Student Petitions

Go to: Enrollment/Grades | Graduation Requirements | Major/Minor Requirements | Open University Students | Reinstatement/Readmission

Note: DocuSign template forms require an active one.SJSU account. If you do not have an active account, please contact us at undergraduate-education@sjsu.edu for an electronic copy of the petition. 

When is a petition not appropriate?

• Not Allowed

  • The following circumstances cannot be considered for modification, waiver, or substitution.

    1. Changes made to academic records after a degree is posted. Once a degree is posted, the record is sealed, and no changes may be made to the record. This includes grade changes, adding a major/minor, dropping a major/minor, or withdrawing from a course/semester.
    2. Fewer than 120-semester units completed, not including repeats (Title 5).
    3. Fewer than 40-semester units of upper-division coursework.
    4. Fewer than 30-semester units at SJSU for every degree (residence).
    5. Fewer than 48 units of GE. Eligible students can file Return to Earlier GE Pattern.
    6. Fewer than 9 units of SJSU Studies (Areas R, S, & V) were taken.
    7. Fewer than 9 units of upper-division residence GE
    8. More than 16 units of Grade Forgiveness (University Policy F08-2 [pdf]).
    9. Withdrawing more than 18 units [Effective Fall 2009 and onward].
       1. Temporary suspension of sections of Executive Order 1037 due to COVID-19.
    10. Fewer than 6-semester units of upper-division coursework for a minor taken at SJSU.
    11. Upper-division credit for courses taken as lower-division courses.
    12. Graduating senior status as grounds for waiving requirements.
    13. GE credit for SJSU, CSU, and California Community College courses not certified for GE or certified in different areas than SJSU
• Not Required

  • Students do not need to submit a petition under the following circumstances, as it may be approved as substitutions by the Major Department.

    1. Fewer than total units required for the specific degree, but at least 120 units earned (UE) overall.
    2. 100W course taken outside of the major department.
    3. Excess supervised study units (180/184).
    4. Degree courses that reached the 10-year time limit.
    5. Departments may require specific courses in a major to individually have grades of "C" or better, but cannot require a grade higher than a "C" for any graduation/university requirements.
    6. General Education is fulfilled upon completion of a degree (major exceptions).

University Graduation Requirements

Students may elect to petition university requirements including Core General Education, SJSU Studies, American Institutions, Physical Education, and required modifications.

View a list of available University Graduation Requirements Petitions.

Course Enrollment & Grades

• Academic Renewal

  • Purpose: To allow graduating seniors (with a GPA below a 2.0 in the major, minor, SJSU, or overall college coursework) to request that all grades earned in a prior semester be disregarded to facilitate graduation.

    Condition: No courses or units earned in the semester to be disregarded can be counted toward graduation requirements.

    Eligibility Requirements:

    1. Submitted graduation application and ready to graduate.
    2. GPA is below 2.0 in a category required for graduation (e.g. major, minor, university requirements).
    3. At least 5 years have elapsed since the semester to be disregarded.
    4. Demonstrate one of the following:
       1. A "3.00 or better" GPA in the most recent 15 units;
       2. A "2.50 or better" GPA in the most recent 30 units; 
       3. A "2.00 or better" GPA in the most recent 45 units

     

    Required Attachments:

    1. A statement explaining the reason you are making the request and the extenuating circumstances associated with the semester you want to be disregarded.
    2. Graduation Worksheet and/or Hold Letter.
    3. Document extenuating circumstances associated with the semester you want to be disregarded and show that your performance is not representative of your ability.

     

    Form: Fill out the Academic Renewal Petition [DocuSign]

• Enroll in SJSU Studies and 100W with less than 60 units completed

  • Purpose: To allow lower division students with less than 60 units earned to enroll in SJSU Studies courses (Area R, S, V) and/or Written Communication II (100W). Recent transfer students whose transfer credit is not posted on MySJSU, or Open University students with more than 60 units, may also use this petition if they meet the requirements listed below. 

    Eligibility Requirements:

    1. Completion with a grade of "C-" or better of: A1 (Oral Communication), A2 (Written Communication), A3 (Critical Thinking & Writing), and B4 (Mathematical Concepts). Exceptions may be considered if the course(s) are in progress.
    2. Core GE, PE, and American Institutions have been completed, or will be completed, in the same semester student is seeking to enroll in SJSU Studies and 100W.
    3. SJSU and All College GPA must be at least a 2.5. Exceptions may be considered for students who have earned more than 57 units and/or are in disqualified status.
    4. Completion of 60 or more units by the end of the semester of which student is seeking permission to enroll in SJSU Studies and 100W. 
    5. Have passed the Writing Skills Test (WST), or completed the WST Directed Self Placement (WST-DSP) exercise, or passed the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) at another CSU.

     

    Form: Fill out the Enroll in SJSU Studies and 100W with Less than 60 Units Completed Petition.

• "Opt-Out" of Grade Forgiveness

  • Purpose: Allow students to request that a repeated course NOT be granted Grade Forgiveness (GF) due to the limit of GF units available to students (University Policy F08-2 [pdf]).

    Condition: Petition must be submitted by the course add deadline for the term in which the course is repeated for full consideration. If you choose to opt-out, you may not at a later time choose to reverse this decision. Additionally, GF will not be possible of any future attempts of the same course. 

    Form: Fill out the Opt-Out of Grade Forgiveness Petition [DocuSign]

• Retroactive Course Drop

  • Purpose: Request to drop a course after a term's drop deadline due to extenuating circumstances that prevented the student from dropping the course before the deadline.

    Condition: Documentation must support a serious and compelling reason (University Policy S09-7 [pdf]). Petitions without documentation will be denied. Documentation must show proof of why you were unable to complete the course and must match the dates of the term in which you enrolled for the course.

    Form: Fill out the Retroactive Course Drop Petition [AARS Office Form]

• Retroactive Grade Forgiveness

  • Purpose: To request Grade Forgiveness (GF) for a repeated course when it was not automatically applied to the course. GF allows a student to replace a letter grade from the first attempt at a course, with a letter grade from the second attempt. GF will always improve GPA—as long as the second attempt at a course earns a higher grade than the first attempt. If granted GF, the original grade will still remain on the transcript, but will not be included in GPA calculation.

    Conditions:

    1. Attempts must be from courses taken at SJSU. External courses are not valid for grade forgiveness.
    2. Only grades of "C-" or lower are eligible. NC grades are not eligible for GF. Students may repeat an individual course for Grade Forgiveness only once. Beginning Fall 2009, GF is automatically applied to repeated courses up to a maximum of 16 units (University Policy F08-2 [pdf]). 

     

    Eligibility Requirements: 

    1. Coursework completed at SJSU and Grade Forgiveness (GF) was not applied in either the first attempt and/or second attempt in Fall 2009 or later; or have eligible and unclaimed GF units before Fall 2009. 
    2. If requesting GF for a cross-listed (or discontinued) course, a memo from the department stating courses are the same or have similar content needs to be attached to the petition.
    3. If requesting GF for coursework completed from Special Topics course, a memo from the department stating courses are the same or have similar content needs to be attached to the petition.
    4. Course content from the first attempt is included as part of a more comprehensive course taken from the second attempt (i.e. Math 30 followed by Math 30P).
    5. A MUSE or First-Year Experience (FYE) course was taken and the student received a grade of C-, D+, D, D-, or F in the first attempt, followed by the completion of another (non-MUSE) course in the same GE area (University Policy S04-2 [pdf]).

     

    Form: Fill out the Retroactive Grade Forgiveness Petition [DocuSign]

• Retroactive Withdrawal from All Courses for a Semester 

  • Purpose: Allow undergraduate students to request that all courses from a former semester be dropped due to extenuating circumstances that preventing the student from dropping courses during the semester (University Policy S10-3 [pdf]). 

    Condition: Documentation must support a serious and compelling reason. Petitions without documentation will be denied. Documentation must show proof of why you were unable to complete your courses and must match the dates of the term in which you enrolled for the courses.

    Submit a separate petition for each semester. To retroactively drop one class only, use the Retroactive Course Drop petition.

    Form: Fill out the Retroactive Withdrawal from All Courses for a Semester Petition [AARS Form]

Graduation Requirements

• Appeal a Denied Change of Graduation Date 

  • Purpose: To appeal a denied change of graduation date due to Presidential Directive 2009-05 [pdf]. 

    Condition: Appeal must be submitted within 30 days of receiving the original denied decision, unless there are extenuating circumstances. 

    Required Attachments: 

    1. Copy of decision being appealed.
    2. Personal statement explaining appeal and any extenuating circumstances.
    3. A list of courses currently enrolled in.
    4. "What-if" Report.
    5. MyPlanner Report showing courses to be taken each semester up to graduation.
    6. Copy of all relevant transcripts (unofficial copies are ok).
    7. Any other supporting documentation.

     

    Form: Fill out the Appeal a PD 2009-05 Petition [pdf] and submit completed package to undergraduate-education@sjsu.edu.

• Appeal a Presidential Directive 2009-05 Decision

  • Purpose: To appeal decisions made under Presidential Directive 2009-05 [pdf]. The following decisions may be appealed with the petition:

    1. Applying for Graduation (requiring students to do so);
    2. Restricting Enrollment Options (enrollment only for classes leading to graduation);
    3. Declaring Majors (required by 60 units; admission restrictions have been applied);
    4. Changing Majors (unit and/or admission restrictions have been applied);
    5. Failure to Make Academic Progress (leading to Administrative Academic Probation or Disqualification);
    6. Changing Graduate Programs (restrictions on changing or adding programs).

     

    Condition: Appeal must be submitted within 30 days of receiving the original denied decision, unless there are extenuating circumstances. 

    Required Attachments:

    1. Copy of decision being appealed.
    2. Personal statement explaining appeal and any extenuating circumstances.
    3. A list of courses currently enrolled in.
    4. "What-if" Report.
    5. MyPlanner Report showing courses to be taken each semester up to graduation.
    6. Copy of all relevant transcripts (unofficial copies are ok).
    7. Any other supporting documentation.

     

    Form: Fill out the Appeal a PD 2009-05 Petition [pdf] and submit the completed package to undergraduate-education@sjsu.edu.

• Back-Date of Degree

  • Purpose: Students whose degree was not conferred due to administrative error or extenuating circumstances, although all graduation requirements were completed, may request their degree be awarded the original graduation date degree was completed, or at the time at which all requirements for the degree were completed.

    Condition: Students must have completed all graduation requirements, and have a graduation application on file prior to submitting this petition. Petition will be DENIED if support documentation is not attached.

    Form: Fill out the Back-Date of Degree Petition [DocuSign]

• Graduate/Undergraduate Units Completed

  • Purpose: To request graduate or undergraduate units (taken at SJSU) to be applied to a second baccalaureate degree at SJSU.

    Condition: Must complete at least 6 units while in second baccalaureate status. Completion of units at SJSU during graduate standing.

    Form: Fill out the Graduate/Undergraduate Units Completed Petition [pdf]

• Miscellaneous Request

  • Purpose: This petition is used when no other petition can be used. The Miscellaneous Request Form will be canceled if an existing petition can be used for a request instead. 

    Form for SJSU Advisors/Staff use only: Please contact Undergraduate Education at undergraduate-education@sjsu.edu for a copy and/or to verify that no other university form/petition can be used for a request. 

• Open University Coursework to Satisfy Graduation Requirements

  • (Formerly Excess Open University Units Petition prior to Fall 2015)

    SJSU accepts 24 units of Open University (OU) or baccalaureate extension courses. While all grades count and requirements may be satisfied with units beyond this limit, only this stated maximum can be used toward the 120 unit needed for a baccalaureate degree—unless a petition is submitted and approved for the student.

    Purpose: Allow undergraduate students who have applied for graduation to request that OU units (beyond the 24 unit limit accepted by SJSU) be applied towards a baccalaureate degree.

    Eligibility Requirements:

    1. For undergraduate students who have been matriculated (formally admitted and enrolled) at SJSU for at least one semester; and have
    2. Applied for graduation and need OU units to meet the 120 unit minimum for a baccalaureate degree; the 40 unit minimum for upper-division; or the residence requirement for upper-division GE or total university units to graduate.
    3. Students must also demonstrate that excess OU units were accumulated as a result of being disqualified from SJSU and becoming eligible for reinstatement, OR, that there were extenuating circumstances beyond the student's control.

     

    Form: Fill out the Open University Coursework to Satisfy Graduation Requirements Petition [DocuSign] or provide a Graduation Evaluator memo.

    Consult with your advisor and/or Graduation Evaluator before submitting this request. Students nearing 24 units of OU coursework should first contact an advisor.

• Return To Earlier GE Pattern

  • Purpose: To allow students who have completed all GE requirements before breaking continuous enrollment at a California Community College or CSU, or who have extenuating circumstances surrounding a break in continuous enrollment, to request to return to previous degree requirements. This form may also be used to request for a re-evaluation of courses due to returning to an GE earlier pattern.

    Eligibility Requirements: 

    1. Formally admitted and enrolled at SJSU for at least one semester.
    2. Completion of all (or majority) Core GE before breaking continuous enrollment at a California Community College or CSU, or have extenuating circumstances surrounding a break in enrollment.

     

    Required Attachments:

    1. Personal statement explaining the reasoning for submitting the request.
    2. Copies of ALL transcript(s) - unofficial transcripts acceptable.
    3. Copies of Graduation Worksheet, Major Form, and/or Graduation Hold Letter (if applicable).
    4. Community College GE Certification or CSU GE completion.

     

    Form: Fill out the Return to Earlier GE Pattern Petition [DocuSign]

• Substitution of Graduation Requirements Based on Disability

  • (Formerly Modification of Requirements Based on Disability prior to Fall 2015)

    Purpose: Allow students to request a substitution for GE or other graduation requirements due to a disability that impacts the successful completion of such requirements.

    No requirements are waived. The most common approvals have been for disabilities related to Oral Communication (GE Area A1) and Mathematical Concepts (GE Area B4).

    Condition: Approvals are specific to university graduation requirements and will not necessarily meet major degree requirements. An AEC Counselor, in consultation with the student, will complete and submit the petition. 

    Eligibility Requirements: 

    1. Must be an undergraduate student who is registered with the Accessible Education Center (AEC), and
    2. Have been formally admitted and enrolled at SJSU for at least one semester, and
    3. Have a disability that impacts the ability to complete university graduation requirements. 

     

    Form: Fill out the Substitution of Graduation Requirements Based on Disability Petition [DocuSign]

Major & Minor Requirements

• Additional Baccalaureate Credit for International or Equivalent College Credit

  • Purpose: This petition is used to request unit credit for coursework taken at an accredited college/university in the United States or abroad that was not granted (rejected) upon admission.

    Form: Fill out the Additional Baccalaureate Credit Petition [pdf] [Undergraduate Admissions Form]

• Appeal a Denied Change or Declaration of Major/Minor 

  • Purpose: To appeal a denied change or declaration of major/minor as a result of Presidential Directive 2009-05 [pdf].

    Conditions: Appeal must be submitted within 30 days of receiving the original denied decision, unless there are extenuating circumstances. 

    Required Attachments: 

    1. Copy of decision being appealed.
    2. Personal statement explaining appeal and any extenuating circumstances.
    3. A list of courses currently enrolled in.
    4. "What-if" Report.
    5. MyPlanner Report showing courses to be taken each semester up to graduation.
    6. Copy of all relevant transcripts (unofficial copies are ok).
    7. Any other supporting documentation.

     

    Form: Fill out the Appeal a PD 2009-05 Petition [pdf] and submit completed package to undergraduate-education@sjsu.edu.

• Declaring an Interdisciplinary Studies BA/BS Major

  • (Formerly Special Major BA/BS prior to Fall 2021)

    See our Interdisciplinary Studies BA/BS page for a brief overview.

    Interdisciplinary Studies BA degree (see application process in catalog)

    Interdisciplinary Studies BS degree (see application process in catalog)

• Substitution of Graduation Requirements Based on Disability

  • (Formerly Modification of Requirements Based on Disability prior to Fall 2015)

    Purpose: Allow students to request a substitution for GE or other graduation requirements due to a disability that impacts the successful completion of such requirements.

    No requirements are waived. The most common approvals have been for disabilities related to Oral Communication (GE Area A1) and Mathematical Concepts (GE Area B4).

    Condition: Approvals are specific to university graduation requirements and will not necessarily meet major degree requirements. An AEC Counselor, in consultation with the student, will complete and submit the petition. 

    Eligibility Requirements: 

    1. Must be an undergraduate student who is registered with the Accessible Education Center (AEC), and
    2. Have been formally admitted and enrolled at SJSU for at least one semester, and
    3. Have a disability that impacts the ability to complete university graduation requirements. 

     

    Form: Fill out the Substitution of Graduation Requirements Based on Disability Petition [DocuSign]

Open University Students

• Open University Student trying to enroll in SJSU Studies and 100W with Intent to Matriculate

  • Purpose: To allow Open University students to enroll in SJSU Studies courses (Area R, S, V) and/or Written Communication II (100W). Even if the petition is approved, a student will only be able to register on the first day of instruction for the semester seeking enrollment.

    Eligibility Requirements:

    1. Completion with a grade of "C-" or better of: A1 (Oral Communication), A2 (Written Communication), A3 (Critical Thinking & Writing), and B4 (Mathematical Concepts). Exceptions may be considered if the course(s) are in progress.
    2. Core GE, PE, and American Institutions have been completed, or will be completed, in the same semester student is seeking to enroll in SJSU Studies and 100W. Exceptions may be considered for those who have earned more than 60 units.
    3. Minimum 2.50 GPA. Exceptions may be considered for students who have earned more than 57 units and/or are in disqualified status.
    4. Have passed the Writing Skills Test (WST), or completed the WST Directed Self Placement (WST-DSP) exercise, or passed the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) at another CSU.
    5. Copy of external credit (can be unofficial) must be attached to the petition or emailed to undergraduate-education@sjsu.edu. Petition will be denied if external credit is not received within two business days.

     

    Form: Fill out the Enroll in SJSU Studies and 100W with Intent to Matriculate Petition [DocuSign]

• Enroll in SJSU Studies and 100W for Non-GE Credit & DO NOT Plan to Matriculate

  • Purpose: To allow non-matriculated, Open University, and J-1 Visa students to enroll in SJSU Studies courses (Area R, S, V) and/or Written Communication II (100W) courses for non-GE credit.

    Condition: Students will need to demonstrate they are completing a degree at another institution and DO NOT plan to matriculate. Please note, students will not receive upper-division GE credit for these courses if they matriculate at SJSU at a later time. 

    Eligibility Requirements:

    1. Non-Matriculated, Open University, J-1 Visa Student;
    2. Not seeking admissions at SJSU now or in the future;
    3. Completing a degree at another institution

     

    Form: Fill out the Enroll in SJSU Studies and 100W for Non-Matriculated Students Petition [DocuSign]

• Open University Coursework to Satisfy Graduation Requirements

  • (Formerly Excess Open University Units Petition prior to Fall 2015)

    SJSU accepts 24 units of Open University (OU) or baccalaureate extension courses. While all grades count and requirements may be satisfied with units beyond this limit, only this stated maximum can be used toward the 120 unit needed for a baccalaureate degree—unless a petition is submitted and approved for the student.

    Purpose: Allow undergraduate students who have applied for graduation to request that OU units (beyond the 24 unit limit accepted by SJSU) be applied towards a baccalaureate degree.

    Eligibility Requirements:

    1. For undergraduate students who have been matriculated (formally admitted and enrolled) at SJSU for at least one semester; and have
    2. Applied for graduation and need OU units to meet the 120 unit minimum for a baccalaureate degree; the 40 unit minimum for upper-division; or the residence requirement for upper-division GE or total university units to graduate.
    3. Students must also demonstrate that excess OU units were accumulated as a result of being disqualified from SJSU and becoming eligible for reinstatement, OR, that there were extenuating circumstances beyond the student's control.

     

    Form: Fill out the Open University Coursework to Satisfy Graduation Requirements Petition [DocuSign] or provide a Graduation Evaluator memo.

    Consult with your advisor and/or Graduation Evaluator before submitting this request. Students nearing 24 units of OU coursework should first contact an advisor.

Reinstatement & Readmission

• Readmissions as a Former Student Returning (FSR)

  • Purpose: This petition applies to former SJSU students who were previously enrolled and wish to re-matriculate at SJSU. Completion of this petition may result in a higher admission priority to a desired major degree program. A petition is required for all students, regardless of whether they "Stop-Out" or were disqualified.

    Condition: Students must have been matriculated (admitted and enrolled) for at least one semester. Students who have only enrolled in Open University without being formerly matriculated are not eligible to apply as a Former Student Returning. 

    Consult with an Advisor before starting the readmissions process.

    Form: Fill out the Readmissions Petition [Undergraduate Admissions Office Form]

• Reinstatement from Disqualification

  • Purpose: This is the process that allows a student to become eligible for readmissions at SJSU and restoring matriculation status. This process is different from readmission. 

    Condition: Must be in disqualified status at SJSU to submit this petition. Students who "Stop-Out" (on Good Standing or Probation) DO NOT need to submit a Reinstatement Petition.

    Consult with an Advisor before starting the Reinstatement process.

    Form: Fill out the Reinstatement Petition [Registrar's Office Form]

For other undergraduate-related forms/petitions, visit the Office of the Registrar or Academic Advising and Retention Services (AARS).

Please visit the FAQ page for additional information or email your question to undergraduate-education@sjsu.edu.