Policy 1.8: Course Equivalency & Credit Substitution (Graduate Programs)

Applies to: CIPCT, DNP, Certs, PhD

I. Policy Statement

The School of Nursing (SoN) recognizes that students may enter graduate programs with prior graduate-level coursework that meets the learning outcomes of SoN required courses. Through a formal review process, prior coursework may be granted course equivalency (waiving the need to retake content) and, in some cases, credit substitution (applying credits toward the total degree requirement) in accordance with UW Graduate School policy.

Equivalency and substitution decisions maintain academic integrity, ensure alignment with program learning outcomes, and acknowledge prior learning while ensuring compliance with degree and accreditation requirements.

II. Definitions

Course Equivalency: Prior coursework satisfies the content and skill outcomes of a required core course. The requirement is waived, but no UW credit is granted unless also approved for substitution.
Course Substitution: Prior coursework is approved to count toward the total UW credits required for the degree or certificate, within Graduate School credit limits.
Gap Analysis: A structured review of a student’s previous coursework and experiences against required program content and outcomes to identify potential equivalencies and substitutions.
3Ps: Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan, Advanced Health Assessment, and Advanced Pharmacology.

III. Documentation & Submission Requirements

Students requesting course equivalency or credit substitution must provide:

Transcript showing course completion and grade.
Course syllabus, including course description, number of credits, objectives, and major assignments/deliverables.
A written justification from the student explaining how the prior coursework meets the required course objectives and outcomes.
DNP Students only: Completed gap analysis form.
DNP Students only (practice hours): Official verification with breakdown by type, setting, and total hours.
DNP Students only (3Ps): For courses requiring challenge exams or TOPE, proof of successful completion prior to final approval.

Timing of Submission:

Newly admitted students should submit requests before the May meeting of the relevant coordinating committee (prior to matriculation).
Late-admitted students will have requests reviewed at the start of the academic year.
Currently enrolled students must submit requests at least one quarter before a decision is needed about whether to take a core course (May for Autumn, October for Winter, January for Spring).
Students may submit multiple course equivalency requests at the same time.

IV. Program-Specific Requirements & Processes

Master’s Program (CIPCT)

Equivalency Review

If no supervisory committee is established:
- Student submits required documentation to faculty scheduled to next teach the course.
- Faculty provides written equivalency determination to M/PhDCC.
- M/PhDCC reviews materials and consults with the student’s academic adviser, then makes a determination (votes).
- M/PhDCC Chair notifies the student.
- Graduate program adviser files the final committee decision in the student’s official record.
If supervisory committee is established:
- Same initial faculty review as above.
- Faculty’s justification is reviewed by the supervisory committee.
- Supervisory committee chair notifies the M/PhDCC chair in writing, indicating whether the course fulfills a core course requirement.
- M/PhDCC discusses supervisory committee determination.
- Committee consults adviser, notifies student, and files decision in student record.

Transfer Credit

Petition to Graduate School required.
Maximum 6 quarter credits from another institution may be applied to the degree.
Credits cannot have been used for another degree and cannot reduce 18/18 graded and 500+ level credit minimums.

DNP & GCPAPN

Initial Gap Analysis

Student initiates the request to their Specialty Director (SD). The SD conducts the initial gap analysis by reviewing the student’s materials and the SoN list of prior approved courses. The initial gap analysis identifies courses that may be eligible for equivalency and/or credit substitution, in accordance with UW Graduate School limits and School of Nursing requirements.

Special Considerations

Clinical Coursework & Hours:
- DNP students must complete 1,000 clinically relevant practice hours.
- Clinical hours completed as part of another advanced nursing practice degree may be counted toward this requirement.
- Credits earned may be counted toward the total DNP credit requirement, subject to Graduate School limits above.
3P Core Courses:
- Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (NURS 557)
  - Prior standalone graduate course at an accredited institution,
  - Completed within five years of matriculation,
  - Waiver possible for licensed, practicing ARNPs/APRNs with a qualifying advanced physiology/pathophysiology course covering general principles across the lifespan.
- Advanced Health Assessment (NCLIN 500)
  - Prior standalone course at an accredited university plus successful completion of:
  - Written challenge exam (≥ 75%).
  - Timed Observed Physical Exam (TOPE) in the UW SoN Simulation Center.
  - Waiver of course (and challenge exam and TOPE) possible for licensed, practicing ARNPs/APRNs with a qualifying advanced health assessment course covering all systems and advanced techniques.
- Advanced Pharmacology (PHARM 514)
  - Prior standalone 3+ credit graduate course.
  - Written challenge exam (≥ 75%).
  - Waiver of course (and challenge exam) possible for licensed, practicing ARNPs/APRNs with a qualifying advanced pharmacology course covering pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics across all major drug classes.

Submission

Student assembles required documentation.
The student & SD complete the Gap Analysis Form.
SD uploads the materials to the secure Gap Analysis folder and emails the Graduate Program Adviser (GPA) for review (dnpadv@uw.edu).

Graduate Program Adviser Review

The GPA reviews all submitted materials for completeness and compliance with Graduate School policy. The GPA prepares a review report for the DNP Coordinating Committee (DNPCC) Chair.

DNPCC Review and Decision

The DNPCC Chair places the gap analysis review on the agenda under the executive session for discussion.
The DNPCC Chair reviews the request and the GPA’s report.
- For any course previously deemed not equivalent, the DNPCC Chair denies the request.
- The DNPCC Chair seeks a recommendation from the faculty currently teaching the course on the extent of equivalency.
- The DNPCC Chair offers a preliminary decision based on review of the materials and input from course faculty.
The DNPCC Chair communicates the preliminary decision and any course faculty input to the Committee for review.
At the DNPCC executive session, the Chair reports denied requests, and the Committee makes a determination (votes) on all remaining requests.

Decision Communication

If the DNPCC does not accept previous coursework as equivalent, the Chair sends a brief written rationale by email to the Specialty Director, with a copy to the GPA.
If the DNPCC accepts previous coursework as equivalent, the Chair notifies the Specialty Director by email, with a copy to the GPA, and includes:
- Required “risk” language to the student regarding equivalency.
- If applicable, language related to Graduate School requirements for waiving credits when coursework is deemed substitutable.
The Specialty Director forwards the decision to the student and collaborates with them on coursework planning.

Record Keeping and Updates

The GPA files the written decision in the student’s academic file and updates the gap analysis to reflect only courses deemed equivalent and/or substitutable.
For courses requiring a challenge exam, the exam must be successfully completed before the DNPCC issues a final determination.

Transfer Credit

In alignment with UW Graduate School Policy 1.1.5.1:

A maximum of 10 quarter credits of graduate-level coursework from another recognized institution may be transferred and applied toward the DNP degree.
No more than 12 credits from any combination of Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) and transfer credits may be applied toward total degree requirements.
No more than 30 credits from any combination of GNM, transfer, and substituted credits may be applied toward the DNP degree.
Coursework completed more than 10 years prior may require petition to the Graduate School.

PhD

Without Supervisory Committee:

Student works with Faculty Academic Adviser to prepare request.
Student submits the request to GPA (phdadv@uw.edu) and PhD Coordinating Committee (PhDCC) Chair.
GPA reviews for Graduate School compliance.
M/PhDCC consults with student’s GPA and makes a determination (votes) on the request.
M/PhDCC Chair notifies the student of the committee decision with a cc to the GPA (phdadv@uw.edu). If the committee denies equivalency, the Chair provides a brief rationale.
The GPA files a copy of the decision in the student’s file.

With Supervisory Committee:

Same process as above except the student submits the request to their supervisory committee chair.
Supervisory committee reviews and makes a determination.
Supervisory committee chair notifies M/PhDCC chair of decision.
M/PhDCC discusses supervisory committee decision and makes a determination (votes) whether to approve or deny the request.
M/PhDCC Chair notifies the student of the supervisory committee decision with a cc to the GPA (phdadv@uw.edu).
The GPA files a copy of the decision in the student’s file.

Transfer credit

Equivalency does not reduce total required credits; it only satisfies specific course requirements.

Maximum 30 credits may be substituted from a prior relevant master’s or doctoral degree (with program and Graduate School approval).
No other transfer credits permitted.

For all programs

Coursework older than 10 years may require a petition and documentation of currency.
All culminating experiences (e.g., DNP Project, dissertation, capstone) must be completed at the University of Washington.

V. Decision Authority and Appeals

Graduate Program Adviser (GPA): Reviews requests for completeness and Graduate School compliance before committee review.
DNP & GCPAPN student requests: DNPCC decides.
Masters & PhD student requests: M/PhDCC decides, with possible PhD supervisory committee recommendation (if applicable).
Appeals: Students may request a meeting with the Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs (sonadaa@uw.edu), who will review the process for procedural compliance. If concerns are identified, the ADAA may remand the matter to the relevant committee for reconsideration but does not have authority to overturn the committee’s decision.

VI. Roles and Responsibilities Summary

Task	Student	Course Faculty	GPA	Coordinating Committee	ADAA
Prepare and submit documentation	R/A		I	I
Review submitted materials for completeness/compliance	I		R/A	I
Review course content for equivalency		C	I	R/A
Committee review and decision			I	R/A
Communicate decision to student	I		I	R/A (CC Chair)
Update academic file and gap analysis			R	I
Oversee appeal process	I			R	A

RACI Legend:

R = Responsible: Performs the task
A = Accountable: Ultimately answerable
C = Consulted: Provides input
I = Informed: Kept up to date

Related Policies & References

Last updated: September 2025