Policy Rationale
Vermont State University (VTSU) appreciates that students want to complete their coursework and degree(s) in a timely manner and, as such, honors the various educational and life experiences that may be equivalent to university-level learning. VTSU offers pathways for course substitutions , course waivers , portfolio courses for prior learning , and course challenges .
Policy
Course Substitution
Students may request approval for a course substitution, which would allow them to replace a VTSU credit-bearing course with another credit-bearing course that fulfills comparable learning outcomes. Course substitution requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Course Waiver
Students and/or faculty advisors in collaboration with students may request approval for a course waiver, which would remove the requirement for a specific VTSU course from the student’s plan of study. If approved, the course is waived and no credit is awarded. Course waiver requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Portfolio Courses for Prior Learning
Students have the opportunity to earn academic credit for demonstrated competency from prior learning and life experience by completing the Portfolio Courses offered by the Community College of Vermont (CCV). Academic credits awarded through the Portfolio Courses are officially designated on a Prior Learning Assessment transcript, which is evaluated by VTSU for applicability toward degree requirements. These transferred credits and course equivalencies may be used for Course Substitutions.
Course Challenge
Students have the opportunity to earn up to 12 credits toward their degree program(s) by successfully completing VTSU Course Challenges. Of these 12 credits, a maximum of 6 may be upper-level (3000- or 4000-level) credits. Students may not challenge courses they have previously enrolled in, audited, or failed. Depending on the program requirements, not all courses are eligible for credit by Course Challenge, and they require Department Chair and/or Dean approval. Academic credit will only be awarded upon successful completion of the assessment implemented by the instructor, which is designed to evaluate the student’s demonstration of the course’s learning outcomes. Awarded credits are ungraded credits on the VTSU transcript and are not calculated in Grade Point Averages (GPAs). Credits earned through course challenges do count toward the credits that must be earned at VTSU for degree conferral as described in the Degree Requirements & Participation in Commencement policy.
Procedures
For Course Substitution or Course Waiver:
- A student should first confer with their faculty academic advisor regarding a substitution or waiver.
- After the conversation, the faculty member submits a Request for Waiver or Substitution of Program Requirements Form on behalf of the student.
- The form is automatically routed to the relevant Department Chair or general education faculty (if applicable), and then the form is routed to the appropriate Dean of Schools for approval or denial. All approvals/denials occur within 10 business days.
- If approved, the form is routed to the Registrar for action. If not approved, the faculty academic advisor who initially submitted it is notified.
- Students are notified of the decision via their VTSU email.
For Portfolio Courses for Prior Learning:
- A student should first confer with their faculty academic advisor regarding the Portfolio course options offered by CCV.
- The student should attend an Informational Webinar offered by CCV (current offerings are available on the CCV Credit for What You Know website).
- The student should work with their faculty academic advisor and VSC Prior Learning Assessment office to register for the appropriate Portfolio course.
For Course Challenge:
- A student should first confer with their faculty academic advisor regarding the possibility of pursuing a course challenge.
- The faculty advisor assists the student in identifying a qualified faculty member who could administer the course challenge; this can be done in consultation with the Department Chair through which the course is offered.
- The student should meet with the identified faculty member to discuss the course challenge and present any documentation that supports the course challenge (e.g., evidence of on-the-job training, syllabus from an equivalent course, etc.).
- After the conversation, the identified faculty member submits a Course Challenge Form on behalf of the student.
- The form is automatically routed to the relevant Department Chair, and then the form is routed to the appropriate Dean of Schools for approval or denial. Approvals/denials occur within 10 business days.
- A course challenge must be completed within the semester in which it is approved.
- If a student wishes to appeal the outcome of a course challenge, they must submit the Academic Appeal and Complaint Form.
Responsibilities
Students:
- Initiate discussion with either advisor for substitution and exemption or with the Office of Prior Learning Assessment to petition for credits to be earned or waived.
- Students who have a significant amount of prior experiential learning should speak with their faculty advisor about their prior learning assessment options.
- Pay relevant fees
Faculty Academic Advisors:
- Fill out Request for Waiver or Substitution of Program Requirements Forms on behalf of students.
- Provide guidance for students interested in taking Portfolio classes through CCV to earn credit for prior learning.
- Assist students in identifying faculty members who can assess course challenges.
Faculty Members Assessing Course Challenges:
- Respond to inquiries from students and faculty advisors about possible course challenges in a timely fashion.
- Fill out Course Challenge Forms on behalf of students.
Department Chairs:
General Education Committee:
Deans of Schools:
Related Documents and Forms
Academic Appeal and Complain Form
Course Challenge [form completed by a faculty member assessing a course challenge)
Request for Waiver or Substitution of Program Requirements [form completed by faculty advisors]
Portfolio Courses: CCV Credit for What You Know
Related Policies
Academic Appeals & Complaints
Degree Requirements & Participation in Commencement
Transfer Credit & Other Forms of External Credit
Vermont State Colleges Policy 110 Course Challenge
Vermont State Colleges Policy 111 Academic Data Management
Date of Last Approved Revision: May 2025
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