RECEIVE COLLEGE CREDIT FOR PADI DIVER TRAINING COURSES
The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends college credit for certain PADI scuba diver courses. ACE represents all colleges and universities before the US 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 courses may help you in receiving college credit at an American 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 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 courses:
Course Title |
Semester Credit Hours |
Division* |
Credit Subject Areas |
| Open Water Diver | 1 | Lower | Physical Education or Recreation |
| Advanced Open Water Diver | 1 | Lower | Recreation or Physical Education |
| Rescue Diver | 1 | Lower | Rescue Techniques, Leisure Studies, Physical Education, or Advanced Diving Programs |
| Deep Diver | 1 | Lower | Recreation, Physical Education, Leisure Studies, Diving Physiology or Physics |
| Dry Suit Diver | 1 | Vocational | Diving Technology or Advanced Diving Techniques |
| Night Diver | 1 | Vocational | Physical Education or Recreation Studies |
| Search And Recovery Diver | 2 | Lower | Operational Risk Management or Physical Education |
| Underwater Navigator | 1 | Lower | Diving Science or Physical Education |
| Wreck Diver | 1 | Lower | Marine Archaeology or Physical Education |
| Divemaster | 3 | Lower | Recreation, Physical Education, or Leadership |
| Emergency First Response Instructor Training Course | 2 | Lower | Classroom Management or Emergency Medicine |
| Instructor Development Course | 3 | Upper | Classroom Management |
| 3 | Lower | Interpersonal Communications | |
| Tec 40 Diver | 1 | Lower | Physical Education or Advanced Diving Techniques |
| Tec 45 Diver | 1 | Lower | Diving Technology or Risk Management |
| Tec 50 Diver | 1 | Lower | Advanced Diving Technology |
| Tec Trimix Diver | 1 | Lower | Advanced Diving Technology |
| Rebreather Diver | 2 | Lower | Diving Technology or Scientific Diving |
| Advanced Rebreather Diver | 1 | Lower | Advanced Diving Technology, or Scientific Research Diving |
| Sidemount Diver | 1 | Vocational | Physical Education or Recreation Studies |
| Tec Sidemount Diver | 1 | Lower | Advanced Diving Techniques or Physical Education |
| Public Safety Diver | 2 | Lower | Operational Risk Management or Physical Education |
| Freediver | 1 | Lower | Physical Education or Diving Science |
| Advanced Freediver | 1 | Lower | Physical Education, Diving Science, or Leisure Studies |
| Master Freediver | 1 | Lower | Physical Education or Leisure Studies |
| Freediver Instructor | 2 | Lower | Classroom Management, Risk Management, or Advanced Diving Techniques |
ORDERING AN OFFICIAL PADI TRANSCRIPT
To secure credit for a PADI 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 on the reverse side and enclose the indicated processing fee. 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 PADI courses for credit.