Nursing & Health Sciences Alternative Credit

Our School offers a credit by examination for some 100- or 200-level course, provided all prerequisites for the courses are met. (See the Alternative Credit Options page of the Catalog for more information and restrictions.) Programmatic accreditation standards and requirements may limit the eligibility of certain courses for credit by exam. A $50 nonrefundable fee per exam must be paid prior to taking an exam. Requests and the exam must take place prior to completion of 20 percent of the scheduled instruction for that course (prior to the end of the third week of instruction for a full-semester course, during which time the refund policy applies).

1. Prior to requesting and attempting to earn credit-by-exam, we strongly encourage you to examine the course abstract. Evaluate your competence against the course objectives and expected outcomes.
2. After consultation with an academic advisor and course instructor(s), students wishing to attempt to "test out" of a 100- or 200-level course should contact the appropriate Program Director or Department Head for eligibility verification.
3. Pay a nonrefundable evaluation fee of $50 (per course) at the Bursar's Office (SASC 2098).
4. Bring your receipt back to the Program Director/Department Head.
5. Arrange a time and place to attempt the credit by examination.
6. The Program office/Department Head will notify the student and School office via college email of his/her success or failure on the exam.
7. If successful, the Program office/Department Head will forward the appropriate verification of nontraditional credit form to the School office for final approval.
8. Posting of that credit will follow the College's policy.

A student requesting credit for life experience will be asked to document work and life experiences to show that the experiences are equal to the objectives established for the related Penn College course(s). Include any supportive background information such as copies of certifications, assessments, workshops attended, etc. To ensure that your documentation and rationale meets the course objectives, obtain a copy of the course abstract or syllabus from the School office. A $50 evaluation fee is payable in advance of the School's review.

1. After consultation with an academic advisor and course instructor(s), students wishing to have a review of their work life experience for possible course credit should contact the appropriate Program Director or Department Head for consultation.
2. Pay a nonrefundable evaluation fee of $50 (per course) at the Bursar's Office (SASC 2098).
3. Bring your receipt back to the School of Nursing & Health Sciences office ATHS E257.
4. The School Dean or Assistant Dean will appoint a committee to assess the candidate's educational and work background.
5. The committee may interview the student and also may require the completion of practical exercises and/or tests where applicable. The committee will recommend the number of credits to be awarded if any.
6. The Program office/Department Head will notify the student via college email of his/her success or failure on the request for credit.
7. If successful, the School office will complete the appropriate verification of nontraditional credit form for final approval.
8. Posting of that credit will follow the College's policy.

Visit the College Alternative Credit page for general requirements and procedures, such as how alternative credit affects GPA and how it is reflected on transcripts.