Students who have received the exception in the past typically have a documented history of extreme difficulty in learning a world language and one or both of the following:

• Up-to-date neuropsychological testing that indicates a language learning disability
• Exerted a “good-faith effort” (i.e. perfect or near perfect attendance; completion of all assignments and exams; frequenting instructor’s office hours) at learning a language at the college level through taking world language courses at UM

• Meet with a member of the Language Exception Committee. The committee member will talk with you about the criteria for approving an exception and about the petition process. You can schedule an appointment online.
• Contact the instructor(s) of the course(s) you have taken regarding their role in the petitioning process.
• Students petitioning on the basis of a disability should also contact Services for Students with Disabilities to have their request for a substitution explored as a disability related accommodation, or, to explore alternative accommodations for access in their language courses. You are encouraged to connect with SSD through this process.
• Complete the petition available in MyAdvising. 

The Language Exception Commitee typically meets once a month during the fall and winter semesters. In order to have your petition reviewed by the commitee, the petition must be complete and submitted with all materials eight days prior to the next meeting. 

You will be allowed to substitute culture courses for language courses to meet the requirement. You will meet with one of the Language Exception Committee members to determine which courses you will use. These courses cannot be used to fulfill your distribution requirement. The courses must be approved in advance by a committee member.

You will receive an email to inform you of the decision.  You are then welcome to meet with a member of the Language Exception Committee. They will help you assess degree options and next steps.