Credit for Prior Learning
Adults returning to college or beginning to seek a college degree may wish to investigate opportunities to earn credit that can be applied to their degree through credit for prior learning. Students must demonstrate that from significant experiences in their lives they have acquired knowledge and/or skills and abilities that are the equivalent of learning acquired from a college course. This learning (called Prior Experiential Learning) can be the result of a variety of life experiences: employment, volunteer work, community service, travel, military service, or courses at non-collegiate institutions.
Credit is granted for learning, not experience, and will be earned only when the student has successfully demonstrated that the learning acquired is the equivalent of that gained through courses traditionally taught in colleges, that it is at a level of achievement equal to what is normally required in college courses, and that it consists of current knowledge that shows both theoretical understanding and practical application of the subject area.
Credit Maximums
Credit for prior learning is limited to a maximum of 30 credits for bachelor's seeking students, and may be used to fulfill the core curriculum requirements and electives. In some cases, they may be used to fulfill program requirements. Grades for credit earned for prior learning are given as pass or fail. No more than 90 credits can be applied to degree requirements from a combination of 2-year institutions, 4-year institutions, and credit for prior learning.
Students in a degree program at Stevenson University can pursue credit for prior learning through the options listed below. Additional information, including course equivalences for exams and certificates, can be found at credit for prior learning on the Stevenson website.
ACE-American Council on Education credit
American Council on Education (ACE)
Students may receive academic credit and/or waivers of prerequisite courses in undergraduate or graduate academic programs based on credit recommendations provided by the American Council on Education (ACE). Students who successfully complete a course, examination, or certification with an ACE recommendation can receive an official transcript which can be reviewed by the relevant Academic Program Administrator at Stevenson. Please note that not all ACE-approved credits are guaranteed to transfer to Stevenson University. Prospective students are encouraged to contact your Admissions/Enrollment Counselor and current students are encouraged to contact your Academic Program Administrator to determine the transferability of ACE-approved credits. Please see the ACE website for more information.
Advanced Placement
Incoming students who submit Advanced Placement (AP) test scores from the College Board and who achieved satisfactory scores are considered for advanced placement or credit. College credit may be granted for scores of 3, 4, or 5, depending on the subject. See the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate webpage for details.
When test scores are sent directly to the university, they are reviewed and, when appropriate, credit is entered in the student’s record. Transfer students who were awarded credit by AP from their previous institution must have test scores sent directly to Stevenson from the College Board in order to be awarded equivalent credit.
Credit cannot be awarded for AP and the equivalent college course. Credit awarded for AP exam scores is included in the 90 credits that can be applied to degree requirements from a combination of 2-year institutions, 4-year institutions, and non-direct classroom instruction.
CLEP Examinations
Stevenson University awards college credit to students who earn qualifying scores on College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. CLEP exam results must be submitted directly to the university. If the designated passing score is achieved, appropriate credit will be awarded and entered into the student’s record. Students may not earn credit for a CLEP exam and the equivalent college course. Students may not earn CLEP credit for World Language exams taken in their first language. Credit awarded for CLEP exam scores is included in the maximum of 90 credits that can be applied to degree requirements from a combination of 2-year institutions, 4-year institutions, and non-direct classroom instruction.
DSST
Stevenson University awards college credit to students who earn qualifying scores on a DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST). DSST exam results must be submitted directly to the university. If the designated passing score is achieved, appropriate credit will be awarded and entered into the student’s record. Students may not earn credit for a DSST exam and the equivalent college course. Credit awarded for DSST exam scores is included in the maximum of 90 credits that can be applied to degree requirements from a combination of 2-year institutions, 4-year institutions, and non-direct classroom instruction.
International Baccalaureate
Stevenson University values the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and awards credits based on scores earned on individual standard and higher level subject examinations. Students who have earned an IB diploma will be granted sophomore status and awarded 30 credits that will be applied toward degree requirements. See the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate webpage for details.
Transfer students who were awarded credit for IB from their previous institution must have their exam scores and IB transcripts sent directly to Stevenson. Credit cannot be awarded for scores at both the standard and higher level of the same subject, for IB and AP scores for the same subject, or for IB and the equivalent college course. Credit awarded for IB is included in the maximum of 90 credits that can be applied to degree requirements from a combination of 2-year institutions, 4-year institutions, and non-direct classroom instruction.
Credit by Portfolio
Matriculated students may earn credit for degree requirements by pursuing a Credit by Portfolio option. Students interested in this option are encouraged to meet with their Success Coach or Academic Advisor and their Academic Program Administrator to determine if they have appropriate professional experience for which college credit may be awarded. Upon approval of the Academic Program Administrator, the student will enroll in a 3-credit portfolio development course in which they will assemble appropriate evidence demonstrating that their documented experiential learning meets the objectives of the course for which they wish to receive credit. Completed portfolios are reviewed by faculty evaluators. Credit is awarded at the discretion of the Academic Program Administrator based on the evaluation of the portfolio. A student is allowed one revision and re-submission of a portfolio that does not meet criteria to award credit.
Awarded credits are posted on the student’s transcript and are counted toward degree completion requirements. A maximum of 6 credits can be earned by portfolio, not including the portfolio development course. Credit earned by portfolio is included in the maximum of 90 credits that can be applied to degree requirements from a combination of 2-year institutions, 4-year institutions, and non-direct classroom instruction.
Credit for Professional Certification
A maximum of 30 credits may be awarded in a Stevenson University undergraduate degree program for the completion of an approved certificate from a professional organization. Official documentation of successful completion of the certificate must be submitted and additional documentation including, but not limited to, a syllabus, curriculum or other documentation of the content of the certificate may be requested. Credit for a completed certificate is awarded at the discretion and with the approval of the appropriate academic program administrator and dean of the school in which the program resides. All approved certificates must be sufficiently equivalent to courses offered at Stevenson University. Credits awarded for an approved certificate are included in the maximum of 90 credits that can be applied to degree requirements from a combination of 2-year institutions, 4-year institutions, and non-direct classroom instruction.
Upon matriculation, students may not complete certificates elsewhere and transfer them into Stevenson University undergraduate programs.