University of Delaware
Policy Guide for Department Chairs and Academic Program Directors

 
Credit by Examination

Overview
The University of Delaware provides to all currently matriculated students or registered Continuing Education non-degree students opportunities to obtain college credit by examination. The intent of the University's credit by examination policy is to provide students who have acquired competence through special learning situations, such as professional experience or independent study, with the opportunity to demonstrate their competence. Credit by examination cannot be used when a student has previously enrolled in the University of Delaware course. It is not intended to allow students to take an examination on the chance that they might pass it and thus earn credits toward graduation. A student may register only once for a particular examination under this program. Questions regarding specific courses that allow credit by examination should be directed to the appropriate department chairperson, dean, or director. 

Procedure
The procedure for credit by examination is as follows: the student should obtain the appropriate form from the Student Services Building and take it to the academic department where the credit is to be earned. At this time, the appropriate course title, symbol, number, and the amount of credit hours should be indicated on the form, along with the chairperson's signature indicating authorization to take the examination in question. The student then must take the form to the Student Services Building and pay a fee per credit hour. Payment, which is not refundable, must be made in the semester in which the examination is authorized. No student is allowed to sit for an examination without submitting to the department the form indicating (through the Cashier's stamp) that the fee has been paid. After the examination is taken the grade and the source of the evaluation are recorded on the form, which is sent to the Registrar's Office, where the appropriate course number, credit hours, and grade are posted for the student. The Registrar's Office distributes copies to the student, the student's dean, and department as confirmation. One copy of the form is retained by the Registrar's Office. 

Availability
The availability of credit by examination is indicated below.
  • GRADUATE COURSES - Credit by examination is available for graduate courses. For courses not specifically listed, students should consult with the appropriate department chairperson.
  • SEMINARS - Unless listed otherwise, credit by examination is not available for any seminar course.
  • STANDARDIZED TESTS - For some courses the University grants credit based upon scores obtained on nationally available, standardized tests.
    1. Advanced Placement (AP) Tests: The University participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Unless otherwise indicated credit is granted for scores of 3 or better on these tests. The Advanced Placement Tests are administered only once a year, in May. 
    2. College-Level Examination Program (CLEP): The University does not award credit for scores obtained on the CLEP General Examinations, but a few departments do give credit for passing scores on selected CLEP Subject Examinations. In each case the cut-off score for passing is determined by the department. Arrangements to take the CLEP Examinations accepted by the University can be made with the individual departments concerned. CLEP Examinations should be taken at least two months before the scores are required.
  • DEPARTMENT TESTS - For some courses the University grants credit based upon examinations made and administered by the department or college.

    •  
      A.  Programs/Departments in which Credit by Examination is Not Available
      • Agricultural Education
      • Agricultural and Technical Communications
      • Professional Services
      • University Courses
    B. Programs/Departments in which Credit by Examination is Available with Special Permission of Chairperson/Dean
    • Agricultural Economics
    • Agricultural Biochemistry (Animal Science)
    • Agricultural Engineering
    • Ancient Languages & Literature (Languages and Literature)
    • American Studies (History)
    • Anthropology
    • Animal Science
    • Chemical Engineering
    • Civil Engineering
    • Consumer Studies
    • Electrical Engineering
    • Geography
    • Geology
    • Modern Languages (Languages and Literature)
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Medical Technology
    • Music Education (Music)
    • Physical Education
    • Political Science
    • Social Science Education
    C. Programs/Departments in which Credit by Examination is Generally Available
    • ART HISTORY
      • All courses at time of regular final examination 
      • AP Art History Test--ARTH 150 (3) plus ARTH Elective (3)
    • ART
      • All courses; consult with department chairperson regarding procedures
    • BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
      • BISC 207. Other courses with special permission of department chairperson 
      • AP Biology Test--BISC 201 (4)
    • CHEMISTRY
      • All courses; consult with department chairperson regarding procedures 
    • ECONOMICS
      • All courses; consult with department chairperson regarding procedures
    • FRENCH (Languages & Literature)
      • All except 100 level courses 
      • AP French Test--FREN 201-202 (6)
    • GERMAN (Languages & Literature)
      • All except 100 level courses
      • AP German Test--GRMN 201-202 (6)
    • GREEK (Languages & Literature)
      • All except 100 level courses
    • HISTORY 
      • HIST 105, 106, 107, 203, 205, 206
      • AP European History Test--HIST 106-107 (6)
      • AP American History Test--HIST 205-206 (6)
    • ITALIAN (Languages & Literature)
      • Credit by examination not available for 100 level courses.
    • LATIN (Languages & Literature)
      • All except 100 level courses.
    • MARINE STUDIES
      • All courses, subject to the approval of the Assistant Dean.
    • MATHEMATICS
      • MATH 221, 222, 223; 241, 242, 243; 249, 302. Other courses with special permission of department chairperson. Credit by examination not available for MATH 113, 117, 151, 260
      • AP Calculus AB Test: grade of 3, 4, or 5--MATH 241 (4)
      • AP Calculus BC Test: grade of 3--MATH 241 (4)
      • grade of 4 or 5--MATH 241-242 (8)
    • MILITARY SCIENCE
      • All courses
    • MUSIC
      • MUSC 185, 186, 195, 196. Certain other courses with special permission of department chairperson.
    • NURSING
      • All courses. Contact Open Curriculum Office for details.
    • PHILOSOPHY
      • PHIL 205 and all other courses
    • PLANT SCIENCE
      • PLSC 101, 102. Other courses with special permission of department chairperson. 
    • PHYSICS
      • PHYS 101, 102, 201, 202, 207, at time of regular final examination. Other courses with special permission of department chairperson. 
      • AP Physics B Test--PHYS 201 (4)
      • AP Physics C Test; Part I: grade of 3, 4, or 5--PHYS 207 (4); Part II: only grade of 4 or 5--PS 208 (4)
    • PSYCHOLOGY
      • PSYC 201. Other courses with special permission of department chairperson.
    • RUSSIAN (Languages & Literature)
      • All except 100 level courses
    • SCIENCE (Physics Department)
      • SCEN 101, 102, at time of regular final examination.
    • SOCIOLOGY
      • All courses
    • SPANISH (Languages & Literature)
      • All except 100 level courses 
      • AP Spanish Test--SPAN 201-202 (6)
    • STATISTICS
      • STAT 205. Others with special permission of department chairperson 
      • CLEP Statistics Test--STAT 205 (3), passing score 49. 
    • SWAHILI (Languages & Literature)
      • Credit by examination not available for 100 level courses. 
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