Academic Accommodation

Academic Accomodation

How to Complete Your Application for Accommodations Based on Non-Medical Protected Grounds

(Adapted for Muslim Students)



In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful


If you're a Muslim student at the University of Alberta and require accommodations based on religious belief (a non-medical protected ground) such as for observing Salah, or Jumu'ah prayers, please follow the steps below to apply. If you choose to apply for accommodations please do so as early as possible to ensure you are appropriately accommodated. Examples of possible accommodations may include:


  • rescheduled exams and in-class activities


  • temporary excusal from labs and mandatory activities


  • digital resources like recorded lectures for the missed portion of classes


  • exam breaks


Applying for academic accommodation is usually done through the Dean of Students Office's Academic Success Centre. The steps below are adapted from the following pages of the Academic Success Centre section of the uAlberta website:







If you have not previously been approved for religious accommodations:


1. Gather Supporting Documentation


You’ll need:


  • Documentation that verifies that you are a Muslim and for how long. It is highly recommended to provide a statement from a faith group leader. If you choose not to you can provide other documentation such as: attendance records, a certificate, or a letter from a non-family member in your faith/religious community.
  • The MSA may be able to provide a verification letter to students who have attended MSA events or Friday prayers, if we can verify your involvement. To request this, feel free to email us at msa@ualberta.ca.


  • Documentation of the schedule of Islamic practices for the academic year. The MSA has created such a schedule for the Fall 2024 term for your convenience, available here.


2. Complete the Non-medical Accommodation Application PDF


The Non-medical Accommodation Application has two parts:


  1. Accommodation Request Information
  2. Statutory Declaration


Note: Part 2 (Statutory Declaration) needs to be completed in-person with a Commissioner of Oaths. You can do this at the UofA Student Service Centre (located in the Administration Building on North Campus) for free.


3. Complete Your Application for Accommodations Based on Non-medical Protected Grounds


  • Ensure all files are PDFs with the following name format: lastName_firstInitial_yyyymmdd (e.g., Ahmed_M_20240925).


  • Log into your uAlberta email, then click here to access the form.


  • Provide detailed and comprehensive answers.


  • You should be contacted by the Dean of Students office within one week of submitting the form.


If you have previously been approved for religious accommodations:


1. Email doshelp@ualberta.ca


Include all of the following information for EACH conflicting activity:


  • Course name, course number, and course section (e.g., GYM 131 - LEC B1).


  • Instructor name.


  • Instructor email address.


  • Original date of activity (yyyymmdd).


  • Original activity start time.


  • Original activity end time.


  • Alternative date of activity (yyyymmdd; if arranged by instructor).


  • Alternative start and end time of activity (if arranged by instructor).


  • Your preferred date and time for the rescheduled activity.


PLEASE NOTE: The rescheduled date and time must be coordinated with your instructor; therefore, no specific rescheduled date and time for your activity can be guaranteed.


2. Upload Fall 2024 calendar


Upload any new documentation such as a religious practices/events calendar here. The MSA has made one for the Fall 2024 term for your convenience, available here.


Please submit all requests by the following deadlines:


  • It's strongly recommended that you submit your requests right away as it can take considerable time to reorganize activities/exams.


  • For applications requesting the rescheduling of the final exams, applications must be submitted by Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 11:59pm MST.


  • Accommodations for any approved requests submitted less than two weeks before the date of an activity/exam for which accommodations are required cannot be guaranteed.


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