Academic Appeals

Graduate Department Academic Appeals Committee

Please find below the 2026-2027 Graduate Department Academic Appeals Committee (GDAAC) for the Department of Applied Psychology & Human Development.

You can access more information about the GDAAC process through the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Guidelines and the Guidelines for Chairs.

Departmental Student Success Coordinator

Dr. Laurie Faith

Counselling Psychology (CP) Program Chair

Dr. Olga Oulanova

Clinical and Counselling Psychology (CPP) Program Chair

Dr. Julie Goldenson

Child Study and Education (CSE) Program Chairs

Dr. Yiola Cleovoulou and Dr. Julie Comay

Developmental Psychology and Education (DPE) Program Chair

Dr. Patricia Ganea

School and Clinical Child Psychology (SCCP) Program Chair

Dr. Mark Wade

At the University of Toronto, graduate students may appeal substantive or procedural academic matters, including grades, evaluation of comprehensive examinations, and other academic program requirements. You can access more information about the GDAAC process through the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Guidelines and the Guidelines for Chairs.

As per SGS regulations, the appeals process at the Department of Applied Psychology & Human Development begins with informal communication and escalates to more formal processes.

Step 1: Attempt to resolve the issue with the course instructor (or other decision maker)

In the case of a dispute, students must first attempt to resolve the matter with the instructor or other person whose ruling is in question (the “decision maker”).

This discussion should take place as soon as possible.
When communicating with the decision maker, students should be clear about the rationale for disputing the decision/grade and any proposed remedy for resolving the matter.
Should the matter not be resolved with the decision maker, and should the student wish to pursue the matter, the student can proceed to Step 2.

STEP 2: Attempt to resolve the issue with the Program Chair

If the matter is not resolved with the course instructor (or other decision maker), students may escalate the issue by contacting their relevant Program Chair. This should take place within ten days after the last interaction with the course instructor (or other decision maker).

Students should follow these guidelines when communicating with the Program Chair about the issue:

Specify the rationale for disputing the decision or grade.
Provide any relevant evidence, including assignments, syllabi, or grading criteria.
Describe the outcome of the attempted resolution with the course instructor (or other decision maker).
Provide, with rationale, a suggested remedy for the matter.

STEP 3: Formal Appeal with the Department

If the above two steps are not enough to resolve the issue, the student may proceed with a formal written appeal to the Graduate Department Academic Appeals Committee (GDAAC) at the Department of Applied Psychology & Human Development. Committee members are listed above.

To initiate a formal appeal with the GDAAC:

Students must file a formal Notice of Appeal (see below) with the APHD Graduate Liaison Officer (Zirka Pyndiura) within eight weeks of the incident under appeal. Please speak to the Graduate Liaison Office for more information or refer to the Guidelines for Chairs.
Once a formal appeal has been filed with the Department, the GDAAC will proceed as per the SGS Academic Appeals Policy.
Using all evidence and documentation submitted, the GDAAC will deliberate and make a written recommendation to the Chair of the Department (Dr. Abby Goldstein) as to whether the instructor’s decision should be vacated, reversed, amended, or upheld. This recommendation will be sent in carbon copy (CC) to all parties to the appeal (including the student).
The Chair will then render a final decision and circulate it to all parties to the appeal and the SGS Vice Dean of Students.

GDAAC Notice of Appeal (PDF)

STEP 4: Formal Appeal with SGS

If the above three resolutions are not enough to solve the issue at hand, the student may proceed with a formal written appeal to the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Graduate Academic Appeals Board (GAAB) within 8 weeks of the decision of the Chair, in accordance with its guidelines and procedures.

A decision of the SGS Graduate Academic Appeals Board (GAAB) may subsequently be appealed by a student to the Governing Council's Academic Appeals Committee, in accordance with its guidelines and procedures. An appeal to this committee shall be commenced by filing a notice of appeal with its Secretary no later than 90 days after the date of the GAAB decision under appeal.

Questions

Questions regarding appeals can be directed to the APHD Graduate Liaison Officer, Zirka Pyndiura.