The American Council of Education (ACE) recommends college credit for certain PADI scuba diver and Emergency First Response (EFR) courses. ACE represents all colleges and universities before the U.S. federal government and as such is the unified voice of higher education. ACE evaluates educational courses according to established college-level criteria and recommends college credit for those that measure up to these standards.
The ACE credit recommendations for PADI and EFR courses may help you in receiving college credit at an America university or college - even if the courses aren't conducted on a university or college campus. Courses offered through PADI Dive Centers, Resorts and at other locations qualify.
TAKE A COURSE - USE THE CREDIT
A university or college may use the ACE credit recommendations in a variety of ways. The institution may apply the credit to your major replacing a required course. They may also use the credit as a general elective to possibly waive a prerequisite course.
COLLEGE CREDIT AT NO EXTRA CHARGE
Universities and colleges that accept ACE credit recommendations for PADI or EFR courses typically handle them like transfer credit. Transfer credit is often awarded without an additional fee. This may save you tuition fees while at the same time allowing you to possibly meet graduation requirements.
HOW MUCH COLLEGE CREDIT CAN I EARN?
ACE has set forth the following college credit recommendations for PADI and EFR courses:
| Course |
Hours |
Semester Credit Division* |
Instructional Area |
| Open Water Diver |
1 |
Lower |
Recreation/Physical Education |
| Advanced Open Water Diver |
1 |
Lower |
Recreation/Physical Education |
| Assistant Instructor |
1 |
Lower |
Recreation/Physical Education |
| Deep Diver Specialty |
1 |
Lower |
Recreation/Physical Education |
| Apprentice Tec |
1 |
Lower |
Recreation/Physical Education |
| Divemaster |
2 |
Lower |
Recreation/Physical Education |
| Rescue Diver |
1 |
Lower* |
Recreation/Physical Education |
| Night Diver Specialty |
1 |
Lower* |
Recreation/Physical Education |
| Dry Suit Diver Specialty |
1 |
Lower* |
Recreation/Physical Education |
| Search & Recovery Diver Specialty |
1 |
Lower* |
Recreation/Physical Education |
| Underwater Navigator Specialty |
1 |
Lower* |
Recreation/Physical Education |
| Underwater Photographer Specialty |
1 |
Lower* |
Recreation/Physical Education/Recreational study |
| Wreck Diver Specialty |
1 |
Lower* |
Recreation/Physical Education/Archeology |
| Enriched Air Diver Specialty |
1 |
Lower* |
Recreation/Physical Education |
| Instructor Development |
3 |
Upper/Lower** |
Recreation/Physical Education |
| Course Director Training |
3 |
Upper |
Recreation/Physical Education |
| Tec Deep |
1 |
Upper |
Recreation/Physical Education |
| DSAT Tec Trimix |
1 |
Upper |
Recreation/Physical Education |
| Emergency First Response Instructor Training Course |
1 |
Lower* |
Recreation/Physical Education |
* Lower - Typically Freshrnan I Sophomore Level, Upper - Typically Junior l Senior Level
** Upper Division-Courses completed between 5/94 and 9/00.
Lower Division-Courses completed after 9/00.
ORDERING AN OFFICIAL PADI TRANSCRIPT
To secure credit for a PADI or EFR course at a college or university, you need an official transcript as proof of course completion. Colleges and universities will not accept certification cards or wall certificates as proof of course completion. PADI will send your transcript directly to you or the college or university you are currently attending or planning to attend. It is recommended that you also order a transcript for your own records. To order an official transcript, complete the application and enclose the indicated processing fee. Applications can be obtained at www.padi.com or stop by C&J Divers Scuba 2000 and we'll give you one.
Note: Please contact your college or university before applying for credit to see if credit is accepted at the institution. Some institutions may not accept your scuba course simply because tuition was not paid to that institution..
