A general note on Course Petitions:

• OLE cannot pre-approve transfer hour requests for courses not in a transcript, including study abroad hours.  Be clear with students that any transfer hour forms approved by e.g. Global Initiatives do not apply to Miami Plan hours.
• Only trained advisors (LDAs, professional advisors) should be advising students on MP hours and policies, transfers, and initiating petitions.

There are 5 distinct Miami Plan petitions:

Course Substitution Petition:  This is the most frequently used, as it is used for transferring hours from another institution to the MP, or more infrequently, substituting a Miami course into the MP.  Note that there is a distinct form for GMP requirements (BY23 students and earlier) and the newer MP requirements (BY24 students and after). 

• If a course is OT-36 approved, no petition is required for gen-ed hours.  Simply submit a request via the OT36 - MP Transfer Credit Form.   These courses are being updated in the systems and ultimately will automatically apply to MP gen-ed hours.  (NOTE: PA4 hours are not gen-ed).
• OLE does not approve Miami “course equivalencies” for transfer courses in a petition; rather, the goal is to ensure that a given course meets ODHE and MP outcomes.  In a petition, please ensure that the TRANSFER course number appears on the petition (and in the transcript), and not the presumed Miami course equivalency number. 
• Course Substitution Petitions should only address a single course.  Use separate petitions for multiple course requests, and ensure the courses appear in the DAR or transcript.
• Where a transfer equivalency is needed for unit or divisional requirements, please petition the appropriate unit and not the Office of Liberal Education.
• A Course Substitution Petition should be used for single TS course changes wherever possible.  Many students are completing a full Self-Designed TS application when a simpler Course Substitution Petition is appropriate.

Self-Designed Thematic Sequence:  Applies to GMP students only (BY23 and earlier). Must develop in consultation with the LDA in a cognate area of the TS.

• For GMP students, only 3 FND or ADVW hours may overlap with the 9-hour TS requirement.  Keep this in mind when you support TS course substitutions or Self-Designed Thematic Sequences.
• A Course Substitution Petition should be used for TS course changes wherever possible.  Many students are completing a full Self-Designed TS application when a simpler Course Substitution Petition is appropriate.

Experiential Learning Petition: Provides students with the opportunity to utilize a unique “beyond the classroom” experience beyond those that are currently offered, such as immersive undergraduate research, creative activities, community engagement, and/or career and practical experience. The experience should equate to at least the amount of time spent in a 1-credit hour course.

Self-Designed Senior Capstone: For innovative approaches to the culminating liberal education experience.

• SDSC proposals must be submitted BEFORE the start of activities.
• Must have the direct involvement and mentorship of a faculty member.
• An SDSC cannot double-count as Departmental Honors hours or Honors College projects.  It can, however, be a subset of a larger project.

Veterans Portfolio: Veterans with a valid DD-214 can petition to apply service experiences to MP hours.  The portfolio is developed and completed in direct consultation with OLE. Contact Associate Director, Elizabeth Hoover (hooverea@miamioh.edu), for more information.