Missed Course Work Policy

Requests for Relief

Case 1:

MSAF – Self-Report

Students are expected to use the McMaster Student Absence Form (MSAF) to make Self-Report requests for:

First missed coursework this term; and
Coursework worth 24% or less of the final grade for the course; and
Medical or personal situations lasting up to three (3) calendar days.

The MSAF:

Is available in the Mosaic Student Center, in the drop-down menu under ‘Other Academics’.
Requires no supporting documentation.
May only be submitted once per term.
Applies only to work that is due within the period for which the request applies, i.e. the 3-day period that is specified in the MSAF; however, all work due in that period can be covered by one request.

Important:

Students must immediately follow up with their instructor(s) after submitting the Self-Report request. Failure to do so may negate the opportunity for relief. The instructor will determine the appropriate relief.
If you try to use the MSAF for work worth 25% or more of your final grade, use the MSAF-AR form.
The MSAF cannot be used for academic work that has already been completed or attempted. Attempting online work includes opening a test/quiz on Avenue to Learn or other platforms.

Case 2:

MSAF – Administrative Report

Administrative Report requests for relief are for:

Coursework worth more than 25% of the final grade for the course; and/or
Medical or personal situations lasting more than three (3) calendar days; and/or
Any request for relief where the MSAF tool has been used previously in that term.

Students must complete the MSAF-AR form (Application for Relief of Missed Coursework) and submit it, with any required supporting documentation, to the Student Experience – Academic Office within 24 hours of returning to classes. The MSAF-AR form will be processed by the Student Experience – Academic Office. If approved, both the student and the instructor will automatically receive a confirmation email from the Mosaic system.

Important:

Students must immediately follow up with their instructor(s) after receiving confirmation that their requested has been approved. Failure to do so may negate the opportunity for relief. The instructor will determine the appropriate relief.
To review types of documentation required as supporting documentation, please scroll to the bottom of the page. Please note: you are not required to disclose to the instructor the reason of your absence as per the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
The MSAF-AR cannot be used for academic work that has already been completed or attempted. Attempting online work includes opening a test/quiz on Avenue to Learn or other platforms.
Students who have been approved for the MSAF-AR request and subsequently require the use of the MSAF – Self Report request will have to submit a Notification of Absence or email the Student Experience – Academic Office in order to have their MSAF entered.
Students can only apply for two (2) MSAF-AR requests per term.

Case 3:

MSAF – Administrative Report – Midterm Tests

When a student misses a midterm test for legitimate reasons (as determined by the Student Experience – Academic Office), there are two possible options for making up the work:

If enough notice is given (10 business days) and the instructor is willing, the Student Experience – Academic Office can schedule a re-write of the test.
The weight of the test (how much of the final grade the test was worth) can be redistributed across other evaluations in the course by the instructor.
The Student Experience – Academic Office and the instructor will decide which option to use.

Students must complete the MSAF-AR form (Application for Relief of Missed Coursework) and submit it, with any required supporting documentation, to the to the Student Experience – Academic Office within 24 hours of the missed midterm. The MSAF-AR form will be processed by the Student Experience – Academic Office. If approved, both the student and the instructor will automatically receive a confirmation email from the Mosaic system.

Important:

To review types of documentation required as supporting documentation, please scroll to the bottom of the page. Please note: you are not required to disclose to the instructor the reason of your absence as per the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
The MSAF-AR cannot be used for a midterm test that has already been completed or attempted. Attempting online work includes opening a test/quiz on Avenue to Learn or other platforms. If you write a midterm test while sick or under the influence of a crisis or compassionate situation, the results cannot be changed.

Case 4:

Midterm Exam Conflicts

Although every effort is taken by the Faculty Office to ensure that Commerce midterms do not conflict, there may be a situation where you have a conflicting midterm date or time. Sometimes, Commerce midterms can also conflict with a non-Commerce course.

Complete the Midterm Test Conflict Form. You will need to provide us with the following information:

- Your full name and student number
- Course codes (i.e. Commerce 1AA3) of both conflicts
- Dates and times of both conflicts
- Supporting documentation supporting the conflict (i.e. screenshot of course outline, emails from professors, etc.)

Await approval. You will be notified by your McMaster email.

A midterm conflict occurs when you encounter the following situations:

Two midterms at the same time, or with significant overlap.

Midterms conflicting with a scheduled class.

Varsity sports requirements.

Known absence (i.e., scheduled medical procedure).

To report a midterm conflict, please complete the Relief for Mid-Term Conflicts Form. This form should only be used if you know in advance that you have a conflict with a scheduled midterm.

Missing a midterm for a religious observance must go through the RISO process and should be applied for at the start of term (or as soon as the observance is known if dates fluctuate).

Missing a midterm for any other reason (e.g., illness) must go through the MSAF-AR process.

Once midterm conflicts are verified by the DSB – Student Experience Office, there may be multiple resolutions. If 10 business days’ notice is given and the instructor approves, the Student Experience office will schedule a re-write of the test. Otherwise, the instructor will decide how the missed midterm will be resolved.

Case 5:

Deferring a Final Exam

Students who are expected to miss a final exam must complete the Application for Deferred Final Examination Form and submit it, with any required supporting documentation, to the Student Experience – Academic Office within five (5) business days of the missed exam.

Important:

Missed final exams are typically rescheduled to be written during the following term’s ‘reading week’ (deferred exam period) – see the Sessional Dates Calendar.
Students are required to write the deferred exam in the same format it was provided (e.g. Avenue to Learn, Respondus) during the deferred exam period. No further accommodation will be made regarding the completion of this course component.
To review types of documentation required as supporting documentation, please scroll to the bottom of the page. Please note: you are not required to disclose to the instructor the reason of your absence as per the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
The Deferred Final Examination Form cannot be used for an exam that has already been completed or attempted. Attempting online work includes opening a test/quiz on Avenue to Learn or other platforms. If you write a final exam while sick or under the influence of a crisis or compassionate situation, the results cannot be changed.

The Office of the Registrar will reschedule final examinations within the examination period for the reasons below:

Conflict with a religious obligation (RISO).
More than one examination scheduled at the same time.
Three (3) examinations in one (1) calendar day (midnight to midnight).
Three (3) consecutive examinations over two days (e.g. December 14 at 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and December 15 at 9:00 a.m.).

Application to reschedule examinations within the same examination period must be made at least 10 business days before the scheduled examination period.

Supporting Documentation for Different Kinds of Absences:

Below are some examples of supporting documentation that can be submitted with a MSAF-AR or a Deferred Final Examination Form. If your reason is not listed below, please contact us to discuss what may be needed in your situation to be considered for approval. In all cases, make sure the documentation specifies the date or dates involved and/or confirms your involvement.

Medical Reasons	For absences related to illness or medical reasons, students should meet with a medical professional at the earliest possible date of the missed work. A physician must fill out and sign the McMaster University Student Health Certificate on the student’s behalf. The physician must identify the degree of incapacitation as either ‘Severe’ or ‘Serious’ in order to be considered.
Death or Illness of a Family Member or Friend	Provide a letter from the funeral home confirming that you attended the funeral, a death certificate, or an obituary. For illness, please provide a letter from the Attending Physician.
Religious Obligation	Submit a RISO form in addition to the MSAF-AR form If this is in relation to a Final Exam, please notify the Office of the Registrar directly. For further clarification of the RISO policy, please review the RISO Fact Sheet.
Academic or Varsity Events	This applies if you are representing the University or Canada at an event. Please follow the Athletic and Recreation Department’s procedure. The Athletic Program Administrator must confirm the conflicting event.
Case Competitions	Provide a letter from the instructor supervising your team.
MSU and DCS Events	This applies to events sanctioned by either the McMaster Students Union or the DeGroote Commerce Society where you will be representing McMaster or DeGroote. Provide a letter on official MSU or DCS letterhead (from an MSU or DCS executive) confirming that your attendance at the event is required.
Citizenship Court or Jury Duty	Provide the official judicial notice.
Military Service	Provide a letter confirming your required attendance.
High School Graduation Ceremony	This applies to your graduation ceremony. Provide a copy of the invitation from your high school.
Wedding	This applies if one of the people getting married is part of your immediate family or you are in the wedding party. Provide a copy of the wedding invitation or a letter from either spouse confirming your participation.
Job Interviews	Provide a letter from your potential employer on company letterhead (part-time and graduating students only). For Internship interviews, please contact bcom.cpd@mcmaster.ca to have your interview rescheduled.
Work	This only applies for part-time and graduating students. Provide a letter from your employer confirming your work schedule on company letterhead.
Work-related Training or Professional Development Event	Provide a letter from your employer on company letterhead (part-time and graduating students only).
Travel	Personal travel will not be approved as a reason for missing an academic obligation. However, if in accordance with any other absence on this list, provide a copy of your travel documents.