Course options and accommodations
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act [Subpart E — Postsecondary Education §104.44 Academic Adjustments (a) Academic Requirements] requires that postsecondary educational institutions provide modifications to their academic requirements as necessary to ensure that the requirements do not discriminate, or have the effect of discriminating, on the basis of a disability, against a qualified disabled applicant or student.
Academic requirements that the institution can demonstrate are essential to the program of instruction being pursued by each student or to any directly related licensing requirement will not be regarded as discriminatory, even if they have an adverse effect on people with disabilities.
Modifications can include extending the length of time established for completing degree requirements, substituting specific courses and course work as a requisite for completing degree requirements, or adapting the way specific courses are conducted.
Who may qualify for a math course substitution?
Students with disabilities who are unable to complete MU’s mathematics general education requirements due to the direct impact of their diagnoses may petition for a course substitution. Eligibility for course substitutions are based on a case-by-case basis.
Typically, mathematics course substitutions are approved for students who provide documentation of a mathematics-based learning disability. However, students with other diagnoses may be eligible for a mathematics course substitution if documentation demonstrates a significant impact in the student’s ability to learn mathematical concepts.
Documentation of disability
Documentation may consist of an IEP, 504 Plan, or psychoeducational/neuropsychological evaluation. The documentation should be current, provide information regarding the student’s diagnosis, and demonstrate that the diagnosis precludes the student from mastering mathematical concepts.
Students should be prepared to share information to their Disability Center access advisor regarding their past experience with mathematics in relation to their disability, their use of accommodations or support services in mathematics-related courses (if any), and their history of attempting to complete mathematics-related courses both in high school and in college.
Students who have never been evaluated and suspect that they may have a learning disability are encouraged to ask the Disability Center for referrals to local professionals who conduct such testing. Students are responsible for the cost of obtaining such an evaluation.
Modifications at Mizzou
Mizzou considers requests from students with disabilities for reasonable substitution requirements for admission to the college or to a program, as well as for graduation from the college. The student requests an accommodation through the Disability Center. A representative in the Disability Center writes a letter supporting the accommodation that is provided to the academic unit to determine an appropriate course substitution.
Consideration of requests for course substitutions and/or exemptions occur where the requirement is related to a disability and such a substitution will not constitute a fundamental alteration in the nature of the individual’s program. Once the appropriate substitution is approved, documentation is provided to the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Studies.
Mathematics Course Substitution Options for Students With Disabilities
- ASTRON 1010: Introduction to Astronomy
- PHL 1200: How to Think: Logic and Reasoning in Everyday Life
- ECON 1014: Principles of Microeconomics
- ANTH 2050: Introduction to Biological Anthropology with Laboratory
- ANTH 2052: Biological Anthropology Laboratory
- PLNT_S 3250: Green Industry Bidding
- ARCHST 2323: Sustainable Building Design Fundamentals
- ATM_SCI 1050: Intro to Meteorology
- ABM 1200: Applied Computer Applications
- ABM 1041: Applied Microeconomics
- FIN 1000: Principles of Finance