Credit for Prior Learning

There are two ways undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, may establish undergraduate credit for prior learning in courses offered by the university: either through the University of Arkansas Credit for Prior Learning (see the next section), or through approved national testing programs, such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the Advanced Placement Program (AP), or the International Baccalaureate Program (IB).

Credit established by prior learning must be evaluated in terms of the specific program the student wishes to pursue. The decision regarding the appropriate application of such credit to a degree program will be made in each college or school. Credit established by prior learning will be applied to a degree program in the same manner as credit established in any other way. If credit is earned by examination, the mark of CR will be entered in the student’s record. Grades are not assigned.

In certain instances, however, instead of actually receiving credit in semester hours, a student may receive advanced standing and be authorized to enroll for advanced courses in the subject matter area.

Credit by examination may not be used to satisfy minimum residency requirements as established by each college or school. Credit by examination is recorded only for students currently enrolled at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

U of A Credit for Prior Learning Program

The following conditions apply to the departmental programs for credit by examination:

  1. The student must apply for such credit using forms available in the academic dean or department office. Permission to take the examination or submit the required assessment must be obtained from the faculty of the department offering the course. The faculty of each department is responsible for designating the courses in that department that may be challenged by examination or assessment. A list of courses designated as such is available on the University of Arkansas Registrar’s website.
  2. The appropriate department or college offering the course will design and evaluate the examination or assessment. The Office of Testing Services or an approved remote proctoring service may administer such examination or assessment if approved by the department or college offering the course.
  3. The appropriate department or college offering the course may designate non-credit course content approved by that unit and offered through Global Campus as part of the Credit for Prior Learning Program. Units may administer an examination or assessment after a student completes the non-credit course content. The student may apply for credit for such an examination or assessment after (1) having been admitted to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, (2) earning a minimum of three credit hours with a minimum 2.0 GPA, and (3) submission of a request for such credit five years from the date which they completed the examination or assessment.
  4. A passing grade on the examination or assessment must be “B” or above. A second attempt for credit for prior learning in that course will not be permitted.
  5. A fee will be assessed for course credit earned through the Credit for Prior Learning Program.

National Testing Programs

When credit by a national examination is granted, the student’s academic record will list the score used as a basis for credit as well as the type of examination used to establish credit, such as CLEP subject examination or general examination, AP examination or IB examination.

Credit is awarded on the basis of official score reports, which must be sent by the national testing service directly to the Office of the Registrar, 141 Uptown East, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701.  Minimum score requirements as established by the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, must be met to receive credit.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The University of Arkansas is a CLEP testing center and is authorized to administer CLEP examinations both on a national basis and on an institutional basis. However, CLEP examinations may be taken at scheduled times at any national test center, and the results sent to the University of Arkansas. The test center code number and score recipient code number for the University of Arkansas is 6866. For information or to make application, write to the Office of Testing Services, 97 N. Razorback Road, Fayetteville, AR 72701, or telephone 479-575-3948.

Approval has been granted by the appropriate governing body, upon recommendation of the academic department, to award credit in the following courses by the use of CLEP examinations. Minimum scores for the paper-based version and the new computer-based version were established by the departments of the subject areas concerned.

Please note that minimum scores for credit for computer-based CLEP exams may differ from paper-based CLEP examinations.

CLEP Examination UA Course Paper-based text (pre July 2001) Computer-based test (Effective July 2001) Maximum Credit Allowed
General Examinations
College Composition ENGL 1013 490 50 3
Approved Subject Examinations
American Government PLSC 2003 47 50 3
Biology BIOL 1543/BIOL 1541L 49 50 4
Calculus MATH 2554 55 65 4
College Algebra MATH 1203 50 54 3
Chemistry CHEM 1103/ CHEM 1101L & CHEM 1123/CHEM 1121L 50 55 8
History of United States I HIST 2003 50 50 3
History of United States II HIST 2013 50 50 3
Human Growth & Development HDFS 1403 63 3
Introduction to Educational Psychology PSYC 4033 55 3
Introductory Psychology PSYC 2003 47 55 3
Introductory Sociology SOCI 2013 59 59 3
Principles of Macroeconomics ECON 2013 48 54 3
Principles of Microeconomics ECON 2023 48 54 3
Principles of Marketing MKTG 3433 48 50 3
Western Civilization I HIST 1113 50 60 3
Western Civilization II HIST 1123 50 60 3

Advanced Placement Program (AP)

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program of the College Entrance Examination Board gives students the opportunity to pursue college-level studies while still in high school and, with an appropriate score on an AP exam, to receive advanced placement and/or credit upon entering the University. The AP examinations are offered annually by high schools that participate in this program. The appropriate UA governing body, upon recommendation of the academic department, has authorized credit and/or placement for students who present qualifying scores in the AP courses listed below.

Note: While changes surrounding the administration of AP exams occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Arkansas has not changed its policies regarding course credit for these exams.  All AP exams, whether taken online or onsite, are accepted.

Symbols for placement and credit:

  • P = placement;
  • Pq = qualified placement (student may be placed in an advanced course, with credit awarded for prerequisite courses upon satisfactory completion, subject to departmental review.);
  • C = credit;
  • Cq = qualified credit (placement and credit subject to departmental review);
  • E = Exempt.
AP Examination UA Course Minimum Score
African American Studies AAST 1003 3C
Art History ARHS 1003 3C
Art History ARHS 1003H or ARHS 2913 4C
Art History ARHS 1003H or ARHS 2913 & ARHS 2923 5C
Biology BIOL 1524 3C
Biology BIOL 1543/BIOL 1541L 4C
Biology BIOL 1543H/BIOL 1541M 5C
Calculus AB MATH 2554 3C
Calculus AB MATH 2554H 5C
Calculus BC MATH 2554 & MATH 2564 3C
Calculus BC MATH 2554H & MATH 2564H 5C
AB Subscore MATH 2554 3C
Chemistry CHEM 1053/CHEM 1051L 3C
Chemistry CHEM 1103/CHEM 1101L & CHEM 1123/CHEM 1121L 4C
Chemistry CHEM 1103/CHEM 1101L & CHEM 1123H/CHEM 1121M 5C
Computer Science A CSCE 2004 3C
Environmental Sciences GEOS 1133/GEOS 1131L 3C
European History HIST 1123 3C
French Language FREN 1013 & FREN 2003 3C
French Language FREN 1013, FREN 2003 & FREN 2013 4C
French Language FREN 1013, FREN 2003, FREN 2013, & FREN 3003 5C
German Language GERM 1013 & GERM 2003 3C
German Language GERM 1013, GERM 2003 & GERM 2013 4C
German Language GERM 1013, GERM 2003, GERM 2013, & GERM 3003 5C
Government and Politics: Comparative PLSC 2013 3C
Human Geography GEOS 1123 3C
Latin: Virgil LATN 1013 & LATN 2003 3C
Latin: Virgil LATN 1013, LATN 2003 & LATN 2013 4C
Latin: Virgil LATN 1013, LATN 2003, LATN 2013 & LATN 3003 5C
Language and Composition ENGL 1013 3C
Language and Composition ENGL 1013H 5C
Literature and Composition WLIT 1113 3C
Literature and Composition WLIT 1113H 5C
Macroeconomics ECON 2013 3C
Microeconomics ECON 2023 3C
Music Theory MLIT 1003 & MUTH 1003 3C
Music Theory MLIT 1003/MUTH 1003/MUTH 1603 & MUTH 1621 4C
Music Theory MLIT 1003/MUTH 1003/MUTH 1603/MUTH 1621/MUTH 1631 & MUTH 2603 5C
Physics 1: Algebra-Based PHYS 2013/PHYS 2011L 3C
Physics 1: Algebra-Based with Cal AB or BC score of 3 PHYS 2054 4C
Physics 1: Algebra-Based with Cal AB or BC score of 3 PHYS 2054H 5C
Physics 2: Algebra-Based PHYS 2033/PHYS 2031L 3C
Physics B PHYS 2013/PHYS 2011L & PHYS 2033/PHYS 2031L 3C
Physics B with Calculus AB or BC score of 3 PHYS 2054 & PHYS 2033/PHYS 2031L 3 Cq**, 4C**
Physics B with Calculus AB or BC score of 3 PHYS 2054H & PHYS 2033/PHYS 2031L 5C**
Physics C: Mechanics PHYS 2054 3C
Physics C: Mechanics PHYS 2054H 5C
Physics C: E & M PHYS 2074 3C
Physics C: E & M PHYS 2074H 5C
Precalculus MATH 1284C 3C
Psychology PSYC 2003 3C
Spanish Language SPAN 1013 & SPAN 2003 3C
Spanish Language SPAN 1013, SPAN 2003 & SPAN 2013 4C
Spanish Language SPAN 1013, SPAN 2003, SPAN 2013, & SPAN 3003 5C
Spanish Literature SPAN 2013H 3C
Spanish Literature SPAN 3103 5C
Statistics STAT 2303 3C***
Statistics STAT 2823 4C
Studio Art: Drawing ARTS 1013 3C
Studio Art: 2D Design ARTS 1313 3C
Studio Art: 3D Design ARTS 1323 3C
U.S. Government and Politics PLSC 2003 3C
U.S. Government and Politics PLSC 2003H 5C
U.S. History HIST 2003 or HIST 2013 3C
U.S. History HIST 2003 & HIST 2013 5C
World History HIST 1113 or HIST 1123 3C
World History HIST 1113 & HIST 1123 5C
*

Students must pass a departmental test to receive credit

**

To receive credit for courses preceding the course for which AP credit has been granted, students must enroll in and complete with a grade of “C”or higher, that course which follows in sequence the course for which AP credit was granted.

***

At most, 3 hours credit allowed for AP Statistics.

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is a comprehensive and rigorous two-year high school curriculum offered in the United States and in 72 countries around the world. The IB program provides students with a balanced education, facilitates geographic and cultural mobility, and promotes international understanding through a shared academic experience. The IB program gives students the opportunity to pursue college-level studies while in upper secondary school and to receive credit for final examinations upon entering the University.

The IB examinations are offered annually, usually in May, by high schools participating in this program. Students seeking credit for examinations must request that a final, official IB transcript of certificate or diploma results be sent by mail to the Office of the Registrar, 146 Silas H. Hunt Hall, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville AR 72701. These materials may be requested from International Baccalaureate North America, 200 Madison Avenue, Suite 2007, New York, NY 10016, telephone: 212-696-4464.

Approval has been granted by appropriate academic departments to award credit in the following courses. The minimum scores were established by the departments of the subject areas concerned.

Note: While changes surrounding the administration of IB exams occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Arkansas has not changed its policies regarding course credit for these exams. All IB exams, whether taken online or onsite, are accepted.

International Course UA Course Score
Anthropology ANTH 1023 4-7 SL or HL
Biology BIOL 1524 4-7 SL
Biology BIOL 1543/BIOL 1541L 4-5 HL
Biology BIOL 1543H/BIOL 1541M 6-7 HL
Chemistry CHEM 1053/CHEM 1051L 4-7 SL
Chemistry CHEM 1103/CHEM 1101L & CHEM 1123/CHEM 1121L 5-7 HL
Computer Science CSCE 2004 (Pending Department Exam) 4-7 SL
Computer Science CSCE 2004 & CSCE 2014 (Pending Department Exam) 4-7 HL
Economics ECON 2013 or ECON 2023 4-7 SL
Economics ECON 2013 & ECON 2023 5-7HL
English ENGL 1013 4-7 SL or 4-5 HL
English ENGL 1013 & ENGL 1023 6-7 HL
Environmental Systems GEOS 1133/GEOS 1131L 4-7 SL or HL
French FREN 1013 & FREN 2003 4-7 SL
French FREN 1013, FREN 2003, & FREN 2013 4-5 HL
French FREN 1013, FREN 2003, FREN 2013, & FREN 3003 6-7 HL
German GERM 1013 & GERM 2003 4-7 SL
German GERM 1013, GERM 2003, & GERM 2013 4-5 HL
German GERM 1013, GERM 2003, GERM 2013, & GERM 3003 6-7 HL
Geography GEOS 1123 4-7 SL or HL
Global Politics PLSC 2013 4-7 SL or HL
History (U.S.) HIST 2003 or HIST 2013 4-7 SL
History (U.S.) HIST 2003 or HIST 2013 4 HL
History (U.S.) HIST 2003 & HIST 2013 5-7 HL
Hisory (World) HIST 1113 4-7 SL
History (World) HIST 1113 & HIST 1123 4-5 HL
History (World) HIST 1113H & HIST 1123H 6-7 HL
Humanities HUMN 2213 3-7 SL or HL
Latin LATN 1013 4-7 SL
Latin LATN 1013 & LATN 2003 4-5 HL
Latin LATN 1013, LATN 2003, & LATN 2013 6-7 HL
Mathematics MATH 2554 4-7 SL
Mathematics MATH 1284C and MATH 2554 5 HL
Mathematics MATH 1284C and MATH 2554H 6-7 HL
Music MLIT 1003 4-7 SL
Music MUTH 1631 & MUTH 2603 4-7 HL
Philosophy PHIL 2003 4-7 SL or 4-5 HL
Philosophy PHIL 2003H 6-7 HL
Physics PHYS 2013/PHYS 2011L 4-7 SL
Physics PHYS 2013/PHYS 2011L & PHYS 2033/PHYS 2031L 4-5 HL
Physics PHYS 2054 & PHYS 2033/PHYS 2031L 6-7 HL
Psychology PSYC 2003 4-7 SL or HL
Spanish SPAN 1013 & SPAN 2003 4-7 SL
Spanish SPAN 1013, SPAN 2003 & SPAN 2013 4-5 HL
Spanish SPAN 1013, SPAN 2003, SPAN 2013, & SPAN 3003 6-7 HL
Theatre THTR 1223 4-7 SL or HL
Visual Arts ARHS 1003 4-7 SL
Visual Arts ARHS 1003H & ARHS 2913 4-5 HL
Visual Arts ARHS 1003H, ARHS 2913, & ARHS 2923 6-7 HL