General Description
Policy Summary:
The University recognizes that a qualified student with a disability may, under appropriate circumstances, request approval to satisfy the Ancient or Modern Language requirement of the Pathways Curriculum by successfully completing the designated substitute course or courses. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, exceptions may be approved on a case-by-case basis through an individualized assessment of the student’s disability-related functional limitations and the appropriateness of the requested accommodation. This accommodation is intended to ensure equal access to the curriculum while preserving the essential requirements and academic integrity of the student’s degree program.
Purpose:
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act stipulate that reasonable and appropriate modifications to student expectations should be made, provided the individual requesting such modification can indicate the presence of a disability-related rationale that substantially limits a major life activity.
Scope:
Students with disabilities who are otherwise qualified and registered with Student Accessibility Services, and any university employee who is tasked with implementing accommodations approved by Student Accessibility Services.
Policy Content
Qualifying students with disabilities may be eligible for a substitution of the Ancient or Modern Language (AML) Pathways requirement. This determination is made by Student Accessibility Services (SAS) through interactive consultation with the student and a review of appropriate disability-related documentation and other supportive materials for the request.
Disability accommodations are approved on a case-by-case basis. SAS will consider a student’s requested or preferred accommodation, but under the scope of duties mandated by federal compliance, SAS may offer an alternate effective form of accommodation as is reasonable. SAS will evaluate how the student's disability impacts their ability to access and participate in academic program requirements. SAS works to understand the student’s substantial limitations and disability access needs to identify appropriate steps to remove barriers. SAS cannot guarantee a student’s preferred method of accessing services and may recommend other effective accommodations, including the use of alternative strategies, resources, and academic support.
Students who are approved by SAS for a disability-related course substitution may satisfy the AML Pathways requirement by completing approved culture courses in place of the language courses that would normally fulfill the AML requirement. The number of required culture courses may vary based on the student's language placement results and any previously completed coursework that satisfies the AML requirement. This typically requires students to take three substitute courses. AML substitute courses must all fall within the same subject area. Exceptions allowing courses from more than one subject area are rare and must be approved by the Dean or Associate Dean of the Carlos Alvarez School of Arts and Humanities. AML substitute courses must be drawn from the list of courses approved for the year in which the accommodation is granted.
Accommodation requests for AML course substitution should be made no later than the Add/Drop deadline in the fall semester of the student’s second academic year, or six semesters before anticipated graduation. For transfer students, AML substitution accommodation requests must be made by the Add/Drop deadline in their first semester at Trinity.
- Register with SAS by following the appropriate procedures.
- Submit appropriate documentation supporting the request for an AML Pathways requirement substitution accommodation.
- Request an AML substitution accommodation by the Add/Drop deadline in the fall semester of their second academic year, or at least six semesters before their anticipated graduation date. Transfer students must submit their request by the Add/Drop deadline of their first semester at Trinity.
- If the request is approved, provide the SAS approval letter to their academic advisor, meet with their advisor to discuss implementation of the substitution, and track their own progress toward completing the AML Pathways requirement.
- Complete the required substitute course(s) to satisfy the AML Pathways requirement.
- Verify that a student requesting an AML substitution accommodation is registered with SAS and eligible for the accommodation.
- Review the request and supporting documentation to determine whether the student’s disability creates a substantial barrier to participation in the AML Pathways requirement and determine whether a substitution is a reasonable and appropriate accommodation.
- If the request is approved, provide the student with a letter documenting approval of the AML Pathways requirement substitution accommodation. The student is responsible for sharing this letter with the academic advisor and any other appropriate campus offices responsible for implementing the substitution.
Faculty and professional academic advisors will request verification of accommodation approval from the student and counsel the student on developing a plan to ensure the timely completion of degree requirements.
Performance Evaluation
Consequences of Policy Violation:
Students who do not comply with this policy or whose request for an AML substitution accommodation is not approved remain subject to all University curriculum requirements and degree expectations.
Terms & Definitions
Terms and Definitions:
|
Term: |
Definition: |
|---|---|
| Reasonable Modification |
Students approved for accommodations are held to the same standards as their peers and must continue to meet all course objectives and expectations as set by their instructors in the syllabus. “Reasonable and appropriate” refers to the nature of an accommodation, adjustment, and modification made that reflects the student’s ability to still meet the course objectives and expectations. |
Related Documents
Related Content:
Attachments: For the current Trinity University courses for approved AML substitution accommodations, please see this link.
Revision Management
Revision History Log:
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Revision #: |
Date: |
Recorded By: |
|---|---|---|
| v1.0 | 8/12/2026 8:48 AM | Pamela Mota |
Vice President Approval:
|
Name: |
Title: |
|---|---|
| Megan Mustain | Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs |