Credit for Nationally-Recognized Exams for Undergraduate Students: Twin Cities, Crookston, Morris, Rochester

• Updated: May 2011
• Primary Contact : Suzanne Bardouche

Students will be awarded credits based on nationally-recognized examinations (Advanced Placement (AP) program, the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, and the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)) when they meet the minimum standards for awarding credit.

Academic unit authorities on each campus have discretion to establish the minimum standards for awarding credits for nationally-recognized examinations. In determining those standards, academic unit authorities will evaluate whether the material in the nationally-recognized examination is substantially similar to that of an existing course, and if so, will award credits for that course. If the material is judged to be of college level but not substantially similar to an existing course, the academic unit may assign general departmental credits.

To provide the opportunity for enrolled undergraduate students to receive credits for nationally-recognized exams when the minimum standards - as determined by academic unit authorities - have been met.

There are no procedures associated with this policy.

• UM 1787 - Review of Advanced Placement Course Award (DOCX)

Note: This form was designed for the Twin Cities Campus. Other campuses can adapt it to their processes if they so choose.

Academic unit authority

The academic college, department, or committee responsible for determining the minimum standards required to receive credit for a nationally-recognized exam.

Academic department

The unit on campus offering coursework that is the same or substantially similar to the subject area of the nationally-recognized exam.

Matriculate

The process by which a student accepts the University's offer for admission and indicates that he or she intends to enroll.

Minimum standard

The minimum exam score a student must earn in order to receive University credit for a nationally-recognized exam.

Nationally-recognized exam

Exams overseen by an independent organization (e.g., College Board) that determines the national standard for the exams' content and scores.

Academic unit authority (academic departments on the Twin Cities, Duluth, Crookston, and Rochester campuses; Scholastic Committee on the Morris campus)

Determine the minimum standards (i.e., exam score) to receive credit for a nationally-recognized exam.

Office of Admissions (Twin Cities, Duluth, Crookston, and Rochester); Scholastic Committee in cooperation with the Office of the Registrar (Morris)

Oversee the administrative process for nationally-recognized exams.

There are no appendices associated with this policy.

1. Who determines the minimum standard to receive credit for a nationally-recognized exam?

   On the Twin Cities, Duluth, Crookston, and Rochester campuses, the minimum standard to receive credit for a nationally-recognized exam is determined by the appropriate academic department or unit. On the Morris campus, the Scholastic Committee determines the minimum standard.

2. Which students are eligible to receive credit for nationally-recognized exams?

   Only students who have been admitted as degree-seeking undergraduates at the University of Minnesota and have a student status of "enrolled" are eligible to receive credit for nationally-recognized exams. "Enrolled" does not refer to the student's registration status, but is a term used for students who have been admitted to the University and have matriculated. Students who have been admitted to the University but have not accepted an offer of enrollment are not eligible to receive credit for nationally recognized exams.

   High school students who are enrolled through the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program are not eligible to receive credit for nationally-recognized exams while they are enrolled as PSEO students. However, if they apply, are admitted, and matriculate as degree-seeking undergraduates at the University of Minnesota, they are then eligible to receive credit for nationally-recognized exams.

3. When are the credits for AP and IB exams awarded?

   Students must have completed the AP and IB nationally-recognized examinations before they begin their studies as degree-seeking undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota.

   Approved credits for AP will appear in a student's degree audit upon the University's official receipt of official AP test scores; students are notified of approved AP credit totals after they have been admitted to the University. IB credits are awarded after a student has been admitted to the University.

Twin Cities

• Advanced Placement
• International Baccalaureate
• College-Level Examination

Crookston

• Advanced Placement
• International Baccalaureate
• College-Level Examination

Duluth

• Advanced Placement
• International Baccalaureate
• College-Level Examination

Morris

• Advanced Placement
• International Baccalaureate
• College-Level Examination

Rochester

• Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and College-Level Examination

Effective:

May 2011 - New Policy, Comprehensive Review.  Specifies the authority for awarding credits for nationally-recognized exams. Defines where the credit will be applied (either as equivalent to an existing course, or as general departmental credits.)

Supercedes:

Examinations for Credit and Proficiency (Senate Policy)