What is an Academic Variance?
- An Academic Variance allows a student to request the substitution of a degree requirement (major, minor, concentration or general education) with a course outside of their catalog requirements.
Where should the Academic Variance be submitted?
- The form should be initiated by the student with a course description or syllabus here: https://portal.laserfiche.com/m0921/forms/Academic-Variance
- The form will automatically be forwarded to the appropriate Dean, Department Chair, or University Registrar for recommendation. For questions, please see the below chart for the appropriate individual and office.
Major |
Academic Variance Point of Contact |
Accounting |
Marina Girju |
Anthropology |
Douglas Wallace |
Applied Theology |
Anthony Chute |
Architecture |
Keelan Kaiser |
Art Education |
Katherine Papineau |
Art Therapy Studies |
Katherine Papineau |
Aviation Flight |
John Marselus |
Aviation Management |
John Marselus |
Behavioral Science |
Douglas Wallace |
Biology |
Bruce Prins |
Biomedical Engineering |
Sarah Zhao |
Business Administration |
Marina Girju |
Chemical Engineering |
Sarah Zhao |
Chemistry |
Patrick Schacht |
Christian Behavioral Science |
Douglas Wallace |
Christian Ministries |
Anthony Chute |
Christian Studies |
Anthony Chute |
Civil Engineering |
Jong-Wha Bai |
Commercial Performance |
David Toledo |
Communication Sciences and Disorders |
Namhee Kim |
Communication Studies |
Victoria Brodie |
Composition/Composition for Stage & Screen |
David Toledo |
Computer Science |
Dan Grissom |
Construction Management |
Jong-Wha Bai |
Creative Writing |
Berniece Alspach |
Criminal Justice |
Chase Porter |
Criminal Justice (online) |
Chase Porter |
Early Childhood Studies |
Jee Young Noh |
Electrical and Computer Engineering |
John Butler |
Elementary Education |
Thomas Chavez |
English |
Berniece Alspach |
English (online) |
Berniece Alspach |
Entrepreneurship |
Marina Girju |
Exercise Science |
Sean Sullivan |
Film |
Katherine Papineau |
Finance |
Marina Girju |
Fine Art |
Katherine Papineau |
Graphic Design & Digital Media |
Sam Park |
Graphic Design & Visual Experience |
Dirk Dallas |
Health Science |
Janet Bonome |
Healthcare Administration |
Janet Bonome |
History |
Chase Porter |
Illustration |
Matthew Niermann |
Instrumental Performance |
David Toledo |
Intercultural Studies |
Anthony Chute |
Interior Design |
Matthew Niermann |
International Business |
Marina Girju |
International Studies |
Chase Porter |
Journalism and New Media |
Victoria Brodie |
Kinesiology |
Sean Sullivan |
Liberal Arts |
Gretchen Bartels-Ray |
Liberal Studies (on-campus) |
Thomas Chavez |
Marketing |
Marina Girju |
Mathematics |
Robert Willett |
Mechanical Engineering |
Richard Baumer |
Music |
David Toledo |
Music Education |
David Toledo |
Music for Worship Arts & Ministry |
David Toledo |
Nutrition & Food Science |
Janet Bonome |
Pharmaceutical Sciences |
Patrick Schacht |
Philosophy |
Anthony Chute |
Photography |
Christopher Kern |
Physical Therapist Assistant |
Jan Edmisten |
Piano Performance |
David Toledo |
Political Science |
Chase Porter |
Pre-Elementary Education |
Thomas Chavez |
Pre-Nursing/ Nursing |
Teresa Hamilton |
Psychology |
Joshua Fuller |
Public Health |
Janet Bonome |
Public Relations |
Victoria Brodie |
Radiologic Sciences |
Mark Deharo |
Social Work |
Kristina Gordon |
Sociology |
Douglas Wallace |
Software Engineering |
Dan Grissom |
Songwriting |
David Toledo |
Spanish |
Khamla Dhouti-Martinez |
Sport & Performance Psychology (campus) |
Joshua Fuller |
Sport & Performance Psychology (online) |
Edward Garrett |
Sport Management |
Sean Sullivan |
Strategic Communication (online) |
Victoria Brodie |
Studio Production |
David Toledo |
Theatre |
David Toledo |
Vocal Performance |
David Toledo |
What additional information should I know before submitting an Academic Variance?
- Courses listed on an articulation agreement do not require the submission of an academic variance.
- Approval of an Academic Variance Request may alter graduation requirements. It is the student's responsibility to seek clarification from Academic Advising.
- The variance will expire within one year of approval if coursework is not completed. Students who have not completed coursework for which an academic variance was approved before its expiration, should submit a new variance for review and consideration.
An Academic Variance is required for any student wanting to use a course at another institution to meet an upper division requirement within their major/minor/concentration.