Academic departments at IUS, on a case-by-case basis, may grant students course credit based on demonstration of proficiency in a particular discipline. A personal skill, talent, job experience, or other experiential based proficiency may be considered in the evaluation process.

Each department establishes the appropriate academic standards and methods of evaluation. In general, students may be required to sit for an exam, complete an assignment, audition, or provide a portfolio to establish their level of skill. Some departments also may require that a student take additional, typically more advanced, courses in the discipline before awarding the introductory or lower level credit.

In other cases, instead of processing as special credit, the department may simply waive the requirement that the student take that specific course. However, overall degree requirements (total hours) remain, and students complete another course in order to satisfy the overall requirements. For more information, contact your school advisor.

Departments generally grade the work "S" for Satisfactory or choose not to award special credit. In exceptional circumstances, an "A" may be awarded if it is deemed outstanding.

If special credit is to be awarded, a Special Credit form is completed by the department awarding the credit. The department will forward the form to the Bursar's Office. The credit is posted to the student's academic record by the Registrar's Office only after the recording fee is paid, and the Special Credit form is forwarded to the Office of the Registrar for recording. Check OneStart to verify the posting of the grade.

Special Credit appears on the transcript for the semester it was awarded. The heading "Indiana University Special Credit" accompanies the course information and grade.

Unprocessed Special Credit forms expire one month from the date of issue.