Petitions
Petitions in Degree Works are a tool for modifying requirements for a student. Generally, petitions come in the form of substitutions and waivers of major, concentration, or certificate requirements.
Petition Guidelines
Once you have selected a student in Degree Works, click on the three vertical dots located in the top right corner of the student's audit and then click "Petitions". You will then have access to all petitions submitted for this student. To enter a new petition, click on "Add a new petition."
Be Concise
Limit the number of words in each petition. Length descriptions are not needed. Necessary information includes the requirement being petitioned and the course that it applies to.
Examples of substituting M 510 for M 521:
- Sub M 510 for M 521 or M 510=M 521
Add Petitions Right Away
Petitions should be added as soon as they are identified, typically at the beginning of a student's enrollment.
Please do not wait until the student's final semester to add petitions. This makes it difficult for students to monitor their degree progress along the way and can even delay their degree being awarded.
Requirements That Do Not Appear
Petitions cannot be entered for a requirement that does not appear on the student's audit.
If a petitioned requirement does not appear on the student's audit, the petition will be rejected.
If a student's major needs to be updated, please email grad.school@umontana.edu and copy the student's 老虎机攻略Connect email. Please wait for major changes to be processed before submitting the petition.
Courses That Do Not Appear
Petitions cannot be entered for a course that does not appear on the student's audit.
If a petitioned course does not appear on the student's audit, the petition will be rejected. See the protocol for future coursework below.
A common reason for coursework not appearing is that transfer courses have not yet been requested by the department or input into Degree Works by the Graduate School.
Future Coursework
If you know a student will need a petition for a future course, you can enter a petition ahead of time. All that is needed is the course subject and number.
Petition for Transfer Credits
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Steps for submitting a Transfer Request to your Department
- Review Institutional Policies:
Check your graduate program's handbook or the to understand the specific policies regarding transfer credits.
- Contact Your Advisor:
Speak with your academic advisor or program coordinator to discuss your intent to transfer and/or recertify courses. They can provide guidance and clarify any specific procedures for your program.
- Gather Documentation:
Collect syllabi, course descriptions, and any other relevant documents from the courses you completed at the previous institution. This documentation may be required to demonstrate the course content and learning outcomes.
- Submit Your Request:
Submit your request to transfer and/or recertify coursework, along with the necessary supporting documentation, to your advisor.
- Wait for Evaluation:
The department will review your submitted materials to determine if the transfer courses align with your program’s curriculum and requirements. If the department approves of your request, they will submit a request to the Graduate School for final evaluation and transcription.
- Receive Approval/Denial:
Once the evaluation is complete, you will receive a notification about whether your transfer credits have been approved. If denied, seek feedback on why and explore possible next steps.
Additional Considerations
Timing: Be mindful of deadlines for when transfer credit evaluations need to be completed, especially if they impact your course registration or graduation timeline.
Credit Limits: Understand any limits on the number of transfer credits that can be accepted into your program, as this may influence your coursework plan.
Quality of Coursework: Be prepared to demonstrate that the transfer courses meet the necessary academic rigor and relevance to your current program.
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All transfer credits must adhere to .
Transfer Request for a Single Course
Transfer requests should be input directly into Degree Works and must state the institution, course info, and what degree requirement it is fulfilling. The official transcript can then be dropped in the Graduate Transcript Box folder.
example: MSU transfer course MGMT 500, 3 credits, “A” = BMGT 540.
Transfer Request for a Master’s Degree
If bringing in an entire Masters degree, the petition should include the total number of credits along with the institution, course info, and what degree requirement it is fulfilling.
example: Masters transfer request- 30 credits, Montana State University, MGMT 500, 3 credits, “A” = BMGT 540, MGMT 501, 3 credits, “A” = elective, MGMT 502, 3 credits, “A” = BMGT 560, MGMT 503, 3 credits, “A” = elective, MGMT 504, 3 credits, “A” = research methods req., MGMT 505, 3 credits, “A” = seminar req., MGMT 506, 3 credits, “A” = BMGT 694, MGMT 507, 3 credits, “A” = additional seminar req., MGMT 508, 3 credits, “A” = BMGT 670, MGMT 509, 3 credits, “A” = BMGT 604.
Recertification of Credits
Credits taken outside the student’s time to degree, must be recertified for currency of knowledge.
Credits in the Enrolled Program
Recertification of credits within the enrolled program will be entered as a petition in Degree Works.
This petition should indicate that the department has evaluated X credits, including all course information and confirms that the course content remains relevant and comparable. Additionally, it should include a statement regarding how the student has kept their knowledge current, such as through relevant work experience in X or ongoing education.
Credits Outside the Enrolled Program
Recertification of credits outside the student’s enrolled program must be completed outside of Degree Works in a memo format.
The student’s enrolled program will need to collaborate with the corresponding department to get a statement of recertification that should include they’ve evaluated X credits, including all course information and confirms that the course content remains relevant and comparable. The enrolled program will then add a statement regarding how the student has kept their knowledge current, such as through relevant work experience in X or ongoing education.