University of Nebraska at Kearney
1998-2000 Undergraduate CATALOG

ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

GRADING SYSTEM

NON-TRADITIONAL CREDIT

Credit earned through non-traditional means, including CLEP, AP, departmental test-out, retroactive credit, correspondence study, military credit, and non-collegiate instructional programs, is limited to a maximum of 45 hours applicable to the student's degree program. Limits have also been established within each of the areas as defined below.

Departmental Test-out - 15 hours

Students may receive credit for successfully demonstrating competency in a particular course through a proficiency exam. Academic departments assume responsibility for developing and administering such exams.

Retroactive Credit - 15 hours

Students entering UNK with a particularly high level of achievement in a given subject area, may be awarded credit upon completion of a "validating" course at UNK. Restrictions apply.

Military Credit - 15 hours

Students who have completed military training, including Basic Training, may receive credit for their experiences based upon the recommendations of the American Council of Education in The Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services.

Correspondence Courses - 12 hours

No more than 12 hours of correspondence credit may be applied to a bachelors degree.

AP - Advanced Placement - 30 hours

Talented high school students may participate in national examinations administered by the College Entrance Examination Board. Credit can be earned in college-level courses when the student achieves a passing score on the exam. (See Advanced Placement and Credit by Examination.)

CLEP - College Level Examination Program - 30 hours

Students may earn credit by successfully passing a nationally standardized exam in a specific subject area. (See CLEP Test-University of Nebraska at Kearney.)

Other forms of experiential learning will be evaluated on an individual basis. Students will be required to provide verification of content, duration, method of evaluation, etc. Credit may be granted upon recommendation of an academic department.

A student entering the University with a particularly thorough background from high school may apply for advanced placement and/or credit in one or more subjects in which his/her preparation is superior.

Advanced placement and/or credit may be achieved by three different methods. Each of the three methods is described as follows:

1. By passing a proficiency examination administered by an academic department of UNK.

   Where exceptional circumstances warrant, a student may receive credit by demonstrating a superior level of competence on a proficiency-based examination.

   Assessment of a student's competence may assume a variety of formal and informal techniques as designed by the department and shall be subject to the approval of the department head and dean of the college. A fee is assessed for each course examination before credit is awarded. A student may not take an examination for credit in any course which (1) is a prerequisite for courses completed, (2) has a lower level of required proficiency, or (3) involves significantly similar content.

   Credit earned by examination is applicable toward degree requirements and is awarded after successfully completing 30 semester hours in residence. Petition to take such examinations should be submitted to the appropriate department chair.

2. By earning a prescribed grade on an Advanced Placement Program examination administered by the College Entrance Examination Board.

   Recognition of special competencies by the College permits a student to receive Advanced Placement and college-level credit for satisfactory performance on subject matter proficiency tests of the College Entrance Examination Board. Credit will be granted for those College courses most nearly equivalent to the Advanced Placement tests. An applicant who has taken an Advanced Placement examination should request that his/her score be reported to the Division of Continuing Education.

   Advanced Placement examinations are recognized in the following areas: American History, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English, European History, French, German, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Political Science, and Spanish.

   A student may not take an examination for credit in any course which (1) is a prerequisite for courses completed, (2) has a lower level of required proficiency, or (3) involves significantly similar content.

3. By demonstrating proficiency in subject areas selected by successfully completing the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).

   The University of Nebraska offers students an opportunity to earn College credit in selected areas by demonstrating proficiency in subject areas by completing the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Academic departments which have approved the program will grant credit for CLEP tests to those students who pass the test at the 50th percentile or above, according to the national norms. A fee of $53 is charged for each test. For additional information regarding the CLEP examination, contact the Office of the Dean of Continuing Education.

   Credit may be obtained through the College Level Examination Program on courses listed below:

   A student may not take an examination for credit in any course which (1) is a prerequisite for courses completed, (2) has a lower level of required proficiency, or (3) involves significantly similar content.