Academic Accommodations Resources
We strive to promote student success by working in collaboration with students and related community stakeholders comprised of students, faculty, staff, and administrators in creating broadened and diverse learning environments that are accessible, usable, inclusive, and sustainable.
We are advocates for student success, and serve as the central location for their accommodation service needs. Mission U provides the resources to facilitate a smooth transition to any of our programs. By providing one-on-one consultation throughout the academic journey our staff serve as a specialized resource for students.
The Americans with Disabilities Act: Amendments Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that was originally passed by Congress in 1990 and protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace, as well as school and other settings. All requests submitted through the Testing Accommodation Request Form will be evaluated to determine the following:
• The applicant has a disability as defined by the ADA
• There is a current need for testing accommodations
• A reasonable accommodation can be provided
All approved testing accommodations must maintain the psychometric nature and security of the examination.
Accommodations that fundamentally alter the nature or security of the exam will not be granted
The following guidelines describe the necessary components of acceptable evidence required to validate a disability and the current need for testing accommodations. A prior history of accommodations, without demonstration of a current need, will not necessarily warrant approval of testing accommodations. To avoid unnecessary delays, ensure the submission of all information and documentation is in accordance with these guidelines.
Qualified individuals with disabilities are required to request accommodations prior to an exam administration. This allows time for the request to be evaluated and processed, and to arrange for reasonable accommodations and services to be delivered the day of the examination. Consequently, it is in the applicant’s best interest to provide recent and appropriate documentation that clearly defines the extent and impact of the disability upon current levels of academic and physical functioning.
• The request for accommodations and appropriate supporting documentation should provide evidence of a substantial limitation to physical or mental (academic) functioning.
• Clinical evaluations must be performed by a licensed/certified or otherwise qualified professional with credentials appropriate to diagnose and treat the disability (i.e., physician, psychologist, or specialist). Information about the qualified professional’s area of specialization and professional credentials, including certification and licensure, should be clearly delineated in the documentation that is provided.
• Documentation must be submitted on official letterhead from a licensed or qualified professional who has examined the applicant and diagnosed a physical or mental impairment. Depending on the nature of the disability and written evaluation, documentation may include a letter from a physician or a detailed report.
• Documentation should be no more than three years old.
• Disability documentation must be detailed and specific. Documentation for all disabilities should describe theextent of the disability, the criteria for the diagnosis, the diagnosis, the type and length of treatment and the recommended accommodation. Terms such as “problems,” “deficiencies,” “weaknesses,” “differences” and “learning disability” are not the equivalent of a diagnosed specific disability (such as ADHD, Dyslexia, Multiple Sclerosis, etc.).
• Documentation must provide evidence of a substantial current limitation to physical or mental functioning.
• For a temporary disability, the documentation should clearly indicate the impact of the disability as well as the anticipated length of the recovery.
Mental Health Accommodations
• For disabilities, the following areas should be assessed:
Ability: The Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale IV (WAIS-IV), measure of overall intelligence. The WAIS-IV should only be one component of a full documentation report. Other adult intelligence scales or assessments may be deemed acceptable in lieu of the WAIS-IV. Consult a qualified professional for additional information.
Achievement: Current levels of academic functioning in relevant areas, such as reading (decoding and comprehension), mathematics, and oral/written language are relevant to determining whether or not there is a current need for accommodations. The tests submitted should be standardized and valid for use in an adult population. Consult a qualified professional for additional information.
Processing Skills: Other tests in processing areas may warrant evaluation as indicated by the tests above. These areas include information processing, visual and auditory processing, and processing speed. These suggested tests are not meant to preclude assessment in other relevant areas, such as psychological status or vocational skills.
• MU must approve any modification to the exam administration. Approvals are made on a case-by-case basis.
• In order to schedule an exam with testing accommodations, you must first receive a Testing Accommodations Notice to Schedule (NTS) from MU and then contact the Testing Accommodations Department. Candidates approved for extended time only may schedule exam appointments online. Other scheduling restrictions may apply.
• If this is the first time you are submitting a request, or if it has been over three years since you tested with accommodations, please send in the Testing Accommodation Request Form, along with supporting documentation at least 30 days prior to your intended test date.
• If you have been previously approved for testing accommodations, but have not taken any sections of the exam within the last year, please submit the Testing Accommodation Request Form ONLY.
• If you have been previously approved for accommodations, and have taken a section with accommodations within the last year, you do not need to submit any documentation.
Testing and Learning Accommodations
We work closely with students and faculty to facilitate testing accommodations and we are here to provide support with that process. In order to schedule testing accommodation appointments, students are responsible for working with their professors to submit a completed Exam Proctor Form in advance of the examination. The Exam Proctor Form is only needed to schedule a testing appointment for tests that require live proctoring. This does NOT include non-proctored assessments, take-home tests, and online tests that are not proctored.
Please keep in mind the following procedures when completing and submitting the Exam Proctor Form:
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Students are responsible for submitting a completed Exam Proctor Form at least five business days BEFORE the requested test date. If the form is not submitted within this timeframe, we cannot guarantee available proctoring resources for a testing appointment.
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All forms must be signed by the course professor (or test administrator for departmental exams) before they are submitted. We will confirm the submission with faculty member assigned to the course.
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Students should submit one Exam Proctor Form for every course in which they will be requesting testing accommodations
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Dates for all tests and quizzes (if applicable) must be included in the EPF in order to schedule testing accommodation appointments. If testing dates are added or adjusted after submitting the form, it is the student's responsibility to follow up with the Accommodations Center to provide written confirmation from the professor of the new dates and times.
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All final exam appointments where accommodations are requested must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. If final exam dates are not reported within this timeframe, we cannot guarantee availability for a testing appointment.
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Please note that as per specific accommodation support guidelines and best practices that we have been reviewing, we encourage faculty to facilitate testing accommodations within their course whenever possible.
If you have any questions or need assistance with filling out the testing accommodations form, please contact the Accommodations Center to provide the information that we need to assist with the next steps: admin@gemf-us.org. After the form is submitted, please allow 2-3 business days for a follow-up email with information on how to best proceed with testing accommodations.