Waiver of International Perspectives for Veterans with Overseas Experience

Using your overseas military service to meet the International Perspectives Requirement

The university has a process that allows individuals to request a waiver of the International Perspectives (IP) requirement based on “other” international experiences that have an academic-related element.  Many veterans who have served overseas/internationally have used this ‘waiver’ process to meet the IP requirement. 

To request a waiver the student needs to complete the U.S. Diversity/International Perspectives Substitution or Waiver Request form.  The student attaches a brief paper (2-3 pages) that describes how the overseas military experience has allowed the student to achieve the outcomes of the IP requirement. The description must show that there was an academic component to the experience. Examples of information that have been included in previous justifications include:

• Sharing items learned in pre-departure training, including length of training, topics covered, etc.  - to address that there is an ‘academic component’ to the experience.
• Sharing details on length of service, location, role/interaction with the culture/people in the country.
• Providing examples of how the student has achieved at least two of the outcomes for IP (that are included as part of the instruction for the form).  Most veterans have described meeting outcomes 1, 3, and/or 4.  However, individuals can select any two outcomes to highlight.
• A ‘reflection’ on how this experience has changed the student’s perceptions about global issues and/or the role the U.S. plays in the world.

Students with questions on this process can talk with their academic advisor.