Course Validation

capolo13

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2009
Messages
72
Hello all,

I'm going to be attending prep school for the CGA next year, and I was wondering how validation works. IF all goes well, which can never be counted on, I should be able to validate Calculus I and II, most likely Physics, and possibly Chemistry. How does this effect the schedule for your 4/c year, and the rest of your academic career? Do they simply slide you up to 3/c classes, or make you take other classes that your peers might not have to take? Or when you reach 2/c or 1/c, do you have more room for additional classes of your choice, or time for leadership responsibilities??

thank you!
 
You might find the USCGA Cadet Handbook of interest. Here's a link to the Class of 2013 version:
http://www.uscgaparents.org/pdfs/CadetHandbook.pdf

The section on course validation talks mostly about how the validation decision is made; for classes such as English or calculus, you must pass a USCGA exam, while other classes may be validated based upon passing grades in HS AP or college classes (shown on an official transcript), depending on the policy of the academic department.

The only statement in the USCGA handbook that addresses your question is the following: "Validation gives you the opportunity to enroll in additional elective courses that will enrich your undergraduate education."

I'm a USNA mom, not a USCGA mom, so things may be a bit different, but at USNA, Midshipmen who validate one or more courses will usually take the next course in a sequence. That is, those who validate Calculus I take Calculus II (or Calc III, or beyond, depending on how many semesters they validate) during their first semester. In the long run, validating a number of classes can have some impact on your course load, but (at USNA) you must still carry a minimum of 15 semester hours. Those Mids who validate a lot of courses may take graduate courses during their later years at a nearby university, or they may make up credit hours doing undergraduate research in their major field.
 
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