Muhlenberg College offers a broadly based liberal arts education that provides the student with the intellectual perspective, problem solving experience, and communication skills necessary to adapt to a changing world. The general academic requirements at Muhlenberg College are designed to furnish students with effective writing, speaking, and reasoning skills in all academic disciplines. Academic requirements have been established so that all students may have the opportunity to achieve competency in these skills in their college experience.
As an integral part of a liberal arts education, Muhlenberg College requires students to have some knowledge of a language other than English. The Second Language requirement offers students an opportunity to acquire or advance the understanding of other cultures, literatures, and societies through listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a second language. The Second Language (L2) requirement consists of two sequential courses of a single language, a requirement that has been established to offer students the skills of communication in a second language. The importance of two sequential courses of a single language lies in the process and continuity of study, in which students learn both more complex linguistic structures and more complex ways of thinking about culture. Over the course of two semesters students acquire, practice, and develop the linguistic tools and cultural knowledge necessary for communication, facilitating an ever-deeper engagement with different cultures, perspectives, and worldviews.
Muhlenberg College academic requirements also include a General Reasoning course which develops the ability to understand and utilize mathematical and/or logical relationships, to analyze data, to construct and assess arguments, and to make sound judgments.
The majority of students with disabilities are able to fulfill the Second Language and General Reasoning requirements with or without accommodations. Muhlenberg College recognizes that the nature and severity of the documented disability may affect learning in the general reasoning or second language area even with reasonable accommodations and may interfere with the student’s ability to meet the expectations of the course. In these cases, students with disabilities may petition the Dean’s Exception to Academic Policy Committee to fulfill the intent of the graduation requirement.
Exception to Academic Policy Committee Considerations
The Dean’s Exception to Academic Policy Committee will consider the following information when deliberating the student’s petition:
- All evaluative documentation, including cognitive and academic assessments, should be on file with the Office of Disability Services.
- The degree of difficulty in the course or sequence of courses in question, either at the high school and/or at the college level. Previous grades or statements from teachers/faculty, Disability Services Specialists, evaluation data, and anecdotal notes from tutors will be considered as a body of evidence in the verification of difficulty.
- In the case where a student is currently enrolled in the course in question, consideration will be given to the student’s demonstration of a “good faith” effort which may include:
- regular class attendance
- attendance at scheduled workshop sessions, if available
- enlisting the assistance of faculty during office hours or other scheduled sessions
- enlisting the assistance of other campus resources (tutors, labs)
- completing assignments as assigned and on schedule
- history of completion and utilization of Accommodation Plans
Student Procedures
- A student requesting an exception to policy through the Exception to Policy process must have completed the disability determination process and been determined eligible for accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services. Disability-related documentation that follows the noted guidelines has been submitted which establishes a clear connection between the request for an exception to academic policy and the student’s area of disability.
- The student will work with the Office of Disability Services Staff who will present the petition to the Exception to Academic Policy Committee that will include:
- A letter of petition, written by the student and transmitted to the Dean of Academic Life, requesting the exception to policy. The letter must be emailed to the Dean of Academic Life in order to activate the petition process.
- The letter should include the following information: the student’s name, the exception being requested, an explanation of the students’ disability, how the disability affects this particular course, history of difficulty in this course of study, description of the student’s good faith effort. The letter must be signed and dated. Supporting documentation, such as assignments or examinations, may be included.
- Students should understand that information from disability-related documentation contained in their confidential file will be discussed as part of the process of submitting a petition request to the Exception to Academic Policy for Students with Disabilities. They understand that the results of the Committee’s decision will be shared with their academic advisors and the Registrar’s Office. Student petitioners also acknowledge that approval of the petition for an exception to academic policy may impact their choice of major, and/or future academic or professional opportunities.
- Students are encouraged to discuss their petition requests with one of the professional staff members in the Office of Disability Services as soon as possible in their academic experience. It is recommended that petitions be submitted no later than the end of the sophomore year.
- The Office of Disability Services may contact instructors and evaluators involved in this petition for additional insight and contextualization.
General Information
- Second Language petitions may request either a course substitution or a pass/fail option. If a substitution is granted for one or two Second Language courses, then the student must complete one or two culture courses in a chosen area with the Dean’s approval. If a pass/fail option is granted, the student must pass the course in accordance with the instructor’s grading policy to receive credit for the course.
- Petitions for the Reasoning requirement may only request a pass/fail for a reasoning course. If a pass/fail option is granted, the student must pass the course in accordance with the instructor’s grading policy to receive credit for the course.
- Exceptions will not be made for courses that are requirements for the student’s major, minor, or certifications. Courses required in a declared major or minor are not eligible for the pass/fail designation, including those which are cognates or pre-requisites.
- Courses enrolled on a pass/fail basis will not be used in computing the GPA but will be counted as units toward graduation. Students may take a maximum of three courses on a pass/fail basis.
- Exception to Policy petitions should be requested in writing no later than the date set in the semester academic calendar for the course withdrawal deadline.
- The Exception to Academic Policy Committee will make a final determination on all petition requests. Decisions will be emailed to the student within one week of the Committee’s decision. If the request is approved, the student will schedule an appointment with the Dean of Academic Life to discuss the appropriate next steps.
- The Dean may extend the time frame for hearing a petition and rendering a decision.
- A student may appeal any decision by writing. Please review the Grievance Procedures for Students with Disabilities.
- Although an approved exception to policy will fulfill the graduation requirements for Muhlenberg College, students should be aware that Exception to Academic Policy may impact a student’s choice of major, and/or future academic or professional opportunities.
