Credit by Examination

The New York State College Proficiency Examination Program (NYSCPEP), the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), other national proficiency examination programs and select teacher-made exams are designed to enable undergraduates to earn college credits. Life experience plus credit by examination may not exceed 45 credits.

Mount Saint Mary College requires that:

1. The CLEP General Examinations and subject examinations selected must be consistent with the College's general curriculum. Students should see their advisors or the Office of the Registrar for additional information. Students are responsible for any costs associated with these examinations.
2. Applicant's credits will be evaluated as transfer credits from other institutions.
3. No more than 45 credits may be awarded for credit by examination, only nine of which may be in a student's major area, excepting registered nurses seeking advanced placement and military LPN's enrolled through the AMEDD program. Registered nurses matriculating in the nursing program may earn up to 24 credits in nursing by examination.
4. Examinations equivalent to lower level division work at Mount Saint Mary College will be counted with the transfer credits of two-year institutions. Generally, a maximum of 60 credits is allowed; however, students completing an associate's degree will be allowed to transfer the number of credits (maximum of 66 credits for courses with C or better grades) required to attain that degree at the two-year institution. If the examinations are equivalent to upper level division work, the credits will be counted in the 90-credit authorization of four-year institutions.

Credits granted by examination will be indicated on the student's transcript and will not be granted in a subject area below the level of work for which course credit has been previously awarded. When a student is awarded credit by examination after matriculation at Mount Saint Mary College, the grade received will be indicated on the student's transcript and will be included in the cumulative index.

Mount Saint Mary College Challenge Examinations provide a way for students to meet certain requirements of the College:

1. A Challenge Examination may be taken for waiver of a course without getting credit for a course (for example, to satisfy a prerequisite). The examination may be taken to receive full credit for the course. The fees associated with these examinations may be found under Tuition and Fees in this catalog.
2. Teacher-designed Challenge Examinations may be given for any course that contributes to the major at the discretion of the division for that major. Divisions are not required to provide Challenge Examinations but may do so for all, some or none of their courses, as appropriate to their requirements and Academic Standards.
3. Teacher-designed Challenge Examinations for general education courses are approved only for those courses for which there does not already exist a nationally recognized assessment examination such as CLEP.
4. Teacher-designed tests are not subject to limitations on transfer credits (for example, a student who has already transferred 60 credits may still gain credit by a Challenge Examination). No more than 6 credits can be granted by Mount Saint Mary College Credit Examinations. These credits do not count toward the 30-credit residency requirement for a degree from the College. There is no limit on the number of courses a student may waive via Challenge Examinations.
5. Challenge examinations can be taken just one time for any given course.
6. A grade corresponding to a C is the minimum requirement to pass a Challenge Examination. However, only the Pass grade will be awarded.
7. Students should be aware that other institutions may not accept credits earned by Challenge Examinations for transfer.