Petitions

The Psychology Department strictly enforces the requirements set forth for all Psychology Majors and the Psychology Minor. If you want to use a course or request something outside these requirements, you must submit a petition with supporting documents. A petition is a formal request for review and not a guarantee of approval. 

1. Course Pre-approval
   • Use this if you have not yet taken the transfer course or are currently enrolled (with no grade posted to your UCSD Academic History).
   • Request a review of how the course may apply to your Psychology major or minor.
2. Course Substitution
   • Use this if you have already completed the transfer course (grade has been posted to your UCSD Academic History).
   • Requests that the course count as a substitution for a Psychology major or minor requirement.
3. Departmental Policy Exception
   • Use this if you want an exception to a Psychology major or minor policy (not a course substitution). 

Important Notes

• If you are submitting more than one transfer course, you must submit a separate petition for each course.
• UD Psychology transfer courses that are 100% online, including grading requirements, are not usually approved. Please plan accordingly.
• Petitions for General Education, College, or University requirements need to be submitted to your College Advising office (not the Psychology Department).
• If you want equivalency for a non-Psychology UCSD course (e.g., PHIL 10, MATH 10B, etc.), you must petition through that academic department instead (not the Psychology Department).

How to Submit a Petition

1. Under Department, select Psychology.
2. Select your Petition Type (Pre-approval, Substitution, or Department Exception).
3. Under Program, select:
   • PSYC = Psychology major or minor
   • Other = If you are not a Psychology major or minor
4. Choose the Course Area you want the petition to apply to.
5. Enter your Outside Course Information (school, course number, and title).
6. Write a short Petition Justification: Explain what you are requesting and why. Why are you making the request? What are you hoping to accomplish with the request? Be specific.
7. Attach Required Documents: Must include a course syllabus that outlines the weekly lecture topics, grading components, required textbook or readings, or a personal statement. Include any other documents that support your request. If you have more than one file, combine them into one PDF file.
8. Submit your petition.

After You Submit

• You will receive your petition decision through the Virtual Advising Center (VAC).
• Processing time: Allow 3–4 weeks.
• If your petition is incomplete or missing details, it will be returned for revisions — this will delay processing, so please follow the instructions carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I check the status of my petition? Students can check the status of their petitions through the Online Petition portal. Students will be notified of a decision via the Virtual Advising Center.

What if my petition for a transfer course was approved to serve as a prerequisite for another course, but I'm still not able to enroll? WebReg does not recognize prerequisite courses that are satisfied via a departmental petition approval. If your petition is approved, you must submit an EASy request to enroll in a course that requires your petitioned course as a prerequisite. You must attach your approved petition to your EASy request to show completion of the listed prerequisites for a course.

When should I have my study abroad course(s) pre-approved? Students should submit course pre-approval petitions before departing for their study abroad experience. This helps students determine if their courses abroad will fulfill any Psychology major requirements before enrolling and taking the course. Failure to have an abroad course pre-approved may result in the course being denied for use in the Psychology major.

Can I "un-petition" an approved course petition? Once a petition has been approved for a PSYC course, it cannot be undone (PSYC credit cannot be removed). 

Can I use courses from UC San Diego Extended Studies to fulfill my major requirements? Only courses numbered 1-199 from UC San Diego Extended Studies may be petitioned for use in the Psychology majors. UC San Diego Extension - Academic Level Information

Forms

1. Academic Plan Review
2. Double Major Petition
3. SAP Appeal / Maximum Time Frame Appeal / Financial Aid
4. Exceptions to University Policies *
5. Late / Retroactive Drop or Withdrawal *
6. Max Quarter Limit Appeal *
7. Readmission Form *
8. Senior Residency *

Important Notes

• Submit your form to one department at a time. For example, if your request involves more than one department, send it first to the department most relevant to your petition (such as Psychology), then to the other department (for example, Communication, Biology, Cognitive Sciences, etc.), and finally to your College.
• Items marked with a * should first be discussed with your College Advisor to confirm whether the request is appropriate and to determine the correct submission method (e.g., DocuSign, Undergraduate Student Petition Form, etc.).

After You Submit

• You will receive your petition decision through the Virtual Advising Center (VAC).
• Processing time: Allow 5-7 business days. Students are expected to plan accordingly. 
• If your form is incomplete or missing details, it will be returned for revisions — this will delay processing, so please follow the instructions carefully.

• Undergraduate Student Petition Form
• Double Major Petition