Newly accepted & current independent students

Some courses at Concordia have a prerequisite requirement, meaning that the course requires you to first take the prerequisite (first) course before you take the next course.

If you want to take a course with prerequisites, you will need to show that you have already completed the prerequisite course by completing a Prerequisite Waiver Form. Prerequisite waivers can be a time-consuming process, so don’t wait until the last minute to submit one. Be proactive!

TIP: If you have not previously completed certain prerequisite courses, it’s best to fit them into your schedule now, so that you have access to your desired course in a later semester.

The Independent Student Request Committee reviews exceptions to academic regulations, or related matters. You may submit an Independent Student Request Form and supporting documentation directly to the Independent Student Request Committee. Decisions are normally made within (30) working days of receiving the request and will be final.

Types of exceptions include:

• Late withdrawals
• Registering for 12 credits in one term
• Taking a course for a third time

It is your responsibility to officially withdraw from a course. There are two main ways you can withdraw from a course in your online Student Centre during the academic term.

Not attending classes or telling an instructor you want to withdraw is not the same as officially withdrawing from a course. If you do not officially withdraw before the deadlines below, you will automatically receive a failing grade and are still responsible for full payment of tuition and other fees.

Did Not Enter (DNE)

• Withdraw from courses with no academic penalty
• Receive a full tuition refund
• Did Not Enter" (DNE) courses will not appear on your transcript and will not affect your grade point average (GPA)

*After the DNE deadline, you must submit an Independent Student Request Form if you want to withdraw from a course with no academic or financial impact.

Discontinued (DISC)

• Withdraw from courses with no academic penalty
• Must pay all tuition and course fees (including winter-term tuition for year-long courses)
• Discontinued (DISC) courses will appear on your transcript, with a grade of “DISC”
• Discontinued (DISC) courses will not affect your grade point average (GPA)
   

*After the DISC deadline, you must submit an Independent Student Request Form if you want to drop a course.

• Courses you take as an Independent student may count towards a degree program or certificate, if you achieve a minimum grade of C-.
• The acquired credit and final grade transfer to the degree program, if eligible. 
• Up to a maximum of 30 credits earned as an independent student can transfer to a degree program. This will be determined once you are admitted to a degree program.

Failed standing
For Independent students with the following message on their record:
“Assessed — May Not Register Without Special Permission” or “Assessed — May Not Re-Register”

While independent students have not been granted admission to a particular Faculty, you can meet with academic advisors in each Faculty for academic advising!

The Student Success Centre offers academic, personal and professional support throughout your Concordia education. They provide many resources that are helpful to independent students, including:

• Welcome crew mentors
• New student orientation events
• Skill development workshops
• One-on-one tutoring or study groups
• Advocacy services
• Career exploration and planning

...and many more!

All of the Student Success Centre’s programming and resources are available to independent students.