Updates to the Substitutions for Approved General Education Courses Policy

March 12, 2026
To: University Employees
From: Office of the Registrar
Subject: Updates to the Substitutions for Approved General Education Courses Policy
Date: Mar 12, 2026

In coordination with the Office of General Education, the Office of the Registrar proposed updating the Substitutions for Approved General Education Courses policy to appoint a central body to review General Education course substitutions. This update ensures a consistent experience for students when requesting course substitutions for General Education requirements.

The updated policy was approved by the University-Wide General Education Committee, Undergraduate Council, Undergraduate College Academic Administrators Council, Faculty Senate and the Provost. 

Amendments to the policy include the following:

  • Appointed the Office of General Education as the central approver of substitutions for General Education courses. This does not impact advising's determination of how transfer credit is applied.
  • Specified that once a substitution for a Foundations requirement is approved, that substitution remains in effect even when a student declares a new major.
  • Supported student success and timely graduation by removing the requirement that substitutions must be approved prior to completion of the substituted course.

The amended Substitutions for Approved General Education Courses policy will be in effect for all undergraduate students at the University of Arizona beginning in Fall 2026. 

Questions about the policy update should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar at catalog@arizona.edu.