GE Student Petitions
Student Petition Forms are available in the Office of the Registrar (Administration Building, room 222), and in the College Advising Centers. There are three types of substitution/petition forms. 1) GE Course Substitution, 2) Substitution for Major/Support, and 3) Substitution for Study Abroad.
GE Course Substitution/Exception
Sample - GE Course Substitution/Exception (PDF)
- The PDF form above is provided as a sample and should be used only for reference.
- The GE Course Substitution form is used only for General Education course substitutions.
How to Process Your Request:
1. Obtain the GE petition form from your advising center, department office, or the Office of the Registrar (Administration Building, Room 222).
2. In consultation with your advisor, fill out the student portion (above the student signature) and get your advisor’s signature (#1).
3. If the course you are requesting to count for GE credit is not a Cal Poly course, find the course description for the course you want to substitute from your college or university web site, or from your own records.
4. Check to see if there is a similar course offered at Cal Poly. If so, you can compare course descriptions online at the Cal Poly catalog web site.
5. If there is NOT a similar course offered at Cal Poly, use the Cal Poly’s General Education web site link for a list of the educational objectives and criteria for each GE area. It is possible that the course you want to substitute might meet the objectives and criteria for one of the GE areas you need.
6. If your substitution request involves information that you read or were told, be sure to attach a letter, email, photocopy, or other supporting documentation from your source to back up your request.
7. Then drop the petition in the Office of the Registrar drop box (Administration Building, room 222) between 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday. You do not need to do anything further.
Please allow 3 weeks to process your petition.
GE Appeals: If your GE course substitution/petition is denied, you may appeal the decision to the GE Director. You will need to send an email, addressing any new information that you feel has not been considered in the original request. The GE Director will review the petition again with the Office of the Registrar, and contact you with his decision.
Substitution for Major/Support
Sample - Substitution for Major/Support Courses (PDF)
- The PDF form above is provided as a sample and should be used only for reference.
- Use this form for substitutions or exceptions involving major or support courses.
How to Process Your Request:
1. Obtain the Substitution for Major or Support Courses form from your department office or advising center.
2. Go to your advisor for help in filling out the top half of the form. Have your advisor check the consultation box and, if appropriate, make a recommendation (pro or con) and sign. Check with your advisor to see if you also need to get the signature of the Chair/Head of the Department offering the required course. If yes, get this person’s recommendation (pro or con) and signature. Check with your advisor to see if the course is also being used to satisfy a GE requirement. If yes, get the recommendation (pro or con) and signature of the appropriate GE Area Chair.
3. Get the recommendation (pro or con) and signature of your own Department Chair/Head.
4. Get the recommendation (pro or con) and signature of your College Dean. The Dean’s Office will forward your petition to the Office of the Registrar.
5. If necessary, the GE Director and/or the Vice Provost for Academic Programs reviews your petition to approve or disapprove, and signs.
6. The Office of the Registrar will notify you of the decision regarding your petition.
Please allow 3 weeks to process your petition.
GE Course Substitution for Study Abroad
Sample - GE Substitution for Study Abroad (PDF)
- The PDF form above is provided as a sample and should be used only for reference.
- Use this form for GE credit for courses taken through a Study Abroad program.
How to Process Your Request:
1. Cal Poly courses taken through a Cal Poly Study Abroad Program that are not on the Cal Poly GE list will NOT be allowed to count for GE.
2. Review the requirements on Cal Poly’s GE web site @ http://ge.calpoly.edu/
3. Determine the GE area you need to fulfill (refer to your curriculum or check with your advisor).
- NOTE: Lower Division courses may NOT be used to fulfill GE C4 or GE D5 or GE F.
4. Complete this form for course review and GE consideration.
5. Attach the course descriptions and supporting documents for each course printed or photocopied directly from the international catalog or web site. Do NOT copy and paste this information into your own document. Be sure the printed documents include the campus, location, term, print date and URL, if applicable.
6. Meet with a Study Abroad Advisor to discuss your plan and obtain his/her signature.
- NOTE: International Programs does not approve course substitutions.
7. Submit the form to the Office of the Registrar (Building. 01, Room 222).
- NOTE: The form will be routed and may take up to 4 weeks for review.
8. Records will route the form for you.
9. Your copy will be returned by mail with the final decisions on your petition requests.
10. GE Course Substitution for Study Abroad petitions are valid only after receipt of official transcripts and verification of the educational institution, courses, course levels and units. (Each course must be the equivalent of at least 4 quarter units.)