Examination for University Credit

If you have studied a subject independently or have done college level coursework for which you are unable to get a transcript acceptable to this institution, you may receive credit through a variety of evaluation programs.

Credits obtained through validation methods other than nationally recognized examinations are limited to 32 hours of credit for baccalaureate degrees and 16 hours of credit for associate degrees. There is no limit on the number of credits earned through nationally recognized examinations.

If credit by examination is accepted, the permanent record will show the course name and a grade of EX for the specified number of credits. If credit is accepted by another form of validation, the grade will be CR for the specified number of credits. No entry will be made on the record if the examination is failed. The examination results will not be included in calculation of either the semester or the cumulative grade point averages.

NOTE: A grade given at, or transferred to, this university may not be raised by examination for university credit. If you have taken an upper level course in a given subject, you cannot receive credit by examination for a lower level course dealing with the same content.

Students and former students who were previously in good standing may acquire credit by examination providing they meet the conditions outlined below.

Nationally Recognized Examinations

Credit may be received in certain subjects through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the Excelsior College Examinations, the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, Defense Activity for Non- Traditional Education Support (DANTES), DANTES Standardized Subject Tests (DSST), and the Advanced Placement Program (AP). Participants may be charged a testing fee for each of the testing programs.

In order to have credit earned by examination recorded on your academic transcript, you must complete an “Application for Placement Credit” form at the Academic Evaluation and Assessment Office and pay a recording fee.

University CLEP Policies

A CLEP examination may not be taken for a lower level course if a student has completed or is currently enrolled in an upper-level course in the same subject. A CLEP examination may not be taken if a student is receiving a failing grade or has received a failing grade in the same subject. A CLEP examination may not replace a failed grade.

Local Challenge Exams

If a nationally recognized examination is not available for a course for which you wish credit, a special examination may be established. This process is initiated by obtaining a “Challenge By Examination” form at the Academic Evaluation and Assessment Office and completing the prescribed steps:

1. Consult the head of the department in which the course is offered. This person will conduct a preliminary evaluation of your background in the subject area to determine if an examination is warranted.
2. Consult the dean of the college in which you expect to receive a degree to determine whether credits earned by examination in the proposed subject will be accepted toward the degree.
3. Pay the examination fee before taking the examination. Specific details are enumerated on the application form which is available at the Academic Evaluation and Assessment Office, 688-4217.

Policy for Repeating Local Challenge Examinations

If a student does not pass the local challenge examination, he or she may use the SDSU petition procedure to request one more opportunity to take a challenge examination for the same course. The guidelines for the retesting process are as follows:

1. Only one retest is allowed.
2. There will be a waiting period of one academic term before retesting may be done.
3. The department will administer a test that is completely different from the examination used in the original challenge attempt.
4. The petition must be approved by the department head, dean, and Director of Academic Evaluation and Assessment.
5. If the petition is approved, the student must complete a new “Challenge by Examination” form and pay the examination fee before retesting may be done.

Challenge By Portfolio

A “portfolio” may be used to document competencies learned through non-transferable courses at Technical Institutes or other institutions if a grade of C or better were earned. A portfolio may also be used to verify skills learned through prior work experiences. A portfolio is a detailed, written document prepared by a student to demonstrate knowledge and skills. A portfolio may contain both prior coursework and employment experiences relevant to the course being challenged. A Challenge by Portfolio application can be obtained through the Academic Evaluation and Assessment office (605-688-4217). Students will need to receive departmental approval and pay a fee prior to portfolio review.

For information about credit through any of these programs contact the Academic Evaluation and Assessment Office (605-688-4217). South Dakota State University cannot guarantee that credit earned via exam at SDSU will transfer to other institutions. Even though SDSU has made an effort to set cut off scores at appropriate levels, each institution develops its own procedures for accepting credit by exam. In some cases, a certain test or score level acceptable at SDSU may not qualify a student for credit at another institution.

Course Exemption

You may be awarded an exemption from taking a course but not receive college credit. This may result from the SDSU policy related to a specific test or credit received by examination from another institution.