Credit for Prior Learning

Advanced Placement Credits

Students who take Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school can earn college credit at Kutztown University by taking the AP exams administered by the College Board in May. The exam results determine if students meet college-level standards. To receive credit, students must request that their official AP score report be sent directly to Kutztown University from the College Board. Details on how AP courses transfer as credit can be found on the university’s website. For questions, students can contact the university by email at rauch@kutztown.edu or by phone at 610-683-1312.

CLEP Test

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) allows students to earn college credit by demonstrating their knowledge through exams, based on independent study, work experience, or personal learning. There are five general exams covering material from the first two years of college and twenty-four subject exams in areas such as literature, languages, history, social sciences, math, science, and economics. While Kutztown University accepts CLEP credits, it does not administer CLEP exams. Students can find a nearby testing location and schedule their exam at clep.collegeboard.org/find-a-test-center-and-schedule-your-test.

Credit by Examination

Kutztown University allows eligible full-time or part-time students to earn credits by examination (Challenge Examination) if they have equivalent knowledge or experience to those who completed the course. Students must submit a formal request to the Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies using the appropriate form, which requires written approval from the department chairperson and the course professor.

A $25 administrative fee must be paid here, using the student’s ID number, with “Credit by Exam” listed as the reason for payment.

Once approved, a designated professor will create and administer the exam within 60 days. Results are reported as “pass” or “fail” to the Registrar. A passing grade grants full academic credit for the course, while a failing grade is recorded on the transcript, and the student must complete the course normally.

Important restrictions: Approval will not be granted to students who:

  • Previously failed the course in a classroom setting,

  • Failed a prior Challenge Examination for the same course, or

  • Lack verification of qualifications from the department chairperson and instructor.