits
    • Study Abroad Forms
      • Study Abroad (89 credits or less earned): Students who have earned 89 or less credits intending to study abroad are required complete one form:
        1. Electronic SACA with the Education Abroad Office (if applicable)
      • Study Abroad (90 or more credits earned): Students intending to study abroad within their final 30 credits and/or who have earned 90 or more credits will need to complete two forms:
        1. Electronic SACA with the Education Abroad Office (if applicable)
        2. CMNS Final 30 Credits - Study Abroad
    • Geology Field Camp (GEOL490): If you are a Geology student who is completing their Field Camp requirement, you must submit two forms depending on the type of field camp you are choosing:

Time Conflict

This request is made when two course registrations are conflicting, and there is a valid supporting reason for the enrollment.

Request a High Credit Load

This request is made when a student would like to exceed the 17-credit semester limit. Students must have discussed the course load with their advisor and have an advising note entered in TerpEngage and meet the following requirements:

A minimum GPA at UMD:

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70 required for AOSC, ASTR, GEOL, CMSC, MATH, PHYS, ENSP:GEO, and IMDM.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 required for BSCI, CHEM, BCHM, NEUR, ENSP:BIOD, and NURS.

NOTE: Please submit this request prior to submitting a late add request if applicable.

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