Types of Exceptions
There are myriad ways to process individualized exceptions to degree requirements. The type of exception that is applied depends on the desired results. Nevertheless, users must choose wisely as there are unintended consequences for some exceptions.
Exceptions Recommended by the DARS Team
(RM) Requirement Modification
In most cases, the Requirement Modification tab and RM-Requirement Modification exception code can be applied.
RM exceptions can be used to modify:
- sub-requirements
- number of required courses (count)
- number of required hours (hours)
- required GPA
- maximum hours allowed (max hours),
- and course condition codes
(SC) Substitute Requirement
When particular courses in the 鈥渟elect from鈥 or 鈥渘ot from鈥 list should be substituted with a different course, the SC-Substitute Requirement exception code should be applied.
SC exceptions can be used to modify:
- Individual course requirements
- sub-requirements
- number of required courses (count)
- number of required hours (hours)
- required GPA
- maximum hours allowed (max hours)
- and course condition codes
(AC) Add course to list
If a course should be added to the current 鈥渟elect from鈥 or 鈥渘ot from鈥 list, the AC-Add Course exception code should be applied.
AC exceptions can be used to modify:
- required course listings (additions)
- number of required courses (count)
- number of required hours (hours)
- required GPA
- maximum hours allowed (max hours),
- course condition codes.
(DC) Delete course from list
If a course should be deleted from the current 鈥渟elect from鈥 or 鈥渘ot from鈥 list, the DC 鈥 Delete course from list exception code should be applied.
AC exceptions can be used to modify:
- required course listings (removals)
- number of required courses (count)
- number of required hours (hours)
- required GPA
- maximum hours allowed (max hours)
- course condition codes.
Exceptions with Unintended Consequences
Exception processing can be a powerful tool. Exceptions can force requirements to reflect as complete, but it may come at a cost.
Requirement Modification tab 鈥 (WR) Waive Requirement
This exception can be used to waive (no longer require) a requirement.
Pros
- Student鈥檚 unneeded requirement is waived
Cons
- All courses in the requirement can also be used (duplicate) elsewhere
- Makes the requirement appear as if no courses were ever required
- All required hours now equal zero
Force Reqt/Create Pseudo tab 鈥 (FR) Force to Completion
This exception should only be used for non-course requirements. Applicable non-course requirements may include external experiences or requirements that are programmed into DARS but can only be fulfilled with manual intervention from an exception processor. The FR exception code forces a sub-requirement to completion.
Note: This exception was previously called 鈥淲aive Subreqt (WS 鈥 Waive Subrequirement)鈥
Pros
- Student鈥檚 unneeded sub-requirement is waived
Cons
- Forces requirement fulfillment by adding unearned credit hours
- If minimum hours are required for the major, makes it appear that student has accumulated hours that they have not truly earned.