Academic Credit

Outward Bound can help move your academic career forward.

As the oldest and leading provider of experiential education, high schools and universities across the globe recognize the value of an Outward Bound course.

How to Get Academic Credit

While the Voyageur Outward Bound School is not a degree-granting institution, like a university, we do offer credit-bearing courses through our accredited partners, Western State College of Colorado and Northland College. Additionally, some institutions award academic credit through independent study programs.

As with any external study program, the student's home university must approve their program and accompanying transfer credit before the student embarks on the course. See your academic advisor or register for your school's specific policy on transfer credit approval. Upon successful course completion, students receive an official transcript from one of our accredited partners so they may transfer the awarded credit to their university.

Click on our partner schools to review their policies and requirements for transfer credit.

Western State College of Colorado in Gunnison, CO

Northland College in Ashland, WI

If you are interested in receiving academic credit, review our Independent Study Guide for Academic Credit (ISG).

Please Note: Receiving Academic Credit/preparing an Independent Study requires additional study before, during and after the course. Students must be motivated and take initiative in order to receive academic credit.

Service Learning Credit

Many of our courses that are 14+ days long have a service project component that some schools accept as service learning credit. Prior to course start, ask your school counselor if your Outward Bound course will contribute to your service learning requirement. Finally, you must bring your school's required paperwork with you for your instructors to complete at course start.

AmeriCorps Awards

Use Your Education Award for Adventure

Did you know that you can use your AmeriCorps Education Award to pay for an Outward Bound wilderness expedition? You can! Thanks to Outward Bound’s partnership with Western State Colorado University, we can accept AmeriCorps Education Awards through their Extended Studies program and anyone can register – you do not have to be a current Western State Colorado University student. Registration is easy and takes only a few days to process. And, as a result, you will earn academic credit for your Outward Bound outdoor education course.

Embark on a one-week Outward Bound course to celebrate your AmeriCorps accomplishment or choose one of our longer semester or instructor courses to gain competency in outdoor skills, leadership and group facilitation and embark on a career in experiential education.

How to Use Your AmeriCorps Education Award and Receive Academic Credit

1. Consult with your Student Services course advisor about course options ranging from 7-85 days. Make your choice and register for that course.
2. Download, complete and sign the Western Colorado University Extended Studies registration form by visiting the Outward Bound Extended Studies page.
3. Once the registration is received, Extended Studies will verify your enrollment, tuition cost and payment status with the Outward Bound School.
4. Within two business days of your enrollment verification, Extended Studies will process your registration and send an email confirmation.
5. If you are using an Americorps award to pay for your course, carefully follow the instructions in the registration packet and arrange for payment at a minimum of 30 days before your course begins.
6. Once WCU receives your payment, they will retain the college credit portion, and send the Outward Bound tuition payment via check to our school.