Credit by exam
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse offers many opportunities for students to earn academic credit for what you have learned through education, study, or professional development. Credit by Examination can save you time and money by shortening your time in school and reducing tuition spending. Several options are available, including:
- Advanced Placement program (AP)
- College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- Department credit by examination
- International Baccalaueate examination (IB)
- Retroactive credit
Advanced Placement program (AP)
Students who have participated in the Advanced Placement Program (AP) in high school and have received scores of 3, 4, or 5 will receive academic credit. Official transcripts of AP work must be submitted to the Admissions Office for evaluation to determine how academic credit will be awarded. UW-La Crosse's AP School Code is 1914. You can contact the AP Testing Center at: www.apcentral.collegeboard.com or by phone at (888) 225-5427. Students may receive credit for passing the following AP exams:
AP Equivalencies at UW-La Crosse |
|||
| AP Exam | Passing Score | UW-L Course | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art History | 3,4,5 |
Elective Credit | 3 |
| Biology | 3 |
Elective Credit | 4 |
| Biology | 4, 5 |
Biology 103 | 4 |
| Calculus AB | 3,4,5 |
Math 207 | 5 |
| Calculus BC | 3 |
Math 207 | 5 |
| Calculus BC |
4,5 |
Math 207 & 208 |
9 |
| Chemistry | 3 |
Elective Credit | 4 |
| Chemistry | 4,5 |
Chemistry 103 | 5 |
| Chinese Language and Culture |
3 |
Chinese 202 |
4 |
| Chinese Language and Culture |
4,5 |
Chinese 202, 398 |
7 |
| Computer Science A | 3,4 |
Elective Credit | 3 |
| Computer Science A | 5 |
Comp. Science 120 | 4 |
| Computer Science AB | 3 |
Elective Credit | 3 |
| Computer Science AB | 4 |
Comp. Science 120 | 4 |
| Computer Science AB | 5 |
Comp. Science 120, 220 | 7 |
| Economics: Macro | 3,4,5 |
Economics 120 | 3 |
| Economics: Micro | 3,4,5 |
Economics 110 | 3 |
| English: Language & Composition | 3 |
English 110 | 3 |
| English: Language & Composition | 4,5 |
English 110 and exempt from 300 level writing course | 3 |
| English: Literature & Composition | 3 |
English 110 | 3 |
| English: Literature & Composition | 4,5 |
English 110 and exempt from 300 level writing course | 3 |
| Environmental Science | 3 |
Elective Credit | 3 |
| Environmental Science | 4,5 |
Geography 200 | 3 |
| European History | 3,4,5 |
History 240 | 3 |
| French Language | 3 |
French 202; Placement in 303 course* | 4 |
| French Language | 4,5 |
French 202, 303; Placement in course above 303* | 7 |
| French Literature | 3 |
French 202; Placement in 303* | 4 |
| French Literature | 4,5 |
French 202, 305; Placement in 303* | 7 |
| German Language | 3 |
German 202; Placement in 300+ course* | 4 |
| German Language |
4,5
|
German 202, 300; Placement in 300+ course* | 7 |
| Gov't & Politics: Comparative | 3,4,5 |
Political Science 234 | 3 |
| Gov't & Politics: United States | 3,4,5 |
Political Science 101 | 3 |
| Human Geography | 3,4,5 |
Geography 110 | 3 |
| Italian Language and Culture |
3 |
Modern Languages 202 |
4 |
| Italian Language and Culture |
4,5 |
Modern Languages 202, 398 |
7 |
| Japanese Language and Culture |
3 |
Modern Languages 202 |
4 |
| Japanese Language and Culture |
4,5 |
Modern Languages 202, 398 |
7 |
| Latin: Literature | 3,4,5 |
Elective Credit | 4 |
| Latin: Vergil | 3,4,5 |
Elective Credit | 4 |
| Music: Theory | 3,4,5 |
Music 235 | 3 |
| Physics B | 3 |
Elective Credit | 4 |
| Physics B | 4,5 |
Elective Credit | 8 |
| Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism | 3 |
Elective Credit | 4 |
| Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism | 4,5 |
Physics 204 | 4 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 |
Elective Credit | 4 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 4,5 |
Physics 203 | 4 |
| Psychology | 3,4,5 |
Psychology 100 | 3 |
| Spanish Language | 3 |
Spanish 202; Placement in 303 course* | 4 |
| Spanish Language | 4,5 |
Spanish 202, 303; Placement in 304 course* | 8 |
| Spanish Literature | 3 |
Spanish 202; Placement in 303* | 4 |
| Spanish Literature | 4,5 |
Spanish 202, 305; Placement in 303 course* | 7 |
| Statistics | 3,4,5 |
Math 145 | 4 |
| Studio Art: 2-D Design Portfolio** | 3,4,5 |
Elective Credit | 3 |
| Studio Art: 3-D Design Portfolio** | 3,4,5 |
Elective Credit | 3 |
| Studio Art: Drawing Portfolio** | 3,4,5 |
Elective Credit | 3 |
| United States History | 3,4,5 |
History 210 | 3 |
| World History | 3,4,5 |
History 101, 102 | 6 |
*Retroactive credits for 101, 102, and 201 (12 credits) would be granted upon completion of the appropriate 300-level course at UW-La Crosse with a grade of "B" or higher. Refer to Retroactive Credits for more information.
**Student's portfolio will need to be reviewed by the department.
ELECTIVE CREDITS are university electives that count toward the degree, but NOT as departmental electives toward the major.
Military Science Advanced Placement Program
Students at UW-L may earn advanced placement credit for Military Science courses through successful completion of the ROTC Basic Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky or through completion of basic training and advanced individual training. Interested students should contact the UW-La Crosse Military Science Department for more information at (608) 785-8404.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a national program administered through the College Board. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will follow The American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines and recommendations for minimum scores for awarding credit in all subject examinations. Students should contact the Counseling and Testing Center (608) 785-8073 for information about CLEP, and to order the exam. Students who have taken exams at other sites, may submit the results to the Admissions Office for evaluation to determine if academic credit will be awarded. Students may receive credit for passing the following CLEP subject level exams:
|
CLEP Equivalencies at UW-La Crosse |
|||
CLEP
Exam |
Passing |
UW-L |
Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
Composition & Literature |
|||
| American Literature | 50 |
English Elective |
6 |
| Analyzing & Interpreting Literature | 50 |
English Elective |
6 |
| English Literature | 50 |
English Elective |
6 |
| Freshman College Composition | 50 |
English Elective |
6 |
Foreign Literature |
|||
| College French | |||
| Level 1 (2 semesters) | 50 |
French 101, 102 |
8 |
| Level 2 (4 semesters) | 62 |
French 101, 102, 201, 202 |
16 |
| College German | |||
| Level 1 (2 semesters) | 50 |
German 101, 102 |
8 |
| Level 2 (4 semesters) | 63 |
German 101, 102, 201, 202 |
16 |
| College Spanish | |||
| Level 1 (2 semesters) | 50 |
Spanish 101, 102 |
8 |
| Level 2 (4 semesters) | 66 |
Spanish 101, 102, 201,
202 |
16 |
History & Social Sciences |
|||
| American Government | 50 |
Pol. Science 101 |
3 |
| History of the US I | 50 |
History 210 |
3 |
| History of the US II | 50 |
History 206 |
3 |
| Human Growth & Development | 50 |
Psychology 310 |
3 |
| Intro. to Educational Psychology | 50 |
Psychology 370 |
3 |
| Introductory Psychology | 50 |
Psychology 100 |
3 |
| Introductory Sociology | 50 |
Sociology 110 |
3 |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50 |
Economics 120 |
3 |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 50 |
Economics 110 |
3 |
| Western Civilization I | 50 |
History Elective |
3 |
| Western Civilization II | 50 |
History Elective |
3 |
Science & Mathematics |
|||
| Calculus | 50 |
Math Elective |
5 |
| College Algebra | 50 |
Math Elective |
4 |
| College Algebra/Trigonometry | 50 |
Math Elective |
5 |
| Trigonometry | 50 |
Math Elective |
3 |
| Precalculus |
50 |
Math Elective |
3 |
| Biology | 50 |
Biology 103 |
4 |
| Chemistry | 50 |
Chemistry 103 |
5 |
Business |
|||
| Information Systems & Computer Applications | 50 |
Elective Credit |
3 |
| Introductory Business Law | 50 |
Elective Credit |
3 |
| Principles of Accounting | 50 |
Accounting 221, 222 |
6 |
| Principles of Management | 50 |
Elective Credit |
3 |
| Principles of Marketing |
50 |
Marketing 309 |
3 |
Department credit by examination
Each academic department will have on file an examination for credit for each course the department determines to be introductory, including courses applicable to the Skills Component of the General Education Program. Interested students should check with the department and their Dean’s office to make arrangements for taking the test on this campus. A non-refundable fee of $10 will be charged for each examination and is payable to the Cashiers Office. The following departments offer Credit by Examination:
| Department | Location | Phone | Course* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountancy | 223 Wimberly Hall | (608)785-8090 | Accountancy 221 Accountancy 222 |
| Archaeology/Sociology | 435 Wimberly Hall | (608)785-8457 | Sociology 200 |
| Chemistry | 4004 Cowley Hall | (608)785-8268 | Chemistry 103 |
| Communication Studies | 346 Center for the Arts | (608)785-8519 | Communication Stud. 110 |
| Computer Science | 221 Wing | (608)785-6805 | Computer Science 101 Computer Science 120 |
| Economics | 223 Wimberly Hall | (608)785-8090 | Economics 110 Economics 120 |
| Management | 223 Wimberly Hall | (608)785-8090 | Management 205 |
| Mathematics | 1020 Cowley Hall | (608)785-8382 | Math 150 Math 151 Math 207 Math 208 |
| Philosophy | 245 Graff Main Hall | (608)785-8424 | Philosophy 101 |
| Political Science | 421 Wimberly Hall | (608)785-8434 | Political Science 101 Political Science 102 |
| Psychology | 335 Graff Main Hall | (608)785-8440 | Psychology 100 |
| Sociology/Archaeology | 435 Wimberly Hall | (608)785-8457 | Sociology 200 |
*Course titles may be found in the UW-La Crosse Undergraduate Catalog
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will accept all International Baccalaureate (IB) "HIGHER LEVEL" examinations with a score of 4 or greater. Official IB transcripts should be submitted to the Admissions Office for evaluation. Students may receive credit for passing the following IB exams:
|
IB Equivalencies at UW-La Crosse |
|||
IB Exam |
Passing Score |
UW-L Course |
Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropology | 4,5,6,7 |
Anthropology/Sociology 202 | 3 |
| Art Design** | 4,5,6,7 |
Elective Credit | 3 |
| Biology | 4,5,6,7 |
Biology 103 | 4 |
| Business & Organization | 4,5,6,7 |
Management Elective | 3 |
| Chemistry | 4,5,6,7 |
Chemistry 103 | 5 |
| Chinese | 4,5,6,7 |
Chinese Elective (Literature) | 6 |
| Classical Greek | 4,5,6,7 |
Humanities Elective | 3 |
| Computer Science | 4,5,6,7 |
Computer Science Elective | 3 |
| Economics | 4,5,6,7 |
Economics 110, 120 | 6 |
| English | 4,5,6,7 |
English 200 |
3
|
| French | 4,5,6,7 |
French Elective (Literature) | 6 |
| Geography | 4,5,6,7 |
Geography Elective | 3 |
| German | 4,5,6,7 |
German Elective (Literature) | 6 |
| History | 4,5,6,7 |
History Elective | 3 |
| Latin | 4,5,6,7 | Humanities Elective | 3 |
| Mathematics | 4,5,6,7 |
Math Elective | 3 |
| Music | 4,5,6,7 |
Music Elective | 3 |
| Other Foreign Lang. | 4,5,6,7 |
Foreign Language Elective (Literature) | 6 |
| Philosophy | 4,5,6,7 |
Philosophy 100 | 3 |
| Physics | 4,5,6,7 |
Physics 103 | 4 |
| Psychology | 4,5,6,7 |
Psychology 100 | 3 |
| Social Anthropology | 4,5,6,7 | Anthropology/Sociology 202 | 3 |
| Spanish | 4,5,6,7 |
Spanish Elective (Literature) | 6 |
| Theatre Arts | 4,5,6,7 |
Theatre Elective | 3 |
| Full Diploma |
28 or Above |
3 |
|
** Student's portfolio will need to be reviewed by the department.
Retroactive credit
Students who enter the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with advanced preparation in foreign languages and mathematics may receive credit for that preparation by passing an advanced-level UW-La Crosse course with a grade of "B" or better.
Retroactive Credit in the Department of Modern Language
All students who plan to continue a language already studied in high school must take the UW System Placement Test in order to determine the appropriate class level. The UW-La Crosse Admissions Office will send Placement Test information to all accepted new freshmen.
A student may receive retroactive credit provided a grade of "B" or better is earned in the student’s first university course above the 101 level in a particular language.
Retroactive credit may be given in one or more languages. No retroactive credit is given for any phonetics course.
-
Elementary Language II (102)
earns 4 retroactive credits plus 4 course credits for a total of 8 credits -
Intermediate Language I (201)
earns 8 retroactive credits plus 4 course credits for a total of 12 credits -
Intermediate Language II (202)
earns 12 retroactive credits plus 4 course credits for a total of 16 credits -
Any Advanced Course
earns 16 retroactive credits plus 2-3 course credits for a total of 18-19 credits
Retroactive credit in the Department of Mathematics:
Students taking Calculus I (MTH 207), Calculus II (MTH 208), or Calculus III
(MTH 310): and earning a grade of "B" or better, will be given retroactive credit for Precalculus (MTH 151) provided the student’s transcript shows no record of prior or concurrent enrollment in MTH 151, 207, 208, or 309.
Precalculus (MTH 151) is a course on properties, graphs, and applications of elementary transcendental functions. Topics include concepts from analytic geometry; theory of equations; the logarithmic, exponential, trigonometric, and inverse trigonometric functions; and analytic trigonometry.
For additional information about these opportunities, newly admitted students should contact the Director of Admissions at (608) 785-8939. Continuing students should contact the Dean of the college or school in which they are enrolled.