• Open the most recent Academic Calendar
• Go to Course Listings
• Search by subject (e.g., ECON, POLSCI, SOWK)
• Click on a course to see the full description, prerequisites, and any notes

• Required courses
• Minimum year level
• Program or faculty restrictions
• Minimum grades or GPA
• Permissions (in some cases)

A Late Withdrawal lets you remove a course from your record near the end of the term if you’ve fallen too far behind to complete it. It’s meant for students who are not prepared to finish assignments or write the final exam.

A Late Withdrawal Gives The Course A Grade Of LWD, Which:

• does not affect your GPA
• does not provide a tuition refund
• cannot be reversed

You can take the course again in a future term.

You can request a Late Withdrawal starting the day after the last day to withdraw without failure.

The final deadline to submit a Late Withdrawal is the last day of classes for the term (see the Registrar’s Dates & Deadlines page).

You Cannot Request A Late Withdrawal If:

• you have completed or attempted the final evaluation (exam, test, paper, major assignment, etc.)
• a final grade has already been assigned
• the course is under academic dishonesty investigation

If you’ve completed the final evaluation, the request will be cancelled.

A Petition for Special Consideration is used when serious medical, personal, or family circumstances prevent you from meeting academic regulations.

You can request an exception to a rule – such as withdrawing from a past course, adding a class late, or swapping courses – by submitting a petition to the Office of the Associate Dean.

Supporting documentation is required, and decisions are discretionary and final. Students are responsible for submitting petitions promptly and will receive their decision by email.

A Petition To Swap A Class Combines:

• A retroactive withdrawal from your current course, and
• A late add for the new course

Submit:

• One Petition for Special Consideration Form
• One personal statement listing all courses you want to drop and add
• All required documents for both Retroactive Withdrawal and Add a Class petitions

Submit through email, the Social Sciences portal, or in person at KTH 129.

A Petition to Add a Class is used when you want to enroll in a course after the official deadline.

What You Must Submit

• A completed Petition for Special Consideration Form
• A personal statement listing all course codes, lecture sections, and tutorials
• A Late Add Form for each course
• Permission from the instructor
• Permission from the department that offers the course
• Supporting documentation (if relevant)

About Permissions

You must receive approval from:

• The instructor (via signature or email)
• The department that runs the course

If permission is provided by email, write “See included email” on the Late Add Form. Forward all permission emails to socscfac@mcmaster.ca from your McMaster account.

How To Submit

Submit your petition by email, through the Social Sciences portal, or in person at KTH 129.

A Retroactive Withdrawal lets you request withdrawal from a past course when extenuating circumstances affected your ability to complete it.

What You Must Submit

• A completed Petition for Special Consideration Form (all 5 pages, signed on pages 2 and 5)
• A personal statement listing all courses you’re petitioning, organized by term
• Supporting documentation from a relevant professional
• An Instructor Statement for each course confirming what work you completed

Requesting Instructor Statements

Email each instructor using the provided template and attach the Instructor Statement Form. Instructors send their completed statement directly to socscfac@mcmaster.ca.

How To Submit

Submit your full petition:

• By email to socscfac@mcmaster.ca
• Through the Social Sciences portal (Petitions request type)
• In person at KTH 129

Most Concerns Can Be Resolved Informally By Speaking With:

• Your instructor
• The Department Chair
• Your Associate/Assistant Dean
• The University Ombuds

If you need to pursue a formal academic appeal, the University Secretariat provides:

• Form A – Re-Read/Re-Assessment
• Form B – Formal Inquiry
• Form C – Appeal to the Senate Board for Student Appeals
• Full Student Appeals Policies and Guidelines

Most program changes happen through the Program Application, which opens each year from April 2 at 9:00 a.m. to April 29 at 11:59 p.m. You can use it if you are not in your final program level (Level 3 for B.A. programs, Level 4 for Honours). If you’re unsure of your level, check the Levels section in MOSAIC.

How To Access The Program Application

MOSAIC > Student Center > Academics > My Academics > Program/Plan Application

• Students already in a Level II program can usually request one program option.
• Students not yet in a Level II program can list up to four programs and will be placed in the first one where they meet requirements and space is available.

Outside of April, the page will always say the selection period is closed.

If you want to change programs when the application is not open, contact your Faculty Academic Advising Office for next steps.

If the Program Application is closed, you may be able to request a program change through a Program Change Service Request in MOSAIC. Speak with your Academic Advisor first to confirm whether this option applies to you.

How To Submit A Program Change Service Request

MOSAIC > Student Center > Academics > My Academics > View My Service Requests > Create New Request > Undergraduate Student Requests > Requests for Program Change

In the comment box, clearly state the program you want, including whether it is Honours or B.A. Example: “I would like to transfer to Honours Sociology or B.A. Sociology.”

Do not use Continuing Education or Graduate Student request types.

Make sure your request shows as Submitted, then email socscfac@mcmaster.ca from your McMaster account to let the office know it’s been sent.

If you applied during the April program application period: You can view your result in MOSAIC  in early June > Student Center > Academics > My Academics, then check the “My Program” box on the right.

If you submitted a Program Change Service Request: These requests are reviewed on an ongoing basis while the form is open. To check the status of your request, return to the “View My Service Requests” section in MOSAIC.

If you still have questions, you can submit a request through the advising portal.

Academic Standing and your official cumulative average only appear for terms where you’ve had an academic review.

Step 1 – Find The Most Recent Term With Academic Standing

MOSAIC > Student Center > Academics > My Academics > View my unofficial transcript (Enable pop-ups if nothing appears.)

Step 2 – View Your Standing And GPA

MOSAIC > Student Center > Academics > other academic… > Grades > Change Term > select the most recent term with an Academic Standing > scroll to the bottom of the Cumulative Total column.

Academic Standing Definitions

• Good Standing – You’re meeting program requirements.
• Academic Probation – You must raise your cumulative GPA to 3.5 by your next review.
• Program Probation – You must raise your GPA to the level required for Good Standing.
• May Not Continue in Program – You must move to a different program.
• May Not Continue at University – You cannot take courses until reinstated.
• Required to Withdraw – You cannot take courses and must wait 12 months before applying for reinstatement.

You Can Access Your Advisement Report In Two Ways:

• From the MOSAIC homepage > Advisement Report tile
• Or: MOSAIC Student Center > Academics > My Academics > View my advisement report

Your Advisement Report is only useful once you’re in a Level II program. If you’re not yet in Level II, ignore it and contact advising if you have questions.

How To Read Your Advisement Report

• Green circle = completed courses
• Yellow diamond = in-progress courses
• The first view shows only what you still need to complete.
• Use Expand all and View all to see full details.
• Each course may be counted toward only one degree requirement.
• Courses in Unassigned Courses (except the A-portion of 6-unit courses) do not count toward your degree and should likely be replaced.

Your Advisement Report is a live tool that tracks how your courses count toward your degree and shows what requirements you still need to complete.

Your Level Is Updated Each May Based On Completed Fall/Winter Units:

• 24+ units – Level II
• 54+ units – Level III
• 84+ units – Level IV (Honours only)

Spring/Summer units count the following May.

If you need a level change before September (for example, to access courses), contact your home Faculty.

To see what would be required in a different program: MOSAIC > Student Center > Academics > My Academics > Create a what-if scenario

Always set the year to the most recent calendar.

Use What-If only to explore options. Use your Advisement Report for your actual program, since it is customized to your entry year.

To Find Admission And Degree Requirements:

1. Visit the Undergraduate Calendar
2. Select the most recent year
3. Click Programs (by Degree) and Minors
4. Choose Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or Bachelor of Arts
5. Select your program to view requirements

Studying abroad is a chance to live in another country, build global awareness, and earn credit toward your McMaster degree.

You can explore full study-abroad programs, independent study elsewhere, and travel scholarships through the Student Success Centre. These opportunities let you personalize your degree while gaining international experience.

A Letter of Permission allows you to take courses at another university and count them toward your McMaster degree. You must be in good academic standing and receive faculty approval before enrolling at the host institution.

You can start an LOP request in MOSAIC under My Academics. Reviews take about three weeks, and processing may be slower during peak times, so apply early. You are responsible for following the host institution’s application process and ensuring you have enough time to register.

Key Regulations For LOP Courses:

• You may take up to 18 units at another institution.
• Required courses for your program cannot be taken elsewhere without departmental approval.
• You must earn at least C- to receive transfer credit.
• Grades from other institutions do not affect your McMaster GPA.
• Courses appear as T (transfer credit) or N.C. (no credit).
• Transfer credit is granted only after McMaster receives an official transcript directly from the host school.
• Make sure your transcript arrives in time for graduation review.
• If you decide not to take an approved LOP course, you must provide proof of non-enrolment to remove it from your record.

If you want to take courses outside Canada, you must complete the International Letter of Permission (ILOP) form before submitting anything in MOSAIC.

Submit the ILOP through the Social Sciences portal under International Letter of Permission Application. Faculty approval is required before you enroll in any external course.

For questions, email socscfac@mcmaster.ca.