California Edition 2014-2015 > Addenda and Errata > General Education Redesign Addendum > Challenge Credit

Challenge Credit

Effective for applicants to the Summer I  2015 Term (June 15, 2015), the Challenge Credit (Advanced Placement, Challenge Examination Policy, and Military Credit) information has been added as a new policy.

West Coast University can award a maximum of 30 credits total  for  Challenge Examinations, College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests, Advanced Placement (AP exams),  and from United States Military work and training experiences for applicants to undergraduate programs. Specifically,  a maximum of 12 credits can be awarded for Challenge Examinations, CLEP, and AP testing (or any combination thereof), and  a maximum of 24 credits may be awarded  based on military work or training experience.

College Level Examinations (CLEP), Advanced Placement (AP), and Challenge Examination Policy

Students can earn a maximum of 12 General Education credits through credit by examination to include CLEP, AP, and WCU Challenge Examinations or any combination thereof. West Coast University will evaluate CLEP and AP exam scores using the tables outlined below.  To be considered for evaluation, students must submit the appropriate exam score documentation directly to West Coast University from the testing agency. Duplicate credit shall not be granted to students who have achieved minimum AP or CLEP exam scores and have taken the equivalent course at West Coast University.  Credits earned through these standardized examinations do not count toward a student’s cumulative grade point average (CGPA).

Credit by Examination Requirements:

1. A student cannot receive credit by CLEP, AP, or Challenge Examination for a WCU course that the student earned a failing or Non-Passing grade in.

2. Students must submit official CLEP and/or AP exam transcripts by the deadlines mandated for post-secondary transcripts in order to be evaluated for credit.

3. Students who present CLEP and/or AP exam transcripts that do not meet the minimum required scores shall not receive credit; CLEP and/or AP exam transcripts showing an exam retake shall not be considered for evaluation.

4. Students who present CLEP and/or AP exam transcripts that do not meet the minimum required scores shall not be allowed to apply for a West Coast University Challenge Examination for the
corresponding General Education course.

5. AP and CLEP credit shall be applied only to fulfill General Education credit requirements. Courses in the major academic core are not eligible for credit by CLEP or AP examination.

6. The University shall not provide credit for CLEP General Examinations. Only CLEP Subject Examinations will be evaluated for credit.

The following tables outline the accepted CLEP and AP exam minimum required score, equivalent General Education course, and number of credits awarded.

CLEP Minimum Scores and General Education Equivalencies:

AP Minimum Scores and General Education Equivalencies: 

Military and Training Credit:

Former and current military service personnel are allowed to receive credit for any West Coast
University course providing they meet certain criteria. The appropriate academic program Dean/Chair and the Registrar’s Office shall be responsible for determining the final credit award. 

West Coast University students may be awarded a maximum of 24 undergraduate course credits for previous military training or work experience.  

Current and former military service personnel shall be required to provide WCU with a copy of their Joint Services Transcript, which is then evaluated by registrar’s office using the American Council on Education (ACE) system.  This document provides official information about an individual’s previous education/training and work experience while in the military.