Undergraduate Degree Requirement Petition
As a Tufts undergraduate student, you can petition committees to request a course satisfy a particular graduation requirement if it does not already fulfill one of these areas. The process starts by completing the appropriate form. If you wish to take additional credits beyond your limit, you can complete the appropriate petition.
Petitioning for Engineering Substitution
If you propose to modify the course requirements for your School of Engineering degree, the first step is to consult your academic advisor. With advisor and department permission, you may submit the School of Engineering course substitution form. Complete the form and be sure to get all necessary signatures before bringing the form to your Advising Dean.
Petitioning for Arts and Sciences (BA/BS) Requirements
Major Requirements
All questions about major requirements should go to your major advisor and/or department. If your advisor has approved a substitution for your major or minor requirements, they need to submit the Undergrad Major/Minor Substitutions form. They can find this form under Faculty Forms in SIS.
Foundation and Distribution Requirements
To petition to the appropriate committee, follow the steps below:
1. Gather information about the course you took, or are planning to take
- Course description
- Syllabus
- Any relevant assignments.
2. Complete the petition
Note: beginning Summer 2026 A&S Distribution, World Civilization and Culture petitions are submitted through the same form.
3. Receive response
Distribution Petitions
For courses taken at Tufts, you need to get approval through the form from the instructor AND the chair of the department most closely related to the area you are petitioning for. (For example, if you are petitioning for a World Politics course to count as Social Science, you need a signature from the chair of the Political Science department). Please note: it takes time for each person in this process to review the material and update official records; plan accordingly.
4. Audit Updates
When your petition has been approved, you will be notified by the appropriate committee chair, with notification to Student Services. You can expect that your degree audit and advisement report will be updated within three weeks of receiving the approval; plan accordingly.