Traditional Undergraduate - Credit by Examination

There are three testing programs through which students may earn credit for required or elective courses. Any student who has questions about these examinations should consult the Registrar. No more than 32 semester hours of credit will be accepted from each of the programs described below.

College Level Examination Program – CLEP

Within the CLEP testing program are two categories. The General Examinations cover the areas of English Composition, Humanities, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Social Science and History. Oglethorpe University does not award credit for the General Examinations in English Composition, Natural Science, Mathematics, or Social Science and History. Minimum acceptable scores are 500 for each general area and 50 in each sub-total category. The Subject Examinations are designed to measure knowledge in a particular course. A minimum acceptable score of 50 on a Subject Examination is required for credit. The Oglethorpe Registrar should be contacted concerning which Subject Examinations may lead to credit at Oglethorpe.

CLEP examinations normally are taken before the student matriculates at Oglethorpe. Only under special circumstances will credit be awarded for an examination taken after the student completes his or her first semester at Oglethorpe University. A maximum of four semester hours will be awarded for each examination. A maximum of 32 semester hours may be earned with acceptable CLEP scores.

All students are required to take placement examinations in mathematics and foreign languages (if they plan to take a course in these areas or subjects) and are placed accordingly.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs

The University encourages students who have completed Advanced Placement examinations of the College Entrance Examination Board to submit their scores prior to enrollment for evaluation for college credit. Please contact the Office of Admission or the Registrar’s Office for the appropriate course of action to be taken in order to receive credit for AP exams. The general policy of Oglethorpe toward such scores is the following: Academic credit will be given in the appropriate area to students presenting Advanced Placement grades of 3, 4, or 5; neither credit nor exemption will be given for a grade of 2; maximum credit allowed to any student for Advanced Placement tests will be 32 semester hours. Specific policies are indicated in the chart which follows. These are subject to change at any time.

Students who have studied in an approved International Baccalaureate Program (IB) are also encouraged to apply for credit based on scores earned, and should contact the Office of Admission or the Registrar’s Office to learn how to receive credit for IB exams. Scores must be 5, 6, or 7 on the Higher Level Exam to be considered for college credit. Sophomore standing may be awarded to students who complete the IB diploma and obtain a total of 33 points or better for the full program, assuming all examination scores are 4 or better, and no Higher Level Exam score is below 5.

All students are required to take placement examinations in mathematics and foreign languages (if they plan to take a course in these areas or subjects) and are placed accordingly.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credit Chart

Accepted Examination Grades (unless stated otherwise)
AP: 3, 4, 5 / IB (Higher Level Exam): 5, 6, 7
 

*Credit for the IB exam will be determined through discussion with the faculty within the appropriate academic field. Any exams not included in this chart should be brought to the attention of the Registrar, and the appropriate faculty members will determine credit.