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Substitutions, Modifications & Appeals

The DRC can assist students whose education has been negatively impacted by their disability. We help you navigate course substitutions, academic modifications and appeals to ensure you have a fair opportunity to meet your degree requirements.

Appeals

If you’ve been denied admission and your educational or personal goals have been negatively impacted due to your disability, you can submit an appeal. Visit FIU Admissions and follow their admissions appeal process.

If you'd like us to review documentation related to your disability as part of your appeal, submit the admissions appeal form. Then, email any disability-related documentation along with a completed Disability Eligibility Review Form to drcereview@fiu.edu.

Please allow us seven to 14 business days to review your documentation after submission.

Appeal Information

  • Documentation can only be submitted after you’ve submitted an admissions appeal.
  • We (the DRC) do not make admissions decisions.
  • For more information about the appeal process, decisions and required forms, visit FIU Admissions.

Course Substitutions

Course substitutions are considered based on how a student’s disability affects their ability to meet a specific requirement. Substitutions may be denied if they would significantly change the program, are required for certification or licensure or conflict with the student’s academic goals.

Course Substitution Process

  1. Meet with your DRC access consultant to talk about your course substitution request.
  2. Complete the Course Substitution Form.
  3. If requesting a specific class, make sure it appears on your FIU transcript and that a syllabus is available. You may also submit course descriptions, assignment samples or a textbook to help the committee review your request.
  4. Write a personal statement explaining past attempts to complete related high school or college courses and how your disability affected those efforts.
  5. Submit your full petition, including the substitution form, personal statement, FIU transcript and any supporting documents, to your DRC access consultant.
  6. Allow up to three weeks for the Substitution Committee to review your request.
  7. The DRC will notify you and relevant FIU offices (like OneStop and your academic advisor) of the decision.
  8. If approved, meet with your academic advisor to update your degree program. After finishing the approved substitution course, you must notify both the DRC and your advisor so the substitution can be finalized.
  9. If denied, you may appeal by submitting a new form, a revised personal statement and any updated documentation to support your request.

Core Mathematics and Foreign Language Petition Process

If you have a disability that prevents you from meeting the Gordon Rule math or foreign language graduation requirements, you may request a course substitution. We strongly recommend that you begin this process early in your college career.

  • Application Process

    Keep in mind that a substitution may affect your ability to stay in or apply for certain majors. For example, business majors must complete MAC 2233 (Calculus for Business), and substituting this course could make you ineligible for that major. Speak with your DRC access consultant for more information about this and what may be a fundamental alteration.

    If you’re applying for both math and foreign language substitutions, you must complete two separate applications.

    It’s your responsibility to make sure the approved substitution course is on file with your advisor and the DRC before enrolling in the course. If you do not, the courses may not be credited toward fulfilling the degree requirements.

    • Some of the classes most used for the core math substitution are: CGS 2060, CGS 2100, MAT 1033 and MGF 1100.
    • Classes most often used for the foreign language requirement are selected from the university’s global learning course offerings.
  • Course Substitution from Another University

    If you were granted a course substitution from another Florida public university, you must have this indicated on your FIU record. You’ll need to provide a letter or official transcript from your previous school showing the approved substitution. Your DRC access consultant will verify documentation and help you complete the petition form.

  • Foreign Language Entrance Requirement (FLENT) Substitution

    FIU requires all incoming students to have completed at least two years of a foreign language in high school.

    If you haven’t fulfilled this requirement, you must complete two semesters of a foreign language before graduating.

    If you couldn’t fulfill this requirement during high school due to a disability, you can request a course substitution.

    Majors that require a foreign language for graduation must follow the Course Substitution Process. For majors or colleges that do not require a foreign language, you may request a FLENT course substitution through FIU Admissions.

    To request a FLENT substitution, submit the following to the DRC:

    • A personal statement explaining why you’re requesting the substitution.
    • A copy of your high school IEP or a letter from your high school counselor (if applicable).
    • A letter from your DRC access consultant, approved by the DRC Director, confirming your eligibility.
    • A copy of your Degree Auditing Report.
  • Substitution Within a Major

    To request a substitution for a major requirement, you must work with your DRC access consultant and your academic department. All requests must follow the Course Substitution Process.

Graduation Modifications & Substitutions

FIU Policy allows reasonable substitution or modifications to graduation requirements for qualified students with disabilities.

If you’ve completed 90 or more credits and have concerns about satisfying programmatic or university graduation requirements, schedule an appointment with your DRC access consultant to discuss possible exceptions.

FIU can work with qualified students with disabilities to provide substitutions and modifications to graduation requirements if it is determined that it will not result in a fundamental alteration to the program.

Any changes supported by the DRC must be presented for review to the academic program before final approval.