Rocky Top Climb

Earned Admission for Online Undergraduate Programs

Rocky Top Climb is designed to help adult learners earn admission to Vols Online, regardless of their academic background. This University of Tennessee, Knoxville, program is for those who do not meet the standard admission requirements for a UT online degree program. You complete four Vols Online courses, meet established academic benchmarks, and earn guaranteed admission to a noncompetitive online degree program.

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Who It’s For

Rocky Top Climb is an invitation-only pathway offered to applicants who are not eligible for direct admission to a noncompetitive UT online degree program.

*Readmits and applicants to competitive programs (Nursing and Social Work) are NOT eligible for Rocky Top Climb. International students may enroll, but F-1/J-1 visa sponsorship is not available.

No prior college experience (must be at least one year out of high school)

Some college credit but not enough hours for direct admission

Prior college credit with a GPA below the standard admission threshold

Adult learners returning to education seeking an alternative pathway

How It Works

Complete four online courses (12 credit hours) and meet the following benchmarks:

No grade below a C in any course (as many retakes as needed are allowed)
Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher

Courses are asynchronous and taught by UT faculty. Fall and Spring sessions run 13 weeks; Summer sessions run 9 weeks. Retakes are allowed, except for courses in which you already earned an A.

Courses Available:

English Composition

Math/Quantitative Reasoning (e.g., College Algebra, Personal Finance)

Introductory Social Sciences (e.g., Psychology, Sociology)

How to Enter Rocky Top Climb

Apply to UT

Apply for the undergraduate online degree program you’re interested in pursuing.

Receive Your Offer

If you’re not eligible for direct admission, you may receive a Rocky Top Climb offer. No separate application is required.

Accept Invitation

Register for Courses

Once your registration window opens, choose and register for your online courses.

Completing the Pathway

Once you’ve completed your RTC requirements, work with your coach to complete your enrollment in one of the noncompetitive online degree programs.

Credits are posted to your academic record and will apply toward your degree or transfer to another institution.

RTC Program Cost:

Non-Refundable Registration Fee ($25 per course) – $100

Credit Conversion Fee ($400 per course) – $1,600

Total (This number can vary depending on retakes) – $1,700*

Credit conversion ($1,600 total for all four courses) is required for admission and must be completed all at once, after finishing all 12 hours with a qualifying GPA. You have one year after completing coursework to convert. Rocky Top Climb courses are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Rocky Top Climb FAQs

No. Rocky Top Climb accepts applicants with no college credit, non-qualifying credit, or credit with a below-threshold GPA.

RTC courses don’t qualify for federal financial aid, but each course costs just $25. That lower cost can help you start earning college credit without taking on loans or debt. After you pass, you have up to one year to add the credit to your UT transcript for $400 per course. Once you’re admitted to the university, you may qualify for financial aid. To be considered as soon as you meet the minimum credit requirement, apply early.

You take all (four) or as few as you want.

Yes. Completion of Rocky Top Climb guarantees admission to any non-competitive online program.

You must accept your offer to Rocky Top Climb by the confirmation deadline, or you will need to reapply for a future term.

No. You are a non-degree participant with a UTK email address. Standard student resources are not available until you are admitted as a degree-seeking student.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Your assigned enrollment coach can guide you through the process, costs, and timeline.

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