Non-Traditional Credit Guidelines
Undergraduate students may accelerate their degree programs through use of non-traditional forms of credit. Included are the Prior Learning Assessment, the College Level Examination Program and coursework validated by the American Council on Education, and various other credit evaluation agencies. Students may earn credit through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP).
All coursework noted here is processed as transfer credit. The maximum amount of credit for all such forms of non-traditional credit is 75 semester hours. Furthermore, the maximum within each category is as follows:
- PLA: 45 semester hours
- CLEP: 30 semester hours
- ACE and other credit evaluation agencies: 45 semester hours
The American Council on Education (ACE) has evaluated and recommended for credit many of the training programs conducted by the Armed Services, major industries, and professional associations. Franklin Pierce University will generally award transfer credit for programs evaluated by ACE per their recommendations.
CLEP may not be awarded in disciplines where students have had prior course work. CLEP is designed to measure an individual’s knowledge in traditional academic areas. Previously taken CLEP testing will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
AP Credit (College Board Advanced Placement Exams) and IB Credit (International Baccalaureate): the University recognizes secondary school accomplishment by means of advanced placement and credit for those who have taken especially enriched or accelerated courses before entering college. Applicants may qualify for such credit by satisfactory achievement on the College Board Advanced Placement Exams (typically a score of 3 or higher; 4 or higher for some majors – see equivalency sheet on eRaven) or International Baccalaureate Higher Level Exams (score of 4 or higher). Official score reports must be submitted to the University from College Board or International Baccalaureate for credit to be granted.
