College Level Examination Program (C.L.E.P.)

Credit By College Level Examination Program (C.L.E.P.)

College of Arts and Sciences

The College Level Examination Program (C.L.E.P.) is a national standardized testing program that can be taken by students who believe that they have academic strength in area examinations. C.L.E.P. tests are administered at testing centers around the country. Access www.collegeboard.com/ testing for information. Three hours of credit in each area will be granted to students who score in the designated percentile or above in the General and Subject Examinations. General examinations are given in Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Humanities. General Examinations must be taken during or prior to completing one full semester of college education. Subjects Examinations may be taken any time during the student’s collegiate career, except during the last semester. A student may, at the discretion of the Director of Foreign Languages, earn additional credits for scoring considerably above the national average in Spanish, German, or French. Grades and Quality Points are not given for C.L.E.P. credits. General and Subject Examinations are listed in the table on the previous page.

College of Business

The College of Business grants credit for the C.L.E.P. Examination for selected business-related courses. Students who want to take other C.L.E.P. Examinations should follow the procedure of the College of Arts and Sciences.

College of Nursing and Health Professions

1. Students who want credit for successful performance in specific general education courses via C.L.E.P. Examinations should contact the College of Arts and Sciences.
2. RN/BSN students may receive elective credit through successful completion of Excelsior Nursing Challenge Exams. RN students holding current certifications in certain specialty areas may also receive elective credit.

Credit By Examination: Departmental

Students may petition a department to take an examination to receive credit for a course offered by the department. Some departments do not offer credit by examination. See the department chairperson for information concerning credit by examination for that particular department. Applications for departmental examinations are made through the School for Professional and Continuing Education.

Credit for Military Training and Other Activities

Lewis University awards credit for military training and other non-college sponsored learning activities according to recommendations of the American Council of Education.

Credits awarded for experience or military training are so noted on the student’s transcript. Grades and quality points are not given for these credits.

Coursework Away From Lewis

Once students have matriculated at Lewis University, they may not take courses at other colleges and universities for transfer to Lewis except for sound reasons and with the prior approval of the dean of the college. In such cases, approval must be secured before the courses are taken, and only the semester credit hours of “C” or higher will transfer. The grade does not transfer. In any case, the last 32 hours of credit applied toward graduation must be taken at Lewis University. Ordinarily, once a student has matriculated, no transfer courses will be accepted for the major requirements. Exceptions require the approval of the department chairperson, as well as the dean of the college. There is a charge for posting these credits. Forms and further information can be obtained from the office of the appropriate dean.

Course Credit

Lewis University operates on the semester system. Credits awarded are semester credit hours. Courses numbered below 50000 are undergraduate; those numbered 50000 or above are graduate level.