Opportunities for Credit

Degree-seeking students have opportunities to earn credits toward their degree program through testing, vertically related classes, and experiential learning.

Challenge by Exam

Degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students may challenge classes with permission from the instructor, department chair, and their academic dean.  A challenge consists of taking an exam, designed by the instructor, to demonstrate proficiency in the subject matter. Both lecture and lab classes can be challenged.  In order to earn credit, undergraduate students must earn a C or better on the exam and graduate students must earn a B or better on the exam. Application for Challenge is designated for a specific semester and must be completed within the established deadlines of that semester or it becomes null and void.

How to Challenge a Class:

1. Student completes the Challenge Application and obtains signatures from the instructor, department chair, and academic dean.
2. Student pays $35 application fee at the Cashiers window or by contacting Student Accounts at 208-885-7447 and submits their completed Challenge Application to the Registrar.
3. Registrar confirms eligibility for credit and notifies instructor to proceed with exam. Note: student cannot complete exam prior to notification of eligibility from Registrar.
4. Student and instructor make arrangements for exam. Note: exams cannot be given during the last two weeks of the semester.
5. Instructor reports exam grade to Registrar.
6. Registrar confirms sufficient grade and records class on student's transcript with a grade of Pass; GPA not affected.
7. Student's account charged $75 per course fee.

Application for Challenge is designated for a specific semester and must be completed within the established deadlines of that semester or it becomes null and void.

Vertical Credit

Degree-seeking students who complete a higher vertically related class at the University of Idaho with a grade of C or better, may apply for credit in the lower vertically related class(es) any time prior to graduation. Vertical credit cannot be based on transfer credit. Classes designated as vertically related appear in the Catalog Course Descriptions.

How to Apply for Vertical Credit:

1. Student completes the Vertical Credit Application.
2. Student pays $35 application fee at the Cashiers window or by contacting Student Accounts at 208-885-7447 and submits their completed Vertical Credit Application to the Registrar.
3. Registrar confirms eligibility for credit and records class(es) on student's transcript with a grade of Pass; GPA not affected.
4. Student's account charged $75 per course fee.

Students can apply for vertical credit any time during their enrollment prior to graduation. Vertical credit cannot be based on transfer credit.

Experiential Learning Credit

With the approval of an ad hoc committee consisting of representatives from the colleges and departments involved, an undergraduate may be awarded credit in a specific undergraduate-level course in recognition of university-level knowledge or competence acquired from work experiences, community and volunteer extension courses, and participation in informal courses and in-service training sponsored by associations, business, government, and industry. Requests for such credit must be approved by the student's departmental administrator and academic dean, and must be supported by such evidence as is needed to provide a sound basis for evaluating the student's achievements. Credits granted under this regulation are assigned a grade of P. Credit will be awarded at the undergraduate-level based on demonstrated learning outcomes within the subject, course, or programs offered by the University.

How to Petition for Experiential Credit:

1. Student complete the Experiential Learning Credit Application and obtains signatures of their advisor and academic dean.
2. Student pays $35 application fee at the Cashiers window or by contacting Student Accounts at 208-885-7447.
3. Student submits application and supporting documentation/portfolio to each academic department which credit is requested and arranges a time to retrieve the application and documentation after the department has sufficient time to review the request. The department chair's signature indicates support of a petition, but does not automatically grant approval.
4. After all departments have signed the application, student return the application and supporting documentation to the Registrar.
5. The Registrar will review the petition and supporting documentation, and the student will be notified of the decision.
6. Student's account charged $75 per course fee after credit is recorded on the transcript.

The applicability of experiential learning credit toward degree requirements will be determined by the department or division through which the degree is obtained.. Experiential learning credit is considered non-resident credit; students are limited to 30 non-resident credits toward a baccalaureate degree.