Credit by Examination

Overview

A student must be actively enrolled in a degree seeking program at UW-Eau Claire or UW-Eau Claire Barron County in order to be awarded credit through examination.

Advanced Placement Program

Students who achieve a minimum score of three (3) on any of the advanced placement examinations will receive at least three credits in the appropriate liberal education category. In addition, some academic departments have approved granting specific credit. (NOTE: Course equivalencies are subject to change. Students receive the course equivalency in effect when they matriculate.) Rather than a letter grade, students receive a mark of “CP.” For prerequisite purposes this is equivalent to “a grade of C or above.” Departments may restrict the total number of credits earned by examination applicable toward their majors and minors. In no case may more than half the requirements for a major or minor be fulfilled by means of examination for credit. For current exams and credits granted see the UW Help site. For information on sending scores to UW-Eau Claire see Academic Testing.

International Baccalaureate Examinations

The University grants credit for a score of four (4) or higher on all Higher Level International Baccalaureate examinations. Students receive the course equivalency in effect when they matriculate. Rather than a letter grade, students receive a mark of “CP.” For prerequisite purposes this is equivalent to “a grade of C or above". For current equivalencies see the UW Help site or contact Academic Testing.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The University grants credit for certain examinations offered by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). These examinations are administered nationwide. At UW-Eau Claire, they are administered by the Academic Testing Office. Students receive the course equivalency in effect when they matriculate. Rather than a letter grade, students receive a mark of “CP". For prerequisite purposes this is equivalent to “a grade of C or above". For current equivalencies see the Academic Testing webpage.  CLEP exams fall into the following two categories:

CLEP General Examinations

The University awards credit for a satisfactory/passing score on the general examinations in Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Science/History, which will satisfy one experience in the appropriate LE outcome.

General Examinations should be taken before the student has completed initial enrollment in the University. They must be taken by the time the student has completed 15 semester credits of college work and before enrollment in any courses in the area to be tested. Exceptions to this rule may be made for older students with unique backgrounds. Requests for these exceptions should be directed to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

CLEP Subject Examinations

The University accepts certain subject examinations.  Subject (course equivalent) examinations should be taken before a student has enrolled in the equivalent course or in any higher level course for which it is a prerequisite. With departmental permission, however, the student may take an examination for a course in which he/she is enrolled provided it is taken before the end of the first week of classes. Examinations for credit may not be used to repeat courses already attempted at or transferred to UW-Eau Claire.

DANTES

The University accepts certain DANTES examinations. A score calculated as a "B-Grade Equivalent" or better on the exam will be awarded credit.  Students receive the course equivalency in effect when they matriculate. Rather than a letter grade, students receive a mark of “CP.” For prerequisite purposes this is equivalent to “a grade of C or above.”  Course equivalent examinations should be taken before a student has enrolled in the equivalent course or in any higher level course for which it is a prerequisite. Examinations for credit may not be used to repeat courses already attempted at or transferred to UW-Eau Claire.  For current equivalencies see the Academic Testing webpage.

Departmental Examinations

Certain departments offer departmentally based examinations for credit. Departments may limit the courses available for credit by examination. Departmental examinations may be taken for a grade or S/U. Departmental examinations should be taken before the student has enrolled in the equivalent course or in any higher level course for which it is a prerequisite. With departmental permission, however, the student may take an examination for a course in which he/she is enrolled provided it is taken before the end of the first week of classes. Examinations for credit may not be used to repeat courses already attempted at or transferred to UW-Eau Claire.

For information about application procedures and fees, the student should consult with the chair of the department offering the course.