Effective Date: June 14, 2024
Issuing Authority: Provost
Policy Contact: Vice Provost, provost@mercer.edu, 478-301-2110
Purpose
Mercer University awards credit for prior learning experiences that can be validated through scores on institutionally developed and administered examinations and nationally recognized tests. The Advance Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) tests are based on specific college-level coursework while students were enrolled in high school. The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) measure students’ knowledge in specific areas, independent of course-taking at the high school or college level.
Scope
This policy applies to undergraduate students at Mercer University.
Exclusions
None
Policy Statement
Students who take Advanced Placement (AP) courses at the high school level and complete the examination administrated by the Educational Testing Service are awarded credit based on the score and course equivalent(s) as determined by the appropriate Mercer academic department for each exam. No credit may be awarded for scores of 1 or 2. Applicants should request an official score report from College Board be sent to the Mercer’s Office of the Registrar.
Credit is also awarded for examinations administered by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Credit is awarded for scores at the 50th percentile or higher on the general and/or subject exams. CLEP credit will not be awarded if a student has already taken the equivalent college-level course.
The International Baccalaureate Program is an internationally recognized curriculum that is taught at numerous high schools in the United States, Canada, and other countries. Mercer awards credit for scores of 5, 6, or 7 on the Higher Level examinations of the International Baccalaureate Program. Score reports should be included with the student’s final high school transcripts or provided by the International Baccalaureate Office.
In addition to CLEP, Advanced Placement, DANTES, and International Baccalaureate exams, students may earn credit toward their degrees through the credit-by-examination procedures established in each of the colleges and schools of the University. These credits are awarded upon completion of institutionally developed and administered examinations. Each college/school determines the courses for which credit-by-exam may be given and establishes the criteria for awarding credit. No college, school, or department is obligated to offer an institutionally developed credit-by-exam option. A student may receive no more than 32 hours of credit from all extra-course examinations including Advanced Placement, CLEP, DANTES, the International Baccalaureate Program, and credit-by-examination.
Credits earned through the University’s credit-by-examination process will be posted to the permanent academic record in the transfer credit area. This credit will carry an annotation that identifies it as credit-by-examination. It will not carry quality points or a grade and, therefore, will not affect the cumulative grade point average.
To be eligible to sit for a departmental exam, a student must be actively enrolled at Mercer in the semester in which the exam is to be taken. Appropriate fees must be paid prior to the exam and are non-refundable. Application forms for these exams are available in the Office of the Registrar.
Additional Resources
Office of the Registrar: https://registrar.mercer.edu/
History
Revised July 31, 2023
Revised June 14, 2024