CREDIT BY EXAMINATION

Effective: August 15, 2024

Purpose: To outline the requirements for individuals to earn credit for courses by examination.

Scope: This policy applies to the University campus wide.

Responsible Office: Academic Affairs

Policy Statement: The purpose of credit by examination is to allow an exceptional student to design a college curriculum that better suits a student’s needs. By allowing a student to obtain credit for previously acquired knowledge, the University provides a mechanism by which a student can either decrease the time needed to complete a degree or provide time for additional courses, perhaps to complete a second major. To this end, an enrolled student or a prospective student who subsequently enrolls shall be permitted to earn University credits or advanced standing beyond entry-level courses by examination.

The examination credit may be used in one of two ways:

• The credit may be used to complete the requirements for a degree in a shorter period in that it shall count toward the total number of hours needed for graduation. This credit is “acceleration credit.”
• The credit may be used to enrich the student’s college program by allowing time for more advanced courses or for courses in additional areas in that it can be used to meet specific course requirements but cannot be counted towards the hours needed for graduation. This credit is “enrichment credit.”

The student shall state at the time of the test or upon enrollment in the University, whichever occurs last, whether they wish acceleration credit or enrichment credit. No more than fifteen (15) hours of acceleration credit shall be allowed on a student’s transcript, however, a student can have an unlimited number of hours of enrichment credit. The grade of P shall be used to indicate courses completed by examination.

Academic Unit Examinations

Each academic unit within the University may offer credit by an examination developed by an academic unit. Each academic unit writes the examinations, schedules the examinations, proctors the examinations, grades the examinations, and determines passing scores. A prospective student or a regularly enrolled student may, because of maturity, wide reading, courses taken at non-accredited colleges or other off-campus preparation, elect to take the examination. Credit by examination cannot be granted after the student has completed a course that duplicates the course sought or has completed courses that may be considered in advance of the course requested.

Externally Administered Examinations

In addition to such examinations, academic units may elect to award credit based upon any of several externally developed and administered tests, such as those offered by the American College Testing Service (ACT), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB).

Instructional Base

Credit earned through externally developed and administered tests, such as CLEP, or as retroactive credit shall not be included in the computation of the instructional base of the department. One-half (1/2) of the credit hours earned through campus-developed and administered tests may be included in the instructional base.

Office of the Registrar

The Office of the Registrar shall maintain a list of courses for which credit by examination is possible. Each academic unit within the University shall notify the Office of the Registrar whenever any courses are deleted or added to the list, or when acceptable scores for receiving credit from externally developed tests change. In addition, the Office of the Registrar shall aid in the process of awarding credit by examination by registering students for the examinations.

Definitions: All words and phrases shall be interpreted utilizing their plain meanings unless otherwise defined in another University or Board of Regents policy or by statute or regulation.

Procedures: All procedures linked and related to the policies above shall have the full force and effect of policy if said procedures have first been properly approved by the University’s administrator in charge of Academic Affairs.

[Academic Affairs procedures - coming soon]

Related Policy Information: [coming soon]