Testing for College Credit

Fort Hays State University awards college credit through testing programs administered by FHSU and outside the university. These include:

* College Level Examination Program (CLEP) — CLEP tests are designed to measure the extent of knowledge a student has already acquired and to reward the student by awarding university credit. CLEP General Examinations can be used to reduce the student's general education requirements. CLEP Subject Examinations can be used to fulfill credit hours towards degree requirements. No credits are awarded for subject exams which are pre-requisites for a course previously passed. A grade of "CR" is recorded on the student's transcript.

* Defense Activities for Non-Traditional Educational Support (DANTES) — Academic departments review DANTES exams and determine the award of credit. A grade of "CR" is recorded on the transcript if credit is accepted.

* Advanced Placement Examinations (AP) — FHSU cooperates with high schools offering courses in the Advanced Placement Programs of the College Entrance Examination Board. The university accepts scores of 5, 4, or 3 and is reviewed on an individual basis. A grade of "CR" is awarded on the student's transcript.

* Local Examinations — If a student appears to have unusual qualifications, a prospective student or a regularly enrolled student may petition the appropriate department chair for an advanced standing examination. No petition can be granted after the student is enrolled in or taken the course for credit or audit. An exam fee is required before the administration of the exam by the department. A grade of "CR" is recorded on the student's transcript.

* Excelsior College Proficiency Examinations — Enrolled students may also earn college credit through Excelsior exams. A grade of "CR" is recorded on the transcript for successful completion of each exam. Credit counts toward fulfilling degree requirements; however, no credit is awarded for exams in a course that is a pre-requisite for a course previously passed.

FHSU accepts credit by examination as described above. Departments determine minimum test levels. If a student meets those minimums, a grade of "CR" is recorded on the student's transcript. Fort Hays State University has a liberal policy on the acceptance of credit by examination and ACE-approved courses for military personnel pursuing the BGS degree. Fort Hays State University accepts "passing" for ACE-recommended scores.

* Military Service Credit — Enrolled students may earn college credit for educational experiences in the armed services. Credit is awarded based on the recommendations in the American Council on Education's Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. A transcript analyst will work with a student to determine the appropriate military records required for an evaluation of military service experience if a SMART transcript is not available. A grade of "CR" is recorded on the student's transcript. No credit is awarded for a course that is a pre-requisite for a course previously passed.

FHSU will accept up to 30 credits by examination mentioned above for the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree. FHSU will accept 0 credits by examination for the Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) degree. For the purpose of transfer credits, ACE-approved courses are not considered credits by examination.

Total credit by exam and ACE-approved credits cannot exceed 64.