Course Substitution Best Practices
Background/Rationale: During a recent SAA audit (State Approving Agency) which originated with the Veteran's Readjustment Act of 21944 and/or GI Bill of Rights, the SAA did not find any language in our common pages addressing the use of the Course Substitution form. We need verbiage in our catalog, a process, and a standardized form for course substitutions. These substitutions are needed to support the implementation of the transfer pathways with emphasis and issues related to pathway completion in the time of COVID-19. While we pursue this addition to our common pages, we would like to establish some best practices guidelines to support substitutions for AY20-21. We benchmarked and researched best practices at institutions, including our transfer partners, to establish this preliminary solution.
Course substitutions should only be made in a consistent and transparent manner, according to the following guidelines:
No course substitutions are allowed in any of the Required Course areas of the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degrees with emphasis, Associate in Business - GR, Associate of Business - SR, Associate in Arts, Elementary Education, or the Associate in Arts, Fine Arts. Substitutions for degree-specific transfer requirements may or may not be accepted by the transfer institution or meet transfer degree requirements.
The course being used as a substitution must meet the content and/or spirit of the substituted course in the student’s pathway plan (or for petitions by reason of disability). If the pathway course satisfies an Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC-A, B, or S) requirement, the course substitution must meet that same requirement. Considerations for substitutions should also include impact to satisfying transfer pathway, industry requirements. Substituted courses should provide the skills and knowledge specified by the pathway learning outcomes.
Course substitutions should not be processed for students who have earned fewer than 15 credits (at Maricopa or elsewhere).
To pursue a Course Substitution, students must obtain a Course Substitution Petition from the Admissions and Records Office or Academic Advisor. Substitutions must be approved by the Department Chair, Division Chair, Academic/Occupational Program Director, or designee and the appropriate Instructional Dean. The Department Chair, Division Chair, or Academic/Occupational Program Director will work with other departments as needed for courses outside of the discipline. Credit is not granted by a substitution; the petition must include how the credit requirement will be satisfied. Students may seek to have course(s) requirements (including Required Courses, Restricted Electives, etc.) in their declared degree or certificate program substituted. Students are encouraged to seek substitutions prior to enrollment in an intended substitute course.
Requests for course substitutions and supporting documentation should be submitted as soon as possible when transcripts are reviewed. For assistance, students should meet with an academic advisor specific to the declared transfer emphasis.
Students seeking Title IV Financial Aid and Veteran Benefits for a course substitution must have the substitution approved and processed prior to registering for the substitute course.
