Course Revalidation

Course work used in graduate degree programs must have been taken recently, or it must be revalidated. Revalidation is a process whereby a student demonstrates current knowledge of course material that was not taken recently. For all graduate degree programs, course work over seven years old must be revalidated. For master's programs, the seven years is counted back from the completion of program course work. For specialist programs the seven years is counted back from the date of approval of the student's program of studies. For doctoral students, the seven years is counted back from the date of passing the oral qualifying examination. Courses over 20 years old may not be used in graduate programs.

The revalidation of coursework is made by an Indiana University faculty member responsible for teaching the type of course that is being revalidated. The revalidating faculty member must be personally convinced, based upon present evidence, that the student has current mastery of basic course concepts and principles. If the course instructor is not available, a faculty member in the same program specialization area may be substituted. Permission to use a part-time faculty member or a faculty member at another university for course revalidation must be secured from the director of Associate Dean for Graduate Studies at Bloomington or the director student services at Indianapolis.

Faculty may use one of several methods for revalidating courses:

1. The student successfully completes an examination specifically covering the material taught in the course (such as a course final examination).
2. The student successfully completes a more advanced course in the same subject area, taken more recently (within seven years).
3. The student successfully completes a comprehensive examination (e.g., a doctoral qualifying examination) in which the student demonstrates substantial knowledge of the content of the course. (Ph.D. students may revalidate only two courses by this method.)
4. The student teaches a comparable course.
5. The student publishes scholarly research that demonstrates substantial knowledge of the course content and understanding of fundamental principles taught in the course.
6. The student presents evidence of extensive professional experience that requires the application of material taught in the course. (This method may not be used in Ph.D. programs.)

To obtain a course revalidation form:

• Download Course Revalidation Form

Old courses must be revalidated individually. Departments have the right to limit the amount of old course work to be included in graduate programs. For example, if a student earned an M.S. or Ed.S. degree 15 years ago, the department may choose to accept only 15 or 24 credit hours of revalidated course work in a current doctoral program.