SFA offers several options for students to earn college credit through various placement programs and national examinations. Students can receive college credit through the College Level Examination Program, Advanced Placement Program of the College Board, International Baccalaureate Program and SFA departmental examinations.
Policies Governing Credit by Examination and Advanced Placement
The following are university policies and procedures that apply to all credit awarded through any advanced placement or credit-by-examination program.
- Students pay a $10 fee for each locally administered departmental advanced placement examination.
- Credit by examination may not be earned for:
- any course (or its equivalent) in which the student is currently officially enrolled at SFA beyond the 12th class day
- any subject area in which the student has already earned credit for a more advanced course except by permission of the dean
- or any course for which the student has already received a grade.
- To earn credit for a locally administered examination, a student must make a score equivalent to at least a C. Departments may, however, require a grade equivalent of A or B.
- Credit-by-examination courses are identified on the transcript as such to distinguish them from classroom courses. They are recorded on the transcript as a credit (P) rather than a letter grade. Unsuccessful attempts to earn credit by examination are not recorded on the transcript.
- A student may receive credit for a maximum of 42 hours of coursework in credit-by-examination programs. These hours do not count as credit earned in residence.
- Credit received by examination satisfies degree requirements in the same way as credit earned by passing courses. A student’s cumulative GPA will not be affected by receiving credit by examination.
- Credit earned by examination does not apply to SFA residence requirements and does not satisfy requirements for the provisional program or Pathways.
- The CLEP or AP policy in effect at the time the test is taken will determine the credit awarded.
- Students may not attempt credit for a CLEP examination in which a failing grade has been earned at any educational institution for the course.
Subject to change.
Advanced Placement Program
Students should specify SFA’s code 6682 to have official test scores sent to the Office of Admissions. The following is a list of SFA courses and credit hours that are awarded for successful AP scores:
College Board’s Advanced Placement Examinations
AP Examination |
Minimum Score |
SFA Course |
Credit Hours |
|
Art - Studio Art - Drawing |
4 |
ARTS 1316 |
3 |
Art - Studio Art - 2D Design |
4 |
ARTS 1311 |
3 |
Art - Studio Art - 3D Design |
3 |
ARTS 1312 |
3 |
Art History |
3 |
ARTS 1301 |
3 |
Biology |
4 |
BIOL 1306 /BIOL 1106 |
4 |
Calculus - AB |
3 |
MATH 2313 and MATH 2113 |
4 |
Calculus - BC |
3 |
MATH 2313 and MATH 2113 , MATH 2314 and MATH 2114 |
8 |
Calculus - BC (AB sub-score) |
3 |
MATH 2313 and MATH 2113 |
4 |
Chemistry |
3 |
CHEM 1305 and CHEM 1105 , CHEM 1307 and CHEM 1107 |
8 |
Computer Science A |
3 |
CSIT 1300 |
3 |
Computer Science A |
4 |
CSIT 1300 and CSCI 1302 |
6 |
Computer Science |
5 |
CSCI 1302 and CSCI 2302 |
6 |
Computer Science Principles |
3 |
CSIT 1300 |
3 |
Economics - Macro |
3 |
ECON 2301 |
3 |
Economics - Micro |
3 |
ECON 2302 |
3 |
English Lang./Composition |
3 |
ENGL 1301 |
3 |
English Lang./Composition |
4 or 5 |
ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302 |
6 |
English Lit./Composition |
3 |
ENGL 1301 |
3 |
English Lit./Composition |
4 or 5 |
ENGL 1301 and ENGL 2341 |
6 |
Environmental Science |
3 |
ENVR 1301 |
3 |
French Language and Culture |
3 |
FREN 1311 , FREN 1312 |
6 |
French Language and Culture |
4 |
FREN 1311 , FREN 1312 , FREN 2311 |
9 |
French Language and Culture |
5 |
FREN 1311 , FREN 1312 , FREN 2311 , FREN 2312 |
12 |
German Language and Culture |
3 |
GERM 1311 , GERM 1312 |
6 |
German Language and Culture |
4 |
GERM 1311 , GERM 1312 , GERM 2311 |
9 |
German Language and Culture |
5 |
GERM 1311 , GERM 1312 , GERM 2311 , GERM 2312 |
12 |
Federal Government |
3 |
GOVT 2305 |
3 |
Texas Government |
3 |
GOVT 2306 |
3 |
History - European |
3 |
HIST 2312 |
3 |
History - U.S. |
4 |
HIST 1301 , HIST 1302 |
6 |
History - U.S. |
3 |
HIST 1301 |
3 |
History - World |
3 |
HIST 2321 |
3 |
History - World |
4 |
HIST 2321 , HIST 2322 |
6 |
Human Geography |
3 |
GEOG 1302 |
3 |
Latin |
3 |
LATI 1311 , LATI 1312 |
6 |
Latin |
4 |
LATI 1311 , LATI 1312 (6) + LATI 2311 (3) |
9 |
Latin |
5 |
LATI 1311 , LATI 1312 (6) + LATI 2311 , LATI 2312 (6) |
12 |
Music Theory (Aural Subscore) |
3 |
MUTC 1116 |
1 |
Music Theory (Aural Subscore) |
4 |
MUTC 1116 , MUTC 1117 |
2 |
Music Theory (Non-Aural Sub) |
3 |
MUTC 1211 |
2 |
Music Theory (Non-Aural Sub) |
4 |
MUTC 1211 , MUTC 1212 |
4 |
Physics I |
3 |
PHYS 1301 and PHYS 1101 |
4 |
Physics II |
3 |
PHYS 1302 and PHYS 1102 |
4 |
Physics C - Mechanics |
3 |
PHYS 2325 and PHYS 2125 |
4 |
Physics C - Electricity and Magnetism |
3 |
PHYS 2326 and PHYS 2126 |
4 |
Precalculus |
3 |
MATH 2412 |
4 |
Psychology |
3 |
PSYC 2301 |
3 |
Spanish Language and Culture |
3 |
SPAN 1311 , SPAN 1312 |
6 |
Spanish Language and Culture |
4 |
SPAN 1311 , SPAN 1312 , SPAN 2311 |
9 |
Spanish Language and Culture |
5 |
SPAN 1311 , SPAN 1312 , SPAN 2311 , SPAN 2312 |
12 |
Spanish Literature and Culture |
3 |
SPAN 1311 , SPAN 1312 , SPAN 2311 , SPAN 2312 |
12 |
Spanish Literature and Culture |
4 or 5 |
SPAN 1311 , SPAN 1312 , SPAN 2311 , SPAN 2312 , SPAN 3304 |
15 |
Statistics |
3 |
MATH 1342 |
3 |
College-Level Examination Program
Students may take CLEP tests at SFA or at any other location and should specify the code 6682 to have official scores sent to the Office of Admissions. Credit will be awarded based on SFA’s credit-by-exam policy in effect at the time the test was taken. Students must wait six months to retake an exam and must not currently be enrolled in the course. In addition, students may not take the same CLEP test more than twice. The College Board’s CLEP office can be reached at (800) 257-9558 or by email at clep@info.collegeboard.org to have additional score reports sent. The following are the minimum computer-based CLEP score requirements to receive college credit at SFA:
Subject Examination |
Minimum Score |
SFA Course |
Credit Hours |
|
Algebra, College |
50 |
MATH 1314 |
3 |
American Literature |
50 |
ENGL 2341 |
3 |
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature |
50 |
ENGL 2341 |
3 |
Biology |
50 |
BIOL 1308 and BIOL 1108 |
4 |
Business Law, Introduction |
N/A |
No Credit |
0 |
Calculus |
50 |
MATH 2313 and MATH 2113 |
4 |
Chemistry |
50 |
CHEM 1305 /CHEM 1105 |
4 |
Chemistry |
60 |
CHEM 1305 /CHEM 1105 , and CHEM 1307 /CHEM 1107 |
8 |
Composition, College |
50 |
ENGL 1301 |
3 |
Educational Psychology, Introduction |
60 |
SPSY 3380 |
3 |
English Literature |
50 |
ENGL 2341 |
3 |
Financial Accounting |
50 |
ACCT 2301 |
3 |
French Language |
50 |
FREN 1311 , FREN 1312 |
6 |
German Language |
50 |
GERM 1311 , GERM 1312 |
6 |
Human Growth and Development |
60 |
SPSY 4385 |
3 |
Humanities |
N/A |
No Credit |
0 |
Information Systems and Computer App. |
N/A |
No Credit |
0 |
Mathematics, College |
N/A |
No Credit |
0 |
Natural Sciences |
N/A |
No Credit |
0 |
Pre-Calculus |
50 |
MATH 1318 |
3 |
Principles of Macroeconomics |
54 |
ECON 2301 |
3 |
Principles of Microeconomics |
54 |
ECON 2302 |
3 |
Principles of Management |
56 |
MGMT 3370 |
3 |
Principles of Marketing |
62 |
MKTG 3351 |
3 |
Psychology, Introduction |
N/A |
No Credit |
0 |
Social Science and History |
N/A |
No Credit |
0 |
Sociology, Introduction |
50 |
SOCI 1301 |
3 |
Spanish Language |
50 |
SPAN 1311 , SPAN 1312 |
6 |
U.S. History I |
56 |
HIST 1301 |
3 |
U.S. History II |
56 |
HIST 1302 |
3 |
Western Civilization I |
56 |
HIST 2311 |
3 |
Western Civilization II |
56 |
HIST 2312 |
3 |
International Baccalaureate Program
Students who participate in the International Baccalaureate Program may receive college credit for exam scores of 4 or higher on most higher-level (HL) exams and 5 or higher on most standard-level (SL) exams. The amount of credit awarded will depend upon the exam scores and the level of the courses. In compliance with SB 111 students admitted will be granted a minimum of 24 hours of credit if they have earned the IB diploma and have no score lower than a 4 on the HL and SL exams. If qualified, credit will be awarded for a score of 4 instead of 5 on the SL exams as shown on the following equivalency chart:
IB Subject |
SL Score |
HL Score |
SFA Course |
Credit Hours |
|
Anthropology |
5 |
4 |
ANTH 2351 |
3 |
Anthropology |
|
5+ |
ANTH 2351 , ANTH 2000-level |
6 |
Biology |
5 |
4 |
BIOL 1308 and BIOL 1108 |
4 |
Biology |
|
5 |
BIOL 1306 /BIOL 1106 |
4 |
Biology |
|
6-7 |
BIOL 1306 /BIOL 1106 , BIOL 1307 /BIOL 1107 |
8 |
Business and Management |
5 |
4 |
BUSI 1301 |
3 |
Classical Languages (Greek) |
4 |
4 |
LANG 1000-level |
6 |
Classical Languages (Greek) |
|
5+ |
LANG 1000-level and LANG 2000-level |
12 |
Classical Languages (Latin) |
4 |
4 |
LATI 1311 , LATI 1312 |
6 |
Classical Languages (Latin) |
|
5+ |
LATI 1311 , LATI 1312 , LATI 2311 , LATI 2312 |
12 |
Computer Science |
5 |
4 |
COSC 1301 |
3 |
Economics |
5 |
4 |
ECON 2301 , ECON 2302 |
6 |
English A1 |
5 |
4 or 5 |
ENGL 1301 , ENGL 1302 |
6 |
Environmental Systems |
3 |
|
ENVR 1301 |
4 |
French A2 or B |
5 |
4 |
FREN 1311 , FREN 1312 |
8 |
French A2 or B |
|
5+ |
FREN 1311 , FREN 1312 , FREN 2311 , FREN 2312 |
12 |
Geography |
5 |
4 |
GEOG 1303 |
3 |
Geography |
|
5+ |
GEOG 1303 , SUST 3330 |
6 |
History of the Americas |
5 |
4 |
HIST 1000-level |
3 |
History of the Americas |
|
5+ |
HIST 1000-level |
6 |
Islamic History |
5 |
4 |
HIST 1000-level |
3 |
Islamic History |
|
5+ |
HIST 1000-level |
6 |
Languages A2 or B (other) |
5 |
4 |
LANG 1311 , LANG 1312 |
6 |
Languages A2 or B (other) |
|
5+ |
LANG 1311 , LANG 1312 , LANG 2000-level (6) |
12 |
Mathematics (HL only) |
|
4 |
MATH 2313 |
3 |
Music |
5 |
4 |
MUSI 1306 |
3 |
Philosophy |
5 |
4 |
PHIL 1301 |
3 |
Philosophy |
|
5+ |
PHIL 1301 , PHIL 1000-level |
6 |
Physics |
5 |
4 |
PHYS 1305 /PHYS 1105 , PHYS 1307 /PHYS 1107 |
8 |
Psychology |
5 |
4 |
PSYC 2301 |
3 |
Psychology |
|
5+ |
PSYC 2301 , PSYC 1000-level |
6 |
Spanish A2 or B |
5 |
4 |
SPAN 1311 , SPAN 1312 |
6 |
Spanish A2 or B |
|
5+ |
SPAN 1311 , SPAN 1312 , SPAN 2311 , SPAN 2312 |
12 |
Theatre Arts |
5 |
4 |
DRAM 1310 |
3 |
Visual Arts |
5 |
4 |
ARTS 1301 |
3 |
*Must pass lab for credit.
Internally Administered Examinations
Students already enrolled at SFA may acquire pass credit by successfully completing internally administered examinations or by a departmental advanced placement system that allows students to earn credit or bypass certain courses.
Departments currently awarding either advanced placement or credit by examination are listed below. Students interested in taking an internally administered examination should contact the appropriate department to seek approval and pre-register.
- ACCT 2301 Students must provide evidence of some practical experience or education in accounting and should inquire about the content of the examination prior to making application to take the test. The minimal passing grade is B.
- Art: Students who receive unanimous consent from all members of the Advanced Standing Committee may waive the prerequisites ARTS 1316 and/or ARTS 1311 and go to the next highest-level course. If a student receives a grade lower than C in the next highest-level course, the student will then be required to take that course for which she or he received advanced placement. If the student is given a grade of C or higher, the student will be allowed to replace the bypassed hours with an additional art elective. If the student receives a grade of A in the next highest-level course, she or he may petition the Advanced Standing Committee for credit in the bypassed course. Interested students should check with the chair for portfolio submission deadlines.
- CHEM 1311 and CHEM 1312 (General Chemistry): The minimal passing grade on these examinations is C. A separate lab test is administered for CHEM 1111 -CHEM 1112 .
- COSC 1301 : To qualify for the examination, a student must provide evidence of some practical experience or education in computer application software and the operating system. The examination consists of a written component and a computer-based competency component. Applicants should inquire about the content of the examination prior to making application to take the test. The examination can be taken only once per student. The minimal passing grade is B.
CSCI 1302 : To qualify for the examination a student must not have previously attempted CSCI 1302 . Applicants must register for the examination through the Department of Computer Science at least 24 hours before the examination time. The test will normally be administered on the third class day of a term. The test will be graded by a committee of at least three faculty members. The student will receive credit for CSCI 1302 only if all graders agree that the student has sufficient knowledge of the programming language. Students will not be permitted to take the examination more than once.
- English: Qualified students may earn advanced placement credit as a consequence of their performance in an accelerated course for freshmen, ENGL 1303 . Students who have a score of 28 or higher on the English section of the ACT or a 580 or higher on the SAT reading test are eligible to enroll in ENGL 1303 . Those who perform well in this course, earning an A, will be recommended by the instructor for six hours of advanced-placement credit and will fulfill their core curriculum requirement for rhetoric and composition. A grade of B or C will earn three hours of advanced-placement credit (ENGL 1301 ).
- ERTH 1303 and ERTH 1304 (General Geology): The minimal passing grade is B.
- MATH 1316 (Plane Trigonometry), MATH 1314 (College Algebra) and MATH 1318 (Plane Analytic Geometry): The minimal passing grade is C.
- Military Science: Students who have prior military service and students who participated in JROTC in high school may be eligible for advanced placement not to exceed four semesters. Eligibility will be determined by the professor of military science after interviewing the student.
- Modern Languages: Advanced placement with credit for courses bypassed may be earned in French, German, Portuguese and Spanish. Such credit is available in the sequence of FREN 1311 , GERM 1311 , PORT 1311 and SPAN 1311 - FREN 1312 , GERM 1312 , PORT 1312 and SPAN 1312 , FREN 2311 , GERM 2311 , PORT 2311 and SPAN 2311 - FREN 2312 , GERM 2312 , PORT 2312 and SPAN 2312 , SPA 241 - SPAN 2315 , and FREN 3303 and SPAN 3303 . In the 1311-3303 sequence, the student must earn a grade of C or higher in the course taken in order to receive bypass credit. Bypass credit may be earned only in sequence. Repeated courses do not carry bypass credit. In all cases, the student must apply for bypass credit from the dean of the College of Liberal and Applied Arts through the Department of Languages, Cultures and Communication .
Students who are unsure as to proper placement in language courses are strongly encouraged to take the placement examination offered free each semester by the department. The examination carries no credit and is for placement only. On the basis of the score earned on the examination, the language advisor recommends a course commensurate with the student’s level of competence in the language.
- Music: Through internally administered examinations, students may earn a maximum of six hours’ credit in music theory. The minimal passing grade is B.
- SOCI 1301 (Introduction to Sociology): Student seeking pass credit for SOCI 1301 must earn a score of 50 or higher on the Introduction to Sociology CLEP exam.
- Theatre: All courses currently offered by the School of Theatre and Dance are available for advanced placement. The awarding of advanced placement signifies that the student has successfully met all academic and/or performance objectives for the course under consideration.
The faculty member, when satisfied that the student has successfully met the objectives for the particular course, will recommend to the theatre faculty that advanced placement be awarded. The student will be granted advanced placement upon the approval vote of a majority of the theatre faculty. Notification of the awarding of advanced placement will be entered on the student’s official SFA transcript.
- SGNL 1301 and SGNL 1302 (Beginning and Intermediate American Sign Language): The SGNL 1301 placement test consists of:
- a computer-based test with vocabulary, phrases, numbers and fingerspelling
- and signing the “Three Little Pigs” following a model provided by the department.
The SGNL 1302 departmental exam consists of:
- a computer-based receptive test
- and an interview with a faculty member.
For both tests, a score of 80% or higher is required. Students desiring to be considered for advanced placement should contact the departmental instructor currently or most recently teaching the particular course. The faculty member and student will develop an evaluation procedure consisting of examinations and/or projects that will attempt to assess the student’s competencies in the specific course content.
The awarding of advanced placement entitles the student to enroll in the next level course within the appropriate area of concentration or place out of an area requirement if advanced credit is not stipulated in the degree plan. The awarding of advanced placement does not carry university credit or require the student to pay tuition charges for awarded courses.
Correspondence Work
While SFA does not offer correspondence courses, it recognizes correspondence work completed at other regionally accredited institutions within the following limits: the maximum of such total credit allowed for correspondence study is 18 semester hours, and all transfer credit must be approved by the Office of Admissions.
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