Exceptions

Exceptions are authorized adjustments to the degree audit that modify or override how requirements apply to a student’s academic program. They are typically used when a student has completed coursework or has circumstances that fall outside the standard curriculum published in the catalog.

Exceptions help ensure the audit accurately reflects approved academic decisions, such as applying non-articulated transfer coursework, accommodating curriculum changes, and recording special approvals granted by an academic department.

To enter exceptions, users must have a role with exception access and have permission to place exceptions in the appropriate audit area (University, College, Major, or Minor).

Exception Mode

To place an exception, select Enter Exception Mode in the audit.

If the Enter Exception Mode button or exception icons are not visible, the user likely has view-only access or does not have permission to enter exceptions for that requirement.

After entering Exception Mode, select Open All Sections to display all audit requirements and sub-requirements. exception icons will appear next to each requirement and sub-requirement, and an exception table will display on the right side of the screen summarizing any exceptions currently applied to the audit.

Screenshot of webpage with three green arrows pointing to left content, right panel, and dialog

Exception Types

Exception types are color-coded by audit level and identified by icons.

Requirement-level exceptions (gray)—Apply to an entire requirement.
- Force Requirement Complete (gray checkmark).
- Edit Requirement (gray pencil).
- Advanced Exceptions (gray lightning bolt).
Sub-requirement-level exceptions (orange)—Modify a portion of a requirement.
- Force Course (orange down arrow).
- Force Sub-requirement Complete (orange checkmark).
- Edit Sub-requirement (orange pencil).
- Advanced Exceptions (orange lightning bolt).
Course-level exceptions (green)—Modify courses within a “Select From” list.
- Add Course (green plus).
- Remove Course (green minus).
- Swap Course (two green arrows).

Screenshot of the “American History and Institutions Requirement”. It states Complete One Course" and "Needs: 1 Course." Under "Select From:" It lists: AAS 010, AAS 100, ASA 001, ASA 002, CHI 010, ECN 11A, and ECN 11B. Gray, orange and green icons for exceptions options appear on the right (including, plus, minus and, swap arrows).

Exception Entry

Force Complete (Requirement or Sub-Requirement level)

Waives and completes the requirement or sub-requirement.

Steps to process a Force Complete exception:

In the audit, identify the requirement or sub-requirement you want to waive.
Select Enter Exception Mode.
Select Open All Sections.
Select the checkmark icon next to the requirement or sub-requirement.
Complete the required fields in the exception form.

Screenshot of the “Requirement Force Complete Exception” entry on the American History and Institutions Requirement. A checked box reads "Restrict to this Degree Program." Below are fields for "Audit Note" (50- character limit) which reads “Force Complete of AHI Requirements” and "Memo" (255-character limit) which reads “Student received a P grade for HS History Course. HS has confirmed grade was a C or above. Exception approved by Dean’s Office on 5/26. Petition #123.”

Select Save & Add Exception.
From the Audits tab, select Request New to generate a new audit.
The waived requirement will display a green checkmark indicating the requirement is complete.

Requirement Modification/Edit Requirement

Allows you to override the number of sub-requirements, courses, units, or GPA needed to satisfy a requirement.

Steps to process a Requirement Modification

In the audit, identify the requirement or sub-requirement you want to modify.

Select Enter Exception Mode.
Select Open All Sections.
Select the pencil icon next to the requirement or sub-requirement you want to modify.
Update the appropriate fields in the exception form.

Requirement Modification Exception screenshot: units and GPA fields, green arrow at units

Select Next.
Enter required information into the exception form.
Select Save & Add Exception.
In the Audits tab, select Request New and generate a new Audit.
The requirement will show the new updated standard to meet the requirement.

Screenshot of the 27 Upper Division Units in Residence at UC Davis Requirement with a green arrow pointed at "Needs: 25.00 Units"

Force Course

Applies a selected course to the sub-requirement.

Steps to process a Force Course exception:

In the audit, identify the sub-requirement where you want to apply a different course.

Screenshot of the Economics sub-requirement. It shows a complete course: “FQ24 ECN 001B, worth 4.00 units with a grade of B, titled “Princ of Microecon.”GE attributes listed are SS, QL, and ACGH. Below, it says” Needs: 1 Course,” and under “Select From,” it lists options: ECN 001A or ECN 001AV or ECN 001AY.

Select Enter Exception Mode.
Select Open All Sections.
Select the down arrow icon next to the appropriate sub-requirement.
Select the course you want to apply from the course list.

Screenshot of the “Force Course Exception” form for the Economics sub-requirement. At the top are steps labeled “1. Force Course” and “2. Verify & Save.” On the left is a scrollable list of completed courses with grades, including GEL 001 (4 units, B+), ENL 003 (4 units, A), and ECN 001B (4 units, B). On the right, a highlighted box labeled “Course Forcing” shows MGT 011A, taken Winter Quarter 2025, 4 units, grade B+, titled “Elementary Accounting” with a green arrow pointing to it and a red trash icon to r

Select Next.
Complete the required fields in the exception form.
Select Save & Add Exception.
From the Audits tab, select Request New to generate a new audit.
The forced course will now appear within the requirement.

The Economics requirement has a green checkmark next to it and below are listed the courses ECN 001B (4 units, B) and MGT 011A (4 units, B+).

Add Course

Adds one or more courses to the list of courses that can satisfy a requirement.

Steps to process an Add Course exception:

In the audit, identify the requirement or sub-requirement where you want to add a course option.
Select Enter Exception Mode.
Select Open All Sections.
Select the plus icon next to the Select From list.

Screenshot of the "Intermediate Micro Theory" sub-requirement. It states "Needs: 1 Course." Under "Select From:" It lists: ECN 100A, and ECN 100AV. Orange and green icons for exceptions options appear on the right (including, plus minus and swap arrows) A green arrow points to the plus sign.

Add the course by entering the department and course number or by selecting an existing course from the list.

Screenshot of the Add Course Exception requirement form. It shows the sub-requirement labeled "Intermediate Micro Theory" with two steps: '1. Add Course" and "2. Verify & Save." On the left, there are fields to search for a course by department and course number, along with an "Add" button. Below is a scrollable list of existing student courses (e.g., ESM 185, ASA 001, SAS 043), each with units and a green plus icon to add to them. On the right, a highlighted panel labeled "Course Adding" displays a sele

Select Next.
Complete the required fields in the exception form.
Select Save & Add Exception.
From the Audits tab, select Request New to generate a new audit.
The added course will now appear in the requirement. If the student has not completed, is not currently enrolled in, or is not in progress with the course, it will appear as an additional option within the Select From list.

Toolbar labeled 'Intermediate Micro Theory' with play button, slider and level meter

Remove Course

Removes one or more courses from the list of courses that can satisfy a requirement.

Steps to process a Remove Course exception:

In the audit, identify the requirement or sub-requirement from which you want to remove a course option.

Screenshot of the Accounting sub-requirement with a red X next to it. A note reads "RD-Remove MGT 011AY option” and below it states "Needs: 1 Course." Under "Select From:" It lists: MGT 011A, MGT011AV, MGT 011AY as options.

Select Enter Exception Mode.
Select Open All Sections.
Select the minus icon next to the Select From list.
Select the course you want to remove from the list.

Screenshot of the Accounting sub-requirement with a red X next to it. It states "Needs: 1 Course." Under "Select From:" It lists: MGT 011A, MGT011AV, MGT 011AY as options.

Select Next.
Complete the required fields in the exception form.
Select Save & Add Exception.
From the Audits tab, select Request New to generate a new audit.
The course will no longer appear in the Select From list.

Accounting panel: note to remove MGT 011A/Y, "Needs: 1 Course", options MGT 011A and MGT 011AV

Swap Course

Allows you to remove one course from a requirement and replace it with another.

Steps to process a Course Swap exception:

In the audit, identify the courses you want to swap.

Screenshot of the Chemistry sub-requirement with a red X next to it. It states "Needs: 4 Courses." Under "Select From:" It lists: CHE 002C, CHE 118A, CHE 118B and CHE 118C as options.

Select Enter Exception Mode.
Select Open All Sections.
Select the two-arrow swap icon next to the Select From list.
In the Swap Out tab, select the course you want to remove, then select Next.

Screenshot of the Swap Course Exception requirement form. It shows the sub-requirement labeled "Chemistry" with three steps: '1. Swap Out," "2. Swap In,." and "3. Verify & Save." On the left is a scrollable list of courses (e.g., CHE 118A, CHE 118B, CHE 118C). On the right, a highlighted panel labeled "Swapping Out" displays a selected course: CHE 002C with a green arrow pointing to the course and red trash icon to remove it. At the bottom are "Next" and "Cancel" buttons.

In the Swap In tab, select the course you want to add, then select Next.

Complete the required fields in the exception form.
Select Save & Add Exception.
From the Audits tab, select Request New to generate a new audit.
The updated requirement will reflect the new course. If the replacement course has not been completed and is not currently in progress or registered, it will appear in the Select From list in place of the removed course.

Chemistry course card with brief notes and a blue "Buy for General Chem" button.

Advanced Options

If you need to place an exception on an already completed requirement or need to add a more complex exception that cannot be completed with the available exception options, please contact the Degree Audit unit for assistance.

Verify & Save

After entering an exception, complete the Verify & Save tab. Several fields are required for exception processing and reporting.

Restrict to This Degree Program—Selecting this option prevents the exception from carrying over if the student changes programs or catalog years.
Audit Note—A brief note displayed on the audit next to the associated requirement or sub-requirement. Maximum length: 50 characters. Students can see audit notes.
Memo—A more detailed internal note that does not appear on the audit. Maximum length: 255 characters. Students cannot see memos. Use this field to add the Exception Petition number if you have one.
Authorized By & Date—these fields are automatically populated with the user ID and current date.

Saving Options

Save & Run Audit—Exits Exception Mode and generates a new audit.
Save & Add Exception—Saves the exception and returns to the main Exception Mode page.
Cancel—Cancels the exception without saving changes.

Screenshot of the Verify & Save tab of the exception entry form. A checked box reads "Restrict to this Degree Program." Below are fields for "Audit Note" (50- character limit) which reads “Test” and "Memo" (255-character limit) which reads “Exception approved by Dean’s Office on 5/5/26. Petition #284.” At the bottom are fields showing "Authorized by: kaasato" and Date: 05/05/2026." Action buttons include "Save & Run Audit," "Save & Add Exception," and "Cancel."

A successfully processed exception displays a message at the top of the audit and exception will be listed on the Exception table on the right side of the audit.

Screenshot of the Degree Audit with green box that states "Success! One or more Exceptions have been recently added please run the audit for them to apply". On the right side, the Exception table list an exception with a ctlcd code: "FR", a Note: "Force Complete of AHI Requirement", Auth by: "kaasato", and Auth Date: 05/05/2026."

Exiting Exception Mode

You can exit Exception Mode at any time by selecting the Exit Exception Mode button.

Removing Exceptions

To remove an exception, select the Exceptions tab in the upper-right corner of the audit. Check the delete box next to the exception you want to remove, then select Delete.