Earn college credit for your NOLS Expedition course
Turn the leadership, environmental studies, risk management, and outdoor skills you learn at NOLS into academic credit toward your degree.
How to apply
Pick an option for earning credit
1
Direct credit from your school
If your college or university already has a credit relationship with NOLS, you may be able to arrange credit directly. Check the school relationships document(opens in new tab) and talk to your academic advisor to see if this is a viable option for you.
2
Credit from University of Utah
Register for credit directly with the University of Utah, complete your wilderness medicine course as scheduled, and the credit is recorded on an official university transcript and transferred to your school.
3
Credit from Western Colorado University
Earn credits from Western Colorado University and transfer them to your college. This is the best option if you're planning to use AmeriCorps or 529 funds(opens in new tab).
Direct credit from your school
If your school already has a relationship with NOLS, apply for your course on the website, and choose your college in the list of institutions in the “Academic Credit” section of the dashboard. If your school is open to forming a new relationship with NOLS, speak with your advisor and our University relations coordinator for the best way to get your credit.
During your course, build your interests into your course goals! Talk with your instructors on any particular skills or knowledge you feel you’ll need to learn and demonstrate to get the most out of your academic credit.
After your course, speak with your advisor on what the school needs to see from you or NOLS to qualify for academic credit.
Univeristy of Utah credit
Apply for your course through the NOLS website. Choose University of Utah in the list of institutions in the “Academic Credit” section of your student portal. Choose the credits you wish to receive and pay for them at least 10 days prior to the start of your course. The cost per credit hour is $160. The optional college credit fees are in addition to the course tuition. Registration is not possible after your course has started.
Some courses are eligible for graduate credit. For more detail refer to the University of Utah Credit Information Document(opens in new tab).
During your course, build your interests into your course goals! Talk with your instructors about any particular skills or knowledge you feel you’ll need to learn and demonstrate to get the most out of your academic credit.
After your course, you need to have University of Utah submit a transcript to your school. To receive an official transcript, or have one sent to your school, call the registrar’s office at 801-581-5808 to get your university ID number, then order your transcript(opens in new tab). Transcripts are not available until after the close of the term in which your course occurs. Please refer to the chart below.
| NOLS Course Start Date | Transcript Availability |
|---|---|
| December 29 – March 31 | July 1st |
| April 1 – August 15 | September 30th |
| August 16 – December 28 | February 10th |
Wester Colorado University credit
Registration with Western must be completed no less than 30 calendar days before the course start to allow for processing time and course space availability. Apply for your course on the NOLS website, then request and complete the Western Colorado University NOLS Expedition Registration Packet(opens in new tab) and send it to Western according to the packet directions. Credits with Western Colorado University cost $180 per credit earned.
During your course, build your interests into your course goals! Talk with your instructors about any particular skills or knowledge you feel you’ll need to learn and demonstrate to get the most out of your academic credit.
Three weeks after your course is completed, you’ll need to submit the assignment described in the Western email for final grading, along with your NOLS Instructor Review to [email protected]. Once your assignment has been graded, the grade will be added to your academic record. Please reach out to Western for confirmation of your grade being posted.
Set up credit before you head to the field
Credit is easiest to arrange before your course starts. Explore NOLS courses or reach out with questions about earning academic credit.
