Course Waivers

Deadlines

You must request waivers prior to the start of your second semester.

August 1 to get results before the start of the fall semester

December 10 get results before the start of the spring semester

If you have mastered course material prior to enrolling at NYU Wagner, you should pursue course waivers.  You can demonstrate mastery either by submitting information about prior coursework or by taking a waiver exam (select quantitative courses only).  Please read the policies for each course below for more detail.

If you waive a required course, you take an advanced elective in its place.  Course waivers do not reduce the total number of credits required for the degree.

Waivers Based on Prior Coursework

If you believe you are eligible to waive a course based on demonstrated mastery of material in prior coursework, read the waiver policies above.  If you qualify, submit the required documentation via our online form.  In all cases, only credit-bearing courses from accredited universities may be used to apply for a course waiver.

Waiver requests submitted by close of business on the first of the month (5:00pm eastern time) should receive a response by the end of that month. Waiver requests submitted after the first of the month should receive a response by the end of the following month (e.g. a request submitted on October 2 will receive a response by November 30).

FALL 2025 NOTE: 

Waiver requests submitted after 5:00pm ET on August 1 will receive results by October 1, 2025!

Course Waiver Request Forms

Waivers Based on Waiver Exams

If you do not meet the criteria for a waiver based on prior coursework, you may demonstrate your proficiency through exams in microeconomics, statistics, and financial management.  The waiver policies for each course above contain details about waiver exam critieria and processes.

Exams are offered as follows:

  • Microeconomics: January, April, August, November (120-minute exams)
  • Statistics: January, April, August, November (100-minute exams)
  • Financial Management:  January, April, August, November (2 modules; 2-hours each module)

 

The deadline to register for the April 2025 exams is Monday, March 31, 2025 at 5:00pm ET.

Course Waiver Exam RSVP Form

NOTES: 

Waiver exams may only be attempted once. If you don't pass the exam, you must complete the Wagner course.

Additionally, students who have already attempted to complete the Wagner course are no longer eligible to take the waiver exam or submit a course waiver request for that course.