Student Portal
Petitions & Forms System FAQ
General Questions
What should I do if I have trouble accessing the Online Petitions and Forms System (OPFS) database?
If you are unable to access the OPFS or have faced technical problems, you may seek the support of the IT helpdesk or by sending an email to as-ophs@aub.edu.lb.
How do I know which correct form of e-petition to select?
Check the case that applies to you from the situations below.
Other than my registration adviser, whom should I contact if I have any questions regarding my e-petition?
You can contact your academic adviser or any concerned course instructors and department chairs to explain, and possibly support, your case.
What happens to my e-petition after I submit it?
First, it goes to your registration adviser, then your academic adviser and from there to the department chair. Once the department chair has acted on your e-petition, it will be transferred to the relevant committee for consideration.
How can I track the stages and result of my e-petition?
You can track your e-petition online and you will be notified by email when a final decision is taken. There is no need to ask faculty or staff members if they acted on your e-petition.
How can I save the AUB Academic Transcript?
Find below a Step-By-Step procedure on how to save an academic transcript:
Undergraduates
I faced many difficulties in this semester. How can I delete my registration for the current semester?
You can submit the petition to “Delete Semester” only if you have faced a medical/personal or psychological difficulties (evidence should be provided). It is advisable that you reach out early on to your adviser and to the counseling center.
I have completed my minor, what should I do next?
Once you have completed all the courses towards the minor, you need to submit the “Completion of Minor” form. This should be submitted after the grades are out and before graduation (within the specified deadline).
I need to take more credits that the maximum limit. Or I need to take less than the allowed credits as I am graduating. What shall I do? How can I apply for an overload or an underload?
Use this petition type Overload/Underload:
In a regular semester, UG students can register for a minimum of 12 credits and a maximum of 18 credits (9 credits in the summer semester). If students want to go below 12 or over 18 credits (9 credits in the summer semester), their request must be approved by the respective Committee.
MPH students can register for a minimum of 5 credits and a maximum of 18 credits (or 12 credits for MS students). Any exception to the policy stated above require approval by the respective Committee.
Please make sure to select the proper type (Overload/Underload) so that it can be promptly directed to the appropriate committee.
What should I do if I have missed to add or remove a course during the drop and add period?
If you have missed to make necessary changes to your schedule during the drop and add period for technical or other reasons (personal or medical), you need to submit a Late Delete and/or a late Add petition. Note that in the case of late delete, the course will be deleted from your transcript.
How can I take courses towards a minor outside FHS?
If you are planning to take courses towards a minor outside the Faculty, you need to submit the “Intention to Fulfill a Minor form”. This request is applicable for minors outside FHS only.
Can I march the Commencement Ceremony if I haven’t graduated yet?
The Commencement Committee allows undergraduate students who have three credits or fewer remaining in their degrees to take these credits (or zero-credit internships) in the summer and to march in the spring commencement ceremony. If this applies to you, you need to fill the “Intention to March in the Commencement Ceremony” petition. These students do not graduate in spring and will be summer graduates.
How can I change my major within FHS?
If you want to change your major within FHS (for example from Environmental Health to Health Communication or Medical Lab), submit the petition “Change of Major within FHS” . This request should be submitted after the semester grades are issued, and within one week after the end of that semester.
How can I transfer credits for courses I completed at other institutions?
Use the “Course Equivalence” form. Credits alone may be transferred; grades are not transferable. This petition should be submitted after taking the course. The course syllabus and an official transcript from the university where the course was taken should be attached.
I took a semester off; how can I reactivate my files?
Use this request “Reactivation” to reactivate your file at least one month prior to the beginning of the semester or summer session to which readmission is sought.
Undergraduate students in good standing who withdraw voluntarily shall be granted readmission if the period between the end of the semester or session of withdrawal and the beginning of the semester or session for which readmission is sought is not more than four regular semesters.
Students who were on probation when they withdrew from the University or those who have left the University for more than two years, must have the approval of the Undergraduate Admissions Committee for readmission.
Students who were dropped from the faculty for poor academic performance by the Undergraduate Student Academic Affairs Committee and have spent one year at another University, must attach an official transcript of the last university attended. You must include a statement explaining your whereabouts and activity while on leave.
What should I do if I haven’t completed a course pre-requisite and need to take the course along with its pre-requisite or without it?
Submit the petition “Co/Pre-Requisite” if you are obliged to take a course along with its pre-requisite or without it to complete your degree on time. Check the course pre-requisites in the catalogue.
What should I do if I was sick or faced a major issue and missed (or will be missing) a final exam?
Use the “Incomplete Request” form to request an incomplete grade for a course if you have missed or will be missing its final exam or deadline for submission of the final paper. The request should be submitted before the date of the final exam/ deadline of the final paper, or within two weeks from that date. You will need to attach all supporting documents and justify the reason(s) behind your request. Make sure to discuss your request with the course instructor.
Examples of compelling justification include sickness (report from the infirmary needed), death of a relative or close person (document needed), accident (proof needed), serious personal problems where the student seeks counseling, personal situation (a mother of a new born child)….
How can I withdraw from a course after the withdrawal period or if I risk an underload?
Use the “Withdrawal” petition type if you have missed the deadline for withdrawal or if you need to withdraw from a course that will result in a course underload for medical or other reasons. Note that the course will appear as a “W” on your transcript.
Graduates
How can I change my area of concentration within the MPH program?
Use the petition “Change of Concentration”: Students may petition to transfer to another area of concentration. Petitions are reviewed in current and prospective departments considering student academic performance, justification for transfer, and implications on the quota. The final decision is made by the Graduate Studies Committee. Students cannot transfer to another concentration before the grades of the first semester of enrolment in the current concentration are released.
How can I withdraw from a course after the withdrawal period or if I risk an underload?
Late Withdrawal: Use this request if you have missed the deadline for withdrawal or if you need to withdraw from a course that will result in a course underload for medical or other reasons. Note that the course will appear as a “W” on your transcript.
How can I transfer from MPH to MS?
Use the petition “Change of Degree within FHS”: Students may petition to transfer to another degree offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences. Petitions are reviewed in current and prospective departments considering student academic performance, justification for transfer, and implications on the quota. The final decision is made by the Graduate Studies Committee. Students cannot transfer to another degree before the grades of the first semester of enrolment in the current degree are released.
How can I submit my thesis proposal?
Use this request “Thesis Proposal” to submit your thesis proposal. Select the various committee members. If member is from outside AUB, please attach the CV. Make sure to attach your thesis proposal.
How can I stop my studies without being considered withdrawn from the program?
Submit the Leave of Absence request: All graduate students are expected to make steady and satisfactory progress toward the completion of degrees. If you decided to stop your studies for personal reasons, you will have to apply for a leave of absence to secure approval of the department, Faculty/School Graduate Studies Committee, and Graduate Council. The leave of absence application can be up to one year at a time. The maximum period of approved leave of absence is for two years.
An approved leave of absence does not count towards maximum residency.
Non-enrollment by the student for one semester without securing leave of absence will count towards maximum residency.
Students who are not enrolled for a period of more than 12 months will be considered to have withdrawn from the program if they haven’t secured a leave of absence.
Students who seek to return without having secured leave of absence approval after non-enrolment period of 12 months must reapply and will be considered for readmission following regular AUB application/admission procedures. If re-admitted into the same graduate program, then their earlier status as graduate student will count towards maximum residency. The Leave of Absence Application Form should be submitted to the corresponding department/faculty at least one month prior to beginning of the semester in which absence is planned.
How can I ask to complete MPH practicum over 2 semesters?
You will need to discuss your case with the MPH practicum coordinator and provide justification for requesting to take the practicum over 2 terms. You need to submit the petition to “complete MPH practicum over 2 semesters” and attach a letter from your employer.
I have faced some obstacles and I can’t finish my degree within the required time? How can I extend my enrolment?
Submit the petition “Residency Extension”. All requirements for the Master’s degree must be completed within a period of four years after admission to graduate study. Students who need to extend their enrolment in the program should seek the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee. You must indicate the number of semesters needed, the course(s) remaining to complete, and you should explain the reason for the delay in completing the degree requirements.
