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Course Substitutions

All students must be qualified to participate in any program of academic study with or without reasonable accommodations. Therefore, students with disabilities are not excused from course prerequisites, GPA requirements, or degree requirements. However, in some limited circumstances it may be appropriate for a substitution, not a waiver, of a peripheral academic requirement such as a course. Such accommodations are made only when it is clear that the student's condition makes completion of the requirement impossible and that such an accommodation does not alter the integrity of the academic program.

Consideration of a substitution is done on a case-by-case basis. Evidence of a disabling condition affecting the skills needed for the required course must be provided to AccessibleNU, and the Director of AccessibleNU will work with the deans of the academic colleges and schools to consider the substitution. Course adaptation or accommodation must be considered before a substitution is granted.

Consideration Regarding Foreign Language Substitution

Please be advised that Northwestern does not grant foreign language waivers to any students. Visit the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences (WCAS) website for guidelines regarding foreign language substitution.

Only students with disabilities impacting foreign language acquisition who are registered with AccessibleNU are eligible to be assigned a Language Proficiency Advisor and considered for foreign language substitution courses. If you have a condition that adversely impacts foreign language acquisition, please contact AccessibleNU to discuss the Language Proficiency Advisor process. Language Proficiency Advisor support is not available during summer quarter.