Alternatives for Acquiring Credit
By taking advantage of the following options, you can save tuition costs and reduce classroom time as you progress toward your degree. Detailed information is available at the Adult Center.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
CLEP is a national system of credit by examination offered by the College Board in conjunction with Educational Testing Service, Princeton, N.J. CLEP exams are multiple-choice, computer-based examinations offered at several hundred test centers around the country. CLU is an open test center, which means the test administration schedule is open to CLU students and non-CLU students. Testing is offered at CLU several times each month in Pearson Library Lab #7. The CLEP testing schedule, FAQs and test preparation information is available on the Center for Academic and Accessibility Resources' (CAAR) Website.
The registration fee is $30 for CLU students and $40 for non-CLU students. A $77 exam fee is due at the time of the exam (payment by credit card or check is acceptable). Questions regarding testing at CLU should be referred to the Center for Academic and Accessibility Resources at (805) 493-3260 or ADEP at (805)493-3325.
CLU students may earn a maximum of 32 credits through credit by examination; they may not take a CLEP exam for a course they previously failed. Exams are graded Pass/No Credit; CLEP credit is equivalent to lower division coursework. CLU does not grant credit for CLEP General Examinations; however, CLEP Subject Examination credit is awarded for the following approved courses, scores and credit values:
SUBJECT EXAMINATION |
MINIMUM SCORE |
CREDIT VALUE |
Composition and Literature |
||
| American Literature | 50 |
6 |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | 50 |
6 |
| English Literature | 50 |
6 |
| Freshman Composition Modular |
50 |
3
|
Social Sciences and History |
||
| American Government | 50 |
3 |
| History of the U. S. I: Early Colonizations to 1877 | 50 |
3 |
| History of U.S. II: 1865 to the Present | 50 |
3 |
| Human Growth and Development | 50 |
3 |
| Introduction to Educational Psychology | 50 |
3 |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50 |
3 |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 50 |
3 |
| Introductory Sociology | 50 |
3 |
| Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East 1648 | 50 |
3 |
| Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present | 50 |
3 |
Science and Mathematics |
||
| Biology | 50 |
6 |
| Calculus | 50 |
3 |
| Chemistry | 50 |
3 |
| Pre-Calculus | 50 |
3 |
Business |
||
| Financial Accounting | 50 |
3 |
| Introductory Business Law | 50 |
3 |
| Information Systems and Computer Applications | 50 |
3 |
| Principles of Marketing | 50 |
3 |
| Principles of Management |
50 |
3 |
Upcoming CLEP examination dates and times:
Testing will be held in Library Room 7 (lab), please visit the link below for testing dates:
http://www.callutheran.edu/car/undergrad/clep.php
Credit by Examination
Students in good standing may challenge for credit a course offered at CLU upon the approval of the department chair and the dean. They may not challenge for credit a course in which they have previously received a grade of F, NCR (No Credit) or audited. Students may challenge a maximum of eight credits of upper division coursework. Applications must be made through the Registrar or ADEP office and signatures of the academic dean, department chair, and instructor must be obtained. Credit earned by examination will be grade Pass/No Credit and will be recorded at the end of the term in which the examination is taken. The $250 examination fee must be paid in advance.
NOTE: A maximum of 32 credits may be earned through credit by examination (CLEP, AP, and institutional challenge exams). A maximum of 8 of the 32 credits may be upper division. Residency requirement: 30 of the final 40 credits must be completed in residency at CLU. This requirement cannot be met using credit by examination.
Independent Study
Independent study opportunities are available for students to work independently, in consultation with a faculty member, on in-depth research in particular areas of academic interest. A student wishing to undertake an independent study must have attained junior status (58 units) and be in good academic standing. A student may not substitute an independent study for a course listed in the university catalog unless specific approval is given by the dean for academic affairs. A student may earn no more than four units of independent study credit in any given semester and may count no more than eight units of independent study credit toward the total number of units required for graduation. Any exceptions must receive approval by the dean for academic affairs. A student must have his or her independent study contract approved and signed by the sponsoring professor, the chair of the department in which the study is taken and the registrar before the final date to add a course. Forms for registration and the independent study contract form are available at the ADEP office. Letter grade only.
Field Study
Field Study is a field experience course designed to apply academic knowledge to an actual work environment. The student must have attained sophomore status (28 units) and be in good academic standing. Departmental approval is required for participation. During any semester, a maximum of two units may be taken. The course may be repeated for different experiences, but a student may earn no more than eight units in field experience courses. Contact the Adult Degree Program Office for field study contract form. Graded Pass/No Credit only.
For Further Information
If you would like further information about alternatives for acquiring credit, you are invited to contact:
The Adult Degree Evening Program
California Lutheran University
60 West Olsen Road #2200
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-2700
(805) 493-3325
