Ways of Earning Credit

Credit By Examination

UMUC may award as many as 30 credits by examination toward the associate's degree and 60 credits by examination toward the bachelor's degree, provided that:

  1. There is no duplication of other academic credit, and
  2. The scores presented meet UMUC's standards.

Examinations may include the Advanced Placement examinations administered by the College Board; the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP); Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DSST) examinations; Excelsior College Examinations; and the International Baccalaureate exam, as well as approved industry certification examinations. UMUC also accepts credit for professional examinations listed in the ACE Guide to Educational Credit by Examination. As many as 30 credits by examination awarded by other approved institutions will be accepted for courses that appear on an official transcript with a grade of C (2.0) or better. Students may not receive credit for introductory courses in their native language. Students who have questions about credit by examination are encouraged to consult a UMUC Asia Academic Advisor.

Advanced Placement

Advanced placement and college credit may be granted to students on the basis of scores on a College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examination. These examinations are normally administered to eligible high school seniors during the May preceding matriculation in college.

A student intending to transfer AP credit that was awarded at another college or similar institution must have a transcript of those scores sent directly to UMUC from the College Board. When those scores have been received, an Academic Advisor will determine whether they meet the standards established at UMUC for granting AP credit and how much credit may be awarded.

Credit earned by advanced placement may be used to fulfill major, minor, or elective requirements.

Institutional Exam Codes for UMUC
For official exam results to be sent to UMUC, the proper code must be used:
AP0551
CLEP5804
DANTES9357
Excelsior College (ECEP) 02626

 

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Up to 30 credits may be awarded for general examinations in the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). The scores must meet UMUC standards. UMUC may award six credits each for the examinations in English, mathematics, natural science, social sciences and history, and humanities.

Successful completion of certain subject-area examinations is another way of earning college credit. CLEP subject examinations yield only lower-level credit. Academic Advisors can furnish details.

Application of Credit by Examination
CLEP General Examination
Credit
Duplication of UMUC Courses
GER Application
English
College Composition
6
None Second writing course
College Composition Modular
3
None Communications (Non-writing)
Social Sciences and History
   
Social Science
3
None Social Sciences
History
3
None Arts and Humanities (Historical Perspective)
Natural Science
6
NSCI 100
BIOL 101
Biological or Physical Sciences
Mathematics
6
MATH 106 Mathematics **
Humanities
6
   
Fine Arts
ARTH 100 Arts and Humanities
Literature
None Arts and Humanities
 
* For exams taken, the minimum passing scores for credit are set by ACE and vary according to the year or version of exam taken.
** CLEP General Mathematics examination must have been taken after 1 August 1985. No credit will be awarded for exams taken after credit has been assigned for MATH 107 or a higher-level math course.

For more information on tests available, visit the UMUC Asia Test Scheduling Site.

For further information on transferring examination credit, please contact a UMUC Academic Advisor.

UMUC Foreign Language Experience Questionnaire

UMUC requires you undergo a credit-by-credit examination in order to conduct a thorough educational review of transfer credit in a foreign language. The Foreign Language Questionnaire [PDF - 232KB] contains more information about this process.

DSST Examinations

Credit may be awarded for successfully completing certain DSST tests (formerly known as DANTES Subject Standardized Tests). Academic Advisors have information on which tests are acceptable.

Excelsior College Examinations (ECEP – Formerly RCEP and ACT/PEP)

Students may earn credit for successfully completing subject tests offered by Excelsior College. Tests are available in various areas of the arts and sciences, as well as in business. Scores must meet UMUC standards. Academic Advisors can furnish details.

Industry Certification Examinations

Some industry certification examinations, such as those for Microsoft Certification, may be eligible for credit. Advisors have information on acceptable examinations and requirements.

International Baccalaureate Examinations

UMUC accepts credit for the International Baccalaureate exam. To receive credit, students must complete the exams before they graduate from high school. Transcripts must be sent directly to UMUC from the examining body and scores must meet UMUC standards. Academic Advisors can furnish details.