Forms & Documents

Academic Petitions

Examples of the kinds of requests include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Course overloads
• Part-time status
• Requirement Exceptions
• Exceptions to current KGI Academic Policies

Before you Decide to Submit a Petition

Before initiating an academic petition, take time to reflect on why an exception should be made in your case. Academic policies are designed to apply equitably to all students, so your statement should clearly explain why your circumstances warrant an exception.

Ask yourself:

• Why should a rule that applies to others be waived for me?
• Is my petition timely?

Petitions submitted late or more than a week past the relevant deadline, require a clear explanation for both the missed deadline and the delay in petitioning. Please note that procrastination is not considered a valid rationale.

How to Submit an Academic Petition

To begin the petition process, please complete the Academic Petition form linked below.

Your petition should include a thoughtful, well-articulated statement detailing the specific policy exception you are requesting and the reasons for your request. While academic or educational reasoning is important, the committee also considers fairness, particularly in cases such as late course add/drops.

Be sure to include all relevant supporting documentation, such as medical records or verification letters. It is your responsibility to present a complete and compelling case. Please note that the committee cannot assume facts not included in your petition.

If you have received care from Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, or another medical or mental health provider, and you would like that information considered, you must submit it as part of your petition.

What should you do after submitting your petition?

Once your petition has been submitted, do not make changes to your course schedule or academic plans until a decision has been made. Continue attending class and completing coursework as usual.

You will be notified of the outcome, or contacted for additional information if needed. Please allow at least one week for review.

Academic Petition Form

After the full-term add/drop deadline has passed, any changes to Module 2 courses or issues requiring administrative assistance must be handled through submission of this form. In such cases, it is generally recommended, and may be required to obtain approval from your Academic Advisor or Program Director. Once submitted, you will receive an email confirmation within 1-2 business days indicating the request has been processed.

Add/Drop Form

Please submit this form below to update your mailling address.

Address Change Form

Change of Program

Students interested in changing their academic program should first consult with the appropriate faculty members and Program Director(s) to discuss their options. In general, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to request a program change, and students currently on academic probation are not eligible to apply. In some cases, students may be asked to submit a transcript for departmental review and approval.

To proceed with a program change, students must obtain approval from the following offices:

• Program Director of the current program
• Program Director of the intended new program
• Financial Aid
• Student Accounting

International students must also receive approval from the International Student Advisor.

To initiate this process, students must complete the Change of Program Form below.

Change of Program Form

Please note: Approved changes of program will take effect in the fall or spring term following the date of approval.

Change of Concentration

Students considering a change of concentration should consult with the appropriate faculty and Program Director(s) to explore their options. Approval for a change of concentration must be granted by the Program Director.

To initiate this process, students must complete the Change of Concentration Form below.

Concentration Change Form

The diploma or certificate that a graduate receives at commencement is a mark of achievement for his or her academic work at KGI. This document is an official document and many graduates choose to frame it to protect the document and display their academic achievements.

Diplomas or certificates are provided to students who satisfactorily complete the requirements of their degree/certificate program at KGI and who meet all of the following provisions:

• An Intent to Receive a Degree Form was submitted to the Registrar’s Office for the semester of graduation.
• All outstanding student work is submitted, and all grades are received by the degree completion deadline for the semester.
• No outstanding financial or other obligations exist on the candidate’s student account.

The academic transcript is proof, and the primary evidence of the student’s degree/certificate. Transcripts require prior written consent for release; however the conferral of a degree/certificate is directory or public information with regard to KGI’s policies on student privacy. Third parties may verify degrees/certificates granted by KGI by contacting the Office of the Registrar.

Ordering a Replacement Diploma/Certificate

Graduates may occasionally misplace, damage, or accidentally destroy their diplomas or certificates. Replacements can also be requested if there has been a legal name change due to marriage, divorce, or other official reasons.

To request a replacement, please submit the Diploma/Certificate Replacement Form and make the $50 payment.
Please allow 4–6 weeks for processing.

Please submit this form below to add your emergency contact.

Emergency Contact Form

What are Enrollment and Degree Verifications?

Enrollment and degree verifications are used to confirm your dates of attendance and current or past enrollment status at Keck Graduate Institute (KGI). These verifications are often required by third parties for purposes such as insurance eligibility, employment verifications, loan deferments, and more.

How Do I Request an Enrollment or Degree Verification?

KGI has partnered with the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) to process enrollment and degree verification requests.

To request a verification for yourself, or on behalf of a student or company, please visit the National Student Clearinghouse Verification Services page. Orders are typically processed within 1-3 business days.

Student Privacy (FERPA) and Directory Information

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), KGI may release certain directory information without a student’s written consent during the verification process. This may include (but is not limited to):

• Full name
• KGI email address
• Major/field of study
• Dates of attendance
• Enrollment status (e.g., full-time, part-time)
• Degrees and honors awarded

For a complete list of what qualifies as directory information, please review KGI’s Privacy Policy.

Alternate Verification Methods

Empower Portal - Current Students Only

Current students can access unofficial proof of enrollment through the Empower portal by:

• Printing an unofficial transcript, or
• Printing their current course schedule 

Please note: This method may not satisfy all third-party verification requirements.

Paper Enrollment/Degree Verification Requests - Current & Former Students

If you require a physical copy of your enrollment/degree verification or need a verification form completed manually by KGI staff, please email your request to the Office of the Registrar at registrar@kgi.edu.

Important Note: Verification requests for the current term cannot be processed until after  the add/drop deadline, which occurs on the second Friday of the semester. 

Below are some general guidelines for students interested in Independent Study/Research Courses.

• Independent study is the acquisition of skills, knowledge, or information that is known among professionals. For example, learning lab skills or preparing for a certification exam. Independent research is comprised of work aimed at generating novel techniques, knowledge, or synthesis of information.
• MS students may enroll in independent study/research during their first and second years (up to 12.0 units available).
• First year MBS students can choose an independent study/research as elective for the spring, if their fall GPA is above 3.25.
• Independent study for 1.5 units requires approximately 9 hours of study per week per module or 4.5 hours per week per semester for a total of 72 hours. Independent study for 3.0 units requires approximately 9 hours of study per week per semester for a total of 144 hours.
• To select a research or study project, students should contact individual faculty members. Students enrolled in the MS in Applied Life Sciences program may contact MS program director, Dr. Levitin, for guidance on available projects.
• Project descriptions are sometimes kept general, as specifics will be refined with the interested students later.
• Providing a write-up does not obligate a faculty member to accept a student if, for example, staffing or priorities change, or if no suitable student shows interest.
• There may be more interested students than available spots. It is up to the faculty advisors for each project to decide which student is accepted. If you are interested in a project on the list, please formally apply for the position by sending an email to the listed contact person for the project. Top applicants for a position will likely go through a quick interview.
• In most cases you will have the opportunity to tailor the specifics of the project to your skills and interests. Discuss this with the advising faculty.
• Once agreement is reached between student and faculty advisor on an independent study / research project, you need to fill out the independent study / research contract available through the registrar’s office, and submit this form prior to the registration deadline.
• Independent research students will often work closely with research staff, postdocs or PhD students. However, the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the student is properly guided in the project, and for providing a final grade, lies with the faculty member.
• Please note that the ADD and DROP deadlines follow the regular semester deadlines, but interested faculty and students may need more time to design and develop independent study/research plans.
• Students must indicate on the independent study contract if the course will count toward a concentration.
• No more than 3.0 units of IS/IR will count toward graduation for the MBS degree.

Please use complete the  Independent Study/Research Contract and turn into the Registrar’s Office for approval.

Please submit this form below to initiate VA benefits.

Request to Initiate VA Benefits

The Office of the Registrar is no longer able to complete jury duty summons postponement requests on behalf of students. If you have received a Summons for Jury Service letter, you must carefully read and follow the instructions on the summons.

We highly recommend registering via the court’s online portal to postpone or request excusal. Please keep in mind, postponement requests are not always guaranteed.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to registrar@kgi.edu

To request a Legal Name Change, students must complete the form below. 

Legal Name Change Form

To add a Preferred Name to the applicable systems, students must complete the form below.

Preferred Name Form

Download Transfer Credit Request Form