Credit by Examination and Prior Learning Assessment
- Eligibility
- Application of Credit
- Residency
- Grading
- Transcription
- Examination and Proficiency Credit
- Advanced Placement Program (AP)
- Accounting, Pilot and Bridge Project (APBP)
- ACT or SAT English and Math Proficiency Credit
- Cambridge International Examinations (AICE)
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- International Baccalaureate
- Departmental Credit By Examination
- Military Service Credit
- KDE Articulated Credit Pathways
- Portfolio Evaluation
- Alternative Forms of Credits for Prior Learning
WKU offers multiple pathways for undergraduate students to earn course specific credit for prior learning provided that the experience is aligned with course and program learning outcomes.
Eligibility
To earn credit for prior learning, a student must be enrolled and registered at Western Kentucky University.
Application of Credit
Credit for prior learning shall be applied to degree or program requirements in the same manner as credits earned through the completion of equivalent courses at WKU. Credit will be applied for WKU course equivalents when students demonstrate mastery of course objectives. Credit will be counted only once for the same course.
Residency
Credits for demonstrated knowledge earned through any prior learning method do not fulfill WKU residency requirements.
Grading
Credit awarded by prior learning assessment at WKU shall receive a CR grade. Letter grades will not be used. The transcript will not indicate an unsuccessful attempt to earn credit for prior learning.
Transcription
Credit awarded for prior learning will be transcripted indicating the method of prior learning assessment used.
Examination and Proficiency Credit
WKU provides several opportunities for students to earn credit through examinations. Additional information about the exams may be obtained by clicking on the underlined course title in the charts below.
Although students may receive credit hours through any of these programs, duplicate credit may not be earned. For example, a student who earns credit hours for English 100 through the AP program may not receive additional credit for English 100 on the ACT exam, on a departmental exam, or on the CLEP exams.
High school seniors should take CLEP and ACT or SAT examinations by February at the latest so the results may be available for use in selecting courses during the March or June Topper Orientation Program.
The Office of the Registrar notifies students of their eligibility for credit upon receiving an application for admission and the official test score report. Students will receive the credit during the first semester of enrollment.
Credit awarded for these exams will apply toward the WKU general education categories as indicated. For detailed information refer to the WKU Colonnade program section of the catalog. Credit for these exams will also apply toward the Kentucky Statewide General Education categories as indicated. The categories are: Written Communications (WC) and Oral Communications (OC), Arts and Humanities (AH), Social and Behavioral Sciences (SB), Natural Sciences (NS), Natural Sciences Lab (SL) and Quantitative Reasoning (QR).
Advanced Placement Program (AP)
Students may earn college credit through the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board upon attaining the minimum score on the AP examination. AP credit will not count toward WKU residence credit.
Official scores may be obtained on-line at http://www.collegeboard.com or by contacting:
AP Exams,
PO Box 6671
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6671
Telephone (888) 225-5427
The following code number should be used to have scores sent to WKU: AP-1901. Students will receive the credit during the first semester of enrollment.
AP Subject Examinations
| AP Course | Minimum Score | Credit Hours | Equivalent WKU Course | Colonnade Program | Kentucky Statewide GEN ED Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African American Studies | |||||
| African American Studies | 3+ | 3 | AFAM 190 | E-SB | SB |
| Art | |||||
| Art History | 3 | 3 | ART 105 or ART 106 | E-AH | AH |
| 4+ | 6 | ART 105 and ART 106 | E-AH | AH | |
| Studio Art - Drawing | 3 | 3 | ART 140 | ||
| 4+ | 6 | ART 130 and ART 140 | |||
| Studio Art - 2D | 3 | 3 | ART 130 | ||
| 4+ | 6 | ART 130 and ART 140 | |||
| Studio Art - 3D | 3+ | 3 | ART 131 | ||
| Biology | |||||
| Biology | 3 | 3 | BIOL 113 | E-NS | NS |
| 4 | 4 | BIOL 113 and BIOL 114 | E-NS, SL | NS, SL | |
| 5 | 6 | BIOL 120 and BIOL 122 | E-NS | NS | |
| Capstone | |||||
| Seminar | 3+ | 3 | Lower level elective | ||
| Research | 3+ | 3 | Lower level elective | ||
| Chemistry | |||||
| Chemistry | 3 | 3 | CHEM 116 or | E-NS | NS |
| CHEM 101 | E-NS, SL | NS, SL | |||
| 4+ | 5 | CHEM 120 and CHEM 121 or | E-NS, SL | NS, SL | |
| 4 | CHEM 105 and CHEM 106 | E-NS, SL | NS; SL | ||
| Computer Science | |||||
| Computer Science A | 3+ | 4 | CS 180 | ||
| Computer Science Principles | 3+ | 3 | CS 146 | F-QR | |
| Economics | |||||
| Macroeconomics | 3+ | 3 | ECON 203 | E-SB | SB |
| Microeconomics | 3+ | 3 | ECON 202 | E-SB | SB |
| English | |||||
| English Language and Composition | 3+ | 3 | ENG 100 | F-WI | WC |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENG 100 | F-WI | WC |
| 4+ | 6 | ENG 100 and | F-WI | WC | |
| ENG 200 | F-AH | AH | |||
| Environmental Science | |||||
| Environmental Science | 3-4 | 3 | ENV 280 or | E-NS | NS |
| PH 280 | |||||
| 5 | 4 | GEOG 280 | E-NS, SL | ||
| Foreign Language1 | |||||
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | 9 | CHIN 101, CHIN 102, and CHIN 201 | √ | |
| 4 | 12 | CHIN 101, CHIN 102, CHIN 201, and CHIN 202 | √ | ||
| 5 | 15 | CHIN 101, CHIN 102, CHIN 201, CHIN 202, and CHIN 301 | √ | ||
| French Language and Culture | 3 | 9 | FREN 101, FREN 102, and FREN 201 | √ | |
| 4 | 12 | FREN 101, FREN 102, FREN 201, and FREN 202 | √ | ||
| 5 | 15 | FREN 101, FREN 102, FREN 201, FREN 202, and FREN 320 | √ | ||
| German Language and Culture | 3 | 9 | GERM 101, GERM 102, and GERM 201 | √ | |
| 4 | 12 | GERM 101, GERM 102, GERM 201, and GERM 202 | √ | ||
| 5 | 15 | GERM 101, GERM 102, GERM 201, GERM 202, and GERM 330 | √ | ||
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 | 9 | ITAL 101, ITAL 102, and 3 hour Italian lower level elective | √ | |
| 4 | 12 | ITAL 101, ITAL 102, and 6 hours Italian lower level electives | √ | ||
| 5 | 15 | ITAL 101, ITAL 102, and 6 hours Italian lower level and 3 hour Italian upper level electives | √ | ||
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3 | 9 | JAPN 101, JAPN 102, and JAPN 201 | √ | |
| 4 | 12 | JAPN 101, JAPN 102, JAPN 201, and JAPN 202 | √ | ||
| 5 | 15 | JAPN 101, JAPN 102, JAPN 201, JAPN 202, and 3 hour Japanese upper level elective | √ | ||
| Latin | 3 | 9 | RELS 150 and RELS 151, and 3 hour lower level elective | √ | |
| 4 | 12 | RELS 150 and RELS 151, and 6 hours lower level electives | √ | ||
| 5 | 15 | RELS 150 and RELS 151, and 6 hours lower level electives, 3 hours of upper level electives | √ | ||
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 9 | SPAN 101, SPAN 102, and SPAN 201 | √ | |
| 4 | 12 | SPAN 101, SPAN 102, SPAN 201, and SPAN 202 | √ | ||
| 5 | 15 | SPAN 101, SPAN 102, SPAN 201, SPAN 202, and SPAN 371 | √ | ||
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 9 | SPAN 101, SPAN 102, and SPAN 201 | √ | |
| 4 | 12 | SPAN 101, SPAN 102, SPAN 201, and SPAN 202 | √ | ||
| 5 | 15 | SPAN 101, SPAN 102, SPAN 201, SPAN 202, and SPAN 374 | √ | ||
| Geography | |||||
| Human Geography | 3+ | 3 | GEOG 110 | E-SB | SB |
| Government | |||||
| Government and Politics: Comparative | 3+ | 3 | PS 260 | E-SB | SB |
| Government Politics: United States | 3+ | 3 | PS 110 | E-SB | SB |
| History | |||||
| European History | 3 | 3 | HIST 102 | F-SB | SB |
| 4+ | 6 | HIST 102 and | F-SB | SB | |
| 3 hour History lower level elective | |||||
| United States History | 3 | 3 | HIST 240 or HIST 241 | ||
| 4+ | 6 | HIST 240 or HIST 241 and 3 hour History lower level elective | |||
| World History: Modern | 3+ | 3 | HIST 102 | F-SB | SB |
| Mathematics | |||||
| Calculus AB | 3+ | 4 | MATH 136 | F-QR | QR |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 4 | MATH 136 | F-QR | QR |
| 4+ | 8 | MATH 136 and | F-QR | QR | |
| MATH 137 | |||||
| AB Subscore 4+ | 4 | MATH 136 | F-QR | QR | |
| Precalculus | 3+ | 5 | MATH 118 | F-QR | QR |
| Statistics | 3+ | 3 | MATH 183 or | F-QR | QR |
| ECON 206 | |||||
| Music | |||||
| Music Theory | 3 | 2 | MUS 100 | ||
| 4+ | 4 | MUS 100 and MUS 101 | |||
| Physics | |||||
| Physics I | 3 | 3 | PHYS 101 | E-NS, SL | NS, SL |
| 4 | 3-4 | PHYS 101 or PHYS 201 | E-NS, SL | NS, SL | |
| 5 | 4 | PHYS 231 and PHYS 232; or PHYS 201 | E-NS, SL | NS, SL | |
| Physics II | 3 | 4 | PHYS 202 | ||
| 4+ | 4 | PHYS 332 and PHYS 233; or PHYS 202 | |||
| Physics C - Mechanics | 3 | 3 | PHYS 101 | E-NS, SL | NS, SL |
| 4 | 4 | PHYS 231, PHYS 232 | E-NS, SL | ||
| 5 | 5 | PHYS 255 and PHYS 256 | E-NS, SL | NS, SL | |
| Physics C - Electricity and Magnetism | 3-4 | 4 | PHYS 332 and PHYS 233 | ||
| 5 | 5 | PHYS 265 and PHYS 266 | |||
| Psychology | |||||
| Psychology | 3+ | 3 | PSY 100 or PSYS 100 | E-SB | SB |
- 1
√ A minimum score of 3 in a Foreign Language exam will fulfill the World Language Proficiency requirement of the Colonnade Program.
Accounting, Pilot and Bridge Project (APBP)
Students may earn three hours of proficiency non-residence credit for successful completion of the high school Accounting Pilot and Bridge Project (APBP) course. Students who earn credit from the APBP exam will meet the prerequisite for the first introductory accounting course, ACCT 110. Contact the Department of Accounting at acctdept@wku.edu or (270) 745-4814 for more information.
ACT or SAT English and Math Proficiency Credit
The WKU course below and 3 credit hours are received with an American College Testing Program (ACT) or Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) score in the designated test category. WKU does not require the written component on either exam. A student who earns credit for ENG 100 or MATH 116 on the ACT or SAT may not receive additional credit for ENG 100 or MATH 116.
| WKU Course | ACT | SAT (Prior to March 2016 | SAT (March 2016) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 100 | ≥ 29 English | ≥ 650 Critical Reading | ≥ 35 Writing and Language |
| MATH 116 | ≥ 26 Math | ≥ 590 Math | ≥ 630 Math |
Official ACT or SAT scores should be sent by the testing company to the Office of Admissions as part of the admissions process. ACT scores may be obtained by contacting: ACT Records, P.O. Box 451, Iowa City, Iowa 52243, phone (319) 337-1313, or accessing on-line information at http://www.act.org.
The following code number should be used to have scores sent to WKU: ACT-1562. SAT score information can be obtained by calling 1- 866-756-7346 or on-line at http://www.collegeboard.com. The following code number should be used to have scores sent to WKU: SAT-1901. The Office of Admissions will notify applicants who qualify for academic credit on the basis of ACT/SAT scores.
Cambridge International Examinations (AICE)
Cambridge International Examinations provide curriculum for High Schools at advanced levels that offer learners a broad range of AS-level & A-level subjects. Students who participated in the Cambridge Advanced (AICE) program may be awarded Colonnade general education or other WKU credit. An official certifying AICE transcript is required. Evaluation of credit and recommendations are determined by the appropriate WKU academic department.
The grade necessary to earn WKU credit, the corresponding course, and the credit hours which may be earned appears below. The acceptable grade for credit may vary between courses and the level of the exam taken. Credit hour equivalencies are reviewed annually by academic units.
| AICE Exam | Exam Grade | WKU Course | WKU Credits | Colonnade Gen Ed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business (AS-Level) | A, B, or C | BA 110 | 3 | |
| Business (A-Level) | A, B, or C | BA 110 and MGT 210 | 6 | |
| Chemistry (AS -Level) | A or B | CHEM 101 or (CHEM 105/CHEM 106 and CHEM 107/CHEM 108) or CHEM 120/CHEM 121 | 3-8 | E-NS & E-SL |
| Chemistry (A-Level) | A or B | CHEM 101 or (CHEM 105/CHEM 106 and CHEM 107/CHEM 108) or (CHEM 120/CHEM 121 and CHEM 222/CHEM 223) | 3-10 | E-NS & E-SL |
| Computer Science (A-Level) | A, B, or C | CS 146 | 3 | F-QR |
| Divinity (AS-Level) | A, B, or C | RELS 100 or RELS 101 | 3 | E-AH |
| Divinity (A-Level) | A, B, or C | RELS 100 and RELS 101 | 6 | E-AH |
| Economics (AS-Level) | A, B, or C | ECON 150 | 3 | E-SB |
| Economics (A-Level) | A, B, or C | ECON 202 and ECON 203 | 6 | E-SB |
| English Language (AS-Level) | A, B, or C | ENG 100 | 3 | F-WI |
| English Language (A-Level) | A, B, or C | ENG 100 | 3 | F-WI |
| English Literature (AS-Level) | A, B, or C | ENG 200 | 3 | F-AH |
| English Literature (A-Level) | A, B, or C | ENG 200 | 3 | F-AH |
| French Language (AS-Level) | A-E | FREN 201 and FREN 202 | 6 | √ |
| French Language (A-Level) | A-E | FREN 320 and FREN 321 | 6 | √ |
| Further Mathematics (AS-Level) | A, B, or C | MATH 136 | 4 | F-QR |
| Further Mathematics (A-Level) | A, B, or C | MATH 136 and MATH 183 | 7 | F-QR |
| Geography (AS-Level) | A, B, or C | GEOG 110 | 3 | E-SB |
| Geography (A-Level) | A, B, or C | GEOG 110 | 3 | E-SB |
| Global Perspectives and Research (AS-Level) | A-E | SPS 400 | 3 | K-LG |
| Global Perspectives and Research (A-Level) | A-E | SPS 400 | 3 | K-LG |
| Information Technology (AS-Level) | A, B, or C | CIS 141 | 3 | E-SB |
| Information Technology (A-Level) | A, B, or C | CIS 141 | 3 | E-SB |
| Law (A-Level) | A-D | PLS 225 | 3 | |
| Media Studies (AS-Level) | A, B, or C | SMC 101 | 3 | |
| Media Studies (A-Level) | A, B, or C | SMC 101 and SMC 102 | 6 | |
| Mathematics (AS-Level) | A, B, or C | MATH 116 | 3 | F-QR |
| Mathematics (A-Level) | A, B, or C | MATH 116 and MATH 117 | 6 | F-QR |
| Music (AS-Level) | A, B, or C | MUS 120 | 3 | E-AH |
| Physics (A-Level) | A, B, or C | PHYS 201 and PHYS 202 or PHYS 231 and PHYS 332 | 8-6 | E-NS |
| Psychology (A-Level) | A, B, or C | PSY 100 | 3 | E-SB |
| Psychology (AS-Level) | A, B, or C | PSY 100 | 3 | E-SB |
| Sociology (AS-Level) | A, B, or C | SOCL 100 | 3 | E-SB |
| Sociology (A-Level) | A, B, or C | SOCL 100 | 3 | E-SB |
| Spanish Language (AS-Level) | A-E | SPAN 201 and SPAN 202 | 6 | √ |
| Spanish Language (A-Level) | A-E | SPAN 370 and SPAN 371 | 6 | √ |
NOTE: ECON 150 fulfills general education requirements does not apply toward Gordon Ford College of Business majors.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
The CLEP examinations may be taken each month at any national testing center, including the testing center at WKU. Information about CLEP may be obtained by writing: CLEP, CN 6600, Princeton, New Jersey 08540-6600, or accessing on-line information at http://www.collegeboard.com, or by contacting: Distance Learning Testing Center, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101, (270) 745-5122. The following code number should be used to have scores sent to WKU: CLEP-1901.
Students may register for CLEP examinations at WKU by contacting the Distance Learning Testing Center or by going online to http://www.registerblast.com/wku.
Students applying to WKU should have their scores sent to the Office of Admissions. Students currently enrolled at WKU should request their scores be sent to the Office of the Registrar. The appropriate office will then notify applicants who qualify for academic credit.
Policies
- A student who has completed a course or has received credit by examination at WKU or at another accredited college or university may not receive credit for a CLEP examination of similar content.
- A student may not take a CLEP examination for credit after having taken a college course at a higher level in the same department (subject matter area).
- A student may establish credit in all courses or areas in which he/she is able to demonstrate proficiency, provided he/she meets the University’s residence requirements for graduation. The credit earned will not count toward WKU residence.
- A student who fails to earn credit on a CLEP examination may not repeat the same examination within three months of the initial testing date.
- A student may not repeat by proficiency testing a course which has been previously taken or failed at WKU or another accredited institution.
CLEP Subject Examinations
- 1
Students may earn English 200 credit by passing a departmental exam; go to https://www.wku.edu/testing/students.php.
International Baccalaureate
Western Kentucky University recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) program completed in high school. Credit will be awarded by earning the required score in a specific subject, and awarded as non-residence credit. To receive credit the student must furnish an official IB transcript to the Office of Admissions issued directly from the New York office of the International Baccalaureate Organization. Specific information about required scores and credit may be obtained from the Office of Admissions website (http://www.wku.edu/international/ib.php).
| IB Subject | IB Level | Minimum Score | Credit Hours | WKU Equivalent Course |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language and Literature | ||||
| Language A: Literature | SL | 5 | 3 | ENG 200 |
| HL | 5 | 3 | ENG 200 | |
| Language A: Language and Literature | SL | 5 | 3 | ENG 100 |
| HL | 5 | 3 | ENG 100 | |
| Language Acquisition (ab initio is for beginners) | ||||
| Arabic | SL | 4 | 9 | ARBC 101, ARBC 102 & ARBC 201 |
| SL | 5 | 12 | ARBC 101, ARBC 102, ARBC 201 & ARBC 202 | |
| HL | 4 | 12 | ARBC 101, ARBC 102, ARBC 201 & ARBC 202 | |
| HL | 5 | 15 | ARBC 101, ARBC 102, ARBC 201, ARBC 202, & ARBC 301 | |
| Chinese | SL | 4 | 9 | CHIN 101, CHIN 102 & CHIN 201 |
| SL | 5 | 12 | CHIN 101, CHIN 102, CHIN 201 & CHIN 202 | |
| HL | 4 | 12 | CHIN 101, CHIN 102, CHIN 201 & CHIN 202 | |
| HL | 5 | 15 | CHIN 101, CHIN 102, CHIN 201, CHIN 202 & CHIN 301 | |
| French ab initio | SL | 4+ | 6 | FREN 101 and FREN 102 |
| French | SL | 4 | 9 | FREN 101, FREN 102 & FREN 201 |
| SL | 5 | 12 | FREN 101, FREN 102, FREN 201 & FREN 202 | |
| HL | 4 | 12 | FREN 101, FREN 102, FREN 201 & FREN 202 | |
| HL | 5 | 15 | FREN 101, FREN 102, FREN 201, FREN 202 & FREN 321 | |
| German ab initio | SL | 4 | 6 | GERM 101 and GERM 102 |
| German | SL | 4 | 9 | GERM 101, GERM 102 & GERM 201 |
| SL | 5 | 12 | GERM 101, GERM 102, GERM 201 & GERM 202 | |
| HL | 4 | 12 | GERM 101, GERM 102, GERM 201 & GERM 202 | |
| HL | 5 | 15 | GERM 101, GERM 102, GERM 201, GERM 202 & GERM 330 | |
| Latin | SL | 5 | 6 | RELS 150 and RELS 151 |
| HL | 5 | 6 | RELS 150 and RELS 151 | |
| Spanish ab initio | SL | 4 | 6 | SPAN 101 and SPAN 102 |
| Spanish | SL | 4 | 9 | SPAN 101, SPAN 102 & SPAN 201 |
| SL | 5 | 12 | SPAN 101, SPAN 102, SPAN 201 & SPAN 202 | |
| HL | 4 | 12 | SPAN 101, SPAN 102, SPAN 201 & SPAN 202 | |
| HL | 5 | 15 | SPAN 101, SPAN 102, SPAN 201, SPAN 202 & SPAN 370 | |
| Individuals and Societies | ||||
| Business Managagement | SL | 5 | 3 | MGT 210 |
| HL | 5 | 3 | MGT 210 | |
| Global Politics | SL | 5+ | 3 | PS 250 |
| HL | 5+ | 3 | PS 260 | |
| History | SL | 4 | 3 | Lower level elective in history |
| HL | 4 | 3 | Lower level elective in history | |
| Information Technology in a Global Society | SL | 4 | 3 | CIS 141 |
| HL | 4 | 3 | CIS 141 | |
| Psychology | SL | 4 | 3 | PSY 100 |
| HL | 4 | 3 | PSY 100 | |
| Social and Cultural Anthropology | SL | 4 | 3 | ANTH 120 |
| HL | 4 | 3 | ANTH 120 | |
| Sciences | ||||
| Biology | SL | 5+ | 3 | BIOL 113 |
| HL | 5+ | 3 | BIOL 120 | |
| General Chemistry | SL | 5+ | 4 | CHEM 105 and CHEM 106 |
| Chemistry | HL | 5+ | 5 | CHEM 120 and CHEM 121 |
| Computer Science | SL | 4 | 3 | Lower level elective |
| HL | 5 | 3 | Lower level elective | |
| Environmental Systems and Societies | SL | 4 | 3 | ENV 280 |
| SL | 5+ | 4 | GEOG 280 | |
| Physics | SL | |||
| HL | 5 | 3 | ASTR 108 | |
| Mathematics | ||||
| Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches | 5 | 4 | MATH 136 | |
| Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation | 5 | 3 | MATH 116 | |
| Mathematical Studies (prior to fall 2023) | SL | 5 | 3 | MATH 116 |
| Mathematics (prior to fall 2023) | SL | |||
| HL | 5 | 8 | MATH 136, MATH 137 | |
| Arts | ||||
| Film | SL | 4+ | 3 | FILM 201 |
| HL | 4+ | 3 | FILM 201 | |
| Theatre | SL | 4 | 3 | THEA 151 |
| HL | 4 | 3 | THEA 151 | |
| Visual Arts | SL | 4 | 3 | ART 130 |
| HL | 5 | 6 | ART 130, ART 140 |
Departmental Credit By Examination
Students enrolled at WKU may also receive credit on the basis of departmental examinations, also called departmental comprehensive proficiency assessments. A student may take a departmental comprehensive proficiency assessment in any course listed as satisfying a requirement in any of the categories of general education. Departments may offer departmental comprehensive proficiency assessments in other courses at their discretion.
To assess student proficiency, a department may adopt either a standardized examination available from outside the University or develop an appropriate comprehensive proficiency examination or demonstration within the department by means of a faculty committee. Departmental comprehensive proficiency assessments may be written, oral, or both.
To be eligible to take a departmental comprehensive proficiency assessment, a student must be fully matriculated, in good standing, and regularly enrolled at WKU. Credits will not be considered as a part of the normal semester load in the term in which the examination is taken. A student may not register for a departmental comprehensive proficiency assessment for a course while he or she is enrolled in that course. A student may not take a departmental comprehensive proficiency assessment in a course which has been previously taken at WKU or at another accredited institution.
A student desiring to take a departmental comprehensive proficiency assessment must complete an appropriate request form in the Office of the Registrar. A fee of $25 per credit hour must be paid at the time the form is submitted. The form must be submitted to the Registrar prior to the end of the third week of classes in either the fall or spring semesters. The Registrar will notify the appropriate department of the student’s request. The department will administer the comprehensive proficiency assessment during the seventh week of classes. The student must obtain the specific time and place for testing from the department chair.
After the assessment has been completed, the department chair will notify the Registrar in writing as to whether or not the student demonstrated acceptable proficiency. If the department recommends credit be granted, the semester hours earned will be recorded on the official transcript. However, the credit will not be used in computing the grade point average since letter grades will not be assigned.
Military Service Credit
WKU strives to be a military friendly institution that will provide military personnel the ability to attend WKU and receive college credit for formal courses and primary occupations offered while in the military. WKU awards college credit based on the American Council on Education (ACE) Guide recommendation, and the credit will count as non-residence credit. Active duty soldiers or military veterans are required to submit official military transcripts prior to admission. Any soldier who is retired or discharged from the military will be required to submit their official military transcripts and a copy of the DD form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty of Service) member copy 4. The DD 214 must have characterization of service listed on the form. The DD 214 Form may be requested at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/. Official military transcripts may be requested at https://jst.doded.mil/.
KDE Articulated Credit Pathways
WKU has an articulation agreement with the Kentucky Department of Education, Office of Career and Technical Education (KDE) to allow students who complete a career pathway and who meet designated criteria to earn college credit at WKU. Students may earn college credit through the Articulated Credit Pathways upon attaining the required score on the CTE End- of-Program Assessment. Earned credit will not count toward WKU residence credit. There will be no charge to students for any articulated credit covered in this agreement. To be eligible for credit, a student must:
-
complete a minimum of 3 high school credits for courses aligned with the Secondary (K-12) State-Approved Career Pathway in the subject area with a GPA of 3.0 or higher or letter grade of B or higher,
-
pass the aligned CTE End-of-Program Assessment, inform WKU that they were part of the articulation agreement with their secondary school by supplying appropriate documentation from that school’s designated personnel,
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and enroll at WKU within 5 years of graduation.
-
Additionally, some departments may require a student to complete credit hours in their particular major at WKU before credit may be awarded i.e., Early Childhood Education, Interior Design and Fashion Merchandising, and Hospitality Management and Dietetics.
Evaluation of credit and recommendations are determined by the appropriate WKU academic department. The corresponding course and the credit hours which may be earned appears below. Credit hour equivalencies are reviewed as needed by academic units.
| Articulated Credit Pathway | WKU Course Equivalency | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Power, Structural, Technical Systems | AGRI 269 | 3 |
| Agribiotechnology Systems | AGRI 269 | 3 |
| Agribusiness Systems | AGRI 269 | 3 |
| Animal Science Systems | AGRI 269 | 3 |
| Early Childhood Education | FACS 191 | 3 |
| Environmental Science | AGRI 269 | 3 |
| Fashion and Interior Design | IDFM 100 | 3 |
| Food Science and Processing Systems | AGRI 269 | 3 |
| Horticulture and Plant Science Systems | AGRI 269 | 3 |
| Hospitality, Travel, Tourism & Recreation | HMD 171 | 3 |
| Production Crop | AGRI 269 | 3 |
Portfolio Evaluation
Students who have acquired extensive college-level knowledge and skills in academic areas including but not limited to employment, military experience, civic activities, volunteer service, organizational training or workshops, or other non-traditional means may be granted credit for the knowledge and skills they have gained through nationally standardized exams (AP, CLEP, IB, ACE, etc.), agreements and partnerships, departmental proficiency assessments, or portfolio development and evaluation. This policy focuses on portfolio development and evaluation while referencing national and departmental assessments when appropriate.
Portfolio evaluation is considered an opportunity for students to demonstrate knowledge and is not a guarantee of credit for experience. Students will complete a portfolio of their prior learning as a part of a portfolio development course taught by an instructor who has undergone training by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). Please note: the three credits earned in the portfolio course will count toward residence, while the prior learning credit awarded will be non-residence credit. The portfolio, with varying forms of documents, will tie course learning outcomes to the knowledge and skills students have acquired through experiential learning. Credit earned will depend upon the student’s ability to produce a portfolio that communicates learning outcomes consistent with the WKU mission on the level expected for the credit sought. Before registering for this course, students will consult with his or her advisor to discuss the feasibility of seeking credit in a particular area. Portfolio courses are available based on student need. Currently, IDST 250 is the only approved portfolio course available for students to enroll for credit evaluation. The student and/or advisor should contact the School of Leadership & Professional Studies to request enrollment in the course prior to the start of the semester or term.
The portfolio will be submitted to two full-time WKU faculty members, at least one from each area for which the student is seeking credit, upon successful completion of the course. These faculty experts will review the portfolio and determine if and how much academic credit is to be granted, as well as whether the credit should be given for a specific course, or for non- course-specific credit. The consensus recommendation of the reviewers must be approved by the department chair(s) and dean(s) of the college(s) concerned, and then will be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar to transcript recommended credit.
The total number of credits earned through portfolio evaluation applied toward a WKU credential cannot exceed a quarter of the total hours in the credential. For additional information, visit www.wku.edu/pla.
Alternative Forms of Credits for Prior Learning
WKU's colleges and academic departments may agree to award undergraduate credit based on verified trainings, ACE credit, or certification evaluated by program faculty. Credit based on trainings, certifications, etc. must meet rigor of upper- or lower-division courses and coordinated through the Office of the Registrar.