Alternative Credit Opportunities (ACO)

Waynesburg University values the concept of lifelong learning and realizes that credit may be awarded for college level learning from a variety of sources. Students interested in alternative credit are encouraged to contact the Registrar's Office for detailed information and application materials. Currently, the following alternative sources of credit are available to students enrolled at the University:

Advanced Placement (AP) Tests of the College Entrance Examination Board
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
American Council on Education (ACE) Equivalency Credit
Recommendations (Military Courses)
Departmental Examinations
International Baccalaureate
Portfolio Credit

Upon completion of the first semester as a full-time student (12 semester hours, if part-time), credit received through these programs is posted on the student’s permanent record. A minimum of 45 semester hours of on-campus instruction is required for the baccalaureate degree. Credit earned through ACO may not be used to satisfy this requirement. Program descriptions and regulations governing the application of this credit to degree requirements follow:

Advanced Placement Program

Credit and/or placement are awarded to students receiving sufficiently high scores on Advanced Placement Tests of the College Entrance Examination Board as indicated below:

AP Exam	AP Score	Waynesburg University Credit/Course Equivalent
Arts:
Art History	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for ART 102, Art from the Early Renaissance to the Present
Music Theory	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for MUS 131, Music Theory I
2-D Art and Design	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for ART 115, Design for Art
3-D Art and Design	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for ART 115, Design for Art
Drawing	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for ART 106, Drawing
English:
English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition	Score of 3*	3 semester hours for ENG 101, College Composition I
	Score of 4 or 5*	3 semester hours for ENG 187, Honors College Composition I
		* If both exams are taken and score of 3 or above, a student can earn credits for the general education requirement (i.e., one literature course from English) if a score of 4 or above is earned on the literature exam.
History and Social Science:
Comparative Government and Politics	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for the general education requirement in social and behavioral sciences (political science)
European History	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for HIS 111, Western Civilization to 1450, or HIS 112, Western Civilization Since 1450
Human Geography	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for general education requirement in social and behavioral sciences (geography)
Macroeconomics	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for ECO 201, Introduction to Macroeconomics
Microeconomics	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for ECO 202, Economics of Business
Psychology	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for PSY 105, Introduction to Psychology
United States Government and Politics	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for POL 105, American National Government
United States History	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for HIS 101, The United States to 1865, or HIS 102, The United States Since 1865
World History: Modern	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for the general education requirement (i.e., one history course)
Math & Computer Science:
Calculus AB	Score of 3	4 semester hours for MAT 205, Functions and Trigonometry
Calculus AB	Score of 4	4 semester hours for MAT 205, Functions and Trigonometry or 8 semester hours for MAT 205 and MAT 211, Calculus I (pending successful completion of a departmental calculus placement examination)
	Score of 5	8 semester hours for MAT 205, Functions and Trigonometry, and MAT 211, Calculus I
Calculus BC	Score of 3	4 semester hours for MAT 205, Functions and Trigonometry
	Score of 4	4 semester hours for MAT 205, Functions and Trigonometry or 8 semester hours for MAT 205 and MAT 211, Calculus I (pending successful completion of a departmental calculus placement examination)
	Score of 5	8 semester hours for MAT 205, Functions and Trigonometry, and MAT 211, Calculus I
Computer Science A	Score of 4 or above on Test A	3 semester hours for CSC 116, Computer Programming I
Computer Science Principles	Score of 3 or higher	3 semester hours for CSC 105, Introduction to Computers
Statistics	Score of 4 or above	3 semester hours for MAT 215, Applied Statistics I
Sciences:
Biology	Score of 3 or above	4 semester hours for BIO 117, Introduction to Environmental Science or BIO 118, Human Biology for Non-Majors
Chemistry	Score of 3*	3 semester hours for CHE 105, Contemporary Topics in Chemistry or 4 semester hours for CHE 106, Fundamentals of Chemistry
Chemistry	Score of 4*	4 semester hours for CHE 121, General Chemistry I and CHE 121L, Laboratory for General Chemistry I
	Score of 5*	8 semester hours for CHE 121, 121L, 122, and 122L, General Chemistry I, Laboratory for General Chemistry I, General Chemistry II, and Laboratory for General Chemistry II
		* Successful interview with department representative(s) to determine laboratory experience.
Environmental Science	Score of 3 or above	4 semester hours for ENV 117, Introduction to Environmental Science
Physics 1: Algebra-Based	Score of 4 or above	4 semester hours for PHY 201, Introductory Physics I
Physics 2: Algebra-Based	Score of 4 or above	4 semester hours for PHY 202, Introductory Physics II
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism	Score of 4 or above	4 semester hours for PHY 211, General Physics I
Physics C: Mechanics	Score of 4 or above	4 semester hours for PHY 212, General Physics II
World Languages & Cultures:
Chinese Language and Culture	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for language
French Language and Culture	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for language
German Language and Culture	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for language
Italian Language and Culture	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for language
Japanese Language and Culture	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for language
Latin	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for language
Spanish Language and Culture	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for Spanish (Student will need to take placement test to determine their skill level.)
Spanish Literature and Culture	Score of 3 or above	3 semester hours for the general education requirement (i.e., three additional credit hours from fine arts, language arts or communication)

Credit may be awarded in other areas with the approval of the appropriate department chair and the Provost.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Waynesburg University serves as a limited CLEP Test Center. The University offers students the opportunity to earn undergraduate credit through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) which has two testing categories, the General Examinations and the Subject Examinations. The General Examinations are a series of tests in five separate areas: English composition, natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences and history. A student may earn up to 15 credits by passing the appropriate tests in this area. The Subject Examinations comprehensively test a single subject, such as American Government. Students who satisfactorily complete one of these examinations are awarded credit for a comparable course. Credit is awarded based on minimum scores reviewed annually by the University.

Equivalency Credit Recommendations

Waynesburg University awards credit for courses as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). Courses are evaluated on an individual basis by the Registrar in consultation with the appropriate Department Chair and the Provost.

Departmental Examinations

Credit by Departmental Examination (CDE) may be granted by the University in the absence of appropriate nationally developed proficiency examinations. Students wishing to take credit by departmental examination must meet any eligibility requirements established by the department and approved by the Provost. The following criteria govern credit by departmental examination:

Each department, with approval of the Provost, will determine which, if any, courses within the department will be available for credit by departmental examination.
The nature of examinations and standards of evaluation for designated courses will be determined by the department, in consultation with the Provost.
Examination for any course can be taken only once.
The student wishing to take credit by departmental examination must:
1. receive permission from the Provost, department chair, and the faculty member currently teaching the course;
2. meet any eligibility requirements established by the department and approved by the Provost;
3. be enrolled as a degree seeking student during the semester the examination is to be taken;
4. have received no transfer credit or grade of audit or withdrawal in the course for which credit by departmental examination is being sought;
5. not have previously failed the course for which credit by examination is being sought;
6. receive a grade of “C” or better on the examination in order to obtain credit. Credit will be listed on the student transcript as CDE only.
After the examination has been taken, the Alternative Credit Opportunities form shall be filled out, signed by the department chair, and forwarded to the Registrar's Office.
Upon receipt of the completed form and verification of payment (the fee established by the University for credit by departmental examination), the Registrar shall enter the course title and credit earned (CDE) on the student’s permanent record.

International Baccalaureate

Waynesburg University values the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and its engaging and challenging curriculum that encourages critical thinking, intercultural understanding and respect. We welcome applications from IB students.

All IB diploma students are encouraged to apply to Waynesburg University. The IB diploma or certificates in individual IB subjects may be used for admissions decisions.

English is the official language of instruction at Waynesburg University. All prospective students must demonstrate English language competency prior to admission. An international student from a non-English speaking country must submit a copy of his or her TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report before their application can be considered.

Waynesburg University offers a variety of scholarships that are available to both local and international IB students. For more information please visit www.waynesburg.edu.

Waynesburg University recognizes IB achievement by awarding credits that may be counted towards the number required for graduation and may be used to help fulfill general education requirements.

For students completing IB certificates, credit may be awarded for scores of 5 or above on standard level or higher level examinations. No more than 30 credits will be awarded for the combination of Advanced Placement (AP) Program or IB. The official International Baccalaureate transcript is required in order to award credit.

Credit and/or placement are awarded as indicated below:

Exam	Level	Credits Earned	Waynesburg University Equivalent
Language and literature:
Language A: literature	Standard	3.0	ENG 235, Topics in Literary Studies
	Higher	3.0	ENG 235, Topics in Literary Studies
Language A: language and literature	Standard	3.0	ENG 101, College Composition I
	Higher	3.0	ENG 187, Honors College Composition I
Individuals and societies:
Business management	Standard	3.0	BUS 208, Principles of Management
Business management	Higher	3.0	BUS 208, Principles of Management
Economics	Standard	3.0	ECO 201, Introduction to Macroeconomics
	Higher	3.0	ECO 201, Introduction to Macroeconomics
History	Standard	3.0	HIS 101, The United States to 1865
	Higher	3.0	HIS 101, The United States to 1865
Philosophy	Standard	3.0	PHL 105, Introduction to Philosophy
	Higher	3.0	PHL 105, Introduction to Philosophy
Psychology	Standard	3.0	PSY 105, Introduction to Psychology
	Higher	3.0	PSY 105, Introduction to Psychology
Social and cultural anthropology	Standard	3.0	SOC 106, Societies
	Higher	3.0	SOC 106, Societies
World Religions	Standard	3.0	BMS 306, World Religions
Sciences:
Biology	Standard	4.0	BIO 118, Human Biology for Non-Majors
	Higher	4.0	BIO 118, Human Biology for Non-Majors
Chemistry	Standard	4.0	CHE 121, General Chemistry
	Higher	8.0	CHE 121, General Chemistry, and CHE 122, General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis
Computer Science	Standard	3.0	CSC 105, Introduction to Computers
	Higher	6.0	CSC 105, Introduction to Computers, and CSC 116, Computer Programming I
Physics	Standard	4.0	PHY 201, Introductory Physics I
	Higher	8.0	PHY 115, Introduction to Astronomy and Cosmology, and PHY 201, Introductory Physics I
Mathematics:
Mathematics	Standard	4.0	MAT 211, Calculus I
	Higher	7.0	MAT 211, Calculus I, and MAT 215, Applied Statistics I
The arts:
Music	Standard	3.0	MUS 112, Applied Music: Individual Instruction; MUS 121, Applied Music: Group Instrumental Instruction; and MUS 122, Applied Music: Group Vocal Instruction OR any MUS survey course (to be determined by the department)
	Higher	6.0	MUS 112, Applied Music: Individual Instruction; MUS 121, Applied Music: Group Instrumental Instruction; MUS 122, Applied Music: Group Vocal Instruction; and any MUS survey course (to be determined by the department)
Theatre	Standard	3.0	One course selected from:
			THE 105, Introduction to Theatre; THE 201, Acting for the Stage I; or THE 215, Theatre History I
	Higher	6.0	Two courses selected from:
			THE 105, Introduction to Theatre; THE 201, Acting for the Stage I; or THE 215, Theatre History I
Visual arts	Standard	3.0	ART 115, Design for Art
	Higher	3.0	ART 115, Design for Art

If you would like information regarding credit eligibility for an IB examination in a subject area not listed, please contact the Registrar's Office (registrar@waynesburg.edu). The Registrar, in consultation with the Department Chair, will determine if credit may be awarded.

For any additional questions or comments, please contact:

Office of Admissions
Waynesburg University
Telephone: 724-627-8191 or 724-852-3248
Email: admissions@waynesburg.edu