Course Substitutions

Messiah College does not waive course requirements, consistent with court findings which support the right of colleges and universities to set and maintain standards. In some cases, a disability may make course substitutions appropriate.

An example might be substitution of a series of courses in cultural studies, as well as cross-cultural courses for the language and cultures requirement. There must be a direct correlation between the request and the disability as evidenced by ADA eligibility documentation. Students whose high school documentation clearly documents efforts to learn a foreign language with subsequent accommodation will find it easier to justify than those who have no such record. The college reserves the right to require at least a one-semester enrollment in a language sequence. Disability Services will obtain recommendations from the language instructor regarding continuation or discontinuation of further language study.

Students requesting modifications should file a letter of request with the Director of Disability Services, who will review the request and, if approved, recommend a series of courses which have been approved by the Director of General Education. The Office of Disability Services will notify the Registrar of approved courses for degree-tracking purposes. Only those students who present written evidence of an approved accommodation for alternative courses will be approved for these substitutions.