2024-2025 Undergraduate Bulletin > Academic Information and Policies > Credit by Examination

Credit by Examination

Walla Walla University recognizes that students who have independently achieved college-level proficiency on the basis of work experience and study may receive credit for what they already know by challenging or validating comparable classes offered by the University. (Certain university classes may not be challenged.)

APPLICATION FORMS. A current student wishing to obtain credit by examination must apply. Permission from the chair of the department in which the course is offered and permission of the course instructor are required. The application form for challenge and validation examinations is available online. A student must have approval for an exam prior to taking an exam. Fees for these examinations are listed under the heading Examination Fees in the Academic Fees section of the Financial Bulletin.

RESTRICTIONS. The following restrictions apply to all credit earned by examination:

1. A student must have an approved examination application on file in the Academic Records Office before credit by examination can be recorded on the permanent record.
2. A student must be currently enrolled before credit by examination can be recorded on the permanent record.
3. Credit by examination may be earned only if a student has not already earned credit in a similar course, or taken advanced courses.
4. Grades are issued as on normal test scores, and all grades are recorded on the permanent record of the student.
5. Examinations may not be repeated.
6. Repeat course work and F grades are not open to credit by examination.
7. Students may not take challenge examinations on courses they have audited.
8. Examinations must be taken prior to the last 3 weeks of any quarter.
9. CLEP examinations must be taken prior to the student's completion of a total of 45 quarter hours of university credit. (90 quarter hours of college-level credit for the Modern Languages examination).

CHALLENGE EXAMINATIONS. A challenge examination is a university-prepared or a standardized examination which, if successfully completed, will yield regular university credit. The student must take the examination before enrolling for further study in the field of the examination. The challenge examination may not be repeated and must be taken prior to the final quarter of residence. Labs may be challenged by permission of school/department.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMINATION (CEEB). Regular university credit may be established by successful completion of an Advanced Placement (AP) examination. These tests are graded on a scale of 1 to 5.

CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL. Walla Walla University recognizes A Level and AS Level curriculum as a challenging academic program that provides excellent preparation for university study.

In general, up to a full year of quarter credits may be granted for A Level exams with a passing grade. AS Level exams with a passing grade may be awarded half the credit allowed for the A Level course. A Level or AS Level exams credits are awarded on an S/NC grading basis.

Credits will be awarded with equivalencies for specific WWU courses as available. Non-WWU equivalency exams may be applied as general elective credit. See below for further information about WWU course designations. Other exams not listed below may be considered for credit by contacting the WWU Academic Records Office.

Credit awarding policies are reviewed on a regular basis and are subject to change.

Exam Equivalencies

COLLEGE-LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP). Walla Walla University grants credit for selected undergraduate college courses. For dates and specific information, candidates should consult the Counseling and Testing Department in the Health and Wellness Center (testing@wallawalla.edu or (509) 527-2147), which administers these computer-based tests by appointment. These tests may not be repeated and must be taken prior to the student's completion of a total of 45 quarter hours of college-level credit (90 quarter hours of college-level credit for the Modern Languages examination). Credit will be granted on a pass/fail (S/NC) basis..

A number of subject-matter examinations are offered by CLEP. Students obtaining the scaled scores established by the following departments will receive credit toward that basic requirement. Students wishing credit in courses other than those listed below should consult the appropriate department chair.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE. Credit is awarded for International Baccalaureate (IB) standard and higher-level examinations with a score of 4 or higher. Please see the equivalency chart below. Other exams not listed below may be considered for credit by contacting the WWU Academic Records Office.

VALIDATION EXAMINATIONS. Students who have transcripts from non-accredited colleges and/or transcripts showing nontransferable college courses may request to take validation examinations in courses which are comparable to those offered by Walla Walla University. Upon successful completion of the examination(s), the student will be given credit as specified. 

TRANSFER CREDIT BY EXAMINATION. Credit earned by examination at other colleges or universities may be transferred provided such credit meets the guidelines used by Walla Walla University for credit by examination.