Credit by Examination

You may earn credit for prior learning through credit-by-examination.

The University of Indianapolis participates in four national and two international credit-by-examination programs:

• College Board Advanced Placement Program (AP)
• DSST
• Educational Testing Service College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• A Level Exams International Baccalaureate Program (IB)
• National League for Nursing Examination Program (NLN)
• General Certificate of Education (GCE)

The faculty sets general guidelines for participation in each of these programs and the deans and department chairs determine which tests will be accepted and which UIndy courses are equivalent to them.

College Board Advanced Placement Program (AP)

The College Board Advanced Placement Program (AP) tests are administered annually at high schools that offer Advanced Placement courses. Scores for these examinations are sent to the University of Indianapolis at the request of the student. Further information about AP tests is available through one’s high school guidance office. University of Indianapolis school code: 1321

DSST

The DSST exams, originally developed for the military but now available for use at colleges and universities, are administered by computer at approved testing sites. Scores are sent to the University of Indianapolis at the request of the student, and credit is granted for tests on which the student receives the minimum passing score (as determined by the academic department chairperson). University of Indianapolis school code: 9520

Educational Testing Service College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations are administered by computer at approved testing sites. Scores are sent to the University of Indianapolis at the request of the student, and credit is granted for tests on which the student receives the minimum passing score (as determined by the academic department chairperson). University of Indianapolis school code: 1321

A Level Exams International Baccalaureate Program (IB)

The International Baccalaureate diploma program is currently offered at a variety of secondary institutions around the world. Scores for these examinations are sent to the University of Indianapolis at the request of the student. Further information about IB is available through ibo.org. UIndy awards credit for Higher Level (HL) Exams and some Standard Level (SL) exams.

University of Indianapolis Testing Programs

The University of Indianapolis offers students a number of opportunities to demonstrate prior learning experience through examination. Three different types of testing programs are available:

• National testing programs designed for the purpose of awarding credit
• University tests designed for the purpose of awarding credit
• University tests designed for the purpose of determining proficiency or placement

The Office of the Registrar, using the prescribed guidelines and the advice of the deans and department chairs, awards credit.

***Students who take the University of Indianapolis Modern Language Placement and Proficiency Test may be exempt from one or more semesters of modern language study and may fulfill language requirements for either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree. No credit is given for exemption. (See the Modern Language section of the academic catalog for information about earning testing credit by successfully completing a three or four credit hour course at UIndy).

University of Indianapolis Examinations Designers for Purpose of Determining Placement

Exams for placement are offered for English and Mathematics. Exams for modern language placement are offered through the Department of Global Languages. No credit is awarded for successful completion of these exams. Music auditions are conducted by the Department of Music.

General Guidelines

General guidelines for the granting of credit by examination at the University of Indianapolis are as follows:

1. National or university examinations may be taken prior to or during enrollment at the University of Indianapolis.
2. Credit that a student has been awarded by examination is recorded on their permanent record during their initial enrollment (new student) or at the time of testing (currently enrolled student).
3. No letter grade is assigned for credit awarded by examination; therefore, this credit is not used in calculating a student’s grade point average.
4. The student may not take an examination in a subject in which they have had a sequential course.
5. Duplicate credit cannot be awarded. The student may not take an examination in a subject in which they have already taken the equivalent college-level course and received a passing grade.
6. The student may not take an examination in any subject to remove or replace a letter grade in an equivalent college-level course completed at, or transferred into, the University of Indianapolis.

In addition to the national and international examinations that are used for the granting of credit, the University offers school or departmental examinations for the purpose of granting credit. 

All inquiries about transfer credit, correspondence credit, military credit, or credit-by-examination should be directed to the registrar.