Credit for Prior Learning

Washburn University recognizes the Cambridge International Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and Advanced (A) Levels. In order to receive appropriate credit, official transcripts should be forwarded to the University Registrar. Credit is awarded on a course-by-course basis by academic departments depending on departmental policy. The table below provides information on Cambridge International AS and A level courses that are currently recognized for college credit by Washburn academic departments. Credit for other courses may be awarded upon request by a student, after consultation with the relevant academic department(s).

This program is designed for high school seniors planning to enter college and is administered in conjunction with Advanced Placement courses taught in the high schools.  The scores are reported to the University by CEEB.  Appropriate credit or advanced placement is awarded at the time of enrollment in the University. When credit is awarded it may be applied to meet degree requirements.  When advanced placement is awarded, a student is advanced to a higher level college course without being required to take a lower level prerequisite. Depending on departmental policy and the examination scores which are achieved, an academic department may award either credit or advanced placement or both to a student.  No entry is made on the college transcript for scores which are lower than those determined to be satisfactory by the Washburn academic departments.

Students may have Advanced Placement test scores obtained in high school reported to the University for evaluation.  Credit and/or advanced placement are awarded to students who have received a score of three (3), four (4), or five (5). Currently a student may be awarded college credit hours in the subjects listed.

Washburn University recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. Students should seek information and obtain registration materials through appropriate high school counselors or other secondary school officials. This program is designed for high school juniors and seniors planning to enter college and is administered in conjunction with International Baccalaureate courses taught in high schools.

At the time of enrollment in the University, official transcripts should be forwarded to the University Registrar in order to receive appropriate credit. Credit is awarded on a course-by-course basis by academic departments depending on departmental policy and the examination scores which are achieved. No entry is made on the college transcript for scores which are lower than those determined to be satisfactory by the Washburn academic departments.

Students can obtain information for certain subjects then take a standardized test to receive college credit through DSST examinations. Veterans and Active military personnel are particularly encouraged to take advantage of DSST Exams.  Students cannot earn DSST exam credit for a course that has been previously attempted or completed at Washburn or a transfer institution. (A course that appears on a college transcript or a course in progress is considered an attempted course.) If a DSST examination is attempted and not passed, a student must wait 30 days before retesting.

DSST examinations are awarded as credit. However, the score identified as passing should be interpreted as equivalent to a grade of C or better. Therefore, DSST credit can be awarded for any course requiring a grade of C or better. This credit is considered transfer credit and may be treated as a prerequisite for subsequent courses. There is no record made on the academic transcript for those students who are not awarded credit. Each school or department within the university has different curriculum requirements and may use the scores in different ways.

In order for Washburn University to accept as transfer credit DSST exam credit awarded at another postsecondary institution, official university transcripts must be submitted to Washburn. Depending on the institution awarding the credit, students may need to submit an official DSST transcript to Washburn University.

Official DSST transcripts can be ordered through an online transcript order service. For DSST transcript inquiries call: 1.877.471.9860. To schedule a DSST Examination at Washburn University, contact the Center for Prior Learning and Testing in Mabee Library. Washburn University awards credit for the following DSST exams listed.

Washburn University allows you to test out of courses in which you already have academic knowledge comparable to that gained in collegiate study. The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations measure knowledge of the material usually covered in courses during the first two years of college. Students cannot earn CLEP credit for a course previously attempted or completed at Washburn University or a regionally accredited postsecondary institution. (A course that appears on a college transcript or a course in progress is considered an attempted course.) If a CLEP examination is attempted and not passed, a student must wait 90 days before retesting. Credit for CLEP examinations is awarded as credit. However, the score identified as passing should be interpreted as equivalent to a grade of C or better. Therefore, CLEP credit can be awarded for any course requiring a grade of C or better.

This credit is considered transfer credit and may be treated as a prerequisite for subsequent courses. There is no record made on the academic transcript for those students who are not awarded credit. Each school or department within the university has different curriculum requirements and may use the scores in different ways.

Official CLEP scores can be ordered by contacting: CLEP, Box 6601, Princeton, N.J. 08541, 800-257-9558, (Washburn code 6928).

In order for Washburn University to accept as transfer credit CLEP exam credit awarded at another postsecondary institution, official university transcripts must be submitted to Washburn. Depending on the institution awarding the credit, students may need to submit an official CLEP transcript to Washburn University.

The CLEP scores listed are for exams taken through computer-based testing (CBT) only. Contact Academic Advising regarding scores taken before July 2001. To schedule a CLEP Examination at Washburn University, contact the Center for Prior Learning and Testing in Mabee Library.

When a student identifies a course which he or she feels qualified to "challenge" or "quiz out of," the student should contact the chair of the department offering that course to determine whether a department examination could be accepted. If the academic department gives approval for the student to quiz out of a specific course, the student obtains a Credit by Examination registration form in the University Registrar's Office. The University Registrar's Office determines that the student is either currently enrolled or a former student who is not currently enrolled in the challenged class and is free of all holds. The student completes the credit by examination registration form and obtains signatures as required on the form. The student must finalize the process by taking the credit by exam form to the Business Office where he or she pays the standard testing fee for the exam. After payment is made, the student returns a copy of the form to the University Registrar's Office. The student takes his/her copy which has been marked "paid" to the department at the scheduled time of the examination. Under no circumstances will the examination be administered prior to payment. No refunds will be given for exams not taken or not passed.

After the student has taken the exam, the department evaluates it and determines whether or not the student receives credit. If the department determines that credit is to be awarded, credit for the course is posted to the transcript. If the department determines based on the exam that credit should not be awarded, no entry is made to the transcript. If the course is taken to fulfill requirements in a major, a letter grade for the course may be determined by the department and posted on the transcript. The exam may not be repeated; a student may not take a department exam for any course more than once. Credit by department examination may not be used to repeat courses previously taken by the student.  Credit given by department examination is considered residential credit.

Credit awarded for military service is based upon the recommendations of the Commission on Accreditation of Service Experiences which was appointed by the American Council on Education.  Credit will be granted to all military personnel in accordance with the recommendations of the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services.  Students should provide their military transcripts by clicking the link  www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/Transcripts-for-Military-Personnel.aspx

Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy, Active Duty, Reserve and Veterans are eligible to access this system. Please follow directions on the link entitled How to request an Official Transcript.

Military credit is subject to the same limitations as regular transfer credit i.e. technical credit limits and no credit awarded for course duplications.  For more information and to secure forms for making application, students should contact the Office of the University Registrar.

The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to recognize students who attain proficiency in English and at least one other language prior to their high school graduation. Washburn University will award academic credit to students who obtain the Silver or Gold Seal of Biliteracy. A student who receives the Silver Seal of Biliteracy will receive credit for SP/FR/FL 101 (4 credit hours), as appropriate. Credit for both SP/FR/FL 101 and SP/FR/FL 102 (8 credit hours total) will be awarded to students who receive the Gold Seal of Biliteracy.

Students that receive a Silver or Gold Seal of Biliteracy in American Sign Language, and are completing a program that includes a foreign language requirement, should complete a culture course in Modern Languages, taught in English, to meet the foreign language requirement.