Core Cirrculum Petitions

Core Curriculum petitions allow students or advisors to request review of transfer, study abroad or other eligible coursework for possible fulfillment of UT Austin Core Curriculum requirements. 

Before You Submit 

Before submitting a petition, students are encouraged to: 

  • Consult with their academic advising office 

Submit your petition as early as possible, especially if you are nearing graduation. Submitting a petition does not guarantee approval. 

What You Will Need 

Please be prepared to provide: 

  • Institution name 

  • Course number and title 

  • Semester and year completed 

  • Course syllabus  

Additional supporting documentation may be requested if needed. 

Types of Petitions 

Petitions may be submitted for: 

  • Transfer coursework 

  • Study abroad coursework 

  • Pre-approval for future coursework 

  • Core substitutions 

  • Limited waiver requests 

Review Process

Petitions are reviewed by CAA staff and, when appropriate, faculty. 

Students may be contacted if additional information is needed. 

Processing Time 

Petitions are reviewed weekly. During high-volume periods such as orientation, registration, and graduation review, processing times may increase.  

Students are encouraged to submit petitions as early as possible. 

Questions? 

Questions regarding Core Curriculum petitions may be directed to: 
core.audit@austin.utexas.edu  

Students are also encouraged to consult with their academic advising office. 

Submit Core Curriculum Petition

 

Petition Review Process

Petitions are reviewed through a collaborative process that may include:
  • Faculty consultation when appropriate
    Administrative review by the Office of Curriculum and Academic Administration (CAA)

    Students may be contacted if additional information is needed.
Petition Statuses

Petitions may move through the following statuses:

  • Submitted
  • Under Review
  • Additional Information Needed
  • Faculty Review
  • Approved
  • Denied
Undergraduate Core Curriculum Petition Workflow
Flowchart titled 'Undergraduate Core Curriculum Petition Workflow' showing five steps: a petition is submitted by a student or advisor, undergoes CAA initial review, then branches based on whether a precedent exists — if yes, CAA applies existing precedent; if no, it goes to faculty review — both paths lead to a university determination administered by CAA to approve, deny, or request information, followed by student notification and outcome processing including degree audit update and precedent recording.

Processing Times

Processing times may increase during high-volume periods such as:

Petitions are generally reviewed on a weekly basis.

  • Summer Orientation
  • Transfer Orientation
  • Registration
  • Graduation review and certification periods

Students are encouraged to submit petitions as early as possible, particularly if they anticipate graduating within the next academic year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my advisor submit a petition for me?

Yes. Petitions may be submitted by students or by academic advisors/staff on behalf of students.

Should I talk to my advisor before submitting?

Yes. It is strongly recommended to discuss your petition with an advisor who can help ensure you provide the appropriate documentation and understand degree implications.

Can I petition a course I have not yet taken?

Yes. Students may submit pre-approval requests for future coursework.

How will I know if my petition is approved?

Students will receive communication via a Secure Advising Note (SAN) regarding the outcome of their petition and may be contacted if additional information is needed.

Does submitting a petition guarantee approval?

No. Petitions are reviewed individually and approval is not guaranteed.

Before You Submit a Petition

Before submitting a petition, please:

Important: Submitting a petition does not guarantee approval. Petitions are evaluated based on the learning outcomes and competencies associated with the requested Core Curriculum requirement.

 

Required Documentation

To help reviewers evaluate your request, please provide:
  • Institution name
  • Course number and title
  • Semester and year the course was or will be taken
  • Course syllabus
Additional documentation may be requested, including:
  • Course descriptions
  • Assignment prompts
  • Writing samples
  • Lab descriptions
  • Exams or projects
If a syllabus is unavailable

A syllabus from the semester in which the course was taken is preferred. If unavailable, acceptable alternatives may include:

  • A syllabus from a more recent semester
  • An official catalog course description
  • Documentation from the instructor or institution
  • Other course materials that demonstrate course content and learning outcomes

Transfer Coursework

Transfer coursework accepted by UT Austin may be reviewed for possible fulfillment of Core Curriculum requirements.

Reviewers evaluate:

  • Course content
  • Learning outcomes
  • Alignment with the requested Core Curriculum component area
Helpful resources:

Students are encouraged to review these resources before submitting a petition.

Note: Our office does not manage petitions for major or degree plan changes—only when you want a transfer course to count for the Core.

Study Abroad Coursework

Students planning to study abroad should seek course evaluation as early as possible.

Before departure, students should:

Reviewing coursework before participation can help avoid delays in applying credit toward degree requirements.

Please note that approved study abroad coursework must appear on the student’s academic record before it can be applied toward Core Curriculum requirements in the degree audit.

 

Pre-Approval Requests

Students who plan to take coursework at another institution may request pre-approval through the Office of Admissions before enrolling.

Pre-approval can help students:

  • Understand how coursework may transfer
  • Determine whether a course may satisfy a Core Curriculum requirement
  • Avoid taking coursework that may not meet degree requirements

Students should submit pre-approval requests as early as possible.

 

Waiver Requests

Waivers are considered only in limited circumstances.

A waiver differs from a substitution:

  • A substitution uses coursework to satisfy a Core Curriculum requirement.
  • A waiver requests an exception when no coursework is available for substitution.

Because waivers are exceptions to established curriculum requirements, additional review and documentation may be required.

 

Returning Students

Students who attended UT Austin under earlier catalog requirements may be eligible to petition certain coursework for current Core Curriculum applicability.

View a printable copy of approximate mapping of previous UT general education requirements to current Core Curriculum requirements.

Because degree requirements vary by catalog year, each petition is reviewed individually.

Students with questions regarding older coursework or previous degree requirements should consult their academic advisor before submitting a petition.