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Faculty Handbook

Credit by Examination

General Policy

According to University Senate Rule 05.26, Credit by Examination, in exceptional cases only a matriculated student may gain credit for an undergraduate course listed in the current catalog by successfully completing an examination on the material covered by the course. The student must present evidence that he/she has had special study, training, or experience outside the University in the area of the course concerned, but may not use prior coursework as a basis for taking an examination.

If the student fails his/her first attempt, he/she may petition the appropriate Dean's Office to try the examination a second time. A second attempt cannot be made until the student is able to convince the course instructor and college dean that the second attempt could be successful. If permission is granted to attempt the exam again, the student must repeat the procedures below, fill out a new petition form, obtain the appropriate signatures, and pay the fees again. If the student fails to achieve the minimum grade of "C" after two attempts, he/she must enroll in the course if the course is required in his/her particular program or curriculum.

The maximum credits a student may earn through Credit by Examination should not exceed 25% of the total necessary for graduation. Students in the RN program have been granted a waiver to take up to 40 credits.

Procedures

  1. Candidates for Credit by Examination must apply to the Dean of their college.

  2. After consulting with the appropriate department chairperson, the Dean may indicate consent for the student to challenge the course.

  3. The student must obtain the signatures on the Credit by Examination petition of the following persons in the order listed (petition is available from the Dean's Office):

    1. Instructor who will administer the exam

    2. Student's major advisor

    3. Student's College Dean

  4. The student will take the signed Credit by Examination petition to the Business Office and pay the fee of $132.00 per credit hour for each course challenged.

    1. The Credit by Examination petition will be signed by the Business Office when payment is received.

    2. If Business Office clearance can be given immediately, the student may return the Credit by Examination petition to the instructor who will retain it until the exam has been graded.

    3. If Business Office clearance cannot be given immediately, the Credit by Examination petition will be mailed to the instructor by the Business Office.

  5. The student will take the examination at a time mutually convenient to the instructor and him/herself.

    • If the student receives a grade of "C-" or lower, no notation will be recorded on his/her academic record and no refund will be made.

      1. The instructor should note on the petition that no credit was awarded and

      2. Return the petition to the student's College Dean.

    • If the student receives a grade of "C" or better, credit for the examination will be placed on his/her academic record.

      1. The instructor should record the grade of "CR" in the grade block on the Credit by Examination petition.

      2. Sign his/her name in the block beside the grade, and

      3. Forward the completed petition to the Recorder/Assistant Registrar in the Registrar's Office.

Rev. 9/02