Overview
The Challenge for Credit option allows students
to demonstrate by a predetermined process that they are proficient
in the subject matter of a specific Athabasca University course without
having to complete the entire course. This option
is intended for students who are ready to challenge a course based
on their previous work experience, life experience, or community service,
for example.
Challenge courses have specific regulations noted below.
Before You Register
Not all post-secondary institutions recognize the challenge for credit process. If you plan to use the challenge course for transfer credit elsewhere, find out before you register in the AU course, whether your home institution will accept the credit obtained through the challenge process.
Before you consider this option, and to help you determine your subject-matter knowledge
of the course, review
the online course
syllabus.
Consultation with the Athabasca University course professor is
required before registration for challenge
is allowed. A process determined by Athabasca University's course
professorwhich may include the submission of assignments,
reports, projects, or written exams will evaluate your
knowledge and skills. Email examunit@athabascau.ca
to obtain the specific course coordinator's email address and phone
number.
Ready to Register?
If you haven't done so already, complete and submit the Undergraduate General Application Form before you proceed with the Challenge for Credit (CCR) registration. Students who choose to proceed with the CCR,
must complete and submit the Challenge for Credit Registration Form
available from the Office
of the Registrar, or the forms Web
site, accompanied by the non-refundable fee.
You are allowed only one registration in each challenge for credit course. Re-registrations, for any reasons, are not permitted.
Challenge Learning Resources
Students have the option of purchasing the course's learning resources
when they register (review Challenge
for Credit Fees). Once registered, students may complete and
submit the required assignments, reports, projects, or written exams
within a predetermined time period. Depending on your geographic location, please allow approximately three
weeks or more for the processing
of your registration and delivery of your learning resources.
Challenge Exams
When the Challenge for Credit process involves an invigilated
exam, the majority of general exam regulations apply, and the exam is written under the normal conditions for writing
exams at Athabasca University described in Section 7 Evaluation.
Except for the Supplemental Exams and Unwritten Exams options, which are not applicable to challenge exams, all other general exam regulations apply.
Challenge for Credit exams are completed at an Athabasca University-approved
exam
invigilation centre. Students should consult their invigilator
and inform the Office of the Registrar of the date they wish to
write before they complete and submit their Examination Request
Form, available in their learning resources package or online.
Most students must write their challenge exam within three months
of registering in the challenge course. Students are allowed one
attempt to write a challenge exam. Supplemental exam options do
not apply to challenge courses. If the challenge exam is failed,
it cannot be written again. An unwritten challenge exam will not
be reissued.
All Challenge for Credit grade appeals are subject to an appeals
process described in Athabasca University's Student
Code of Conduct and Right to Appeal Regulations available also
in brochure format.
Failing a Challenge Exam
If you fail your challenge for credit course exam, you may not challenge that course again.
You are permitted only one registration in each challenge for credit course.
In order to receive credit, you must register in and successfully complete the course by the traditional method. Students who fail to complete the challenge course will be assigned a system failure and their official record will indicate an "F."
Courses
Unavailable for Challenge
The Challenge for Credit option is available for existing Athabasca
University course offerings only. Some courses at Athabasca University
are not available for challenge. The online
course syllabus will indicate
whether the challenge option is available. The Office of the Registrar
also maintains a list
of courses that are unavailable
for challenge.
The following Athabasca University courses may not be challenged:
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laboratory or practicum courses.
Failing an Individualized Study Course
Students who fail a course (or an equivalent course) taken by the traditional individualized study method may
not challenge that course without the written permission of the course
professor. This permission will be given only if students can document
significant learning after the unsuccessful attempt at completing the course.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites for a challenge course must be satisfied unless the course professor waives
them. After completing a course successfully, students may not challenge
a prerequisite to that course. Cancellation or failure to complete
all components of the challenge evaluation will result in a failing
grade.
Withdrawal/Cancellation
Students who register in an individualized study or grouped study
course and discover they are familiar enough with the material to
challenge it must first withdraw from the course and then request
to challenge it. Students will be required to pay an additional
Challenge for Credit fee.
Students can also withdraw from a Challenge course, provided the
withdrawal form is received by the University within the first 30
days of the Challenge course contract period. (See Refunds below.)
Refunds/Returns of Learning Resources Package
Students will receive a refund of their learning resources fee
if they return the entire learning resources package completely
unmarked and undamaged within 30 calendar days of writing the challenge
exam or completing the challenge project. If the learning resources
and timeframe criteria are not met students will not be entitled
to a refund.
If materials are returned damaged, missing, or contain CDs that have been opened from their original packaging, a refund will NOT be issued. The materials will remain the property of the University and will not be returned to the student. |