Missed course work & exams

Self Reports are submitted by the student online through Mosaic: Student Centre>Academics>MSAF 

This is available to students once per term: 

• For missed academic work worth 24% or less of their final grade, lasting up to three calendar days.  

• A Self Report applies only to work that is due within the consecutive three-day period for which relief is requested; however, all work due in that period can be covered by one MSAF. 
• Students are encouraged to submit their MSAF at the end of the third calendar day of their original missed course work, in case they need to add additional missed works in that timeframe. All course work missed within that three-day period must be submitted at the same time, it cannot be submitted as multiple separate submissions. 

• Example – first missed course work due on a Thursday. They can submit missed course work for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (inclusive) up to the Saturday before midnight.  

• Supporting documentation is not required for a self-report. 

An automated email will be sent to course instructor(s) who will determine the appropriate relief. Students must immediately follow up with their instructor(s). Failure to do so may negate the opportunity for relief. 

NOTE: The Self-Report feature closes on the last day of classes for the term; the three calendar day window as mentioned above will not apply.

Administrative MSAFs are required when a student: 

• Has medical or personal situations lasting more than three calendar days, and/or 
• Has missed academic work is worth 25% or more of the final grade, and/or
• has used the self-report previously in that term. 

Students are provided with two Administrative MSAFs per term. Additional MSAF requests will be denied.  

• These MSAFs do not typically require supporting documentation; however, it may be requested should the Faculty Office deem it necessary to support the request. 

• In instances supporting documentation is required, an MSAF applies only to work that is covered by the supporting documentation provided, however, all work due in that period can be covered by one MSAF. 

The Faculty Office will let the student know if the MSAF was processed, if it was denied, or if it requires supporting documentation to be considered. 

If processed, an automated email will be sent from Mosaic to course instructor(s), who will determine the appropriate relief. Students must immediately follow up with their instructor(s). Failure to do so may negate the opportunity for relief. 

Student Submission Process

• Please fill out the form.
• List each missed work as a separate item and provide all details requested. You can include as many pages as necessary.
• Email required documents all in one message to engadmin@mcmaster.ca 
• All Administrative MSAF forms must be submitted as early as possible, ideally within five calendar days of the missed academic work 

Please note: Even if the Faculty Office processes the MSAF, it is ultimately up to the professor if they choose to accept it.

There may be instances where formal course assessments (e.g. midterms and tests) may take place outside of regularly scheduled class time, resulting in a conflict with other formal assessments or mandatory, scheduled course components.  

Students are required to connect with their professors and/or the Faculty Office offering the course to determine if an alternate write time is an option. 

When this circumstance arises: 

• Follow the process for submitting an Administrative MSAF (please refer to the previous section). 

• On the MSAF form, please indicate only the course work you plan not to attend/submit on the original date. 

• Academic Conflicts require supporting documentation – please provide the office with supporting documentation that confirms the conflict between the two academic requirements. It must show the full course code(s) and dates and times of the assessments. 

Note: Should an alternate write time be offered and the assessment completed by the student, this will not count towards the 35% missed course work or the number of Administrative MSAFs per term. 

Students that are part of McMaster Varsity Athletics Teams may need to MSAF course work impacted by their team games. 

Student submission process

• Complete the Athlete Academic Conflict form. Athletics processes and verifies the conflicting dates/times, and provides the Faculty Office with confirmation and approval as supporting documentation. 
• Complete and submit an Administrative MSAF to engadmin@mcmaster.ca. Please follow the process outlined in the Administrative MSAF section.