42-00 Acquisition of Credit
42-20
Credit by Instruction- 42-23
Types of Instruction
- 42-27
Class Attendance
- 42-50
Credit by Examination (CRX)
- 42-80
Credit by Transfer From Other Institutions
- 42-81
Credit by Validation
- 42-82
Accredited U.S. Institutions
- 42-84
Accredited Institutions Outside the United States
- 42-86
Institutions That Are Not Regionally Accredited
- 42-88
Implementation of Policies 42-82, 42-84, 42-86, 42-92, 42-94, and 42-99
- 42-90
Other Means of Credit Acquisition
- 42-92
Advanced Placement Program of the College Board
- 42-94
College-Level Examination Program of the College Board
- 42-96
International Secondary Schooling
- 42-97
Credit by Portfolio Assessment
- 42-98
Educational Experiences in the Armed Services
- 42-99
Educational Credit for Training Programs in Noncollegiate Organizations
Course credits may be acquired by instruction as defined by Section
42-20, by examination as defined by Section 42-50, or by transfer from
other colleges and universities as defined by Sections 42-80 and 42-90.
Accumulation of credits does not automatically fulfill the requirements
for a particular baccalaureate or associate degree. Courses and credits
applicable to particular degree programs are listed in the appropriate
bulletins.
Revised: 6/3/75
A course credit by instruction is defined as listed below for various
types of educational experiences. In all cases, the course must be in the
charge of a qualified member of the University's instructional staff, and
formal evaluation of the student's achievement must be included in the
course. The distribution of time between class activities and outside
preparation varies from course to course; however, for the average
student, a total of at least forty (40) hours of work planned and arranged
by the University faculty is required to gain 1 credit.
- Lecture, Discussion, or Recitation. The distribution of time is
usually one-third formal instruction and two-thirds outside preparation.
Formal classes are normally scheduled for twelve and one half (12½)
hours per credit.
- Laboratory. The distribution of time varies from twenty-five (25) to
thirty-seven and one-half (37½) hours of laboratory
instruction per credit with additional sufficient outside preparation.
- Undergraduate Theses, Projects, Honors Programs, and Field Trips. At
least forty (40) hours of work are required per credit with varying
amounts of individual instruction.
- Student Teaching and Internships. At least forty (40) hours of work
are required per credit. Prior written approval of the appropriate
University faculty is required for subsequent granting of credit.
- Workshops. At least forty (40) hours of work are required per credit.
- Individualized Instruction (e.g., Independent Learning courses and
computer-aided instruction). At least forty (40) hours of work are
required per credit, with varying amounts of individual instruction.
Revised: 2/4/75 (as Rule L-2)
The faculty, staff, and other resources of the University are furnished
for the education of students who attend the University. A class schedule
is provided for students and faculty so that a reasonably orderly
arrangement for instruction is facilitated. The fact that classes are
scheduled is evidence that the faculty believes class instruction is
important. Therefore, class attendance is important for the benefit of
students.
Accordingly, it is the policy of the University that class attendance by
students be encouraged and that all instructors organize and conduct their
courses with this policy in mind. A student should attend every class for
which the student is scheduled and should be held responsible for all work
covered in the courses taken. In each case, the instructor should decide
when the class absence constitutes a danger to the student's scholastic
attainment and should make this fact known to the student at once. A
student whose irregular attendance causes him or her, in the judgment of
the instructor, to become deficient scholastically, may run the risk of
receiving a failing grade or receiving a lower grade than the student
might have secured had the student been in regular attendance.
Instructors should provide, within reason, opportunity to make up work
for students who miss class for regularly scheduled, University-approved
curricular and extracurricular activities (such as Martin Luther
King Day of Service, field trips, debate
trips, choir trips, and athletic contests). However, if such scheduled
trips are considered by the instructor to be hurting the student's
scholastic performance, the instructor should present such evidence for
necessary action to the head of the department in which the course is
offered and to the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled or
to the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in
that division.
Instructors also should provide, within reason, opportunity to make up work
for student's who miss classes for other legitimate but unavoidable reasons.
Legitimate, unavoidable reasons are those such as illness, injury, family emergency,
or religious observance. If an evaluative event will be missed due to an unavoidable
absence, the student should contact the instructor as soon as the unavoidable
absence is known to discuss ways to make up the work. An instructor might not
consider an unavoidable absence legitimate if the student does not contact the
instructor before the evaluative event. Students will be held responsible for
using only legitimate, unavoidable reasons for requesting a make-up in the event
of a missed class or evaluative event. Requests for missing class or an evaluative
event due to reasons that are based on false claims may be considered violations
of the policy on Academic Integrity (Policy 49-20).
Revised: 11/3/60
Revised: 5/7/74 (as K Rules)
Revised: 6/6/78
Revised: 12/5/00
Revised: 3/26/02
Revisions to Policy 42-50 were approved by the Senate on March 13, 2012. Implementation pending ACUE action. To view revisions, see the legislative report.
In some circumstances credits may be earned through successful completion of comprehensive examinations made available by the Penn State academic units that offer particular courses. When such an examination serves as a substitute for completing all the usual requirements of a Penn State course, the credits received are described as “Credit by Examination” and are accepted as fulfilling degree requirements. A grade of “C” or higher must be earned in the examination for such credit to be awarded and to appear on the student’s transcript. Credit by Examination shall not be granted for any course previously completed for which a quality letter grade has been assigned, or for credit awarded under Senate Policies 42-80 or 42-90, or for credit earned through the College Entrance Examination Board’s Advanced Placement Program.
Students may initiate a request for Credit by Examination for a course, although the academic department or program offering the course determines whether it will make Credit by Examination available.
Credit by Examination does not result in a quality grade (A, A-, etc.) and is not included in the calculation of the student’s grade point average. Any credits earned in this manner will appear on the student’s transcript with the notation CRX and without a reported grade, similar to the way that credits appear if acquired through means such as transfer from other institutions (Senate Policy 42-80), Advanced Placement credit (Senate Policy 42-92), or Credit by Portfolio credits (Senate Policy 42-97). As with Policy 42-97, a fee may be assessed to cover the costs of the procedure (see also E-2: Credit by Examination http://www.psu.edu/oue/aappm/).
Revised: 12/11/73 (as Rule L-4)
Revised: 2/5/74 (as Rule L-4)
Revised: 4/6/76
Revised: 5/1/84
|
Revised: 3/17/92
Revised: 2/29/00
Revised: 9/11/07
Revised: 9/9/08 |
Credit for courses completed at other institutions and graded the
equivalent of an "A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, or C" at this
institution may be obtained through credit by validation when the
Undergraduate Admissions Office is unable to determine the transferability
of a course through other means. In such courses, the student may request
this option be used and must provide the necessary documentation. The
Undergraduate Admission Office determines from the official transcript the
credits to be validated and lists these credits on the Credit by
Validation form. This form and the supporting documentation are forwarded
to the representative of the department in which an equivalent course is
taught at this University. The department representative then conducts a
review, the form and extent of which the department representative
determines, and reports the results of the review to the Undergraduate
Admissions Office via the Credit by Validation form. The Undergraduate
Admissions Office then records the appropriate entries on the candidate's
record. Course numbers in the 400 series usually are not listed in the
candidate's record. General credits may be granted by this method.
However, the department representative validating the course may specify
that a course number in the 400 series be listed in a candidate's record
when the course covers topics that are substantially equivalent to a
specific 400-level course. Credits are transferred, but grade points are
not. Grades earned at other colleges and universities are not used in
calculating a candidate's grade-point average while attending this
university.
Revised: 6/3/75 (as Rule L-6)
Revised: 10/24/95
Credits may be accepted from colleges and universities that are
accredited by any of the six regional accrediting commissions in the
United States.
- Evaluation Criteria. Course work completed at an accredited college
or university may be evaluated for transfer credit if passed with a
grade equivalent to A, B, or C at this University and useful to the
candidate's program of study at this University. Course work completed
on a pass-fail or satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis normally cannot be
evaluated for transfer credit.
- Specific Credits. When a candidate has satisfactorily completed, at
another accredited institution, course work that is substantially
equivalent to a specific course at this University, credit is granted in
the University course, except for 400-series courses. For course work
that is equivalent to 400-series courses, general credits, as described
in item 3, below, may be granted. Credit granted for course work that is
equivalent to 800-level courses may be applied only toward completion of
requirements for a college or major in accordance with the policies
established by that college, but not to General Education as defined in
Appendix A.1.
- General Credits. When a candidate has satisfactorily completed, at
another accredited institution, course work that is not substantially
equivalent to a specific course at this University, general credits may
be granted in the general field of study covered by that course. General
credits may be assigned in cases where it is not possible to assign a
University course number because of a difference in the number of
credits involved. If appropriate, general credits may be used to fulfill
degree requirements in any area. These general credits may be applied to
the candidate's program of study in accordance with the policies
established by the college of enrollment. Credit granted for course work
that is equivalent to 800-level courses may be applied only toward
completion of requirements for a college or major in accordance with the
policies established by that college, but not to General Education as
defined in Appendix A.1.
- Credit Conversion. Courses at this University carry semester hours of
credit. Courses evaluated for transfer from colleges and universities
with different credit systems, such as quarter hours of credit, units,
and course units, are converted to semester hours of credit.
- Grades. Credits are transferred, but grade points are not. Grades
earned at other colleges and universities are not used in calculating a
candidate's grade-point average while attending this University.
Revised: 6/3/75 (as Rule L-6)
Revised: 6/1/76
Revised Editorially: 10/6/81
Revised: 4/6/82
Credits may be accepted from colleges and universities outside the
United States that are considered to be accredited when either of the
following standards is met: (a) the college or university is accredited by
one of six regional accrediting associations in the United States; (b) the
college or university is a recognized part of the system of higher
education of another country and offers programs of study equivalent to
baccalaureate degree programs. The World Education Series, published by
the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers,
is used as a guide in making decisions on the accreditation of foreign
institutions.
Revised: 6/3/75 (as Rule L-6)
Revised: 10/24/95
Students seeking credit for work taken at a college or university that
is not accredited by one of the six regional accrediting commissions in
the United States but has been licensed by a state board of education to
award an associate degree or higher may use the credit by validation
method stated in Section 42-81.
Students seeking credit for work taken at a college or university that
is not accredited by one of the six regional accrediting commissions in
the United States and has not been licensed by a state board of education
to award an associate degree or higher may use the credit by
examination method (Policy 42-50), if available,
through the academic unit. Other means of obtaining credit are listed in
policies 42-92, 42-94, 42-98, and 42-99.
Revised: 6/3/75 (as Rule L-6)
Revised: 6/1/76
Revised: 4/26/88
Revised: 3/17/92
Revised: 12/5/95
The director of admissions is responsible for making decisions and
judgments necessary to implement these policies.
A person who does advanced work in a secondary school may take Advanced Placement Examinations, which are based on college-level studies. The University cooperates with the College Board in this program.
Credit may be awarded for Advanced Placement Examinations depending upon the grades earned on the examination. For some examinations, the amount of credit awarded varies with an earned grade of three, four, or five. The schedule of credit awarded for Advanced Placement Examinations may be revised annually upon review by the faculty.
Limitations on credits earned through the Advanced Placement Examinations are as follows:
1. It is the discretion of the student’s degree program to determine whether the credits earned can be used to meet degree requirements.
2. A student who has earned credit for a particular course through AP examinations may elect to take the same course at Penn State (unless restricted by placement policies of the unit offering the course), but the duplicate credit cannot be used to meet any additional degree requirements. However, the grade earned in the Penn State course will count towards the student’s grade point average.
Revised: 3/17/92
Revised: 4/24/12
The University cooperates with the College Board in this program, referred to as CLEP. Effective June 1, 1974, credit may be awarded for the CLEP Examinations depending upon the score earned on the examination and other factors as indicated in the following paragraphs.
A student who has earned a score equivalent to the fiftieth percentile or higher for performance on the CLEP Examination, taken before or after admission to degree candidacy, may receive credit as indicated in the schedule of credits.
Limitations on credits earned through the CLEP Examinations are as follows:
1. It is the discretion of the student’s degree program to determine whether the credits earned can be used to meet degree requirements.
2. A student who has earned credit for a particular course through CLEP examinations may elect to take the same course at Penn State (unless restricted by placement policies of the unit offering the course), but the duplicate credit cannot be used to meet any additional degree requirements. However, the grade earned in the Penn State course will count towards the student’s grade point average.
3. The total number of credits that may be awarded is limited to 60 credits.
Revised: 3/17/92
Revised: 4/24/12
A student who has enrolled in foreign secondary schools or in the International Baccalaureate Program and who has taken course work that is equivalent to college-level studies may receive credit for such work if they meet the following criteria:
- Foreign Secondary Schooling. A person who does advanced work in a secondary school in another country may receive consideration for transfer credit when the examinations taken are based on college-level studies. Credit may be awarded for advanced work in foreign secondary schools.
- The World Education Series, published by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, shall be used as a guide in making decisions on the awarding of credit for course work completed at an advanced level in foreign secondary schools. The number of credits awarded will reflect the introductory sequence in that subject at Penn State.
- International Baccalaureate. A person who does work based on college-level studies in an international baccalaureate program in a secondary school may take the higher level examinations. Credit may be awarded for higher level examinations of the international baccalaureate depending upon the grades earned on the examination. Subjects examined at the higher level with an earned grade of 5 or higher will be considered for transfer credit. The number of credits awarded will reflect the introductory sequence in that subject at Penn State.
Limitations on credits earned through advanced-level foreign secondary schooling and the International Baccalaureate examinations are as follows:
-
- It is the discretion of the student’s degree program to determine whether the credits earned can be used to meet degree requirements.
- A student who has earned credit for a particular course through IB examinations or advanced-level foreign secondary schooling may elect to take the same course at Penn State (unless restricted by placement policies of the unit offering the course), but the duplicate credit cannot be used to meet any additional degree requirements. However, the grade earned in the Penn State course will count towards the student’s grade point average.
Revised: 4/25/95
Revised: 4/24/12
For any academic unit that is willing to consider awarding credit on the
basis of portfolio assessment for specific courses offered by that unit,
an undergraduate student interested in receiving credit for college-level
learning obtained in noncollegiate settings may develop a portfolio that
reflects knowledge mastered, request assessment of the portfolio, and be
awarded credit. The student's petition for the award of credit via
portfolio must meet the following criteria:
- Credit is granted for college-level learning obtained during work or
other experience, not for the experience itself; learning must be
documented and must represent college-level achievement.
- Credit without grades is awarded only to enrolled students.
- Credit is awarded at the undergraduate level.
- Credit cannot duplicate other course work that the student has
already completed, nor can the student then enroll for credit in a
course for which credit already has been granted via portfolio assisted
assessment.
- Credit may be awarded following an evaluation of the portfolio by an
individual faculty member or a team of faculty members and/or other
selected personnel with expertise in the subject matter to be evaluated.
- Credit earned via portfolio is designated on the transcript in the
same manner as transfer credit.
A fee is assessed to recover the costs of providing the service.
Initial Legislation: 2/27/96
Revised: 3/25/97
- Formal Military Service School Courses. A veteran or member of the
active armed services or the selected reserves who is a student may be
granted credit for educational experiences in the armed services under
the following conditions:
- General credit may be awarded to a student upon certification by
the Department of Defense of the formal military service school
courses.
- Responsibility for the decision as to academic area of
application and quantity of credit to be awarded rests with the
director of admissions.
- Guidelines for this decision are drawn from the most recent
edition of A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in
the Armed Services, published by the American Council on Education.
-
Use of these general credits in the student's program rests with
the department concerned
- Military Occupational Specialty. A veteran or member of the active armed services or the selected reserves who is a student may be granted credit for occupational specialties held in the armed services under the following conditions:
- General credit may be awarded to a student upon certification by the Department of Defense of a Military Occupational Specialty.
- Responsibility for the decision as to academic area of application and quantity of credit to be awarded rests with the director of admissions.
- Guidelines for this decision are drawn from the most recent edition of A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services, published by the American Council on Education.
- Use of these general credits in the student's program rests with the department concerned.
- Health and Physical Education. A veteran or a member of the active
armed services or the selected reserves who is a student may be awarded
credit for health education and physical education for completion of
basic training. Credit for basic training completed by December 1979 may
be awarded as 1 general credit of health education and 3 general credits
of physical education. Credit for basic training completed subsequent to
December 1979, with the exception of Air Force basic training will be
evaluated using the catalog of the Community College of the Air Force.
General credits awarded for basic training may be used to fulfill the
General Education requirements.
- Defense Activity Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES), DANTES
Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), and United States Armed Forces
Institute (USAFI). DANTES succeeded USAFI when USAFI was deactivated in
May 1974. The USAFI records of veterans or members of the active armed
services or the selected reserves who are students will continue to be
reviewed, as will the DSST records, provided the candidate achieved at
least the minimum score.
Revised: 10/6/81
Revised: 10/6/87
Revised: 3/17/92
Revised: 4/25/95
Revised: 9/14/04
A student may be granted credit for educational experiences in
noncollegiate organizations under the following conditions:
- Credit may be awarded to a student upon certification of successful
course completion of the American Council on Education's Registry of
Credit Recommendations.
- Responsibility for the decision as to academic area of application
and quantity of credit to be awarded rests with the director of
admissions.
- Guidelines for this decision are drawn from the most recent edition
of the National Guide of Educational Credit for Training Purposes
published by the American Council on Education.
- Use of general credits in the student's program of study rests with
the department concerned.
Revised: 3/17/92
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