Due to Covid-19, Athabasca University has temporarily changed some student processes. Please refer to the Covid Q&A page for any updates and current steps that may be different from our regular practices.
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you are proficient in the subject matter of a specific AU course without having to complete the entire course. Using a predetermined process, this option allows you to challenge courses based on your knowledge of the course content. Not all courses are available for challenge—the course syllabus states whether a course is available for challenge or not and will list the evaluation criteria for the challenge.
Courses are available for challenge unless they are granted non-challenge status. Non challenge status is granted by the Provost and Vice President, Academic (or designate) upon recommendation from the appropriate faculty member and confirmation from the appropriate Dean. The course syllabus indicates whether or not a course is available for challenge.
Not all post-secondary institutions recognize the challenge for credit process. If you are a visiting student, find out first whether your home institution will accept credit obtained by challenge prior to registration.
Commencing on January 1, 2012 and later (term 201201), any courses taken via the challenge for credit process will not meet AU residency requirements.
Some important facts regarding challenging a course:
Challenge for Credit assessment may include any one or combination of the following:
Assessment instructions designed for challenge for credit processes may be, where appropriate:
Students registering for challenge for credit will have access to hard copy course materials, limited to textbooks and readings, available for purchase at full cost. Challenge students will receive no tutor or faculty member support. Any fees assessed for course materials are not refundable.
Students may purchase the associated print course materials, limited to bound textbooks and print readings as follows:
Note: Students will not be provided access to the online individualized course site, the student manual, eTextbooks, or course study guide for a course taken via the challenge for credit process. If an eTextbook is offered for the course and the student wants it, the eText must be purchased from the publisher or a third-party vendor.
Students may not request to challenge AU courses:
Courses that are closed to registration are also considered closed for challenge for credit.
Determine that the course is available for challenge and the method of evaluation by checking the course syllabus. Determine if you will be purchasing the related textbook and readings, and what the cost of these items will be for the course(s) you are interested in challenging by contacting AU’s Materials Management Unit at 1-800-788-9041, extension 6366, or via email at cmat@athabascau.ca.
You must receive permission to challenge the course. Check with the appropriate faculty member or designate to ensure you have completed the prerequisites, discuss your level of skill and knowledge required for the course, and secure their approval in writing, by email or letter. Faculty contact information may be found online.
If you haven’t done so already, complete and submit the Undergraduate General Application Form accompanied by the appropriate fee.
Complete and submit the Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Registration Form accompanied by the appropriate fee. You must register for the challenge and receive permission to challenge before the tenth day of the month in order to start your challenge on the first day of the following month. The Office of the Registrar will process a completed Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Registration Form received by 4:30 p.m. MT on the tenth day of the month. Remember to consider postal, courier, and processing times when a particular start date is desired.
For challenges that require the completion of an exam, students must request the exam within the guidelines for making individualized study course examination requests. No supplemental exams are permitted.
The decision of the faculty member, or designate, to grant or withhold permission to challenge a course for credit is final.
All appeals to challenge for credit must be made to the Appeals Officer by using the Office of the Registrar Online Appeals Form. If the Student Appeals Officer has received an appeal in error, it will be redirected accordingly. All decisions will be communicated in writing to the Appellant.
The Appeals Officer has final decision making authority on all appeals.
Information effective Sept. 1, 2020 to Aug. 31, 2021.
Updated April 08 2021 by laurab
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