Course Exemptions

School of Dental Medicine Policy

Policy on Course Exemptions for Postdoctoral Students

Postdoctoral students may request course exemptions based on credentials and/or previous coursework completion at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (SDM) or another institution. Requests for course exemptions must be submitted to the Postdoctoral Program Director for review and approval prior to the start of the second week of the course.

If approved, the Program Director must submit a course exemption form to the SDM Office of the Registrar prior to the start of the second week of the class. An “AS” or “advanced standing” grade will then be recorded on the student’s transcript.

Students who go from one SDM postdoctoral program to another should request exemptions through their Program Director. The reason for this is that interdisciplinary course requirements and course exemptions vary by department. Students requesting an exemption for a course already taken at the postdoctoral level will be required to request that a transcript be forwarded to their new department for review. There is a three-to-five-business-day processing time for transcript requests. Students should plan accordingly. Any exemptions for interdisciplinary courses (IDC) should be made at the beginning of each term.

After reviewing course exemption requests, departments will submit completed exemption form(s) via email to the SDM Office of the Registrar.

Policy on Course Exemptions for Predoctoral Students

Predoctoral students may request course exemptions based on credentials and/or previous coursework completion at SDM or another institution. Four-year DMD students must submit their request for course exemption to the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs no later than 4 weeks prior to the start of the course. Two-year DMD Advanced Standing students must submit their request for course exemption to the Faculty Liaison for the Advanced Standing Program no later than 4 weeks prior to the start of the course.

If a student meets the minimum requirements for exemption, their request will be sent to the course director for review. The course director will meet with the student to review their credentials and then notify Academic Affairs and the student of the final decision. Academic Affairs will then submit the designated exemption form(s) to the SDM Office of the Registrar.