Traditional Undergraduate - Credit by Examination

There are three testing programs through which students may earn credit for required or elective courses. Any student who has questions about these examinations should consult the Registrar. No more than 32 semester hours of credit will be accepted from each of the programs described below.

College Level Examination Program – CLEP

Within the CLEP testing program are two categories. The General Examinations cover the areas of English Composition, Humanities, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Social Science and History. Oglethorpe University does not award credit for the General Examinations in English Composition, Natural Science, Mathematics, or Social Science and History. Minimum acceptable scores are 500 for each general area and 50 in each sub-total category. The Subject Examinations are designed to measure knowledge in a particular course. A minimum acceptable score of 50 on a Subject Examination is required for credit. The Oglethorpe Registrar should be contacted concerning which Subject Examinations may lead to credit at Oglethorpe.

CLEP examinations normally are taken before the student matriculates at Oglethorpe. Only under special circumstances will credit be awarded for an examination taken after the student completes his or her first semester at Oglethorpe University. A maximum of four semester hours will be awarded for each examination. A maximum of 32 semester hours may be earned with acceptable CLEP scores.

All students are required to take placement examinations in mathematics and foreign languages (if they plan to take a course in these areas or subjects) and are placed accordingly.

Advanced Placement Programs

The University encourages students who have completed Advanced Placement examinations of the College Entrance Examination Board to submit their scores prior to enrollment for evaluation for college credit. Please contact the Office of Admission or the Registrar’s Office for the appropriate course of action to be taken in order to receive credit for AP exams. The general policy of Oglethorpe toward such scores is the following: Academic credit will be given in the appropriate area to students presenting Advanced Placement grades of 3, 4, or 5; neither credit nor exemption will be given for a grade of 2; maximum credit allowed to any student for Advanced Placement tests will be 32 semester hours. Specific policies are indicated in the chart which follows. These are subject to change at any time.

International Baccalaureate Program

With the goal of developing citizens of the world, Oglethorpe University  recognizes and appreciates the intellectual rigors of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, its interdisciplinary nature, global perspective, and commitment to service. The alignment between courses like Theory of Knowledge and Oglethorpe’s Core Curriculum (see the Core Curriculum section in the Bulletin) leads to a seamless integration into academic life  at Oglethorpe.   Because of this, four-year renewable IB scholarships* as well as advanced standing are awarded upon enrollment at Oglethorpe for earning an IB Diploma.

Hours will initially be awarded as general elective credits based upon the total IB score (see General Elective Chart), with a score of 30 or higher earning sophomore standing (32 semester  hours).  All, or a portion of, general elective credits may be re-allocated for specific course credit based upon the AP/IB Credit Chart, and for Core classes upon approval of the core director. Should the amount of specific semester hours earned surpass the amount of general elective credits the student will receive the greater amount, not to exceed 32 semester hours.

Students seeking to graduate in three years may register for COR 401 or COR 402  after earning rising senior standing (81 credit hours), or with the approval of the core director.

*For specifics on scholarships please contact the admission office at 404-364-8307, admission@oglethorpe.edu, or visit www.oglethorpe.edu/admission/undergraduate

All students are required to take placement examinations in foreign languages (if they plan to take a course in these areas or subjects) and are placed accordingly.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credit Chart

Accepted Examination Grades (unless stated otherwise)
AP: 3, 4, 5 / IB (Higher Level Exam): 5, 6, 7
 

*Credit for the IB exam will be determined through discussion with the faculty within the appropriate academic field. Any exams not included in this chart should be brought to the attention of the Registrar, and the appropriate faculty members will determine credit.