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  • Home / Academics / Academic Support Svcs. / Alternative Credit Options

    Academic Support Svcs.

    Alternative Credit Options

    Apply Now Visit Ursuline Find a Program Request Info

    Alternative Credit Options

    Ursuline offers several options to earn college credit outside of the traditional classroom setting. 

    Ursuline college accelerated adult professor smiling5

    In keeping with Ursuline's personal approach to education, we recognize your unique learning experiences by providing you with the opportunity to receive credit for what you already know. Through Ursuline's Alternative Credit Options, you can:

    • Fast track your path to degree completion.
    • Be recognized for your prior accomplishments.
    • Earn a maximum of 43 semester hours.

    Download Helpful Guide

    CLEP - College Level Examination Program 

    CLEP is a national, standardized testing program that is recognized by colleges all over the country.

    • Ursuline accepts most of the CLEP subject exams as elective credits and some can be substituted for specific Ursuline requirements.
    • A minimum score of 50 is required to earn credit for an exam.
    • CLEP tests are not permitted during your final semester at Ursuline.
    • CLEP exams may not be taken for a class that a student has failed at Ursuline and needs to repeat.
    • If you don't pass the CLEP exam, you are eligible to retake that exam again in 6 months.
    • Each CLEP test costs $89 to take with an additional testing site fee that varies by location. To post the credits earned to your transcript, an additional $10 fee is charged to your account after the official score results are received by the College.
    • You are required to register to take a CLEP exam on the CLEP website. You use Ursuline College’s code (1848) to indicate that you want your official score report sent to Ursuline.  
    • Ursuline is not a testing center.
    • Do not take General Exams; we accept only Subject Exams.
    • Do not take the essay portion of any test.
    • Preparation for taking a CLEP exam:
      • Discuss CLEP possibilities with your advisor.  
      • STUDY RESOURCES: Annual CLEP Official Study Guide published by the College Board (also available for short term loan at Ursuline's library). While other publications are available, you should make every attempt to review material provided in the College Board's study guide. Use the website collegeboard.com to find test descriptions and other valuable resources and information about preparing for CLEP. Also go online to ursulinelibrary.wikispaces.com/CLEP for other resources in our library.
      • A series of free online courses in some CLEP subject areas is available through the Modern States Education Alliance.

    Download the CLEP Handout

    Test-Outs

    Several departments have created their own exams by which a student may test out of a class. This option is primarily intended for students who took a similar course at a non-accredited institution, or who took a class that was not transferable to the college. It is also for students with substantial knowledge in a particular subject. 

    Test-Out Policies

    • All currently enrolled, degree-seeking students are eligible to test out of authorized courses.
    • Students are not permitted to take a test-out during their final semester.
    • Students are not permitted to register for a test-out and the course simultaneously.
    • A minimum grade of "C" or better (76%) on the test is required in order to earn credit. A grade of "P" (passing) is posted on the transcript and is not calculated into the GPA.
    • If you pass, you are assessed a $35 fee per credit hour ($105 for a 3-credit course)
    • If the attempt is not successful, there is no opportunity to re-take the exam. 

    Download Test-Out Policy + Procedure

    Portfolio-Based Assessment (PBA)

    Students are eligible to register for PBA if they have successfully completed at least one semester/term at Ursuline with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

    • Credit is awarded for learning that has occurred outside the traditional classroom setting for which the student has not received previous college credit.
    • Credit earned may not replace Ursuline Core requirements. 
    • Credit may be earned for major course requirements with department chair approval. 
    • Credit may be earned as general elective credit. 
    • You must show depth of knowledge by describing college-level learning according to the learning outcomes of the Ursuline Core or the learning objectives of a specific course. 
    • The learning you discuss must be measurable and verifiable. 
    • You will have one calendar year to complete the PBA, and it must be completed 6 months before you graduate.  
    • There is a non-refundable $100 registration fee for the PBA. If credit is earned, the registration fee is applied to the first credit hour. 
    • If you receive credit for your portfolio, you are charged $100 per credit hour.

    Download PBA QUESTIONNAIRE

    Download PBA Registration Form


    Military Training

    In order for a student to receive credit for Military Training, the student must have a JST (Joint Services Transcript) for Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard service, or a CCAF (Community College of the Air Force) Transcript for Air Force service that can be accessed by the college registrar. This transcript is reviewed and credits are awarded based on the American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations posted on the transcript.

    • Credits cannot replace Ursuline Core requirements, but may be used as elective credits.
    • If the department chair determines that a student’s military training duplicates a course required in the major, s/he may approve that training to replace the course.  
    • All JST credits must be posted to students’ permanent records before they register for their final semester of classes.  
    • No posting fee is required.


    Workplace Training

    If you work for a company that requires that you attend formal professional development workshops or training, you may be eligible to earn credit through Workplace Training. This option requires that your training has been previously reviewed by the American Council on Education (ACE) and that you submit a transcript from the ACE Registry of Credit Recommendations.

    • Credits cannot replace Ursuline Core requirements and major requirements, but may be used as elective credits.
    • There is a $10 fee per course to post the credits to the student's permanent record if the transcript is submitted to the college after matriculation.
    • Credits must be posted before the student registers for their final semester of classes.

    Further information on all these options can be found in the Ursuline College Undergraduate Catalog or from an academic advisor in the Besse Library Learning Commons.