|
|
|
|
|
| Ways to Earn Alternate Credit |
|
Students may demonstrate mastery of curriculum areas through Advanced Placement (AP), the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), the Credit for Academically Relevant Learning (CARL) program, International Baccalaureate (IB) exam, or departmental proficiency examination. The following general guidelines apply to all of these programs (specific details for each follow):
- A maximum of 32 semester credits earned through these programs may be applied toward the degree
- A grade of Satisfactory is awarded for credit earned through these programs and is not included in computed grade point averages. (In some special cases, where the major requires it, the letter grade will be awarded.)
- Credit earned through these programs does not fulfill the college residency requirement.
- Credit is recorded on the student's permanent record after he or she enrolls at the college.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)
The college grants credit for Advanced Placement (AP) tests administered by the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). The minimum grade required for credit varies across subject areas. For some AP tests, credit is awarded for a grade of 3 or higher, whereas other tests require a minimum grade of 4 or 5. Specific requirements are on file in the Registrar's Office.
COLLEGE-LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP)
CLEP has been established to enable students of all ages to earn college credit by examination. The College of St. Catherine accepts the recommendations of the American Council on Education for the minimum scores necessary to earn credit and the number of credits awarded for General and Subject Examinations. Students must have official CLEP scores submitted for credit to be considered.
To obtain further information about CLEP examinations, write to the College-Level Examination Program, P.O. Box 6600, Princeton, NJ 08541-6600, visit their Web site at http://www.collegeboard.org, or inquire at the Office of Academic Affairs.
CREDIT FOR ACADEMICALLY RELEVANT LEARNING (CARL)
The CARL program provides an opportunity for students to earn credit for prior learning that took place outside of the classroom. Interested students develop a portfolio that describes and documents a relevant, college-level learning experience, which is assessed by a faculty evaluator. After evaluation, the faculty member recommends a credit award for the student's learning.
Students are charged a rate of 50 percent of tuition for CARL credits and may apply for the program after completing 16 semester credits at the college. For further information, contact the Office of Academic Affairs.
POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION CREDITS
Students who completed post-secondary college-level work through their high school may be able to transfer the course work to CSC. (See Transfer Credit Evaluation in the catalog for information pertaining to the evaluation process). The Registrar's Office must receive a copy of the student's transcript from the college that offered the course. Having the course recorded on the student's high school transcript is not sufficient.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE EXAMS (IB)
The college grants credit for IB exams. The IB exam score determines the number of credits awarded. The number of credits varies across subject areas. Specific requirements are on file in the Registrar's Office.
PROFICIENCY EXAM
A proficiency exam allows students to earn credit for a course by successfully completing an examination and/or skills test covering the content of the course. Students may request to challenge a course when they believe their previous course work (for example, a portion of a course or combination of courses), experience (work, on-the-job training, continuing education) or knowledge (independent study in an area of special interest) is commensurate with a CSC course.
This option is provided only by certain departments. Baccalaureate students may use proficiency examinations to satisfy a maximum of two courses in any on department. A fee, equal to one-fourth of the tuition, is charged for the testing process (unless the course is already discounted). Applications to take a proficiency exam must be submitted to the instructor (associate degree programs) or department chair (baccalaureate programs) no later than the second week of the term in which the particular course to be challenged has begun. Individual programs may have earlier application deadlines.
|